Jeez, as for 'fair' or 'unfair' an argument could be made for
both. First, define Fair. Bruce will have unfixed endings because
he feels it is fair, given his needs and it will benefit his bottom
line. Who can blame him? This is a business and that is certainly
fair. In fact, it's likely that Bruce will work out any 'kinks' so
that those participating will feel that it is a fair auction in the
long run.
Still, the task is not simple. For in an 'in person' "Live" non
fixed ending auction you don't bid your maximimum amount up front,
you are there to 'feel' the room, etc. not to mention see the item in
person that you are bidding on. And in person "Live" auctions are
not unending but end when someone IN THE ROOM reaches the highest bid
for that item. The problem with an online 'auction' is that unless
it is "Live" not everyone who is bidding or has bid is in the room at
the same time. Not everyone has the same chance to bid their highest
amount by using strategy which is what one does when sniping in an
effort to 'win' an auction that you may or cannot be present for. I
must add here there Sue Heim says it best when you tell her that you
'won' an auction on Ebay. To quote Sue..."Oh, great,
congratulations, you won, does that mean you don't have to pay for
it?" HA!
But to say that it's completely fair to continue an auction unending
really means that whoever is present online when Bruce has finally
had enough and says "going, going, gone" thinks it's VERY fair and
the others either won't know when this moving ending line is about to
end or will not be allowed to use the strategy inherent in bidding
for items in person. It's as if what's being created is an online
'in person' auction where many of the bidders might need to run to
the metaphoric bathroom (or to bed, perchance to dream of a poster
they just lost, or work, or T-Ball games, school plays, etc.) when
the auction they are bidding on finally ends. In other words, they
won't be able to always be there to bid the item up, which means
their only option is that they will be forced to bid their highest
amount before leaving the computer. The online Ebay 'fixed-ending'
auction does provide for a level playing field inasmuch as everyone
knows or can strategize using the rules inherent to the game; either
bid early and often or learn how to snipe or find a service to do it
for you. What does it matter if you bid the most you want to spend
with 3 seconds left or 3 days left? It matters a lot if it's online
and NOT "Live." A service can make time 'relative' and I just see
the confusion of a possibly never-ending auction where the 'finish
line' keeps moving as maddening. I mean how is it considered fair
if that item you coveted finally ends at 9am in NYC but 5 am in
Hawaii or elsewhere around the globe...then you have the audacity to
say 'well, I guess you just didn't want it enough?!' That's
ridiculous.
Maybe I'm not understanding the whole pluses and minuses of this
idea, maybe Bruce is planning "Live" auctions which renders all the
ideas within this note moot, but the benefit of the Ebay or any fixed
ending auction is specific to it being 'online' and not "Live."
Fixed ending, online NOT "Live" auctions give the bidder some modicum
of control over when and how they will strategically bid, especially
when considering bidding on several items from several Sellers, not
to mention estimating how and where to budget for those bids when
more than one item is desired from those in Bruce's auctions while
simultaneously bidding on other items from other Sellers.
Now if only Bruce could figure out how I can 'win' an auction, then
NOT have to pay for it (and still get the item and live happily every
after...). Of course, with all his book giveaways he's the closest
I've ever come to it!
Patrick Tupy
On Feb 25, 2008, at 11:38 AM, Craig Miller wrote:
I'm certain you're honest and believe what you say, but auctions that
continue until people stop bidding are "unfair"? Really? All the
millions of
auctions have occurred over time in places that aren't eBay have been
unfair, because people could bid until they were through? It's
only those
auctions where there's an arbitrary ending time that are fair?
Especially
when some of the bidders have access to external bidding software;
that
makes them really, really fair.
Craig.
At 01:36 AM 2/25/2008, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
My Two penneth
Bruce I can understand your feelings about fixed end as opposed to
extended end auctions, however fixed end I think is the fairest way.
If you are at a live auction the hammer drops no more bidding on
that item, same should happen on an internet auction, if you have
the standard ebay seven days then instead open it up to ten days
but the end is the end.
Otherwise how long will an auction go on for.
If a bidder loses out then so be it, he didn't bid enough. We all
have had regrest when bidding "oh I'd have paid an extra $5 or
$10" but what if your opponent had bid an extra $100 or $200 would
you go that far? Maybe and mybe not. I am sure we have all learned
our lessons and had our fingers burned with getting into auction
fever, If that is what you wish to encourage Bruce, but my
personal opinion is that it is not a fair way to operate.
With open ended auctions you could be accused of greed, with such
a business operation that you have Bruce, you don't need to be
tarred with such a brush as your turnover is exemplarary.
The only other point I would make, if you are dispensing with ebay
then you are in the position to makes some savings which you can
pass on to your customers both sides. This will encourage punters
to bid that little extra more.
Apart from that I wish you well with starting your own auction
site I am sure it will be a success with all the past reputation
you have from ebay.
Best of luck.
Adrian
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