How Do You Feel During Auctions?

I definitely agree that if you are spending real money (by whatever definition) at auction, that an agent may really be able to help you.

If you feel that you need some guidance on certain items, or need someone to view an item in person for you, or if you prefer to avoid the "live" experience and want to stick to your bid objectively but don't want to provide it in advance, then an agent may be good for you.

Stamp Auction Network does provide the "Unattended Live Bidding" feature, which does not disclose your max bid, but it does not provide all of the 'soft' or 'human' benefits of an agent.

Prior to live internet bidding, I used agents, and I was very happy with the results.

Ugh. I just got caught up in auction fever and bid a few increments above my target. There were two other people bidding against me, so I thought "gosh, this stamp must be worth more than I estimated, so I better keep bidding."

It was a #26 (US) NH with great centering and would probably grade well, except it was described as "generally sound condition". I don't even know what that means relative to a single stamp. Like "slightly pregnant", either the stamp is sound or it is not. Maybe they thought "small faults" was too harsh. Or maybe "corner crease and slightly disturbed gum" was too wordy. We shall see when it arrives. Unfortunately I didn't have enough time in advance to ask the seller for details. I shouldn't wait until the night before to start reviewing the auction catalog.

I too love auctions and have been to dozens over the last twenty years. Back then the room would be full, nowadays it is common to see just a few seats taken. Many view at their leisure and then bid online, thus avoiding the need to be at the auction. A real bonus if you are working.

I am retired and have the time to travel to and attend auctions. One advantage attendence has is room lots. Throughout the whole viewing and bidding process you meet old friends and catch up on stamp topics. Long live the auction houses.

As for the feelings. During the viewing I have, by inspection and bid order, know what my bid limits are. Nevertheless I get excited when the time comes for my lots to come up. Never more so when the bidding stops way below my limit. About the only time I get sad is if I have traveled hundreds of miles with multiples bids and lose them all. Then there is a great temptation to buy at least something so as not to return empty handed. I have learned not to do this.

I bid in Universal Philatelic Auctions Postal auctions and feel little excitement about them. I enjoy browsing through the huge glossy catalogue to see if there is anything I specifically need and can afford. I like the fact there is no premiums or add ons other than shipping and the bid process is clear. The stuff is as described, they will answer questions. If I win a lot I get excited when it arrives and I can put it in the collection. I have been to four different room auctions. One was a very professionally run aucton in Edinburgh that was an entertainment as well as a way of getting better stamps, unfortunately these auctions have now finished. I found the whole process pleasurably tense. if I wasn't bidding I enjoyed watching the bidders,mainly dealers, the tactics and the way the mood of the room tautened if there was a bidding war. I found these auctions were theatre as well as a way to get stamps. Another room auction I attend because the catalogue entries are sketchy and sometimes just inaccurate. viewng at first hand was a must to ensure what was being sold. The cheaper lots were just on open view. I have got some excellent bargains there, partly because the catalogue descriptions are so poor. The speed with which the auction is conducted means I have to be alert and move fast 3 lots a minute is an average speed.
I go to room auctions if there are things I would like, but I expect to enjoy the auction for itself and the adrenalne rush of getting that paddle up fast enough and then down fast enough when I want to stop bidding. Twice I have bid on the wrong lot, fortunately in both cases the auctioneer restarted the bidding. For me part of the fun of stamp collecting is tracking the stamp down and then getting it at an acceptable price.