Auctions and Rules

[Skinner]

After the XX:59:59 vs XX:00:59 auction end, and the recent PM vs Thread Auctions, I think some uniform rules should be created to be cut and pasted into auctions and the likes. Maybe 3 varients ?

Can the vBay plug in be modded to work shorter term auctions ?

1 hour ?

6 hours ?

12 hours ?

Can it be set to NOT show the bidder (anon like ebay does)?

Maybe a better option for future auctions, is they are done that way, then the bidder can post in an automated system anon as if via pm and the time is definate, also a thread can still be created as it is now ?

[admin]

Why do people run auctions as threads and not use the auction plug-ins?

[Skinner]

I rightly or wrongly assumed that there no way to control the time frames ?

I have never used the plugin so I don't know.

Can you set it to end at say 9pm tomorrow ? or is it set to count down from time of entry ?

Can you set it for any time frame, like set to 1 hour or 10 days and everything between ?

[bb99]

Originally Posted by admin

Why do people run auctions as threads and not use the auction plug-ins?

It's more "fun" and more "interactive" to do it that way. If I wanted to auction an domain on here today, I'd prefer to use a thread for those reasons.

As the admin, it must be annoying that you install the auction thing and not everyone embraces it

[rob]

A single 'set' of rules to c+p could be handy, the rest of the problems and parinoia is simply down to two things:

1 - thickos

2 - lack of trust.

You cant really counter the latter even if its via VB rather than thread.

Regarding no 1 - not able to tell the time (12:00 is 12:00 not 12:00.01 ) or not able to read where the thread states PM+In thread. Incidently the latest barney was by the person who initally requested it was made PM as well oddly enough.

[rob]

Incidently: http://www.acorndomains.co.uk/domain...tml#post168130 - hopefully that is all now put to bed and apologies issued

[bluerock]

My opinion is thats its down to the seller to set the rules.
If you don't like the rules don't join in.

I did read the e-commerce thread with interest but the rules were clear from the off.

[Slater]

Originally Posted by rob

Incidently: http://www.acorndomains.co.uk/domain...tml#post168130 - hopefully that is all now put to bed and apologies issued

No apology issued but no ill feeling on my part.

I'll certainly be looking at in thread only auctions in future, I can't be doing with the Spanish inquisition each time a domain is sold.

Do you think that extending auction by 5 minutes until a clear 5 minutes passes with no new bids would help alleviate timing issues ?

Mark.

[Skinner]

I think if your accepting via PM (for anomynity) then you should post the current highest bid into the thread, and it should be 5 minutes from then or til the end of the auction whichever is the longest.

For in thread only, I don't like the extended auctions, I like to know when an auction will end, as I have to plan things around it. Like the Sedo auctions, because they extended in some cases upto half hour, I was unable to compete.

I would have taken Nuke higher than it went, possibly lll higher too, but wasnt able to stick around til that time and my smart phone wasnt fast enough to monitor any auctions, so I had to get one of my partners who is useless on computers to handle the bids for me, anyway long story short, 3 names went for 100s less than I was willing to pay because of the extentions.

[rob]

As skinner says it is swings and roundabouts - 5mins extra on bids can cost money and make money.

I think a solid deadline is best, and if buyers cant tell the time then thats their problem. Likewise if the seller cant tell the time then that will be their big problem

Such a process stops people putting in £100 bids every few 4-5 minutes, rather will entice people such as Dale putting in proper bids to kick things onwards

As for anonymous bidding - why not make a forum that cant be spidered, and the bid threads are removed from view sharpish after the end of the auction? I am sure there are legit reasons for private bids, however that would be a good step towards total transparency - as if you win the WHOIS will give the info