BST "Auction" sub-section... thoughts and observations?

[Leon]

This is a fine place for the question. I am not sure of the solution but am willing to help, if there is anything the forum can do to help.

and a card bought from said BST a few years back...
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[obcbobd]

It seems that most of the auctions are for non-vintage or certainly non-prewar items. I wonder if someone selling a T206 does not post there because they are afraid they will get lost in the crowd. I wish there were more vintage. Perhaps I should post something :-)

[Leon]

Originally Posted by obcbobd

It seems that most of the auctions are for non-vintage or certainly non-prewar items. I wonder if someone selling a T206 does not post there because they are afraid they will get lost in the crowd. I wish there were more vintage. Perhaps I should post something :-)

Just list with a starting bid that is a bit low but not too low. That way there is no risk of losing your arse....

And as a reminder, if someone wants to do a live front page auction, just PM me. Those have done ok in the past but there are parameters...Anything listed there has to be started at a low price and needs to sell. My cobby there did just fine a few years? back.
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[Tyruscobb]

I enjoy the auction section, and have purchased several cards through it. I think that the section's main problem is it is too disorganized and random. Junk wax basketball, Christmas ornaments, vintage baseball cards, collector figurines, etc. are all blended together.

I think organizing it better would improve the section and experience. Making it easier to navigate would increase sale prices, and, in turn, increase offerings through it. I'm personally hesitant to list items on it, and think others are, as well.

I would recommend subfolders. I don't think it would even take that many folders. Have separate folders for: (1) pre-war baseball cards; (2) baseball cards from 1946 - 1980; (3) baseball cards from 1981 - present; (4) all basketball cards; (5) all football cards; (6) Miscellaneous cards; & (7) collector items and memorabilia.

Just a suggestion. Others might disagree and have better ideas. This is just my humble opinions.

[Belfast1933]

Originally Posted by Tyruscobb

I enjoy the auction section, and have purchased several cards through it. I think that the section's main problem is it is too disorganized and random. Junk wax basketball, Christmas ornaments, vintage baseball cards, collector figurines, etc. are all blended together.

I think organizing it better would improve the section and experience. Making it easier to navigate would increase sale prices, and, in turn, increase offerings through it. I'm personally hesitant to list items on it, and think others are, as well.

I would recommend subfolders. I don't think it would even take that many folders. Have separate folders for: (1) pre-war baseball cards; (2) baseball cards from 1946 - 1980; (3) baseball cards from 1981 - present; (4) all basketball cards; (5) all football cards; (6) Miscellaneous cards; & (7) collector items and memorabilia.

Just a suggestion. Others might disagree and have better ideas. These is just my humble opinions.

This is a go0od take of one of the problems... it's hard to sift through the many items that are of no interest to me. Maybe sub-folders is the way to go

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Belfast1933

This is a good take of one of the problems... it's hard to sift through the many items that are of no interest to me. Maybe sub-folders is the way to go

As someone with a little experience, I don't think this would move the goalpost. It is one click to look at all of the auction items and takes all of 1 minute, at most. More subsections would just make it more clicks. The other BST subsections seem to do fine...
That said, I am open to continue to discuss this and anything that can help.

More BST goodness. This one boomeranged from my first collection to the BST and back to me. at $275 it was a good buy...

[ullmandds]

one of my favorite bst/auction pickups.

[mrreality68]

Originally Posted by ullmandds

one of my favorite bst/auction pickups.

Wow. Great card.

[bobbyw8469]

Originally Posted by Tyruscobb

I enjoy the auction section, and have purchased several cards through it. I think that the section's main problem is it is too disorganized and random. Junk wax basketball, Christmas ornaments, vintage baseball cards, collector figurines, etc. are all blended together.

I think organizing it better would improve the section and experience. Making it easier to navigate would increase sale prices, and, in turn, increase offerings through it. I'm personally hesitant to list items on it, and think others are, as well.

I would recommend subfolders. I don't think it would even take that many folders. Have separate folders for: (1) pre-war baseball cards; (2) baseball cards from 1946 - 1980; (3) baseball cards from 1981 - present; (4) all basketball cards; (5) all football cards; (6) Miscellaneous cards; & (7) collector items and memorabilia.

Just a suggestion. Others might disagree and have better ideas. This is just my humble opinions.

I think the problems arise with the low sell prices. If someone starts anything with a low enough price to warrant action, they aren't properly rewarded with a decent bid. I know I have won stuff insanely cheap. I know I have sold stuff insanely cheap. There HAS to be an answer on how to spur on interest. I wish I knew what it was however.

[BobbyStrawberry]

Originally Posted by bobbyw8469

I think the problems arise with the low sell prices. If someone starts anything with a low enough price to warrant action, they aren't properly rewarded with a decent bid. I know I have won stuff insanely cheap. I know I have sold stuff insanely cheap.

I think this happens because anything listed can get lost in a sea of listings for items which do not sell. I just checked and 10 of the 12 most recent listings have no bids, including several which already ended that way.

Personally I'd love to see many more front page auctions- I enjoy following them even when I'm outbid.

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by BobbyStrawberry

I think this happens because anything listed can get lost in a sea of listings for items which do not sell. I just checked and 10 of the 12 most recent listings have no bids, including several which already ended that way.

Personally I'd love to see many more front page auctions- I enjoy following them even when I'm outbid.

You can go back page after page and find easily half the listings on each page ended with zero bids. All those listing are why I don't check there as often as I used to. They are not auctions, they are overpriced buy it now listings in the auction section.

[jingram058]

Originally Posted by Tyruscobb

I would recommend subfolders. I don't think it would even take that many folders. Have separate folders for: (1) pre-war baseball cards; (2) baseball cards from 1946 - 1980; (3) baseball cards from 1981 - present; (4) all basketball cards; (5) all football cards; (6) Miscellaneous cards; & (7) collector items and memorabilia.

The survey said, number 1 answer. That would certainly separate the trinkets and gee gaws and all the other stuff from the pre-war and the other baseball categories. Up to The Boss to make it happen.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by jingram058

The survey said, number 1 answer. That would certainly separate the trinkets and gee gaws and all the other stuff from the pre-war and the other baseball categories. Up to The Boss to make it happen.

I am not in favor of having more sections, as we already have the categories (unless I am missing something). If members want to do Live Auctions as stickies, in each of those 7-8 categories in the BST section currently, I have no problem trying that. That would keep them organized. The current Live section can probably be locked so we can go back if we need to?
Would doing those hinder regular thread sales?
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[jingram058]

Originally Posted by Leon

I am not in favor of having more sections, as we already have the categories (unless I am missing something). If members want to do Live Auctions as stickies, in each of those 7-8 categories in the BST section currently, I have no problem trying that. That would keep them organized. The current Live section can probably be locked so we can go back if we need to?
Would doing those hinder regular thread sales?
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Sounds like a great idea, sir. As you say, you can go back if need be. I am small potatoes here, but I can't see how it would hinder regular sales.

[G1911]

Nothing good is really going to get listed beyond once in a blue moon because of low visibility, it's dominated by 3-4 people unloading junk that is difficult to sell, there's no sections, it is difficult to track, a thread format makes bidding difficult (you big your high bid until clock ends, you can't do it eBay style to autobid up to X because its just a forum). Way too many cons for anyone to sell much beyond stuff that is difficult to unload at all.

[BobbyStrawberry]

Originally Posted by jingram058

Sounds like a great idea, sir. As you say, you can go back if need be. I am small potatoes here, but I can't see how it would hinder regular sales.

+1 agree

[Huck]

Originally Posted by Leon

I am not in favor of having more sections, as we already have the categories (unless I am missing something). If members want to do Live Auctions as stickies, in each of those 7-8 categories in the BST section currently, I have no problem trying that. That would keep them organized. The current Live section can probably be locked so we can go back if we need to?
Would doing those hinder regular thread sales?
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With the "bump, TTT, lower price" the regular sections are defacto reverse auctions. Instead of trying to extract the highest price possible (nothing wrong with that) through a bidding war, why not just post the price wanted in the regular sections?

[Belfast1933]

Originally Posted by Huck

With the "bump, TTT, lower price" the regular sections are defacto reverse auctions. Instead of trying to extract the highest price possible (nothing wrong with that) through a bidding war, why not just post the price wanted in the regular sections?

Always wanted to ask... what the heck does "TTT" stand for?

[nolemmings]

Originally Posted by obcbobd

It seems that most of the auctions are for non-vintage or certainly non-prewar items. I wonder if someone selling a T206 does not post there because they are afraid they will get lost in the crowd. I wish there were more vintage. Perhaps I should post something :-)

Agreed. Has there been consideration of just allowing auction format sales in the individual B/S/T categories? This might be more easily navigated. Not a huge deal for me, but I've wondered if I were to list a specific card for sale in the B/S/T by auction format would it be moved to 'Live Auctions" and/or would I be admonished.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by nolemmings

Agreed. Has there been consideration of just allowing auction format sales in the individual B/S/T categories? This might be more easily navigated. Not a huge deal for me, but I've wondered if I were to list a specific card for sale in the B/S/T by auction format would it be moved to 'Live Auctions" and/or would I be admonished.

You wouldn't be admonished (I've probably known you 20ish years), and IF you were to PM me about it, there is a good chance I would let it go. If someone just takes the bull by the horns and doesn't include me, or another moderator (but mainly me), then it could, and probably would, be moved. Still no admonishment but probably a PM asking what you are doing?
If you guys want to do some live auctions in those sections then maybe we take away the regular live section, as what would be the use? Or we could leave it and still do the others. That all said, I am not convinced this is a better way yet, but something to consider, for sure.
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