Is it all about the chase?

[Leon]

I have told this story before. A few years back I sold a card through a public auction. I think it's back when I was still doing them with Scott. The card went for more than it did on my fixed listing site. The member who bought it, looked at my site and I hadn't taken it down by accident. He asked if he could buy it at that price. I said no. I think people like to know there is an under bidder at a certain price and it gives them some comfort to bid more.

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[Snapolit1]

Originally Posted by Leon

I have told this story before. A few years back I sold a card through a public auction. I think it's back when I was still doing them with Scott. The card went for more than it did on my fixed listing site. The member who bought it, looked at my site and I hadn't taken it down by accident. He asked if he could buy it at that price. I said no. I think people like to know there is an under bidder at a certain price and it gives them some comfort to bid more.

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Yep. "I'm not crazy .. . .as this other guys wants it really bad too."

If you were the only bidder on a home for sale I think you might be pretty concerned you are overpaying or missed something obvious.

[abothebear]

Mimetic desire answers for a lot of things. Rene Girard is the man to read on it. But the short version is that our desires are greatly affected by the desires we observe. We want what is wanted. There are a lot of interesting social experiments illustrating this - auction behavior, though not proctored for the purpose, is exhibit A. There is one experiment involving children and a balloon that is interesting. Basically, the children are getting along fine until one person claims the balloon on the string. Then they all want it, and all hell breaks loose.

[Snapolit1]

Originally Posted by abothebear

Mimetic desire answers for a lot of things. Rene Girard is the man to read on it. But the short version is that our desires are greatly affected by the desires we observe. We want what is wanted. There are a lot of interesting social experiments illustrating this - auction behavior, though not proctored for the purpose, is exhibit A. There is one experiment involving children and a balloon that is interesting. Basically, the children are getting along fine until one person claims the balloon on the string. Then they all want it, and all hell breaks loose.

Interesting. Sounds like Introduction to the Psychology of Marketing.

[Seven]

I would agree, that the chase is sometimes more entertaining and does give us a certain joy that comes with winning something. While I think we all are satisfied by acquiring a card through any means there's something about winning one that gives the situation more of a thrill

Another "chase" that I think we all find entertaining is the chase for the "right" version of the card we want. We all have cards we want to PC but we are always looking for the "right" version of it, whether it be centering, corners, general condition, at the right price. That's another chase I find enjoyable. Even if it takes weeks, months or years.

[steve B]

It is about the chase, but for probably a few of us, the chase is different.
I tend away from wanting what's wanted, and towards what is unwanted, unknown or forgotten.

I didn't really realize this until my wife pointed it out. She said I was often happier with a big box full of randomness, than with a single item bought to fill a space. She figured the hunt for unrecognized rarity or coolness was what interested me the most.

[mrreality68]

Originally Posted by Leon

I have told this story before. A few years back I sold a card through a public auction. I think it's back when I was still doing them with Scott. The card went for more than it did on my fixed listing site. The member who bought it, looked at my site and I hadn't taken it down by accident. He asked if he could buy it at that price. I said no. I think people like to know there is an under bidder at a certain price and it gives them some comfort to bid more.

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100% Agree with the under bidder portion. This way the winning bidder has confidence in the price they paid based on others willing to pay near that winning price