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My first auction
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RayB:
Oh, Starburst. That's the one I've been to a few times, so let me add more advice:

- Their warehouse is SMALL and tightly packed. Don't expect to be able to see inside the cabs. You'd be lucky if you had access to the back doors...

- Go early. That's the best time to test games without jostling people around, or having your cord disconnected by some other bozo (there's like only 4 outlets in the place, 2 at one end and 2 at the other).

- There are two buildings, so remember to check both out.

- You'll be expected to deposit $200. I think they charge tax on purchases. But they DON'T charge an "auction fee" like some of the american auctions do.

- You don't have to take your purchases with you the same day. You can do so the following Monday by 6pm.

- Expect the auction to last until about 1pm.

- Don't look too enthusiastic. There are SHILL BIDDERS in the crowd. (Look for this gray/white haired fat balding man. He bids on his own machines.

- Don't bid on anything that can't be powered up, unless you plan on gutting it. ie: If it has a monitor, says "monitor OK" on it, but "no board" and therefore you can't test it, well guess what. The monitor is NOT "OK". It's still a good deal since these "junk" cabs usually sell for $25-$50 cdn. but don't expect to get a working monitor out of it.

- As for prices and games to expect. That's a complete toss-up. There is the occasional "classic" (you know, what a 30 year old considers a classic, not NBA Jam and Mortal Combat ;-) )

You never know who will be there. I've seen times when cocktails would not sell for under $400, while last time I was there, there were 2-3 cocktails selling for $125 - $250 range.

I've seen a decaying Centipede go for over $400, a nice Crystal Castles go for about $325, and a Star Wars cockpit (yes, working) go for $300.

(all prices quoted are Canadian dollars)


I might attend the next one, so keep in touch.
paigeoliver:
Also, one really ballsy thing (and not REALLY dishonest) thing to do at auction is to grab a dolly and MOVE a machine.

Now WHY would you want to MOVE a machine?

Easy, the machines in the "first row" sell for the most money, and the machines in the last row go the cheapest (general rule, broken from time to time, but it is rare).

So, if one was to wheel a game that wanted to sell into the first row, or a game they wanted to buy into the last row, well, I can't really ethically come up with much of a problem there.
RayB:
ummm, auctions use a numbering system and sell by order in the selling list. You'd risk them skipping over and never selling the machine you moved...
Tahnok:
I have never been to an auction but this thread was rather interesting:

http://www.arcadecontrols.org/yabbse/index.php?board=1;action=display;threadid=15207;start=msg119043#msg119043
menace:
Bring a Mr. microphone for the lousy auctioneer--since last time he started the auction outside with just himself and 2 guys while the rest of us were inside waiting for it to start--what a bonehead.  As rayb was saying there are always shill bidders--but starburst knows and doesn't seem to care or its ok with them, I don't know which, but they do it for all their games (the 2 old guys with pony tails) so there isn't much you can do...

see ya there!
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