The Auction Experience - Why or Why Not?

[Oselkhandro Resident]

Thank you! This is the first good list of suggestions that I have seen, and its very enlightening.

[Mizaki Resident]

I just read the main intro post and decided to add my opinion. The reason I do not go to auctions is because personally, i have not found a quality one. When I decide to attend new ones, I am slammed with surprise on how wrong information is being auctioned inregards to traits. Another reason is poor advertizing, many I have noticed do not advertize the cats in a timely manner, I am not Interested in placing my cat 5 days in advance only to watch it being neglected. Sure, I can advertize on my own which I do but I believe it is the auctioneers job to do so first and foremost. My last point is the atmosphere and interest all around, it is rare to see creativity and a genuine love for the cats, most just try to convince you to buy but not to love....which, trust me, leads to buying!

I have narrowed down my auction list to just three where I have seen dedication in advertizing and well round information about traits. Nika's & Rev, Nino's and Julia (though, she is on a break so that makes it just 2 auctions at the moment for me.)

This is as per my experience and I understand that I have not attended all the auctions in all of Second Life but This is my two scents on the matter.

Happy Kitty Breeding!

Addition:- I forgot to mention another point in relation to the line ups. I am surprised to see 3 similar furs or cats with almost similar traits all side by side in the line up. Variety is a great thing and that is what will make each cat appealing. Too bad not many auctioneers monitor this point and sellers are not more considerate of the line up, try to bring a unique cat, not a damn cooy...

That's all xD Promise!

[Aubreygrace Starlight]

I don't attend them due to rl work. They are alays a time im working plus I thnk there's just too many quctionsand it gets confusing for me. I will go toa uctions to suupport if i am available and its friends or family as teh auuctioneers or with cats in the auctions. I also feel overwhelmed when attending auctions and pressured. I do enjoy browsing markets more because there's more cats to look for and I can probably fnd what im looking for in my price range. I thnk auctions are great, they are just not a great fit for me. <3

[Aphielle Resident]

Hi Mizaki! I hope you'll give my auctions a try sometime!

Hi dreampoetz! Thanks for your honesty. I have never thought about people possibly feeling that way about them, and that is very enlightening.

[Choden Resident]

As a new breeder, I would say currently most of the auctions I went to didn't impress me at all. One of the mentioned above auctions I went to show me auctioneer's bias and favorites on certain sellers and bidders. The auctioneer spent one panel more than 20 minutes while another panel just 5 minutes. I would not interest to put my kitties to those auctions at all. Also auctioneers's breeding knowledge on explaining the traits aren't clear enough and quite noticeably. Most of the time I have to go back forum posts and Saga's chart to find the correct answers. Some auctioneers just wasted too much time on talking totally unrelated stuffs for too long that actually I had to leave for another auctions.

Personally, I would rather go shopping in markets or check out KittyCats marketplace here on forum.

[LyricaBlues Resident]

(06-11-2016 11:58 PM)Oselkhandro Resident Wrote:  I am intrigued with what PrettyPoizen suggested "learn what the Quality traits are and beware the "cheap" stuff". This, to me, has been my reason for avoiding auctions. I have never been able to get a good answer about what it is that constitutes "quality". If I ask, the Party Line response is "all KittyCatS are wonderful; just breed what you like". This has never been a helpful answer, and in watching the markets, my only take away is that quality=new (with a bit of a bump for "recessive"). Prices seem to be dependent upon which traits are the newest. I am still not clear about how quickly the charisma of "new" wears off. For example, I have been working for some time to get a good line in Aussie Mist Dark Chocolate, but of course THAT is no longer fashionably new. I suppose that I have avoided auctions precisely because I cannot answer the question posed by PrettyPoizen. For me, the Bid Boards seem to be a reasonable alternative. I look at a kitty, and if it attracts me, I bid. Although I could also do that at a regular auction, I tend to believe that those are limited to the "best" cats, which may command prices beyond my means.

Hello, when I say "quality traits" I mean that a cat whose traits are either one step above genesis, or not well matched to the other traits in a cat, will not sell as well as one that is better designed. At my auctions we always get around to comparing with food LOL. So first decide what you want to make, then shop for the ingredients...You will never make a good Souflee if jelly beans is all you buy. I am not interested in a cat whose biggest accomplishment is how many New things it has...it must be esthetically pleasing as well, and hopefully some of its traits that i like pure. I like some "classics" and especially like updating older furs with newer traits...Ex: I go loony for a red tabby with Ody Burst Eyes and either flame, blonde or now cream double plush. Its very matchy matchy. I also recently saw a black beng with 18k eyes and blonde plush whisks and fell in love...that cat could pass for jewelry! The black and gold grabbed me. See what I mean?

When people say breed what you like, I understand the lack of clarity you mean...it doesnt help answer your question. So, the answer would depend on your end goal: Breed Good Beautiful Cats vs Breed to Sell Fast. It is possible to do both with time and practice, but not easy. I breed what I like regardless of which traits are "hot". If I dont like "curly" whiskers, I dont encourage them in my pedigrees no matter how popular they are. For quick sales I guess we can just load up a box with as many new or recessives as we can and call it a Super Hider, but is it pretty? Sometimes, and sometimes not so much. In the case where it is not so pretty I might still buy it if well priced and use it as a "toolbox kitty", as I call them because I can pull from them what I like.

I hope I have helped explain a little better. My best advice to new breeders and auction goers is "Dont buy every pretty cat, you dont need every cat. Go, read pedigrees, listen to the info about breedng methods used to make that cat, decide what you like and Then shop for the ingredients you need for your Own AwesomeSauce!" LOL

[Emilia Darkwatch]

I don't go to many auctions, mostly due to timezone conflicts, but I do put my cats in a few, where the auctioneer will act as the proxy for the kitty, most of the time. I have mostly done this with one auctioneer who unfortunately does not do many auctions anymore but is someone I trust 100% and enjoy the "auction experience" with because...

1. She has a very good knowledge of traits and also describes and sells the kitties well. If she didn't know, she looked it up
2. She advertised it fairly and by that I mean in her group and other means that do not involve spamming of people who may not want that. She also advertised her auctions well ahead of time and was both efficient and professional in this manner
3. Again with relation to spam... she never mass TPed which is very irritating. It's a whole other subject but in a nutshell, I get enough spam in RL, I really don't desire it here. Also, timezones matter... I do not wish for mass TPs, especially at 2AM onwards. I don't feel I should have to "opt out". It is very easy for an auctioneer to make a contact list... and if they can't be bothered to do it, and instead TP everyone, I don't see that as professional or respectful. Hence, I will no doubt not be seen at the auctions of auctioneers who do this. Since this post is about what we like or do not like of auctions I want to be honest, and say mass TPing totally puts me off attending an auction. Please, as an auctioneer, make a contact list or a group for those who wants to be mass TPed or have auction-related conference calls. It takes only minutes to make a contact group of such people, and is much more professional and actually means you are respectfully contacting those who really want to be, not a mass group. As an auctioneer, ask people if they mind, or if it is something they would like. It is really quite embarassing to have to bring it up after months of enduring the mass TPing, especially when somebody is a friend and you don't want to cause any bad feeling. There is also the element of removing them, in order to stop it... but what do you do if this person is a friend or you might wish in future to auction a cat with them? Many people say this between each other, but not directly, so I am saying it respectfully here in the hope it is heard
4. Trust, trust and trust. I trusted her enough to say "start the cat at what you feel is right for a price... I trust you" which made her auctioning my cats a great experience and stress-free for me! Of course, this took time to develop such a relationship but I think it is great for anyone who can feel such a confidence in an auctioneer, and friend

I do feel that auctions, overall, are a very positive experience and a great way to make friends too. It's really very interesting to see the creations people come up with, and although I may not go to many auctions, I do enjoy looking at the cats there in the auction areas