Disclaimer: This is based on my point of view as a bidder cum viewer on a FB live auction and not directing at anyone. If anyone feels offended, you must be taking it too hard and need some reflections on yourself because it hits the spot on you.
So few months back, I started watching live auction on FB. Yes I have never ever watch them at all in the past. Because of this Covid-19 (previously known as Wuhan Virus) pandemic, more businesses go on Live to sell their products because lots of restrictions and for Singapore, Circuit Breaker a.k.a lockdown. Out of curiosity, I followed my bestie watch a live auction that she always would share on FB because of the Like and Share giveaway. And now I'm stuck. Like everyday must watch, if not life will be so boring.
For the past 1.5 months, I observed the behaviours (literally from the comments) of bidders from this live auction. It triggered me always and not just bidders or viewers like myself, it triggered the anger of the auctioneers at times too. Like all of us are human beings and so are the auctioneers. You got your temper as bidders, so are the auctioneers.
Here are some of silly things through my observation that I can't tolerate at all and I feel for the auctioneers:
1. ANSWERING SILLY AND UNCLEAR QUESTIONS
Bidder: Do you sell crystals tonight?
Auctioneer: Of course we sell crystals here. If not what are we selling now? You got see or not?
This person is really asking the obvious. You login FB, being prompt with the notification that a live auction started and they will indicate from which FB page right? You know you are going to watch a live auction selling crystals right? Or some like me will go to their FB page directly (ignoring the notification) and scroll down their page to go in their live auction.
If you don't even know what you are watching when obviously in your screen, the displays are crystals, you must be blind.
Bidder: No. Do you sell crystal turtle tonight?
Auctioneer: This afternoon's live sell finish already. Need to wait for next batch. Aiya you ask question half half.
Same person again. Ask your question in proper lah. It only makes yourself look stupid on the screen. And you have to understand that the auctioneer communicate with all the viewers through the comment section okay? In the room, he or she is like talking to themselves or to the air with no human presence except the comments. Like one duck one chicken communicating. Be considerate and type your comments properly.
Bidder: Do you have 10mm larimar bracelet?
Auctioneer: I don't sell bracelet on my live. Please watch night live for bracelets. My live only selling small items like charms, pendants, rings and so on.
Can you imagine that bidder already have Top Fan badge? I supposed when you have this badge, you have been watching their live or stay as their followers for some time liao and yet you don't know their live schedule? Or you just follow their page and not their live auctions? Or the badge was issued to you based on your likes? Your following? Or what?
This live station has listed out their rules and regulations, as well as their schedule. They have dedicated auctioneers to sell some stuff as instructed by their boss. If you don't know, then you must be those who never register with them to bid. You just pop in and watch as and when. Because when you register with them on Messenger, they will have an automated reply on their live schedule, their delivery process, their payment method and so on. If you did registered, go and scroll back your messages and find it. Don't be lazy and expect people to tell you repeatedly.
2. FB 'EATS' COMMENTS AND DIDN'T MANAGE TO GET THEIR BID
Bidder: Aiya. Tonight never get anything. Go sleep liao.
Auctioneer: Don't like that lah. Try again and you will get it eventually.
The auctioneers have told bidders so many times that it ISN'T THEIR FAULT THAT THEY COULDN'T SEE THE BIDDERS' BID OR COMMENT. It is FB side 'eat' the comments because too many people are commenting at the same time and so not all will be seen by the auctioneers. Some already know the fact that FB 'eats' their comments but still comment such thing to show their unhappiness to the rest of the bidders and also the auctioneers.
You think they don't want to sell to you is it? Who doesn't want to do business with everyone? As a small business owner myself, I also want people to buy my t-shirts. Who doesn't want? Purely isn't their fault and you throw your tantrum on the comment section to look stupid to some bidders out there.
Most importantly from what I learnt about crystals from the auctioneers: Crystals choose their owner. If you have no fate with that crystal, then go on and choose the others you like. Or you wait for more stocks to come from China.
To be more blunt, even if you get it and actually you have no fate with the crystals, you wear it and it breaks? Who's fault? Nobody. Just no fate. Worse of all, it didn't bring you any good luck or help in the things you do? Who's fault? Nobody. There is a Chinese saying that 得不到不代表不会幸福，得到也不代表会幸福. Agree or not? Some things cannot 强求. Just follow fate 随缘.
For me, I won't whine because I can't get something on the comment section. I just move on though feel sad if that is something I like. Or grumble with my bestie on Whatsapp because usually we will watch together at home. Vice versa.
And it also depends on your internet speed. I always see some easily get their bids for every items. Incredible right? And they are fast to comment yo. I go two ways: my PC and mobile phone. And my bestie followed suit. And most of the time, she managed to get her Like and Share giveaway prize. Lucky her. Because you can comment faster mah by copy and paste the comment.
Conclusion: FB 'eats' comments and depends on your internet speed. Or you have no fate with the crystals.
3. WASTE OF TIME
There was once on live auction, this bidder couldn't get his/her bid many times and commented on a reply to someone's comment: Waste of time.
Wow... that triggered the auctioneer a.k.a the boss immediately when he saw the comment. And he just let it all out on live. I understand how he feels because I feel for them auctioneers too. He said if you think is a waste of their time watching and bidding in the live auction, then they can just leave. If I'm the auctioneer, I will say the same thing. Just refer to my 2nd point up there which some even after being their customers for so long also won't understand. Imagine I'm just a 1.5 months old customer with this live auction.
The auctioneer was damn angry but chilled after that and even apologized. But then he stood firm on his ground. I like. The auctioneers do what they can to satisfy the customers already. They can't satisfy every single one but they tried. Some times I find that doing sales really a tough one. Have to see the face of their customers (for this live auction, the brutal comments at times) and also demanding requests. I pity them and so I won't be some bad customers like some.
Because you don't want others to do that to you when you are doing sales so you don't do that to others. Simple as that.
4. COMMENT WRONG CODE
Sometimes you really can't blame the auctioneers for not seeing your comments (other than what will happen in my 2nd point up there), you commented the wrong code and how you expect the auctioneers to take in your bid? They have to be fair to all the bidders.
You want fast but never see the auctioneer's comment on the code properly and you comment the wrong one, that is your fault and not on the auctioneers. When you do your work, you also do it fast and accurate right? Ya maybe some using their mobile phones, not very fast and also not as convenience as using a desktop. Too bad for some like myself, we can only use our phone to bid because you are secretly watching while working without your boss knowing.
Then too bad lor. What to do? There was once I was on a teleconference also cannot always use the phone. So have to give a miss on items I like.
5. PURCHASE DRAW
So this live auction gives away some small prizes for purchasers at the start of their live session. This is a benefit, not an entitlement. When the bidders never see their name in the list, they will start asking how come don't have my name in there. And there it goes for the delay of draw.
What pisses me off is SOME NEVER BUY FROM THAT AUCTIONEER AND DARES TO ASK HOW COME DON'T HAVE THEIR NAME. The auctioneer will check their purchase and reply them that they didn't purchase from them but from another auctioneer so have to wait for that particular auctioneer's live.
Do you know you look stupid when you ask such questions? Each auctioneer will do their own Purchase Draw during their live. They can't be doing for all auctioneers in one live right? Everyone of them has their own duties.
Okay lah. Some are new buyers so they don't know. Forgiven. If you ask the 2nd time again, you are a pest to some bidders, like me.
And also they give out 2-4 prizes for their draw. Imagine 100 over buyers' name. Unless you have those luck on draws, if not you think you will kena any of the prizes with so many buyers? Fat hope. For 1.5 months with them, I only kena once on night live from Purchase Draw. Other times even Like and Share draws, no luck. So I won't whine or so particular on all these draws. I will try my luck on Like and Share draws. Just try and you never know one day will kena.
6. NO CHOOSING FOR SOME ITEMS
Auctioneers will inform before they start that some items no choosing. Because they have their program for the next 4 hours and they want to bring up as much items to sell as possible. I like the idea of not choosing because it will be a surprise for yourself on what you get. Like I mentioned on 2nd point, crystals find their owner. You have fate with which one, you just bring them home. Instead some wants to choose. Deeper colour, light colour, big one, small one, round one, flat one. All sort of requests. And I'm not one of them. And I have to wait and wait till the next item is up. Very frustrating right? Unless you are buying premium items. Okay lor that one really have to see carefully and choose the one you like. Hey you are buying economically priced items. Yes no matter how much also money. But be reasonable if that item is small and dirt cheap like 2 for $3?! Be grateful that you got your bid when some others don't get theirs. I agreed that you also must choose something that you like. Then look at it carefully when the auctioneer shows lah. If you are working and can't watch, then forget it lor. Why take it so hard up?
7. LIMITED QUANTITY OR CLEARANCE STOCKS
Obviously the auctioneers have said limited pieces like 10 or even lesser like 5, then you don't be sour when you don't get it lor. Wait for next stocks if have.
To be honest lah, how many hands do you have to wear so many rings, necklaces or bracelets? If you want, just wait. Cannot wait, buy elsewhere. Simple as that.
Clearance stocks might be even worse. 1 and only piece. Everybody fight like siao lor. But only one lucky bidder gets it. When they say clearance stocks means last time they sell before already. Never get it then forget it lor.
Some will ask when will restock or any pre-order, listen carefully to what the auctioneer says or scroll through the comments section because some kind souls will pin their comments on what the auctioneers said so that the rest who come in later can see it.
8. REPEAT AND REPEAT
Some came in late for the live and already started selling the items, they will start asking what are they selling now. If the pinned comment is still there, you can see what they are selling. Why you don't be more initiative enough to see instead of getting the auctioneers to repeat many times for latecomers like yourself?
The auctioneers writing the names down half way and have to show the items again for latecomers. Delay and delay. That will cause them not able to catch up with the comments. And then you all come blaming them for your failure to get the bid. Ya become the auctioneers' problem again.
From the auctioneer's point of view, very poor thing you know. I know is their job to show and tell customers what they are selling. No wrong on that. But you have to understand the frustrations behind every auctioneer. You think only bidders have temper, the auctioneers don't have? They not human is it? Be fair to them too. I have never do live auction for my t-shirts before but from my observations here, I feel for the auctioneers and I just don't know why also. Probably because it is work. A work that we have to do in order to bring the bacons for our family.
Everyday they have to face all these people but cannot vent out openly but only after their live to their colleagues or family and friends. Some times they also get scolded by their boss too because of unreasonable customers' complaints. Why I say unreasonable? Just because their voices are loud and the customers feel intimidated. Hey if you find them loud, turn the volume down. Their voice too soft, you complain can't hear. Their voice too loud, you complain they so fierce.
What do you want from them? You work for people, they also work for people. Have some empathy. If others do that to you, will you be happy?
Because during live auction, you only get to see the items briefly. You don't have that touch and feel for the items. So you can be demanding at times during live auction. But if you are not uncomfortable with buying from live auction, just don't watch live and make an appointment to go down to the physical shop to experience it yourself. And buy it if you like. Case closed.
9. BRAGGERS - updated as of 4 Mar 2021
There is one particular lady that I hate most and actually blocked her just days back because whatever coming out from her (the comments) is not so pleasing in my opinion. She can go from one station to another, saying that she bought nicer stuff or premium stuff from another station already. EXCUSE ME! No one wants to hear that and are you a CUCKOO? Buy liao then why still watching from another station still? Boring is it? Okay this one is an old lady so must be damn boring after retiring lah I think.
You don't go around and tell people that you bought better stuff from another station just because you didn't get your bid for the items. It all depends on your luck.
This lady is also a petty one. My friend told me she said something like she can go other station to buy. And that pisses the auctioneer so the auctioneer kept all the stuff and started selling another. Then she went on to say just joking only, don't so petty. Then other bidders said the person who saw the comments felt differently from the person saying it out. Something along the line. And so this old lady apologized and thereafter didn't bid in that auctioneer's live. Now who is petty? Embarrassed liao right? So old liao no brain to think meh? 口出狂言. Anyways, short of her also won't affected the live. Because still got so many supporters. It doesn't matter. I think she got watch but just no commenting so that no one knows she is watching. She is really a joke!
And now she goes to another station to say something brainless. Why huh? Got once she was at another station and told the auctioneer to hurry up because she not free and want to watch live at another station. THEN YOU DON'T BID LAH. GO WATCH ANOTHER LIVE LAH. Why must you tell people this way? You sibei rude lei Aunty! Brainless cum Bragger cum Rude!
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These are some personal views from my observations and I just can't help writing out to let the rest of the world know that everyone works for people be it in any sectors. So don't make things difficult for others because you also don't want people to do the same to you. Karma. Believe in Karma okay? Even if you are a boss, you are working for your money too. If not where your money come from? Fall from sky is it?
Lastly, a short one on auctioneers. I understand different auctioneers have their own individual style of hosting their live. Uniquely their live style. I find some very long winded. I mean keep selling also boring so inject some chit chat via comment section is okay. But keep on talking and not much selling, what is the point? You sell things as priority, not talk show lei. Talk while you sell I'm okay. Keep talking I cannot sia. Can keep to your program or not?
Some will half way check this and that because a enquiry pop out in the comment section. And then we have to wait. Some need to work the next day and can't be staying up to see your items till past midnight yo. Unless some of them are not working. Some auctioneers do live as part time and they have a full time day job hor. That means they sleep only few hours before starting work in the morning. Sleep deprived mode. 钱难赚. Hard-earned money.
Anyway I just hope auctioneers keep to their set of principles when hosting their live: keep to their program and leave enquiries for other colleagues to handle or at least handle themselves after their live. The show must go on. I like that they pack some items after their live and not pack them during live. Another time waster. Good job for that.
Okay. That's all. Bye. Be kind.
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PS: I still enjoy watching live because there are still happy buyers in there whom will help the auctioneers time to time when needed like posting the benefits of the different crystals, informing of sold out items, what type of crystals and so on. Happy buyers = Happy mood in the live auction. Plus I gained more knowledge on crystals.