[GSAS-board] Plant Auctopsy 2007

[Erik Olson <erik@thekrib.com>]

I always like to report back the numbers from the computer, and put it in 
perspective with previous auctions...

                2007    2006    2005    2004    2003    2002    2001    2000

bidders         42      28      39      43      30      34      39      38
lots            244     267     242     322     264     259     231     260
gross $         1977    1195    1299    1636    1327    1180    1624    1479
splits $        672     146     194     453     265     150     403     413

Way to go folks!  Susan posted the actual cash #'s (there are a couple 
additions...see below), but it looks like the club made $900-1000 on the 
event after ANW has been paid.  Even if we didn't consider the $200 tank, 
it would still be the highest GROSSING plant auction in "recorded 
history".  But more importantly, take a look at the splits, also a record. 
Lots of members sold things, the most ever since we started using the 
computers!  The plant auction has always been primarily a member service 
(as opposed to the general auction, which has historically been the club's 
big fundraiser).

The runners adapted fantastically to the new system, even our younger ones 
who probably did not realize they'd be having to spell some nasty big 
words!  Rick and Josh kept the computers running without breaking a sweat 
(except at the end).  And we didn't tire out three auctioneers at the same 
time.

Also, the usual bit of criticism...not much, but there are some areas we 
can improve:

The items were recorded between 7:50 and 9:50, so that means about 2 items 
per minute, not the fastest auctioning we've ever done (which would be 
last year where we sold 267 items in 90 minutes...3 items per minute). 
We might want to pick up the pace a little at the beginning next time so 
we don't have to make up for it in the last 30 minutes.  This will be 
especially important in April where in past years there have been 300-400 
items!

The computer system and the tags are backwards with respect to each other, 
so the ops read the bidder # and then sale price, but have to key in sale 
price, then bidder number.  I noticed this at the AGA auction, but totally 
forgot to fix it.  I will try and do this on the tags for the general 
auction.

For the computer ops, it's very important that if you get a red tag and it 
brings up a generic bid (you have to enter the description), that you also 
enter the seller number.  Clay A showed up late, so we didn't pre-enter 
his items. He just put his seller # on the red tags and they got entered 
as they were bid on.  Perhaps I can modify the software to require the 
seller number if the tags are in a certain number range.  Any rate, we 
were OK becauase only one person did this.  If there were two, we might 
have been sunk.

I was surprised that we still had the "run on the computers" at the end. 
Josh was still entering the last 10 or 15 tags, so Rick was having to 
check out everyone until they were done.  I have a couple remedies for 
this.  First, as the thing winds up (last 10 minutes), don't allow anyone 
to check out, and have both guys entering tags.  This will make sure that 
all items are accounted for.  Second, we should have that third computer 
to act as "swing" at the start and end of the event.

Anyone else have any suggestions for improvement?

   - Erik

-- 
Erik Olson
erik at thekrib dot com
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