Posts: 689
From: Butte, Montana USA
Registered: Dec 2003

posted 02-05-2006 03:34 PM            

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I was bidding on the Aumann auctions yesterday. This was my first internet auction. I has some of the sme glitches as well. Bids wouldn't get accepted. Specifically the Texaco MAil Port sign. I was successful on some. I think technology is going to have to come up a little. But, it seemed the auction was moving very quickly. I hate nine hour auctions,but maybe if auction houses want the added business ($$$) of online. (Would have had to travel 1500 miles one way to get their not tomention $$$)They may need to slow down a little or cut back on the number of lots until the technology catches up. Paying a 15% buyers feefor on line should get you something. Can be very frustrating. But, I bought a vey nice Texaco Asphalt sign that went for a bagin price, I may have benefited from a glitch in the system. Still, we couldn't do this a few years ago. Tom

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Posts: 253
From: NW Ohio
Registered: May 2003

posted 02-06-2006 12:39 PM            

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Just trying to be a voice of reason here. These complaints sound very similiar to some of the activities on ebay. I hear many complaints yet everyone keeps using them. Bottom line, if you have already experienced problems bidding on line at a great auction why would you be surprised when it continues to happen???? The technology just hasn't caught up yet with our expectations. I watched so many hours of the Barret Jackson auction that my eyes were practically bleeding. I noticed that they too had trouble at times keeping up with internet bids. Heck, most of the auctions I attend in person it takes a great deal of savy just to keep up with the live bidding, let alone throwing internet bidding in. I guess what I'm trying to say is that if you really want a particular item go bid in person, if not realize that you are taking a risk at trusting your bid to technology. I can't imagine any auctioneer or seller purposely not wanting internet bidding to work. There, I'm done.

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Posts: 689
From: Butte, Montana USA
Registered: Dec 2003

posted 02-06-2006 03:40 PM            

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Hi OhioGas. I think the technology is great. But, there are glitches. To compare the technology of these on line auctions to ebay's system is like comparing the Wright Brothers' airplane to a Jumbo Jet. Both provide travel, but that's about it. Ebay has spent millions and millions on their systems. I don't think that will happen with a regular auction house. don't get me wrong, I think Aumann's does their best, and the tech help was great. But, it still can be disappointing. I agree, one should travel to an auction if you "really gotta' have it". But, for me to get to take vacation, cost of travel, meals and lodging is prohibitive. I estimate it wold have taken about $730 to get to Illinois and back. I spent about $800 at the auction (plus shipping) i would rather spend that $$$ bidding rather than traveling. It would be interesting to go back through the auction and see the number of on line to onsite bidders that won. Like I said in my previous post, it seemed that the auction went very quick and if they are going to offer on line, then they need to staff up to handle it or slow down the auction to accomodate. If the system goes down, it goes down. Anyway, even with the frustrations, I intend to support other folks'(like Seth's upcoming one) on line auctions as well as Aumann's. As much as I like meeting oldgassers, the convenience is too much to pass up. The other problems I hear are that people have left proxy bids that the computer said were received, but were not received or missed. At the risk of being redundant, I think Aumann's does a great job. But, if they don't know of the problems, they can't fix them. Tom

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Posts: 689
From: Butte, Montana USA
Registered: Dec 2003

posted 02-06-2006 03:43 PM            

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Hi OhioGas. I think the technology is great. But, there are glitches. To compare the technology of these on line auctions to ebay's system is like comparing the Wright Brothers' airplane to a Jumbo Jet. Both provide travel, but that's about it. Ebay has spent millions and millions on their systems. I don't think that will happen with a regular auction house. don't get me wrong, I think Aumann's does their best, and the tech help was great. But, it still can be disappointing. I agree, one should travel to an auction if you "really gotta' have it". But, for me to get to take vacation, cost of travel, meals and lodging is prohibitive. I estimate it wold have taken about $730 to get to Illinois and back. I spent about $800 at the auction (plus shipping) i would rather spend that $$$ bidding rather than traveling. It would be interesting to go back through the auction and see the number of on line to onsite bidders that won. Like I said in my previous post, it seemed that the auction went very quick and if they are going to offer on line, then they need to staff up to handle it or slow down the auction to accomodate. If the system goes down, it goes down. Anyway, even with the frustrations, I intend to support other folks'(like Seth's upcoming one) on line auctions as well as Aumann's. As much as I like meeting oldgassers, the convenience is too much to pass up. The other problems I hear are that people have left proxy bids that the computer said were received, but were not received or missed. At the risk of being redundant, I think Aumann's does a great job. But, if they don't know of the problems, they can't fix them. Tom

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Posts: 689
From: Butte, Montana USA
Registered: Dec 2003

posted 02-06-2006 03:44 PM            

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Speaking of technology glitches.....GEEZ....

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Posts: 253
From: NW Ohio
Registered: May 2003

posted 02-07-2006 07:52 AM            

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Alex: I wasn't comparing ebay to online auctions in regard to technology; but rather to convenience of use with the realization that there are inherent problems with doing so. That is the risk of conducting business on line, if one understands the risk they are taking it should remove the tendency to be critical. As you've pointed out though, you're not complaining just trying to let the auction people know what problems exist with their system.

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Posts: 689
From: Butte, Montana USA
Registered: Dec 2003

posted 02-07-2006 09:38 AM            

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Good morning OhioGas. Absolutely. Have a good day.

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