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
The Auction Experience - Why or Why Not?
