There is an interesting poll question on the Toy Shop Web site at the moment. The question is simple — “Have you ever attended an online toy auction?” The answers to choose form include yes, no and only on eBay.

Currently, the answers are fairly split. This leads me to a question I have been wondering for some time. I know the vast majority of subscribers to Toy Shop are die-hard toy fans who have attended a fair share of toy auctions in their many years of collecting. I also know that the majority of people using a computer are of a younger age and are more apt to bid online in you auctions.

eBay is bigger than ever these days, and even the old toy show stalwarts are looking to that medium to get their hands on toys. But are the Toy Shop subscribers who have been with the magazine since 1988 also going online to get their auction fix? I guess if I could add an addendum question to that poll, it would be “Do you only participate in auctions on eBay, or do you also attend live auctions?” Is there a clean split of people who have attended live auctions and those who participate online, or is there a crossing of traffic?

I’d guess with each passing day, more and more people are doing both. Some miss the personal interaction, while others feel things are more available online. I can see both ways.

And as for those who haven’t participated in a toy auction — give it a try. A successful bid is a very rewarding feeling.