After reading this, as an occasional auctioneer
( remember the SKAM001 auction ? ) I though I'd add:
The best way *I've* done auctions, though certainly not the best
and always open to suggestions, is something like this:
You solicit an auction to a list, such as IDM.
You post the items, privately, off list so as not to clog up an already
clogged list ( HINT HINT!!!)
Has'nt Aran kindly asked us to stop posting lists?
You set an auction open and closing day. Like, opens on the 5th, closes
on the 12th or something like that. You also set up a day when *all* bids
will be posted to all *bidders*. This ideally is once in a bidding period.
So, if it's a one week auction, post an update once. For two weeks, twice.
This is not a rule, just a preference.
You receive bids. Then on a given day that you have disclosed, you email
*all* bidders *all* bids. Basically, if you did'nt bid, you don't get bothered
with receivigng unwanted emails.
After doing this, you cite the item, the highest bid but not the identity
of the bidder. However, you may choose to cite a list of bidders email names.
This way, to make sure that the auctioneer is not creating a false bid ascension
as Mark Stevens has mentioned below...it does happen.
This way, any bidder can email any other fellow bidder like, "bob@internet.com"
and say, "hey bob@internet.com, is it possible that *anyone* in this
auction would have
bid $10,000 for Richard James pubic hair? Is this auctionerer for real?"
A key closure to an auction is to make sure that on the last day of an auction,
you post the high bids on two or three occasions over a day's time, with
the bidders
names to *all* of the participating bidders. This way everyone gets a chance
at winning a bid and also the auctioneer has made his rep public and
accountable.
One problem with this is that there are several time zones to deal with should
your auction be worldwide. I have'nt figured this out. It's unfortunate
that if I post
high bids on a last day, someone in Melbourne has to read his/her email at
3:30 am
to match a bid.
Auctions are not perfect endeavors, but I have tried to do them fairly and
always
solicit ideas to improve them. Bad auctioneers also get bad reps real quick
so if
someone is dishonest, you can be sure their name will be spread around like
poo poo.
Tip: beware of an auctioneers name that reads like 10-20 other email
names. I think anyone who maintains several identities in the internet has
something to hide,
like a bad rep. I'm sure we all have stories to tell.
Also, never bid to an auctioneer with a hotmail account! Surely you know why.
Good luck, buyers and sellers!
Thanks,
Peter
np: Neu tribute ( some great material here, unexpected...)
nxt: Hecker IT0161975 ( a-fucking mazing....anyone heard the negative track yet?
Gilly posted a review of the NYC PS1 show to the ambient list but not to IDM...
anyone else enjoy the noise fest?)
RECOMMENDATION: Our man at Reckankreuzungsklankewerkzeuge has made
a killer mix CD. Well recorded, well mixed and stylistically varied enough
to bear
the transition from head bobbing to foot stompin'. A track listing that would
impress any IDM snob, too. The fact that a track listing is included at *all*
is exceptional enough. I don't know if these are available yet, you may want
to post queries to this list as he is a member. Dope.
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