Mindat.org auctions - did it RIP?

The button mindat auctions disappeared...:(:(

Pavel,

If you click on the auction # remaining # closing soon this will take you to the auction pages. This is located toward the upper left.

Doug

It is now relatively inconspicuous that there are even auctions at Mindat.

Best Wishes, Van King

I don't know. I tried putting up some really nice specimens for really cheap and had no bites.

I put up a bunch of decent specimens on and sold a bunch but most never paid for the specimens. I hope my experience was not the norm.

Rick
I know I am in my own little world, but everyone knows me here.

I sold a specimen using the auctions, and did receive payment, but I never bid because the size of the thumbnails were too small and the enlarged photos weren't of the best of quality so it was hard to tell exactly what I was bidding on. I also wasn't sure of how to submit payment as it seemed this had to be arranged outside of mindat.

It'd be nice to have a more streamlined payment process similar to that of eBay and it'd be nice if there were a system by which people could be prompted if a specimen of their interest went up for auction.

I've been listing on Mindat Auctions for 8 or so months with reasonable results. I seem to average around one sale per day (or slightly more) and keep an average of 30 or so items actively listed. I've found that less expensive items do sell. Mindat is not the place for more expensive pieces. That said, since the button disappeared, I've only sold 2 items and both were to a buyer I had on Ebay who I referred to Mindat. I think the difficulty of finding the auction site will severely hurt traffic, thus sales.

I'm sure the decision to delete the auction button and install one for the store was for financial reasons. Certainly understandable. Wouldn't there be room for 2 more buttons.

One more thing. Part of the agreement is to pay Mindat 2% of sales. I'd gladly do so but I've never been invoiced. In fact, if a higher percentage would help improve the auction site then I'm all for it. There's nothing wrong with making a profit on this. Let's be honest, profit is the best of all incentives anyway.

It seems that a thriving auction on Mindat would be a real plus for everyone involved. A place to buy specimens from fellow Mindaters whom we grow to trust and a source of revenue for Jolyon and his wonderful website. A win-win!

Last, I do appreciate the auction, Jolyon. I hope I don't sound like a complainer. I'd just like to see it thrive.

Regards,

Mark Mahlum

Hi Mark.

I understand the problems with the removal of the auction button - this will return!

Thank you, Jolyon. And Merry Christmas.

Mark