Just wanted to voice me thoughts about the auction this year at Gencon.  I visited the auction house on several occassions on Thursday-Saturday.  I just wanted to post some concerns I had with the way the auction was conducted and also voice my concern over how I was treated by some of the auction volunteers.

 1.  On Friday and Saturday, I attended the boardgame auction session and left both times fairly frustrated with the system.  I arrived early both days and was completely dismayed by the lack of continuity the auction had.  I had my eye on several games in the auction and waited patiently the first hour for the original items on the tables to be auctioned off.  As these items were auctioned I noticed on both days the items I wanted were brought up eventually and placed on the table.  Both days I was on a time crunch as I had other things scheduled to do and could only dedicate a couple of hours to it. 

When these items were placed on the table I became frustrated as they were never moved down.  I sat for entire hour and a half (originally I had planned on only staying in the auction for an hour, so this was an additional hour and a half that I had originally plotted to spend in the Dealer's Hall one final time as I had afternoon events) on Saturday waiting for items to be sold that were placed on the auction table that never came up to be auctioned during my time allotted.  I even went up front a couple of times to look at items and ask if they were going to be up soon.  The answer I recieved was snotty three or four times and I was told once, "We will get to them when we get to them, so sit down because were busy."

 Now I understand that those who work the auction are volunteers and such, but I was blown back to be talked to like that.  So I left both times for other events I was doing and I was never able to bid on them.  It would be nice if the auction would follow the order they are placed on the table as my time is prescious at GenCon and I don't like it to be wasted waiting for an item that was placed on the table an hour a half earlier and being passed over by other games including two boxes containing several small envelope style games. 

So long story short I wasted around 5 hours total that I could have used to game, attend seminars, walk through the dealers hall, or anything else, because of a very flawed system in bringing items up to bid.  I have attended countless auctions over the years and this one sadly seemed rather disorganized as to what was coming up to bid.

2.  Simplify the proxy bidding system.  I was never able to get a clear answer on how to bid proxy on anything as auction staff gave me the run around sending me from the cashier to the registration area and back again.  So I was never able to put a proxy bid in.

3.  Allow folks to see the items coming up to bid to see what pieces, parts are missing.  I spoke to several folks who would never have purchased items they bought if they could have examined it beforehand.  I know that space is limited but to allow folks to walk through an area that hosts whats coming up to bid in the next session a half an hour beforehand would probably cut back on returns and keep folks happier.  I know also that folks then are more inclined to buy items that they can see beforehand as several times the descriptions came up quite short as to what was sold.

4.  Keep things moving.  I understand that this is GenCon and were having a good time, but sometimes lengthy description on a game that didn't recieve a bid is a waste of time.  I really became frustrated when a box of booklet style games came up and took over an hour to sell as each booklet game was given a detailed description rather then a brief overview.

5.  Allows folks to put things in individual lots to be sold as choice lots.  Alot of folks donated small items or similiar items that could have been auctioned off together.  Now I understand edition and collectors preferences but watching the same item come up six or seven times it frustrating.  All items could have been placed in a lot and sold as choice.  The winning bid gets to pick the item he wants and a chance to buy the others.  Then everyone else has a chance to buy the other items at winning bid, or the auction starts over.  I have attended several auctions that employ this method to move through normal or non collector items.

Now I don't want to seem angry as the auction is a great thing for gamers like myself.  Its just a few things could be tweaked to help the process.  There are also lots of things that I felt were done well. 

1.  The consignment store was run smoothly I felt and the staff there was always friendly and helpful.  I understand and appreciate limiting the number of folks in there at one time.

2.  It was nice for you to rebate the cost of the bidding number with the GenCon coupon booklet.  Also the staff let you know that you could use it and reminded you that it was your choice if you didn't.

3.  The schedule by the door was great, even though sometimes the previous auction ran over its time limit.  That though is understandable, but I was glad to know what catagory of items that were being sold ahead of time.

4.  The auctioneers seem very knowledgeable about what they are auctioning off.  It seems that for several of the items they could give you not only what it was buy a detailed past history of important items, and sometimes for items that were common and mundane.

Thanks for listening.

Chuck

Gerrin:

So long story short I wasted around 5 hours total that I could have used to game, attend seminars, walk through the dealers hall, or anything else, because of a very flawed system in bringing items up to bid.  I have attended countless auctions over the years and this one sadly seemed rather disorganized as to what was coming up to bid.

3.  Allow folks to see the items coming up to bid to see what pieces, parts are missing.  I spoke to several folks who would never have purchased items they bought if they could have examined it beforehand.  I know that space is limited but to allow folks to walk through an area that hosts whats coming up to bid in the next session a half an hour beforehand would probably cut back on returns and keep folks happier.  I know also that folks then are more inclined to buy items that they can see beforehand as several times the descriptions came up quite short as to what was sold.

Contrarian:

You can ask the auctioneers to move an item up in the auction order (unless it's being saved for the "collectibles auction.") They do it all the time.

 I asked to have four or five items moved up on a few occassions as I didn't have time.  My original message included the response I recieved from the folks working.  My requests to move things up were ignored by the staff.

 Also if the show is properly organized they would be no time addition to have folks view items prior to the bidding.  I am not saying right now its not properly organized, its only if this option was added it would require some additional organization.  If there was a viewing area that opened 30-60 minutes before the scheduled time slot and closed 10-15 minutes prior to the beginning of that auction block, this would speed things up for bidders, as those who are interested in purchasing said product would have prior knowledge.  I know this was done in a limited way this year with painted minis but it would be nice to allow folks to do this especially in the morning for boardgames, before it starts.

 This wouldn't slow down the auction as the staff would still have time to move items back to the tables to begin bidding.  I have seen countless auctions employ this method and move through a lot of goods in quick time because serious bidders had already scouted it out. 

 Once again not trying to sound like a nag, but I am still pretty upset that I never had a chance to bid on items because they were never moved down the table after being placed in the upcoming bidding area.  Instead other stuff was constantly dumped in front of them.  I know about two or three dozen folks who were sitting around me, also complained about the same thing and the fact that things weren't getting moved up when asked.  Also about half those folks ended up returning items because they were missing things from games, or minis listed complete. 

I am just bringing this to the attention of those who can change as a constant complaint for those in the seats around me.  This was a constant complaint by casual auction goers overall it seemed.  I know several folks left stating that they were never going to bother with the auction again as they felt that they had wasted valuable con time sitting for things that were placed out to be auctioned and were constantly passed over.

 This is more of the feelings of casual auction goers rather then those serious auction folks who dedicated most or all their days to the auction. 

Strange that you had problems getting items moved up-I only asked once and the item I asked about was bumped to the front of the line and in the maybe two hours I spent in there, I heard the auctioneer say at least three times that an item had been requested and they were moving it up. 

It wasn't just me at the time it was several folks who were trying to get things bumped up (perhaps they were unable to do because of all the requests coming in, I am willing to give them the benefit of the doubt for this one), because they didn't want to sit through things that got moved from the back table to the front.  My beef isn't so much with the fact that my requests were ignored its the fact that these items were placed in a line that never moved, they kept staying in place. 

Heya Jason - glad you made it back OK.

I am also an auction volunteer and auctioneer this year, and I pulled plenty of items to get on the stage right away.  In fact, I would grab the item and take it straight to the auctioneer - was doing it on Friday morning and pretty much all day Saturday, even more so in the Charity auction.  The only things I could not take up there on Saturday were the dice bags by request because those were set to auctioned at 9PM - I was the dude letting people look at the bags for about 2 hours ;)

So - as Jason said - we have varying levels of volunteers in regards to experience - if in the future you ask for an item to be moved up, and it does not, try someone else, and not so much the people working behind the computers or taking in items - look more for the guys or gals standing by the display cases or even get the attention of someone working the pit.

We cannot pull something generally when it is not the assigned time period, but we do try to accomodate requests - we know everyone is busy.  In fact - we are too.  We also try to work shifts and rush off to a game.

Jerrytel

Ok, it looks like from what I have read here that I just talked to the wrong guy up on the stage.  

The main point I am trying to make here, is that casual auction goers like myself and others around me, stuck around for items that were placed on the upcoming auction tables, the tables next to the two podiums.  In any normal auction I have been too, the normal procedure is to slide items from the end up toward the auctioneer.  You fill new items at the end of the table so folks know about how much time until a lot or section of items there interested is coming up.  

What Gencon auction does is it was filling partially slid or putting new items in the front of the auction line.  This can either be explained by sloppy explanations to volunteers to keep sliding items down the table instead of filling a gap, a way to attract folks in by seeing the possibility of a hot item, or the fact that there is no formal rule governing which items will be sold next.

Once again, I understand that my requests were not meant, at least while I was in the auction hall, but what I am trying to point out is IF IT IS ON THE TABLE THEN IT SHOULD BE SOLD IN ORDER OF PLACE ON TABLE AND NOT BE PUSHED BACK FOR OTHER ITEMS COMING FROM THE BACK TABLE.  I am not trying to sound mad or upset, just that if this was used, we casual auction goers would be more likely to stick around and bid instead of becoming frustrated with the system and giving up after watching several items just sit there.  

One last question, as a bidder can I go up to the stage and request a dozen games that I have been waiting for and want to buy but need to leave quickly so I am unable to do so?

Chuck 

I can address the suggestion to sell items in lots.  I assume you have never registered an item to sell in the auction or store yourself?  Each seller states on their item the minimum price they'll sell it for, so if there are like items with different minimums that could prohibit selling them in that method.  Just an fyi.  They would also all have to be in exactly the same condition for that to be considered 'fair' by most, and since many of the items are used that might also be difficult.  I don't know what kinds of items you saw come up repeatedly but those might be some of the issues involved.  They try to keep the registration & selling process as simple as possible and adding another method of sale would further complicate things.  In general it's a good suggestion I just don't think it's feasible in this context.

PezKat:

Each seller states on their item the minimum price they'll sell it for, so if there are like items with different minimums that could prohibit selling them in that method.  Just an fyi.  They would also all have to be in exactly the same condition for that to be considered 'fair' by most, and since many of the items are used that might also be difficult.  I don't know what kinds of items you saw come up repeatedly but those might be some of the issues involved. 

One of the other threads made a similar comment about charity items.  In the charity item case, it would be possible because in general the charity items were from dealers and so were all new product.

Also, the auction staff people are the ones who get the pleasure of typing in all the charity items.  We had several staff members dedicated to doing this (as well as collecting the items from the dealers).   I'm hoping to add a feature to the item registration process that would allow pre-registered items to be marked as charity items...This would allow you to type in the descriptions and drop the items off with your non-charity items (all the staff would have to do is scan them and put in the correct stack) !

Gerrin:

Ok, it looks like from what I have read here that I just talked to the wrong guy up on the stage.  

You probably did - We actually don't want people talking to the people on stage...they have a hard enough time keeping track of who bid on what and what price things went for.  Please find a worker "on the floor" - usually hanging out by the display cases - or the "runners" (they're the ones moving the sold items to the cash register or to the tab storage area - a.k.a. "The Pit"). They'll pop up on stage and make sure the auctioneer and writer knows that there is a request.

Normally we announce this process frequently...I know we didn't do that much this year and now you're disappointed in us because of it.  Hopefully you'll give us another chance next year?

Gerrin:

The main point I am trying to make here, is that casual auction goers like myself and others around me, stuck around for items that were placed on the upcoming auction tables, the tables next to the two podiums.  In any normal auction I have been too, the normal procedure is to slide items from the end up toward the auctioneer.  You fill new items at the end of the table so folks know about how much time until a lot or section of items there interested is coming up.  

What Gencon auction does is it was filling partially slid or putting new items in the front of the auction line.  This can either be explained by sloppy explanations to volunteers to keep sliding items down the table instead of filling a gap, a way to attract folks in by seeing the possibility of a hot item, or the fact that there is no formal rule governing which items will be sold next.

Actually we do this intentionally.  The auctioneer (barring a request) will keep the most interesting items up on the table until towards the end of the time-slot.  It is supposed to help keep people in their seats, drooling for the item...The order that things are auctioned is pretty much up to the auctioneer (again, unless there is a request).

Gerrin:

Once again, I understand that my requests were not meant, at least while I was in the auction hall, but what I am trying to point out is IF IT IS ON THE TABLE THEN IT SHOULD BE SOLD IN ORDER OF PLACE ON TABLE AND NOT BE PUSHED BACK FOR OTHER ITEMS COMING FROM THE BACK TABLE.  I am not trying to sound mad or upset, just that if this was used, we casual auction goers would be more likely to stick around and bid instead of becoming frustrated with the system and giving up after watching several items just sit there. 

Unfortunately, the table isn't a perfect FIFO queue (geek speak for "First In First Out").

Gerrin:

One last question, as a bidder can I go up to the stage and request a dozen games that I have been waiting for and want to buy but need to leave quickly so I am unable to do so?

Absolutely, but not from the people on the stage.  They need their uninterrupted concentration...

Also, if you are "running a tab" (e.g. have a colored bidder card) you can put in a proxy bid on items.  Then you can go to your game and come back afterwards to see if you won the item(s). 

The real problem here is that you weren't permitted to Request items. The staff volunteer hadn't been trained to handle requests. That can and will be fixed.

But please focus on that problem, not the perceived solution of keeping items in 'order' on the tables. In reality there is little or no order; they happen to be there because volunteers placed them there, and in that process their 'order' was determined randomly. As an auctioneer I don't take the items in that non-order; I sort them as they approach the podium, often choosing and offering a series of 'lesser' items (in terms of popularity & cost) leading up to a 'major' item, then easing off; repeat & cycle. Sometimes we call it 'pacing', sometimes 'flow', sometimes by other terms... but the bottom line is a more enjoyable auction.

We do a lot more up there onstage than you realize. Usually nobody notices this process at all; it's a background thing. You just see and appreciate the end result.

We do of course apologize for not getting your Requests up in a timely manner. Perhaps we can implement better signage directing our customers and friends to more informed personnel, even a Requests desk. (What say, Auction God? Write that one down for next year? Proxy bids also used to have a fixed and findable desk; perhaps that could be resurrected in conjunction with this... PR desk or something.)

Frank

My only complaint is that it seemed this year the auction hall was packed. A good thing really but I was overwhelmed by the shear number of people bidding and waiting to get into the 2nd chance area. I decided to forgo the auction hall. Next year I'll get my kids busy doing something and drop in when items I'm looking for are due to go up.

The line for the store this year was amazing. I don't recall in all my years going to the auction (10+) having to wait that long to get in the store. Good for the sellers, bad for me (especially since I found nothing I wanted.)