Mechanical Memories Auction 2011

[13rebel]

A big thanks to everyone concerned for making this year's Coventry auction a special day which I thoroughly enjoyed and came away with three machines. People were friendly and chatty too.

[grabber]

I forgot to pick up my Yale lock. Did anyone see it? Was it with the lonely bandit ?

[badpenny]

If it was in a green box then yes I did see it. It was sitting on the stage at the end of the day. Perhaps Jerry scooped it up with the rest of the debris, but I really don't know.

If so I guess it gives you the perfect excuse to visit his arcade or come to next year's event.

[JC]

Another one over, and once again, we’ve received some very favourable comments – the emails have been coming in all day We always aim to please, and it seems we do! It is quite clear that the Coventry auction is regarded as the slotties’ social event of the year, and so it should. This year, I think we put on the best show so far, with the greatest number of lots and the greatest diversity.

Unfortunately, a fair number of machines didn’t sell, even though most had fair reserves. Has the economic down turn finally caught up with slottie land, or are more of you just coming for the ‘social’? It’s probably too early to judge – we’ll see what happens next year. However, had it not been for the Brian Bates collection (which I’m very pleased to report sold quite well) Jeremy and I would have made next to nothing from this year’s event. To be perfectly blunt, I’m not sure I want to continue putting so much work into ‘a great social’ for so little reward. As a consequence, we may have to review the commission next year – an extra percent or two will not make a great deal of difference to buyers or sellers, but will make a considerable difference to us. Jeremy and I will talk it through in the coming days.

As Jeremy has mentioned above, once again we were left with a bandit left all on its own after everyone had gone home. However, the circumstances were different this time. Two years ago, we were left with two bandits that the seller thought were sold. He hadn’t noticed on his sellers receipt that we hadn’t actually paid him, so he just left and went home. This year, the lonely bandit was sold but the buyer just buggered off without paying……………….what happened there Bob?

[JC]

P.S. I've got your lock Mike - I've emailed you.

[grabber]

Many thanks.
I'll post that metal part very soon.

[bryans fan]

Just got home yesterday and this is the first chance to get online. I thought that the auction was really great this year, and well run. There seemed to me to be the best selection of machines we have ever had. I thought that the prices on the whole were a bit down, but I thought that the reserves must have been more realistic. I had not realised that there were a lot of unsold lots. I think that some people will just not accept that the prices have gone down from the highs of a few years ago, and are looking to get back what they paid or make a profit. It is all relative and a machine is only worth what someone will pay on the day irrespective of what one went for before. It is worth remembering that although you may sell for less you can also buy for less.
I for one left very happy having sold all my lots and bought one lot for what I considered a very a good price. I think the 6% premium is very fair in view of what other auction houses charge. I did enjoy meeting all the usual suspects although I do notice that meeting up once a year we all do seem to be looking a bit older , except of couse for Jerry and Jeremy who look younger if anything! I personally really hope that the auction will continue and that the 2 J`s feel it is worth keeping going. I thought that given the current economic climate it did well. I spoke to several friends who all admitted that they were having difficulties in their chosen professions during the last year and that money was tight.
Many thanks for all involved for making it a great day, including Kevin the Auctioneer and Kevin the bouncer ( I mean door security officer).
Well done !

[jimmycowman]

Yes it was a really good day, thanks to the venders and the two J's. It was good to see old faces, I thought there were lots of new ones there too. I was in the pay queue and started to talk to the man behind me, a toy collector who always wanted a mutoscope. He had brought it for £200 less than he was willing to go to, he was pleased. It was very good to see Harold Thanks for a good one.

[treefrog]

Each year I have been going, the more slick the whole day has become, especially the pay process, which you guys have really got down to a tee, well done. As with everyone, it was great to see such a mix of machines and something for all....

[JC]

Prices achieved have been emailed to Mr. pennymachines, so they will no doubt be available to view in the Arena very soon.

[badpenny]

Didn't get to Coventry? See what you missed.



Full results with pictures now in the Arena - Site admin.
(Shouldn't there be some nauseating royalty-free musak to accompany this video???)

[JC]

Bloody hell! We've made the big time - we're on the telly! No no, better still - youtube!

[badpenny]

I am proud to say I have always found it easy to be nauseating and have never had to resort to Musak to achieve it.

Having taken a closer look at my photos I have to conclude that people who collect slots appear to reflect rather strange elderly men who specialise in gurning...... or experience incontinence.

From all of the photos I took there I could only find one of someone who'd brought along their daughter.

It doesn't bode well for the future of our hobby really does it? The combined age of the majority of us there must be staggering .... not unlike the majority of us there.

[jimmycowman]

was that you mr badpenny with that state of the art camera??

[badpenny]

Damn it ............ it's the legs that gave it away isn't it?

[bryans fan]

I see the results are in! Someone`s been busy! The results , plus a photo
( many taken on the day) of a large number of the lots, are now in the Arena.
Many thanks for all your hard, unpaid work, Mr PennyMachines.