The Auctioneer’s Handbook

[Lacomus]

Important: This guide assumes you already understand the Auction Rules. If you’re not fully familiar with them, please read the Auction Rules first and learn them in their entirety...to the point where you clearly understand how auctions work and can follow the rules confidently. Once you’ve done that, come back to this guide. [Forums and In-Game] Auction Rules. - PRO Rules - Pokemon Revolution Online

 

This guide is still a work in progress, and there’s a lot more I plan to add over time, so please bear with me. It’s written with both new and experienced players in mind. Some sections may feel obvious or not especially advanced to certain readers, but I’ve included my own thought processes throughout. It also may not look as polished or structured as I ultimately want it to be just yet (for now). I’ve outlined and created some of the sections below I want to comment on, and I’ll be gradually working through them and sharing my thoughts as they develop. If even small parts of it prove useful, then it’s done its job. Take what resonates, leave what doesn’t and enjoy.

 

Sections below are currently outlined in rough form and will be expanded on.

 

1. Foundation: What an Auction Is (and isn’t), When You Should Auction, and When You Shouldn’t, Long Term Value vs Short Term Profit, Quality Auctioneering

 

2. Preparing the Pokémon (or Item): Evolve Pokémon or Not? Understanding Value Impact, Training: When It Matters and When It Doesn’t, Situational Optimisation (PvP, collectors, utility)

 

3. Pricing: Setting the Right Starting Price/Details (good listings build trust...how poor starting details such as too vague, too high, too low can damage credibility, suppress bids, hurt outcomes in ways that aren’t always obvious), Finding the Insta Buy Sweet Spot, Understanding Market Demand, Price Decay (why waiting too long can cost you), Being First to Auction Something New (or one of the first) vs Being Late…and More

 

4. Payment Methods and Their Value: Pokedollars and Mixed Payments, Why Some Payment Methods Should Be Valued Differently (relating to timing, events, demand and seller preference affecting the value...how adjusting valuation can subtly guide bidder behaviour)

 

5. Timing: Best Times to Start an Auction, Duration: Too Short vs Too Long, The Ending, Bid Momentum

 

6. Promotion and Visibility: Where to Promote (and where not to), Different Promotion Methods Explained, Cross Server vs Single Server, Avoiding Spam, Maximising Reach

 

7. Finding: Identifying "The Right" Buyers, Using Discord Effectively, Tagging Without Being Annoying, Making the Right People Aware (subtly), Why Relationships Outperform Mass Pings

 

8. Presentation: Formatting That Gets Attention...Clear, Clean, Professional Listings, How to Improve Presentation Over Time, Learning From High Performing Auctions, Misleading and “Half Misleading” Auction Titles: Why clear, accurate titles outperform exaggerated or those that are carefully framed…how the appearance of being misleading can damage trust, credibility and outcomes. Understanding “Epic”, “Godly” and Other Hype Terms…an honest look at popular buzzwords used to attract attention…what they should mean, how PvP players perceive them, where exaggeration starts to undermine credibility (in my opinion…since I use them often). Understanding “20+” and “25+”…and other similar labels. Why phrases like “25+ Bulk” or “25+ Except Attack” (and similar workarounds that aren’t a full and true 25+ because another stat may be a fail) can weaken your auction…even when the wording is technically honest and well intentioned. Deeper reasoning behind that, from my perspective.

 

9. Reputation: Why Reputation Matters, How to Avoid Being Ignored, Engagement (hearts, ticks and acknowledgement to bidders posts so they feel seen and valued), Consistency, Fairness, Follow Through

 

10. Service: When Offering an Auction Service Makes Sense, What Value You’re Actually Providing, Fair Percentages, Protecting Yourself, Why Trust Beats Fees

 

11. Organisation: Tracking Auctions with Discord Notes, Managing Multiple Listings, Follow Ups and Closing Loops, Staying Organised Without Burning Out (or getting into trouble with trade moderators)

 

12. Guilds, Servers (and the Effects): Why Guild Servers Matter, How to Join Without Being "That Guy", Building Presence Over Time, Effects in Auctioning

 

13. Price Checks: Sharing Price Checks Responsibly, Avoiding Bias, When to Give A Price Check and When Not To, Protect Your Credibility

 

14. Judgement: Should You Auction This at All?, Private Sale vs Public (explained in detail to support your own decision making)

 

15. Final Thoughts: Providing Real Value to the Community, Why Long Term Thinking (relating to your actions in the game) Pays More, Earn Lasting Trust

Edited 1 hour ago by Lacomus