Auctions

[Pikmin]

Now if there's one thing I've ever hated on other sites, it's been people saying something will stay retired/rare, and then changing their minds and completely ruining the value of the item.

However, I think it may be an interesting idea to have an auction, maybe once or twice a month, for a randomly selected old ARI/BMI/Event item/etc, which accepts gold/silver (most likely at the going rate of 1k silver - 10 gold)

That way there will occasionally be an opportunity for people to get older items, without completely ****ing up the market like I've seen some other sites do.

It would probably be ran the same as anyone elses auction is, a thread for it and people posting their bids, whether it'd be ran by Catghost or a mod is your call.

Please post your opinions about this, even if they're negative - Just 'cos I think it's a decent idea, doesn't mean anyone else will...
Oh, and suggestions to refine/improve it appreciated too.

[Soleil]

That sounds like a good idea to me.
I think it could be a good little boost. Not too often either, which would be perfect.
I support it. ^^

[Maeve]

I don't really like the idea of re-releasing an item normally, but considering some items here have almost disappeared because the few users who had them in the first place left Midorea, I think this could be a good idea. Maybe some kind of auction, or a lottery, or something like that...

[Pikmin]

I completely agree Maeve x-x The reason I got so mad at a site I used to be on was that I traded pretty much everything I had for a retired item (and yes, on the site it was classed as "officially retired"), which they then re-released a few weeks later... So I lost everything for nothing...

So if this did happen here I would only want it to be once or twice a month, whether it was an auction or a raffle (or maybe one auction and one raffle a month would be better)

[Chu]

I really like this idea! It could potentially increase user activity, with people getting on to check it each day.

Finding a staff member to host it shouldn't be too hard. In fact, I think that the obligation should run through each staff member - who volunteers that is - so that one person doesn't constantly have to keep track of it all. Everything would be discussed and decided as a team though, of course.

My issue though is with the frequency. I think that having an auction/raffle every month is a bit much, so maybe they should be hosted every few months, possibly in between events when activity is low.

And I'd personally rather see an auction than a raffle. Raffles are almost always hosted during events, so we don't really need any more.

[Pikmin]

I did think the auction would make more sense than the raffle because of the events, guess I suggested both because I'm used to people on other sites QQing about things like "omg that means only people with xxxx amount of gold/silver can win!!!!"...
So I overcompensate for whiners that aren't even around any more e.e'

But yeah, maybe once every 2 months, and maybe on special occasions? xD

[Maeve]

That's sorta why I suggested a raffle instead of an auction, I think. Although, I do prefer the auction. Simple to run, and it implies that people have to do something for Midorea in order to be able to afford participating (i.e posting or battling for silver, or buying gold).

I sorta like that slower frequency... or maybe, since Midorean events all pretty much fit in one month, an auction could be held half-way between two events (so like, in March, June, September and November/December). So it's not that frequent, but still often enough to keep people around (with the events the rest of the time).

[Chu]

Well, if raffles are strongly desired, we can compensate by alternating between auctions and raffles, or let the majority rule decide. :]

I just think that auctions would be better because the argument that only the rich can participate, while valid, really is nullified because raffles are held during every event. Plus, auctions syphen more currency out of the economy, and while the economy really isn't something to be concerned about at this point, it's better to control it before issues arise than when they're already too large to address properly.

[sychobunny]

I like this idea. I've seen a mod run auction be run on Mene (I think) that seemed to go well (though I think the items were taken from banned account or something). Because of this I'm a bigger fan of the auction.

[ecco]

i prefer the idea of an auction also, tho saying that, a raffle might be nice for less rare items - but save the super rare ones for the auction, so you have to work for it rather than just get lucky. i think this would be fun, tho ^^

[Pikmin]

I like eccos idea actually, say if things like... Well, an old ARI would be auction only, and something like a more recent BMI be in a raffle?
(Just happy there's been a good response though o\ - Now behold, as Kupsy goes to sleep)

[killerkitty]

I like this idea of auctions/raffles! (Good way to get me to be more active here >.o) And it'll give newer users a chance to get some awesome older items! And it'll be great to get more users to post and such in between events.
And I like the idea of using newer less rare items in raffles because raffles are based on chance, not how hard you've been working to get that item.

[Squid]

Okay, I am a lazy lazy squid and there are a lot of words here, so I only read the first four or five posts and noticed the frequency coming up as an issue. Once a month is too much, et cetera.

What about once an event? I mean, I know that activity is already boosted during events, but that way people would already be on to have the same chance as those who already check by daily.

I mean, since there are already raffles and things during events, why not just add one of the older (maybe related - IE, Thanksgiving event, turkey wings) items as a prize.

Myself, personally, I think I prefer a lottery or raffle over an auction. There are already so many super omg rich people on Midorea and I just think a raffle or lottery would be more fair. But maybe it's just my poor ass way of thinking lol

[Maeve]

It all depends of why you want to make a raffle/auction, I guess.

I personally consider it like a way to 1° make some old rare items available to newer members, but mainly to 2° reward members that are active on Midorea.

So, if the raffle/auction is there to reward active members (which could help keep them around longer and make the whole site more active), it would be more logical to make it outside event (although the ~4 per year frequency seems appropriated).

Also, with that goal in mind, it seems better to go with the auction rather than the raffle. I do appreciate the fact that everyone have a chance in a raffle, but that defeats the "you should be more active to have a chance to win" side of it... unless raffle tickets required people to post instead of simply giving money (like, you get a ticket for every x number of post, up to a certain limit), but that's a lot of work and all.

[Squid]

Raffle tickets granted per post could be ... interesting. I only know that, speaking for myself, I am ... kind of active, but I am dead broke like ALL OF THE TIME. I can't hold on to silver to save my life lol

Maybe to make an actual raffle ticket item floating around, for those who are active? I mean, you'd have to be on the forum to get it, right?

idk