"I did not like the way they handled it. there were some issues from about midnight until quarter after. Then they were fixed. They originally said they would add the time they were down to the closing times. I was the high bidder at midnight and also at quarter after. I was able to get back on and it said the lot was closed and i won. then i got the email saying they were adding time. So it opened back up around 12:20 and said 10 minutes left. Then when the time ran out they restarted the 10 minute clock. they kept doing this until 1 am and THEN they decided to end the auction at 9PM Monday."
That was my experience as well. Bidding capabilities were only down for a few minutes, and the issue seemed to be fixed quite soon thereafter (around 9:15 Pacific time). It was the countdown clock that drove me nuts, as it malfunctioned 5 times in a row (for the lots that continued to receive no bids).
Therefore, I thought REA postponed the auction because of the malfunctioning countdown clock (which could not successfully close out any lots). I didn't realize it was postponed because some prospective bidders said they couldn't get in to bid.
The initial communication was not at all clear, but I'm sure they were caught off guard and in somewhat of a panic mode. I did manage to hold on and win one lot, which was nice. Knowing Brian and REA, I doubt this will happen again, and definitely cut them some slack.
