Jim Reilly posted the following; "Perhaps the 2001 auction would be a good time to revisit the issues".

Jim; Like most other controversial matters involving the club.... it appears to THIS club member that we wait until virtually the eve of whatever activity is taking place to argue/debate the rules that are presently in place for the upcoming activity. NOW.... is the "good time" you are speaking about to "revisit the issues" for the 2001 club auction. WHO is charged with "revisiting" these issues? This bb doesn't set rules and policies. Send your comments and suggestions to the Board Members. Do it by Registered mail if you feel that Board Members aren't reading or responding to your comments here. Send Letters To The Editor about policies which members are unhappy about. This debate on this bb is an excercize in futility.

We just went through long debates on shill bidding .... and we came to THE (originator's) POINT that it was all about the club auction..... which is not how the theme started as perceived by the many contributors to the thread. Nothing is being accomplished here. If the club officers are too busy to address some of these controversial issues, then perhaps they should appoint a committee to seriously study potential changes .... if any are deemed necessary.... and make recommendations for the Board to consider.

Jim; I don't know that ANY changes would satisfy some of the critics.... short of giving a few of them the free ride they are looking for. I just read a post about a .50¢ Primadonna chip that went on ebay for well under $200 and the "same chip" went for well over $300 in Doug Saito's auction. Are all .50¢ Primadonna chips equal in value and/or condition? Don't you think it depends who was "at the auction" to bid on it, having more of a bearing on the final price?

The key to a succssful auction in my view, is to put up items that have appeal to potential bidders. If the item is in demand, it will sell at a fair price. However, "a fair price" sometimes does not mean "top price".... although on occassion, depending upon the competition from "who's there", the item could bring a "record price". Competitive bidders are not going to let choice, seldom seen, premium items go at bargain prices. How many times have we heard that the reference catalogs are "only a guide"... only to hear a seller claim that he has a "z" chip to offer. All "z" listed chips may not be worth a "z" price to potential bidders.

The club auctions are not places to put items up for sale that can be readily purchased from a half-dozen different dealers on the convention floor. Auction Chairman Bruce Landau does a good job attempting to solicit noteworthy lots for the annual club auctions. I'm told that the 2000 crop is going to be a good selection. Overall, I think that past club auctions have proven to be an excellent place to consign material for disposal.

Let's face facts Jim. Some dealers use the club auction as a vehicle to sell inventory at a higher price than they think they can get on the floor at fixed prices because of the bidding competitiveness. Most material consigned is duplicate inventory a collector or dealer might like to turn into cash in order to purchase needed items from the floor dealers. Some dealers use the club auction to bid on material they have buyers for back home .... or maybe to sell to someone who will stop by their table and purchase an item that was bought at the auction the night before.

Again, it all depends upon WHO shows up for the sale. Dealers have standing want lists to fill mail-orders from their customers and generally are active bidders on better material consigned to club auctions. They may pay better prices than a collector because they know they can rapidly turn over the item purchased at auction. Collectors as a rule, purchase items at auction not for re-sale, but to add to their individual collections ... and don't have a ready list of customers to sell chips to. Demographics plays a large part in the auction's success or failure.... as does the commission structure.

My appologies (again) for the long post.