Trackday auctions

[Chippertheripper]

I have felt that pain. Still do today, despite finding other drugs to entertain me.

[CEO]

I think the one note about caloots post that might have been missed is that if everyone put in a max bid and it was automatically bid up in dutch style like ebay, the auctions would likely net more money.

That said I don't see a reason (or an easy way) to change the way it's done now.

[caloots]

yessir... the last one i lost, i would have bid more but i didnt have a chance .

it is what it is...

[BMMCBR]

I only do one or two track days a year, so auctions/forum sales are usually how I go about it. If I was doing 6+ days a year I would nut up and buy a membership. Yes there's a risk involved in that I might not get the spot, but I'm willing to take that risk because I can't afford $300+ track days. If that makes me a douchebag, so be it. But if the offer is there, I'm going to try and go for it. And if a first timer or track day newbie wanted the spot, I would gladly relinquish it to them.

[nhbubba]

I'm one of those guys. I know TD vendors hate me. Sorry.
Or at least I was. Paying full boat nowadays.
NESR auctions got me on the hook. You know that, don't you..

I've never been pissed I lost out on a spot.
I've always been stoked to win a spot.
It is what it is. Enjoy it.. or don't.

[butcher bergs]

PM offers to Stoneman. Highest offer at the time of the auction closing wins.

Sniping gone.

Bang. Done.

[Stoneman]

PM offers to Stoneman. Highest offer at the time of the auction closing wins.

Sniping gone.

Bang. Done.

Nope! This will continue to be done publicly, for all to see. I don't need the accusations. And let's face it - would YOU trust me?

[butcher bergs]

Yes I would.

Post the PM'ed offers at the end of each auction for all to see.

[caloots]

Wait.. so after the auction ends, I could have made a higher offer?

[Stoneman]

Wait.. so after the auction ends, I could have made a higher offer?

LOL, no. Bergs is saying to have everyone PM me their highest offers, then post them all once the auction ends. Kind of like a silent auction...sort of. Not at all interested in doing that...

[OreoGaborio]

Every single option will carry pros, cons, risks & rewards...

If you ask me, the way we do it right now is the simplest, most effective, most fair and least risky ways of doing it.

[Petorius]

I think thats a fantastic idea. People have to decide what the TD is worth to them, then make an offer. Whoever values the TD the most gets it. Its not like the auctions are getting flooded with bids under the current system. There is currently no incentive to bid more than 5 minutes prior to the deadline. Doing so is foolish.

[caloots]

ok.. HAHAHA that makes sense... u see the confusion in my question..

[Imbeek]

If it ain't broke...

[nhbubba]

The only change I'd make is to make the auctions more easier for 1st (or beginner) track day riders to win. I have no ideas on how to accomplish that. But that is the only change I would consider, were I in charge.

[caloots]

Well I think you would just have to say.. newbies.. check the persons name against the organizers list and hope for the best?

[backinthesaddle]

I've won two days over the last 3 years with a last minute bid. Honestly surprised there was no one else bidding at the last minute. Kind of thought its like a last corner pass. I did not bid against someone who had a military uniform on in his avitar so I guess I'm guilty of sniping but when I thought someone else might be more deserving. Have also bought from TD, from other members, and from local dealer

[Tunertype]

The one suggestion I could give that could be done to drive the price up and eliminate sniping is to run it more real auction style. Have an ending, but the last bid is the last bid either before the end of the auction or less than 5 minutes after the last bid. So any time someone bids that adds 5 minutes to the clock. Plenty of time to put in another bid. Then bidding will just stop when it's reached the absolute max someone is willing to pay. If you can't be there for the end of the auction you can also just start out at your max and it's no problem if you're outbid as thats The most you're willing to pay.

[caloots]

The one suggestion I could give that could be done to drive the price up and eliminate sniping is to run it more real auction style. Have an ending, but the last bid is the last bid either before the end of the auction or less than 5 minutes after the last bid. So any time someone bids that adds 5 minutes to the clock. Plenty of time to put in another bid. Then bidding will just stop when it's reached the absolute max someone is willing to pay. If you can't be there for the end of the auction you can also just start out at your max and it's no problem if you're outbid as thats The most you're willing to pay.

ya.. that would be really cool!!!

[TheIglu]

I think thats a fantastic idea. People have to decide what the TD is worth to them, then make an offer. Whoever values the TD the most gets it. Its not like the auctions are getting flooded with bids under the current system. There is currently no incentive to bid more than 5 minutes prior to the deadline. Doing so is foolish.

Almost like people deciding what a TD is worth to them and bidding on that amount before the deadline? Whoever values the TD the most gets it that way too. If you really want the spot, bid anytime at your max amount. Then you'll probably get it. If someone else bid more, you weren't gunna get it anyways.

How is this such a hard notion to grasp?

[Frankenstein]

Step 1: go here and scroll down to "Date & Time Options" and make sure you've got the correct time zone selected.
Step 2: scroll to the very bottom of any page on the site, and verify that the time displayed reflects the actual time.
Step 3. relax. bid. everything's fine.

I'll see if there are any good auction-like addons for vBulletin that might make this a better user experience.

[Petorius]

Almost like people deciding what a TD is worth to them and bidding on that amount before the deadline? Whoever values the TD the most gets it that way too. If you really want the spot, bid anytime at your max amount. Then you'll probably get it. If someone else bid more, you weren't gunna get it anyways.

How is this such a hard notion to grasp?

There is still no incentive to do that any earlier than the last minute before the auction closes, and you can see how many people are watching the thread at any given time. If you pull up an auction thread with one minute to go, and you are the only one in the thread, are you really going to bid $100 over the standing bid just because it is worth that much to you and somebody might be sitting there waiting to click into the thread and then post within those 60 seconds?

Timing and psychology play a big part. How often do you see somebody open with a big bid, days in advance? And what is your reaction when you do see that?

[butcher bergs]

The one suggestion I could give that could be done to drive the price up and eliminate sniping is to run it more real auction style. Have an ending, but the last bid is the last bid either before the end of the auction or less than 5 minutes after the last bid. So any time someone bids that adds 5 minutes to the clock. Plenty of time to put in another bid. Then bidding will just stop when it's reached the absolute max someone is willing to pay. If you can't be there for the end of the auction you can also just start out at your max and it's no problem if you're outbid as thats The most you're willing to pay.

Have a cutoff time for an auction and the most recent bid up to that cutoff will start the 5 minute clock over until bidding stops?

[TheIglu]

There is still no incentive to do that any earlier than the last minute before the auction closes, and you can see how many people are watching the thread at any given time. If you pull up an auction thread with one minute to go, and you are the only one in the thread, are you really going to bid $100 over the standing bid just because it is worth that much to you and somebody might be sitting there waiting to click into the thread and then post within those 60 seconds?

Timing and psychology play a big part. How often do you see somebody open with a big bid, days in advance? And what is your reaction when you do see that?

I see people bid on trackdays as soon as they are announced with a price they are willing to go with.

My reactionif it's a big bid? "They really wanted it, and it's more than I'm willing to pay"

The incentive is a trackday for far cheaper than regular price.

You think it'll change the end price of a trackday if bidding can continue indefinitely?

"Hmm, trackday at auction. I'd do it for $170. It's at $150 now. I guess I could bid $160, then at the last 5 minutes go up to $170 if I really want it. "

It sells for $185 in the last 3 seconds. OH NO! Wait. That was more than I was willing to pay for it. It's not a loss.



You do realize that in your process you still lose out, right? If someone else was willing to pay more for it than you are, the ending time of the auction is irrelevant. Timing and psychology only gives incentive for people to bid out of emotion trying to "beat" the other person. With the never ending 5 minute rule, that increases the price of the end sale.

[butcher bergs]

It inevitably brings in more cash and the bidding wouldnt be never ending. Someone will eventually tap out and the 5min clock would expire, ending the auction.