OldRookie

My Feedback: (13)

There was a Bruce Tharp Delta Vortex that must have made this express trip. I was waiting for this plane to come up all day. I was watching the preview tables. I went to the bathroom, and by the time I got back the plane was sold. This is what happens when the procedures weren't followed. The plane went for $110.00 which was cheap. I would have bid up to $140.00 on this plane. There was also a Fazer that I was interested in, but I was kind of disgusted with having to sit around all day waiting to bid on a plane, and lost out because procedures weren't followed, and I just left.
This is the first TCRC auction that I had been to in about 6 years, and I think it will be at least that long before I attend another.

I did get to chat, and catch up with a lot of acquaintances, which is the only thing that kept the day from being a total waste.

Greg

Minnreefer

As a Tcrc member and i was working at the auction, I am sorry about peoples bad experiences, I can't offer anything official on behalf of the club, but I am hoping that my work schedule will allow me to proactive in the planning of the auction for next year and set up some procedures and ways to follow them. I think one problem is everyone wants to help, but few want to be responsible for different areas. Besides a few items being moved out of place, is there other ideas or suggestions on what to do?

A few people have mentioned doing 2 separate auctions, would that be better or worse?

As I stated before, I can not talk officially for the club, but we are always looking for ways for the auction to be better experience for everyone.

G.Barber

My Feedback: (1)

Minnreefer,

As a former TCRC member, I know that the "two-auctions" idea has been brought up in the past. I know that when it was brought up several years ago, it was shot down very quickly. The auction is a HUGE undertaking, though I know I don't have to tell you that... I think that the club members will still shy-away from all that work twice a year.

To all,

I was at the auction, and aside from stuff being brought up for auction without time at the preview table, I thought it went as well as previous years. I sold some items, but didn't buy anything. It wasn't for lack of bidding on items, I'm just really CHEAP!

As far as the hobby shop owner that was bidding, I'm not going to complain. I didn't have to bid on anything against him. He has some insight as to what to pay for an item, and I'm sure that some of his bidding was getting prices up on his own stuff. They have to make money on stuff to keep the shop doors open, even if they're not selling that stuff at the shop...

Vintauri

My Feedback: (25)

I had fun overall. It would be nice to have a better way to preview the items before hand but I understand the difficulty in getting everything checked in and working around people wanting to see the gear. My only complaint was around 4pm when I was pretty tired and decided to save my wallet from further pain I went to check out but they stopped the line to get caught up on paperwork. This left many of us standing for over 30 min waiting for them to return. I think it would be good to look into a better system such as a database that the people on the auction floor could enter data and the people checking out could retrieve the data and none of it would require duplicating info on paper. It would also free up more club members elsewhere. I understand there is a concern about it crashing you could still keep track on the floor of the bids on paper as a backup but it should not be that hard to make a system be reliable enough for these needs.

scg7503

My Feedback: (1)

um how do u pay for a car or plane on here that an idvidual has for sale im new all help is greatful thank

MinnFlyer

My Feedback: (4)

Click on the "Buy/Sell" tab at the top of the page to go to the Marketplace

Minnreefer

I agree, I don't think 2 auctions would work well, maybe 1 in Feb. and the other Sept.? but I don't think it would draw as many people. I really can't say anything because I have not been active in the club due to life (family, work, money, etc.) But I really hope to be more involved in the up front stuff next year.

I would like the bidding to go $5 for the first $50, then $10 to $100, then $25? to$250, and then maybe increments of $50 above $250?

Do you think that would be better or worse? It should speed up the actual sale process.

As far as the check out process, I think 1 item messed up the whole thing for a while, I don't think that has happened like that over the past few years.

Jon

G.Barber

My Feedback: (1)

Minnreefer,

Yeah, the checkout thing was a one-time deal. I haven't seen that happen before.

As far as the bids, I'm not sure how that would work, but the $5 increments are good for smaller items. I think if an item hits $100 then go to $10 increments, but the problem is getting the auctioneers to remember to change the bid limits. I know that you guys all do this on a volunteer basis, as I have done the auction myself and know that it takes a lot of effort on the part of the club members.

You guys all did an outstanding job again, and I thank you all for another great auction!

MinnFlyer

My Feedback: (4)

No. One per year makes it special. And it's the only thing to do in the cold months

Never happen.


Correct. One item got misplaced and they shut down the whole enchilada to get it straightened out - To me, this is a good thing. It may have pissed some people off, but at least everything was done right. Can you imagine how mad those same people would be if their money got short-changed?

Vintauri

My Feedback: (25)

I don't know about the missing item but what the guys said was they needed to get caught up on the paperwork. Which is fine. I don't fault them they looked frustrated on getting things going again and everyone wanting to checkout was just putting them farther behind. The club does a great job on this event. I come up each year just to hang out and see people I don't always see in the winter. I just hope they all had a chance to relax at the end.

Minnreefer

It is a long day, most members get there between 6 and 7 am and most did not get home until 8 pm or a little later. It is good for the club, helps to keep our dues lower and we still have a flying field, I know there are a couple of clubs around the area that have either lost their fields or might loose them.

JONES4110

I share the concerns of the preview table stagnating with the items NOT moving for over an hour in some cases which the express lane continues to shoot forward with NO preview or introduction in many cases. My biggest concern is how the items are actually picked for sale and the timing of those sales. I arrived early at 7:30 and efficiently checked in12 items. By three only 6 of my items had presented and the crowd was long gone. My prices reflected that waning crowd and I ended up buying back one very nice airplane. I had two no bids in the last hour including a package that included a new $60 dollar Robart nosewheel and new Futaba Battery!

As you club members well realize that timing is everything and far from random. I do not how you can be fair on this timing except going straight down the inverntory tables based upon some formula. Please stop the NON-RANDOM picking order. It cost me at least 400 dollars.

I do apprciate all the hard work and it is a great event but I fear I may have to be a club member for a decent shot at timely selection. I'm just sayin...

Fly2XS

My Feedback: (65)

Guy's I just want to thank everyone for coming this year. I can speak for all 4 of the auctioneers in that we are now all hoarse and physically worn but we had a great time spending the day with you!
The key guys spent most of Sunday accounting the funds, writing checks and double checking the records. If it worked as clean as it did when I signed the checks, then the checks were dropped in the mail this morning.

We don't have the numbers yet but we ran from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm only pausing for the raffle drawings. That works out to a maximum of 480 minutes (more likely 460). We sold well over 500 items. That's not bad if you consider we broke in two new 'auctioneers'.

We did try very hard not to bring something directly from the back room to the auction block. I never saw it. I did however see some items carried from the rear of the tables (where they has sat for 30 minutes) up upon request of bidders. We try to accommodate our fellow modelers when possible. It's worked for the past 26 years that I had been an auctioneer.

I missed some items myself. I really needed a set of wing bags and I missed Dennis' set as I did not make notes for myself to watch for them. That was my fault.

As far as when items are auctioned, it all depends on the 'pickers'. I had (4) items to sell and I registered them at 6:30 am. They came up for auction at 5:00 PM. They did ok as I was still there to defend them. The buyer & I both felt the prices were fair.

We'll be taking all of your comments and reviewing them in our Post-Auction meeting where we'll see where we can improve the process and your experience in it.

Thanks again for coming and please feel free to send your comments to [email protected]!

vmsguy

I have to confess, and apologize.

I know my earlier post sounded negative. For that I apologize.

I've been coming to the auction for several years now, and I want to affirm that I plan on being at next year's auction as well.

I wanted to add "job well done" to all the auctioneers.. I've been attending auctions since I was old enough to remember; Handled by pros. You guys may be amateurs, but I can say you all did darn good. The Pros wouldn't have had anything to complain about your work. I can guarentee it. [sm=thumbs_up.gif]

On a differenet topic... Scott.. I sent you an email (or PM, can't remember) I was wondering if you'd be willing to maiden my Electric Senior Telemaster. Mike (Minnflyer) recommended you. I remember you flying a Rascal at the funfly last year, and it seemed like you'd be perfect to fly a STM.

rtn9105

My Feedback: (35)

The OMP plane that sold for $610 was a kit built 50cc Edge 540 Hybrid which sells for $349 just for the kit (box of wood and some plans). If you can buy that plane built and covered all day long for $249, please fill the rest of us in on where you're getting them so we can get one for that price also.

Does anyone have any pictures of that Hybrid, I thought it was a great looking plane.

Insanemoondoggie

I was standing by a local shop owner, who told me he had an ARF for $249 setting on his self if I was interested in a plane like that. KingKong Hobbies CoonRapids mn

rtn9105

My Feedback: (35)

Sorry but he was mistaken, he may have an ARF of a different OMP profile on his shelf but the Hybrid has never been sold as an ARF and as I stated the Kit sells for $349
http://www.ohiomodelplanes.com/92edgehybrid/

Vintauri

My Feedback: (25)

Well I flew one of my Auction purchases today. I picked up the Seawind EP and all I had to do was drop a RX in setup the radio and plug in my lipo pack. It flew great. Can't wait for some water flying in a few weeks!

Fly2XS

My Feedback: (65)

Nice going Steve! Now when are we going to get to fly our warbirds together again?
Scott

jeffEE

My Feedback: (5)

I am sorry that what I said was taken as a bad report. I have nothing Bad to say about how the people working the auction did their jobs. I think they do a great job, and it's a lot of work that runs VERY smooth. I am not at all upset at TCRC, any of its members, or anyone that was there. I was sort of kicking myself out loud for not doing a better job of scouting the items. The item I bought was just as the auctioneer said it was. Thats all you can ask for. Again, I am sorry my comments were not better stated on my part. I would like to say thanks to the girl scouts and the hot dog sellers. They did a great job also.

Vintauri

My Feedback: (25)

Once I get a couple ready. I should have a TF Mustang and P-47 ready this year, also just need to sync up the engines on my B-25. But there is the Fokker Triplane ready for some WW1 action. Once the snow is clear I'll be at the field for sure

Nordicz

My Feedback: (7)

This was my first year at the auction. I thought that considering the quantity of items that was brought in that the whole team did a very nice job. I did not purchase anything due to there were only a few items that peaked my interest ,but I am really kicking myself on a couple of items. If I was willing to part with 5 or 10 extra dollars I would have gone home with a very satisfactory plane. Good job from my perspective ,you guys were busy and handled a large stock this weekend.
Marty

kochj

Yeah...the whole "I can buy them all day for penny's.." didn't add up...

Kits take time to put together....and ussually the Material is FAR supperior to that of ARF's....
That is why the kits (the good ones) cost as much as the same size ARF...The Balsa is A++...makes big dif...
The ARF's are really good, but a custom built Carden, Aerotech, Dalton, are a class of there own....


Thanks for the info guys...

ama353

My Feedback: (6)

Well, after hearing/reading here of several incidents where the "preview process" was not followed, I must apologize for stating otherwise. And hope we do a better job next year.

I also must confess to being something of a "member in name only" when it comes to making things like the auction happen. I've been around model airplanes and clubs for decades, and I've never seen anothergroup where so many peoplejump in and do what needs to be done with no thoughtof recognition or credit. TCRC is a great group!


Dennis

MinnFlyer

My Feedback: (4)

That is a fact! This is the most well-run event I have ever been to!

Keep up the good work guys - But DO make better use of that preview table!