Re: Thanks!

[Erik Olson <erik@thekrib.com>]

You know, I got a call this evening I have to share, because it's that
great flip-side of "the party in question".  It was Sasquatch, who called
to let me know that he'd somehow gotten some extra cans of food and
medication and was wondering if someone else had been short-changed.  (Of
course I let him know that he could keep the most-likely-$2 worth of
stuff, and we'd deal with it.)

> was hoping to do that didn't happen was to break up some of the more intense
> positions and make sure everyone got a break. 

Dave got to sit down a little, which was good.  But yes, 1-2 more people
to swap out would have been nice.

> Suggestions:
> 
> * Put a sellers form, instructions  and limits in the news letter prior to
> the auction with appropriate disclaimers, including something to the effect
> that while we try to accurately track the bids on items, we are not liable
> for errors or mistakes and all decisions made by GSAS regarding splits are
> final. While we will not take a minimum bid, the seller has the right to
> pull the item etc.

I don't understand seller's right to pull the item.  You mean, while the
bidding is going on?  I thought that wasn't allowed.

Anyway, I think that over the past few years, most people have been very
accomodating and have used common sense in this regard.  But in this case,
we need to have the rules spelled out clearly.  I will try to revise the
seller form appropriately.  So, just to confirm what I will write:

  * 20-item max
  * Members only
  * No minimum bids allowed
  * 60-40 split
  * Auction is to benefit to the club, not a means of income for members.
    The split is a courtesy.
  * We are not liable for errors; all decisions final (though we will
    try to be accurate)
  * Split checks mailed after auction

> * Come up with a way to settle discrepancies off line with out bogging down
> the process.  Perhaps we need an arbitrator with the authority to make
> adjustments at their discretion.

This was exactly my point this morning.  In the future, they can write
down the items with discrepancies, and we will adjust them later.  Perhaps
I was jumping the gun by acting as auditor/adjuster this time; it would be
just as easy to have the auctioneer, treasurer, or anyone else next time,
because the database is online after the auction completes.

> * Don't think that we should try and start any earlier.  We need to leave
> some time to deal with unanticipated problems.  I think that we need to get
> the auctioneers to pick up the pace (I hope that Anne doesn't mind.) Which
> is probably best done by having four of us up there the whole time.

Or less items.  Maybe we just say we end at 10, and whatever is left, is
left and has to go back.

> * Resolve all disputes with a baseball bat.

I talked with Kathy, and she says we need to be more up front, i.e. "Hey,
you're being inconsiderate and holding us up".  In looking back on it, I
mostly grumbled.  But I think we just weren't really prepared for this
situation.  If things had calmed down enough for me to think a little, I
might have been able to say "write it down and we'll get it later" from
the beginning.

OK, enough of this.

   - Erik

-- 
Erik Olson
erik at thekrib dot com