The end of an era: Frank Robinson now using an auction platform

Frank's latest auction is up and running, but on an auction platform now. No more e-mail bidding.

 

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Wow... I don't know why but this bums me out more than it reasonably should. I totally get why one would want an online platform for ease of use but I found Frank's email auctions really fun and they seemed much more personal than all the other auctions I have bought from. End of an era indeed! Still, I hope all works out well for Frank.

 

I tried to register for this particular platform and it was onerous and intrusive (Driver's license number? Birth date? City where I was born?). No thanks.

 

On his website he mentions you can still email him.

 

I like it much better. I hated the old way he had it set up.

 

Me too, although I understand why many people liked it. It will be interesting to see how this plays out.

I wonder why he chose Emax? Biddr seems to be the best platform at the moment. In fairness though I haven’t used Emax very often.

 

I must admit that I didn’t really understand how it was set up. That and a lack of current funds kept me from bidding in his auctions.

 

Personally I miss the quaintness of the earlier FSR auctions:

 

Oh, what sad times are these when passing ruffians can say "Ni" at will to old ladies.

 

Oh, what sad times are these when passing ruffians can say Ni at will to old ladies. There is a pestilence upon this land, nothing is sacred. Even those who arrange and design shrubberies are under considerable economic stress in this period in history.

 

I suppose this will open his sales to those of you who live for the computer but it seems Frank agrees with Curtisimo and I. On his page he says:
NOTE: This sale is hosted by emax.bid. You can bid on their system, but it's simpler/better to just e-mail or phone me.

 

I’m not understanding how emailing is simpler than clicking “bid” unless you mean the one-time registration is too much effort. As for a phone call... I prefer to have an instantaneous written record of my bid and I loathe voice calls. Too much “can you hear me now”, plus the obligatory small talk.

 

It never ceases to amaze me how much you and I are alike. My reaction to all that was EXACTLY the same as yours, right down to "no thanks." I admit that the old system required you to trust his honesty for the integrity of bid levels and all. Maybe people today are a bit too skeptical to feel comfy trusting a comparative stranger that much. But then, there was a day when you didn't have to lock your house or could leave your keys in the ignition.

@TIF As for the complications of telephone protocol, I suppose that depends on what you grew up with. Frank and I wasted little time (none) on "small talk." He knew why I called, I got down to it, and off the line so he could take the next one. Worked for both of us. But I will admit that it was unnerving not to be sure I was high bidder at the immediate end of sale. Delayed gratification.

 

Perhaps that is why he has both options. I will not be giving the required drivers license or passport numbers to some European company I have never heard of. I have been emailing Frank since we both first got email. I quite possibly have purchased my last ancient coin from Europe anyway. I have no idea why he signed up with an Italian company. I'd miss Frank's sales but really did not see anything I can't live without in this one. You already have an example of the coin in this sale that I think you would like most. So far this year I have added 26 coins. I hope to sell a hundred. There are many sources that do not collect personal data. I don't need hassles with shipping and customs to enjoy my hobby. We each will differ.

 

We have discussed this platform's requirements before.

I used "1234" for my Document Number and "Other" for my Document Type. I used my real birth year. I used January 1st for the birthday which is not my real birthday.

The site happily takes my bids with this information.

Last year I was compelled to give my real birthday to an Italian auction house that I was dealing with for the first time. They sent me an email asking for my "date and place of birth." This seemed sketchy to me... They wouldn't even send me an invoice until I gave them this. I eventually learned that many legit Italian businesses can't generate an invoice until they have an Italian Tax ID number -- which needs a real birthday and the city (for Italians) or country (for non-Italians). A form like https://www.paginebianche.it/eng/codice-fiscale generates the number.

By the way, it was not an ancient coin I was getting from Italy but a historical medal. The tax requirement is not about export but I suspect designed to foil VAT (sales tax) evaders.

 

I think I'll still email the bids. Was there an email about the latest auction? I've been receiving his emails for the last couple of auctions since I signed up but received nothing about this one.

 

This news is stunning. Next thing you know, Kirk Davis will buy a postage meter. Then, the apocalypse.

 

Emax is not my favourite platform, but I really appreciate the ability to bookmark lots of interest. Also, I process the text and prices better with this format compared to what Frank had used to his website.

I used Ed's method to fill up the form, which works just fine to have access to the bookmarking function. I'd submit bids to Frank directly via email since Emax doesn't show current high bids anyway, and at least Frank will tell me where my bids stand at any time, allowing me to allocate my auction budget better.

 

I thought with him moving to an online platform I would see the current bid.. but I still only see the starting price? Would it not make more sense to see what the current bid is? That was sort of why I was excited to see this change. Otherwise I fail to see the benefit to buyer or seller.

If I am missing something please let me know.