Quote:
Originally Posted by drcy
Funny. I work two nights a week at a playhouse, and when the computer for the bar goes down (funky wifi once in a while) I have the bartenders tabulate orders the old fashioned way-- pen on paper.
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There's probably a slightly more than subtle difference between a bar tab and the auction items that could get into five or six figures (although there are those tall tales about people throwing down at bars, too). If auction houses and their clients (consignors and bidders) were all completely comfortable with a system that used pen and paper to determine auction outcomes (with bidding information obviously out in the open for the auction house representatives), that system would probably be used - much cheaper than software, etc. But I don't think I'd want my maximum bid known by the auction house, much less scribbled down in someone's handwriting that might look like chicken scratch.
Taking a step back, something like this kind of seems like a first-world problem. We are so used to having regularly occurring auctions that offer a wide range of desired items (including many expensive ones, scarce pieces, etc.) that we can track, bid on and critique all while in our pajamas with the TV on in the background. And without the hassle of interacting with a live person (who the heck wants to do that?!). Most of the time, these auctions happen without a hitch. I didn't have any skin in this one (or any others that have been hacked), but I'm not sure a little delay in the final bell is such a big deal.