Auctions.

[Ahleckz]

I'm going to my first auction this Saturday, it's a police auction for Strathclyde Police and is apparently massive.
I have no need to buy anything but surely there must be some good things to get...

Any experienced auction goers that have any tips or insight into this World? It's going to be full of gypos, isn't it?

 

[Garee]

Do not wave to someone across the room during a very expensive item.

 

[DM]

Pick a max price and stick to it, dont start getting carried away bidding.

Learning when to stop is the secret

 

[Ahleckz]

Pick a max price and stick to it, dont start getting carried away bidding.

Learning when to stop is the secret

Yeah, I'm not going to take masses of money but I want to bid on something and win something just because it's something I haven't done before.
I'm thinking I may buy a bike, and suspect there'll be hundreds of them to choose from. Though there are 3 halls altogether so surely there must be some loot for me!

 

[Tee Hee Johnson]

Ooo where is this, got a link?

 

[[FnG]magnolia]

Pick a max price and stick to it, dont start getting carried away bidding.

Learning when to stop is the secret

This is incredibly important advice particularly if you're talking about big ticket items. The natural reaction when faced with competition is to keep bidding because you've already made the connection with the item; in your mind it's "yours" so rational thought sometimes goes out the window.

I recently won the auction for our house and it was tremendously stressful and the temptation to just add another 10 grand to get it was almost overwhelming. Bear in mind that I'm a Buyer and know all too well about removing emotional attachment during negotiations/auctions etc.

Having said all of that, if you're just going along for a giggle and maybe spending a couple of hundred quid then don't worry too much and just enjoy it

tl;dr - set a budget, remove emotional attachment to items, have fun, don't get stressed.

 

[Ahleckz]

Ooo where is this, got a link?

Dalry, on the way to Irvine. We're hoping it's a nice day so combining it with a trip to the seaside for icecream too!

http://www.wilsonsauctions.com/police_strathclyde.asp

We're aiming to get there just before 10 to have a quick look around at everything and see if we want anything. Can't be bothered going down the day before to have a good proper look. Costs £5 for two.

 

[whitecrook]

Thanks for heads up - might see you there !

I have no need to buy anything but surely there must be some good things to get...

I went to a customs & excise auction with the same mindset, and tbh it was a good experience, and If you've never been it may be wise to just watch and learn.

It was like a real live ebay - people were paying silly money for LCD tvs and laptops, you could have bought from a retailer for the same prices in some instances. It's too easy to get caught up in the bidding, and it's the auctioneers job to encourage bidding and get the best price, you need to be able to say NO (literally) when you hit your limit.

 

[horseunderwater]

Makesure you examine anything you intend bidding on very carefully and dont forget to add the commission and vat on to thew bid price

 

[waso_dude]

best ones are the car auctions, get some crazy bargins on cars in them police ones.

But i've heard a lot of good about the general ones too. one of my old school teachers got all of the tech for his new house for well under 50% rrp from a police auction.

 

[DM]

This is incredibly important advice particularly if you're talking about big ticket items. The natural reaction when faced with competition is to keep bidding because you've already made the connection with the item; in your mind it's "yours" so rational thought sometimes goes out the window.

I recently won the auction for our house and it was tremendously stressful and the temptation to just add another 10 grand to get it was almost overwhelming. Bear in mind that I'm a Buyer and know all too well about removing emotional attachment during negotiations/auctions etc.

Having said all of that, if you're just going along for a giggle and maybe spending a couple of hundred quid then don't worry too much and just enjoy it

tl;dr - set a budget, remove emotional attachment to items, have fun, don't get stressed.

I always do phone bids at property auctions now so im not even there, its too easy to get the hump at property auctions, its the only place iv dropped a clanger in the past in person.

Cars / job lots etc its easy to walk away from but property you can see the potential so i dont go in person now.

OP enjoy the auction you can still nick a bargain.

 

[whitecrook]

What did you think, OP? Some bargains to be had but most of it was a bit meh.

most of the bikes were pretty worthless, if you wanted a old DELL optiplex P4 with LCD you could get them for 10-20, a hp 8150dn went for £1.50, loads of compact cameras for about 50-60 quid, + loads of things like golf clubs fishing rods selling for a few quid.