I’ve attended a few toy auctions since I took the helm of Toy Shop several years ago. One such instance was at the National Farm Toy Show in Dyersville, Iowa. I was always impressed with the speed and efficiency in which auctions are run. Organizers know what they are doing, and, more importantly, bidders have done their research, know what toys they are going after and what their spending limits will be. It’s a finely tuned machine that results in a lot of toy collectors going home very happy.

This brings me to the latest poll question I posted on the Toy Shop Web site — “Have you ever attended a live toy action?” The choices were yes, no and only on eBay. The live auction was meant as one in which you attend in person, but I had to see who never leaves their house, even in their quest for toys.

Personally, knowing the types of readers we have at Toy Shop, I expected a lot of “yes” answers, but the final tally was the following:

Yes: 50%
No: 29%
Only on eBay: 21%

I’m still working the numbers in my mind. Is it because toy shows are down that only half of Toy Shop readers have attended an auction. I’m sure as little as three years ago, this number would have been higher. Is it because it was an online poll question, and many of these collectors do their buying and selling online?

And what about the 29% “No” answers — are auctions too intimidating to new collectors? I have a lot of theories, but few solid answers. That’s where you come in. Click on the “comments” link below and help fill in the blanks for me.