Business Lessons - First Timer at Auction

Today I learned a valuable lesson. Keeping up isn't good enough. If you want something, I mean really want something, you have to work for it. Today is a prime example of losing sight of what really matters and ending up flailing wildly in the wind. I'll begin with my coffee binge, doesn't it always start with a coffee binge?! After setting up and seeing that it's a nice day, I went to get a buying number. It's the first time I've gotten a buying number. Let's hope it turns out good. I wait patiently (not so patiently) for the first item I'm interested in.


It's a Rolex. It looks worn. Who wears a fake? I will when I win it. It's in a glass cabinet near the front of the auction. Now a Rolex is slightly out of place in this setting and 3 to 1 it's a knock off. But I have to have it. What if it's a real Rolex bought by a rich farmer (I don't think farmers' make much money) and may just slip under the radar. Well, I muscle my way into the auction, I make it $7.50, and outbid to $10. That's all the money I've got so I'm out.


That's my first mistake. What should have happened was a $10 bid with money on the way, or no bid at all. It's very likely a knock off and I really don't need another watch. No matter which way you look at it, it's a lack of resolve and determination that sullied the deal. I have no idea whether the watch would have been bid up, whether it's real, or if I could have had a shot with a $10 jump bid. But what I do know, then, is that my buying power is limited and I've got to think fast.


Next, a set of arrows that look reasonably flightworthy sit on the 3rd table in. Again I'm waiting like a predator, teeth sharp from the lost watch. $2.50, $3.00, $5.00, $7.50 and I'm the proud owner of a set of wooden arrows. Immediately, a man walks over to me and instructs me in the laws of archery and these arrows aren't made for combination bows. Why the hell not? Well, because the force generated from a combination bow will make the arrows splinter and jab into your hand. I guess, these arrows are not what I was thinking. Quick I'll put them up for sale and regain some of the money minus the commission. A fire sale later and I'm out $4 and the arrows before I've paid.


Fate, thou art a heartless shrew.


All but lost heart, a nice woman sells me "The Fellowship of the Ring" on cassette tape at a great price ($1). Annette shows up late. Better late than never. She gave me a few products to add to my stash. She made quite a few deals herself. The rusty "irons" tools are very popular with the crowd. Annette's making me look good, as she is setup right next to me. I get a couple buyers, lots of lookers, and a disappointing end to a big sale. All in all, it was a good day. But, my profits were drained by the arrows deal, and I couldn't recover.


PS. To my English teachers, I know I'm not supposed to change tenses within a paragraph or a blog post, as it is. It's my little way of adding interest at certain points. I'll correct my tenses when I get a chance.