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PacificNW

I am a member of several clubs around the country and have helped with auctions and I have purchased seeds thru various clubs auctions.

I am interested in responses about the issue of changing the seed lot during the auction.

As a member of several clubs and a former board member of one, I can certainly understand the club's desire to raise more money.

As an occasional bidder, I am disturbed by the addition of extra seeds during the bidding. This might take a serious bidder for a seed out of the equation when he or she has placed a decent bid for that seed lot. At the last minute an extra seed is thrown in and suddenly that high bid is now swamped by other bids. What if that original high bidder can't afford the extra cost or simply doesn't want the extra seed(s)? This almost seems like a bait and switch gimmick, even tho it is clearly well intentioned.

I would suggest that clubs stick to their original published lot list and if there is interest in other seeds, perhaps on-the-fly an extra lot or two could be added at the end of the auction.

2/8/2009 8:20:20 PM

[email protected]

I can understand your feelings. My own club's auction has benefited from "live" seed donations always with the best intentions & usually with good results but I always worry about a possible backlash. If a bidder was already near their ceiling then lost out because the combined offer exceeded their budget (potentially winning) single seed tender limit.....I know how you feel.

I'm glad such a backlash hasn't affected CT yet.

2/8/2009 10:36:36 PM

Boise City, Oklahoma, USA

My vote is if there's extra, 'fresh' or late seeds, put on another lot or lots. Run with what's posted UNLESS it is found that something is damaged or airseeded or somesuch that means it has high odds of never sprouting, and a replacement isn't handy. Once posted the lot contents shouldn't be changed.....

2/9/2009 2:42:38 AM

Mulino, Oregon

These auctions are used as fund raisers for club functions. If an opportunity arises to 'create' a little more fervor for bidding, then it benefits the club (which was the sole intent to begin with). There are always winners and losers when it comes to auctions. If you're going to participate in one you have to deal with the consequences. It is never any club's intent to deceive anyone. Auctions benefit from emotion and the ability to take advantage of it. That's why there are 'live' auctions.

2/9/2009 7:37:44 AM

Boise City, Oklahoma, USA

Sotheby's doesn't 'spike the lot' during bidding.

It is up to the group running the auction, true; and the auction is meant to raise money, true; adding to the lot in mid-bid may bring more bids, but.

I as the bidder prefer my lot not to change. I've seen at farm retirement/estate auctions for the auctioneer to group stuff that is low interest and/or mid day, to get it dealt with and move on... that's not a case that should be happening at a seed auction.

That's what this is about, getting opinions. I vote for lots as posted, more seeds, add more lots. It is up to whoever's running the auction to do as they want, and if it's not liked, stop bidding or don't bid. Fair enough.

2/9/2009 8:55:26 AM

Pemberton, BC

I have no problem with adding in lots in principle, it helps to raise more money and that is the point but I find on an intraweb meesage board it can get quite confusing at times. If the lot is added in before bidding starts its not so bad but when you add in lots half way throgh bidding it can get a little muddled especially if their is more than 1 lot up for bid. Sometimes there are extra seeds for just 1 lot or only if it hits a certain price and everybodys talking/typing at once it gets hard to understand. I thnk if extra seeds get added half way through the head auctioneer should halt bidding and type a clear message of what has been added so bidders know exactly what their bidding on.

My 2 cents.

Chad

2/9/2009 11:03:24 AM

Eastern Pennsylvania

It happened to me the other week when bidding on an orange lot; a 670 Daigle was added and the bidding jumped another $100 which put me out. I didn't mind; the club made more money and that's the point.

2/9/2009 1:48:59 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Just MHO...the addition of seeds to specific lots during the bidding process, seems to help raise more funds! Orangeneck, let me know what seed(s) from that lot that you wanted to grow this year and I assure you that we can work something out. [email protected] Peace, Wayne
PS...yes, I wanted the 670!!!

2/12/2009 11:47:38 PM