I saw this thread and felt awful, because I was the cheer-leader, but it was meant as an insider joke and I never intended to hurt or alienate anyone.
There is a big age difference between this wonderful young couple and me. So much so, I am old enough to be a mom to them, but Marisa somehow makes me forget this
We have indeed talked about this pin about 2 weeks ago and I was so surprised to see it up for auction on DPF. I debated if I should be bidding on it (for myself) and I reluctantly offered 2 pins because it was too good to miss. I was almost relieved that my pins did not get any interest from the auctioneer and I stopped bidding after that.
I was only clowning around with Marisa & Sebe with my comment. God knows with the pins they offered, they did not need any help or cheer from anyone else. I totally understand how my joke can look as I am cheering them on, but it was really not meant that way.
I deeply, sincerely and profusely apologise to all bidders on who participated in the jumbo Snow White auction if my comment offended or hurt anyone.
Oh Becky, right back at you! You are one of the very first people who traded with me on dizpins, every now and then I do come to you to discuss pin values, and above anything else I love, love, love the calm, collected and logical way you post.
Again, I really am sorry if my joke hurt you or made you feel uncared for.
Hey Selen, you really don't need to apologize...you didn't break any rules or do anything wrong.
Now that it is a new day I have re-read my original post, and perhaps I was being a little dramatic about it all...although I still stand by my opinions on the matter. It is just disheartening (not speaking for others in an auction, but for me) when you make a large bid, the other person makes a large bid, and then right after you get a post exclaiming, "Go...
insert member name here...gooooo!", and they get an add-on from another member. Without knowing the context, it looks like you and others are encouraging the other member to win...but how does it make everyone else feel that bid on that auction? Maybe I don't post as much as some people, but I REALLY wanted that pin, and another member that bid on that auction had that pin on her grails list...so the whole point of my post was just to get others to think about EVERYONE bidding in the auction and how they may react to these add-ons and such. And again, I do think it is a really nice gesture and is not against the rules. I am not upset with you or anything and I hope you didn't take offense to my post, I just had to get my opinions out there on this subject. :hug:
I think the original auctioneer, Goofy_Moe...has summed up how I feel pretty well...
I have a very strong opinion on this and Dave(drb195) basically hit it of the nose...
Our auctions are supposed to be for fun, that is why they were created just as the games are supposed to be for fun... There are numerous groups of very close friends on this site which is amazing and wonderful... But for those members who do not get too involved in the site and it's numerous threads, they also have the right to participate as everyone else does... It is truly unfair and quite hurtful to them to see posts made by others to help their friends win these pins... There should never be alienation among any of our cherished members... How would a new member to our site trying to participate feel if all the regulars ganged up on them?? I think it would suck and make me never want to come back...
If you have a friend who truly wants a pin up for auction, then be politically correct and send them a PM in private and offer to help... Never post something that may hurt or discourage another member... I personally never allow add-ons nor would I ever accept assistance to win an item... I just truly feel it is cheating other members....
After I made this thread, I received a few PMs from people stating that they agree with me, but did not feel comfortable posting their feelings publicly. This just reinforces the fact (in my mind) that this practice makes certain members feel alienated and not want to participate.
I even received a PM from a longtime cherished member that hardly ever posts anymore, and they stated that one of the main reasons they choose not to post much anymore is due to the rooting-for-others in auctions and how crazy they have become. I would hate to think that someone that truly loves pins and has been trading longer than most of us is reluctant to post on DPF now because of all the drama and "clique-like" scenarios that arise here.
And like others have said, those that don't live near a park and can't meet people in person only have forums like this to share their love of pins (and attempt to obtain pins for their collection through trading and auctions), so they are already at a disadvantage...they can't go to the parks or DSF and buy pins at cost, and then when they try to obtain them through an auction and see friends bidding for each other I'm sure it can't help but turn them off a little.
So perhaps the solution is, no public add-ons for people's bids? And people PM one another if they want to help? And all of this is up to the discretion of the auctioneer?
Maybe we should at least establish a rule that this situation must be addressed in the OP of each auction, so that there is no confusion and no hurt feelings?
I just never thought about it like it is being pointed out in here, and it makes me sad! I don't want people's feelings to continue to be hurt in the future. But I think the option of people helping, if they want, should still be available, as long as it is handled privately and if all parties agree.
I would personally like to see this rule added. I think it is much more courteous to everyone involved in an auction if add-ons are kept to PMs. That way, those that don't receive help wouldn't know any better, and it gives the impression that the auction is an even playing field for everyone. Even if it is happening "behind closed doors", I would rather be oblivious to it than have it done in my face...but that's just me.
Some people obviously feel differently and encourage bidding-for-others and have no problem with it. And there are no rules stating that add-ons aren't allowed, so unless the mods change their minds and decide to change the rules I guess it is up to the individual auctioneer to decide if they should allow this practice or not.
I have already noticed that since this thread was started, one auctioneer stated that bidding-for-others is allowed and encouraged, and another auctioneer stated that bidding-for-others was not allowed in their auction. So their is clearly a division on this subject.
Bottom line is...there is not a rule about add-ons, and I do not think anyone has bad or malicious intentions when they are bidding for others...I do believe it is purely done to help others out as a friendly gesture. I just wanted fellow members to think about EVERYONE in that auction (not just the people they are friendly with), and how much the other bidders may want that pin as well, and how they may feel when they see one or two people getting help and encouragement and they are not.