Enron Auction: September 25 & 26

Originally posted by crackedback
It's always interesting to see "Auction Fever" set in.

People get so emoptional charged to buy that they lose all control. I was at an auction where 2 guys got in a bidding duel for a two year old boat that sold new for about 65K and the winner paid 79500. Shook my head and laughed.

Later,

Cracked

Where I am from, they call that a pissing contest.
 
I have been to a few auctions of failed .com assets. The story is always the same as with this enron auction. Prices are simply way too high, unless you're buying bulk. People get in the auction without doing proper research on the current market price for the stuff. Plus they tend to forget about the 10-13% premium for the auction house.

Not to mention that most auction purchases are untested, and often sight-unseen. No warranty expressed or implied. Cash on the barrelhead. If that 18" LCD you just bot has bad pixels...tough cookies for you. Auction goods should sell at a DISCOUNT to ebay type prices, not a premium.

The best deals are for those with lots of cash to spend. Not for the little guy.

One item from enron that sticks in my head was a batch of SmartUPS UPS'. These were top quality, rackmount 3000VA units. But you had to buy all 17 of them. UPS' aren't nearly as sexy as plasma screens and aeron chairs, so the winner got the whole lot for $2500 (plus 13%, plus shipping unless local). Still a heck of a deal.
 
Originally posted by jeffm
Auction goods should sell at a DISCOUNT to ebay type prices, not a premium.

To be honest here in the UK goods sold on ebay are way higher than new/retail prices, very similar to the enron auction:(
I think this has happened because yahoo shut down their auctions.
 
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