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Thoughts about Auctions
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Author:  Brock Poling [ Wed Aug 31, 2005 4:55 am ]
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Well.... it looks like we had a near miss on the auction front. There was some furious bidding right at the end of this auction and determining who submitted the last bid right before the noon deadline is a matter of some debate.

Thankfully Brad stepped in and saved the day by offering additional sets for the winning bid price.

However... I would like to offer some confessions, thoughts, ideas, suggestions about the auctions.

The software that Jesse and I cooked up to conduct these auctions was never "hardened" to prevent a lot of the problems and complications that big auction sites have to contend with. The thought was that these would be slow, friendly auctions... more akin to a charity auction, than a Saturday afternoon antique sale.   

I am not sure the existing software can support how we are trying bid and stategize winning. Therefore, I have suggested to Lance that we look into buying a commercial auction package, and for the time being returning the auctions to inline threads.

This way it is easy to see when a message occured, and when bidding closed.

Certainly I am not complaining about anyone, pleased don't interpret this post in that way -- you should all bid frequently and play hard to win...

I wanted you to know that I think this needs to be done to avoid hurt feelings. That is the last thing anyone wants.


Author:  JJ Donohue [ Wed Aug 31, 2005 6:03 am ]
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For 1 auction a week, why bother? While it was a spirited last few seconds, I wasn't aware that feelings were hurt...perhaps disappointed but that's understandable and it will always happen even with the best (Ebay) software.

IMHO, unless we plan to have a significant increase in auctions... or unless improved software is inexpensive... or Lance is spending an inordinate amount of time with stopwatch in hand, then I'd spend the money improving speed, content and improved archiving (categorized posts).
Author:  Michael Dale Payne [ Wed Aug 31, 2005 6:23 am ]
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I hate to see Lance spend the money but Brock has a point. I will give an example. A couple months ago there was an auction for " if my memory does not fail me" some of BobC’s Sapele that I bid on at 11:00am central 12:pm eastern per the posting of current bids. I lost the bid to a bid that came in at 12:10 eastern. I did not complain, knowing that Lance was doing this manually. However had this been a lurker that registered to take part in the auction, not knowing the people of our community I am sure there would have been a stink raised.

Brock, is there a way for you or Lance to see the post time. If so the last bid prior to cut off time wins and Lance announces the winner. Just state that the cut off time is based on the forum's server time and that is that. I don't think any of us would have a problem with that.
MichaelP38595.6420486111
Author:  LanceK [ Wed Aug 31, 2005 6:26 am ]
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This is why were going to hold future auctions in the forum thread, there is a time stamp, ill make it a sticky topic. IT will work just fine

Author:  Michael Dale Payne [ Wed Aug 31, 2005 6:33 am ]
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You know what would be fun every now and then is a blind or sealed bid auction. everyone gets one bid. nobody knows what has been bid.. Just for a change of pace but not on every auction
Author:  Dave-SKG [ Wed Aug 31, 2005 6:44 am ]
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Just so everyone knows...there are no hurt feelings about this last auction from my end. I thought I won only because JJ's last bid came in at 12:01 p.m. Lance corrected my thought process and explained that it is the FIRST BID at 12:00 noon that wins. That is very simple and understandable. I do have a question however... If I bid at 11:59 and it registers...at 11:59 and then the clock turns to 12:00 and someone bids at 12:00 and 20 seconds. Is my bid the winner or is it the 12:00 and 20 second bid? My way of thinking is it is what ever bid is outstanding/the last bid as the clock strikes 12:00 should win because that was the last bid when the clock struck 12:00. Again, I believe this is how it works now and that is fine.

I don't think we need to get elaborate or spend money on this thing. I think a simple time stamp and some clear rules settles all.

Please don't anyone forget this is supposed to be FUN! The wood might be a bargain or the best thing ever...whatever. It's not worth someone's feelings being hurt. Certainly not losing an OLF buddy. So please believe me when I say Congrats to JJ!!!!

p.s. at least I don't have to explain yet another wood package to my wife!!!
Author:  Brock Poling [ Wed Aug 31, 2005 6:44 am ]
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I don't know that anybody DID get their feelings hurt, I am just trying to avoid that situation. We are all friends and the auctions are suppossed to be fun, and I would hate to see a shortfall in the software be the cause of a problem...

And, I do think that the plan is to do more with the auctions.
Author:  Dave-SKG [ Wed Aug 31, 2005 6:50 am ]
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well BROCK then do your job and get busy writing a new software pgm!. After all... what do we pay you for anyway?!!!!
oops...we don't pay you... do we? Ah...but someday OLF will be listed on the Exchange and all shareholders will becoame filthy rich. well maybe not filthy...just rich!
Author:  Brock Poling [ Wed Aug 31, 2005 6:59 am ]
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I'll get on it. Thanks for the pep talk.   
Author:  Don Williams [ Wed Aug 31, 2005 7:16 am ]
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I see this past auction as two guys having fun outbidding each other by $.01. I draw the conclusion from it that each was more than happy to have the other come out on top.
That said, by taking the auction to a sticky thread, we can also banter and make it more fun and competitive by interjecting humor etc. That's one of the things I really liked about another forum for musical instrument makers, which shall remain nameless.
Author:  JJ Donohue [ Wed Aug 31, 2005 7:28 am ]
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Well stated Don...I was having fun trying to jazz the last penny per second at the finish line as I'm sure Dave was as well. I never thought there would be any hurt feelings and I'm sure glad there aren't.

It's all for a good cause and we must really thank Brad for the generous doantion.

Author:  Brad Goodman [ Wed Aug 31, 2005 7:37 am ]
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You are welcome!
Author:  Jason [ Wed Aug 31, 2005 11:12 am ]
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Is there any way to have a sticky topic collapsed so we dont all have to see it taking up the top half of the first page? I'm lazy and too busy.. If it doesn't catch my eye I don't bother opening it.

I never bother searching into back pages and long sticky threads push interesting/valuable topics out of sight.
Author:  Brock Poling [ Wed Aug 31, 2005 11:31 am ]
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Not really. I think this will be a temporary solution.

The auction software is going to happen. It is just a matter of getting it, installing it, testing it, breaking it, fixing it..... etc.
Author:  Don A [ Thu Sep 01, 2005 8:37 am ]
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[QUOTE=Brock Poling]
Not really. I think this will be a temporary solution.

The auction software is going to happen. It is just a matter of getting it, installing it, testing it, breaking it, fixing it..... etc.[/QUOTE]

Oh boy, something else for me to break
Author:  Dave-SKG [ Thu Sep 01, 2005 11:09 am ]
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sounds like fun!
Author:  Don Williams [ Thu Sep 01, 2005 11:27 am ]
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Actually Jason, you can use the Active Topics button, with which you can choose how far to go back to see active topics, be it a few hours, or a week or longer. And the great thing is you see a condensed topic header, without all the individual posts listed. It's great! Try it!
Author:  Jason [ Thu Sep 01, 2005 11:56 am ]
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Thanks Don! Thats exactly what I was talking about
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