Mechanical Memories Auction 2009

[JC]

Bent Copper, perhaps next year we should hold the auction in your back garden. You wouldn't even have to get out of bed - just let us know in advance the lots you're interested in, and we'd let you know when they were coming up. You could then bid from your bedroom window. Paying in wouldn't be a problem - we'd make sure you were first, so as to minimise any inconvenience. We'd get someone to gently tap on your kitchen door, and enquire if you would kindly settle your bill. Of course, if you found you had over-spent, I'm sure we could find someone to run you down to the nearest cashpoint.

For anyone who doesn't like the paying-in system, I refer you to BP's reply above:

It ain't going to change, so just enjoy the day.........

and to Bryans Fan's reply:

If you don't like the rules, don't come.

Jerry

[bandito]

I enjoyed the auction, bought a bandit which I am pleased with, think the lighting in the hall needs to be improved next time as it was a little on the "dim" side... I got to the auction at 11am and it was very busy then, a bit of a squeeze at times... nice to see all the old machines there and I am sure there were many happy customers at the end of the day.
It was frustrating having to wait at the end to pay, but I accept that - well, I was at the back of the queue after all.... 8) .
Will be back next year for sure........

[Bent Copper]

Well, firstly, that may start to deter some people from holding on to their bidding slips and bidding on later items...not in the interests of the sellers or the auctioneers. Secondly, I can just see a mass of bidders who have handed in their bidding slips congragating around the auctioneers platform...and you've guessed it, the next bidding slip number number they call out belongs to a guy at the back who takes a minute or two to get to the front...or doesn't hear and then there is a two minute wait to see if he did hear and is actually pushing his way to the front. Oh, and then there is the person they employ to call out the numbers whilst Jerry and Jeremy are dealing with whoever is actually at their desk paying in. Then, if many of the people who are paying in are sellers and want to wait for their cash, then your proposal only benefits a small group of people. And apart from the stress of running the auction, it just adds another layer to the auction cake.

These objections are a bit silly. People are not going to take 2 minutes to respond, and it doesn't need a special person to shout the numbers out! When the person collecting the money has finished with one person, he just stands up and shouts out the next number. There's even a handy PA system sitting there not being used. If nobody comes up within (say) 20 seconds, he just moves onto the next number.

The brilliance of my conception canot be denied.

(Not sure what happens if people forget their numbers though.)

[bryans fan]

As you have so many good ideas I suggest you run the next auction.

[coin-op]

These objections are a bit silly.
The brilliance of my conception canot be denied.

Well, each to their own view, I think what I said reflects what would probably happen/be required in reality.

[slotalot]

Hi .
I have to hang my head in shame as I admit that I left the auction mid afternoon with lots of items still to go under the hammer, I would have liked to stay till the very end queue or no queue, but as the day went on the thought of driving the 200 miles up the motorway in the dark and rain preyed more and more on my mind, It’s silly but I have never liked driving on motorways at night , consequently I came home with nothing, I feel that the long drive home after the auction may be the reason behind some of the comments made by other members of this forum regarding getting off early after bidding, At this point I would just like to say that the two J’s and Co. did a great job in the running of the auction :thumbs: and I can’t see any other practical way to do it better, so for next year’s auction and I hope there will be one, I will be making a weekend of it by driving down on Saturday afternoon in the daylight and book into a hotel near to the auction for both Saturday and Sunday night and have a steady drive back on Monday morning hopefully with a car full of goodies, so if getting away early is a problem why not do the same, I know some people have to work on Mondays but you have a full 12 months to plan round that one...

[rippyspennyarcade]

GREAT IDEA SLOTALOT!! You're views were just the same for me about driving on motorways at night - most cars were racing past me at well over 90mph, and it was torrential rain!! Some drivers will just NOT slow down.... THINK YOU HAVE JUST COMPLETED THIS JIGSAW! GOOD ONE.

[Bent Copper]

I know there's no accounting for prices at auctions, but I was interested to see that a Roll-A-Top fetched 5000 Euros at a slot auction at Chartres France last weekend. I wonder why there was no serious interest in the one at Coventry, seeing as how it was given star billing. It even had all the extra bits as well, like gold award, skill stops and vendors (although curiously, the seller didn't mention any of those).

Was there anything wrong with it? Was it a reproduction?

[JC]

Haven't you just answered your own question?

"I know there's no accounting for prices at auction"

Clearly, there were two or more bidders in France who desperately wanted a Rol-a-Top. It's just a shame they couldn't make it to Coventry.

[badpenny]

Two weeks have gone by since the auction and I still have two orphaned bandits sitting in my front room. I understand their owner thought they had sold and didn't check his payout slip too closely.

The Christmas festivities dictate the order of play in our house and my own machines have to go and sulk in the dog's bedroom, so these two having no security of tenure will have to go and no mistake.
Consequently I understand they are to be offered for sale in MMM, Ebay and on this site.

So watch this space and grab yourself an end of season bargain. More details to follow .............

[badpenny]

These machines are now on offer in MMM and on ebay. I've tried to put them on here but can't remember my password for The Market.
Mr PennyMachines please note I've mailed you requesting it.

Badpenny

[pennymachines]

Hi Badpenny - I received your email and replied to it. What is it with email these days? Seems a lot just doesn't get through any more. Something to do with the pipes being 90% bunged up with Spam, I suspect.
Spam now 90 percent of all e-mail. Cnet News, May, 2009.

Anyway, I've sent your password as a PM.

[slotalot]

Seems a lot just doesn't get through any more. Something to do with the pipes being 90% bunged up with Spam,

Spam!!!... yes I have had a few emails about this, mind you they were mostly spam ... anyway Happy Christmas to you all

[john t peterson]

Let me echo Slotalot as well as Tiny Tim: Merry Christmas Everyone! And happy hunting for the machine of your dreams in 2010!!

[operator bell]

I must say, I've enjoyed reading this thread. It gives great insight into the trials and tribulations of auctioneering. I take my hat off to you gentlemen for the work you put in and the service you provide, and can only wish I could come - I love auctions.

[badpenny]

Thank you kind sir. ........ you can put your hat back on now ...... should hate for you to get a cold.