(idm) Auction

From Peter Becker
Sent Fri, Apr 24th 1998, 14:28

quoted:
>
Date: Fri, 24 Apr 1998 09:39:52 +1000
From: Turbo <xxxxx@xx.xxx.xx>
Subject: Re: (idm) Auction and songs to make you weep

Ask the guy who recently (within a month) ran an auction for his mate
through this list, as to how many people actually honoured their
ridiculous bids!?  Not that i really know but i bet it wasn't many. I
suspect people get caught up in the heat of the moment and then bid
ridiculous amounts of money and then realise they can do without it and
would be better keeping the money.

Mark S-Walker could probably testify to this with his failed auctioning
of the ultimate rarity.. only 2 in existance, so the claims goes.

People will pay what they want to pay, but i think the fact that the
medium (a mailing-list) is faceless allows too much abuse of the
auctioning system... from both the auctioneer and bidder(s).
>

The facts, answered as asked:

* IDM and *one* non IDM individual were the only ones solicited with the
auction.

* People who responded to the auction with bids of any size: 15-20 individuals

* "Final" round of bids: 5-6 individuals

* Bid "winners" - 5

* Bid "winners" who came forth *on time* and paid and were sent their goods: 3
This looks like a 3/5 success rate.  Not too bad.

Yes, people *do* get caught up in making ridiculous bids and then bailing
but with this one we did, I think it went OK.  Again, 3/5 of the people in the
final round sent their money on time and got their stuff.

As far as abuse goes, it certainly happens.  But basically we set it up so
that if we did'nt get
payment after 2 weeks of a won bid, we dishonored the bid and sold it to
someone else or held on to it foir another sale.  I don't feel we were
abusing the auction
system at all.

For the three folks that got the records, they'd probably attest that they
were in good
condition and that they received it.

Honestly, I wish there was a better online auctioneering system ( Tim
Gunter would agree?)
and am always interested to look into other possibilities.

Peter
np: World Standard- Country Gazette ( on Daisyworld )....on Asphodel next month!


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