More reasonable auction closing

[sportscardpete]

I went to bed at 2am last night and was up at 530. Look, this is going to sound so geeky, but there is a bit of a badge of honor staying up late on an auction night and feeling like a zombie the next day. Except its really sad telling people out loud why you look so tired.

I would love if auction countdowns started a bit earlier (and unfortunately East Coast folks are disadvantaged), but the late start is somewhat part of the "fun" in collecting.

Ruining my sleep is a lot more appealing than having to time my extended bidding on a Sunday afternoon when company is over.

[Johnny630]

I don't think so west coast ballers with the money bidding late.

[sb1]

Quite a few actually starts the extended bidding lot by lot closing at 9:00 and 10:00 PM EST, and end pretty quickly, usually within the next hour.

Just be happy the old days of the entire auction ending at once at 4-5:00 am...are long gone.

[ullmandds]

I lost my 1 item after I went to bed...oh well! Congrats Jeff!!

[BigfootIsReal]

Originally Posted by ullmandds

I lost my 1 item after I went to bed...oh well! Congrats Jeff!!

Isn't this why a bidder should make his max bid early rather than thinking he'll get a steal? Just curious is all. I always put my max in on day one, then not have to worry, if I get outbid, so be it.

[Lorewalker]

Heritage has a great ending and not sure they leave any money on the table, in general. I suppose, in theory, the longer an auction stays open the more money they get for their consignors but it is a "crazy" business model. Memory Lane, Mile High, REA and LOTG seems to go later than most.

Kudos to those who fought it out in the early morning.

[Peter_Spaeth]

If you're an auction house like REA consistently getting amazing prices, what's the incentive to change the system? My suspicion is that late nights promote irrational behavior.

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

I am so sick and tired of these late closing times. Who came up with this incredibly unfriendly business model?

To all the auction houses that utilize this method: I refuse to stay up for this. You're missing out on more of my money as a result. Bottom line, it's all just "stuff" and not worth screwing with my sleep over.

[kcohen]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

If you're an auction house like REA consistently getting amazing prices, what's the incentive to change the system? My suspicion is that late nights promote irrational behavior.

I learned the hard way long ago that alcohol and on-line auctions don’t mix. The one lot on which I bid seriously went while I was in dreamland. Disappointing but so be it. It’s the best way for me to maintain at least a modicum of discipline.

[Snapolit1]

Originally Posted by BigfootIsReal

Isn't this why a bidder should make his max bid early rather than thinking he'll get a steal? Just curious is all. I always put my max in on day one, then not have to worry, if I get outbid, so be it.

Life never liked max bids as a final bidding strategy.

I feel like I am bidding against myself. Maybe not the rational way to think about.

[HercDriver]

Originally Posted by BigfootIsReal

Isn't this why a bidder should make his max bid early rather than thinking he'll get a steal? Just curious is all. I always put my max in on day one, then not have to worry, if I get outbid, so be it.

I’m with you, a Day One bidder. I know what I’ll pay, and maybe I’ll get a deal. If it goes over, I don’t want bourbon bidding for me at a late hour!

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by sportscardpete

I went to bed at 2am last night and was up at 530. Look, this is going to sound so geeky, but there is a bit of a badge of honor staying up late on an auction night and feeling like a zombie the next day. Except its really sad telling people out loud why you look so tired.

I would love if auction countdowns started a bit earlier (and unfortunately East Coast folks are disadvantaged), but the late start is somewhat part of the "fun" in collecting.

Ruining my sleep is a lot more appealing than having to time my extended bidding on a Sunday afternoon when company is over.

LOL, yes I always get that look as a 55 year old adult when I tell people I collect baseball cards. It is a similar look I give people that tell me they believe in psychics or bigfoot.

[Jobu]

I suspect that closing early like that the AH would lose more west coast bidders to things like dinner, family, activities, and work than they lose easy coast people unwilling to stay up a bit past midnight (or beyond for something they really want). As is always the case, one can put in ceiling bids and go to bed (which can be limiting for those who put in several but don't really want to win them all, I realize). Also as is always the case, no system is going to be perfect.

[parkplace33]

Would be nice, but unless all of them change, probably not happening.

[Exhibitman]

Why not close Saturday night? No more worries about being drag-assed at work the next day.

[Snapolit1]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

Why not close Saturday night? No more worries about being drag-assed at work the next day.

Maybe the thought is too many people are out partying late on Saturday night.

[calvindog]

Originally Posted by sportscardpete

Ruining my sleep is a lot more appealing than having to time my extended bidding on a Sunday afternoon when company is over.

Kudos to using an old-school word of "company" to describe friends who are visiting the house. Very 1970s.