Auctions can be fun.
Though afaik current forum rules don't condone them.
With good reason I'm sure.
So here's a suggestion for how they might work in a way that's fun but fair.
Option #1 - 24-Hour 'Hidden' Auction.
a) Reserve price must be stated.
b) Offers submitted via PM within alotted 24-hour period.
c) Offers remain private. Seller not allowed to reveal 'highest offer yet'.
d) Highest offer gets it. Buyer not allowed to pull out, unless item misrepresented.
e) Details of winning offer then made public.
Option #2 - Reserve 'Countdown' Auction.
a) Sale price starts at elevated level, i.e. Avg. 2nd hand price + 20%.
b) Every hour, the price drops in predetermined, sensible increments. The seller doesn't have to 'announce' these drops. They are effected automatically. If, for example, the auction is posted at 13h23, price drops will happen at 14h00, 15h00, 16h00, etc. First PM to arrive wins. 'Early' PM's, i.e. One that arrives at 14h59 for a 15h00 drop, will be disqualified. However if you send a PM at 14h59 for the 14h00 price, that still qualifies. 'Forum time' is the only time that matters, not worldtimeclock.com or some atomic clock in Geneva. The arrival of PM's can be verified by Admins/Mods, I presume, so there shouldn't be any disputes.
Just some thoughts.
n