I think it makes sense: the one you preferred to keep was also the one other people wanted to buy, and the one you wanted to get rid of was the one nobody else wanted either.
I can't remember their exact skills anymore but for what it's worth I thought they had well placed starting bids and would both probably sell at their prices the 1st time around, and both just barely. It all depends on who's looking for what when you happen to list them, but I can understand people going for the 26 year old, 30k/week less salary, balanced guy.
You're right though; there's a limit to what secondaries can do. At some point you need the primary skills to be at least in the ballpark.