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!!WARNING!! YCH bids can be blocked!
2 years ago
So this morning I was made aware of an issue my friend 
taghyrt brought up, involving ych auctions.
https://twitter.com/Arlo_Sloane/sta.....00892086239660
For those that don't want to click the link, what was explained was a ych was about to end, and despite wanting to bid on it, they find that they cannot respond to the chain of bidding.
They find out too late that this was because the last comment was made by someone who blocked them.
So we now know that YCH auctions and auctions in general can be potentially manipulated to favour someone who blocks another potential bidder.
It's a fair comment to say that this could be a harmless coincidence, the blocking user could have any reason to block you, but it most definitely can be abused to favour the blocker in this scenario.
IF THIS HAPPENS TO YOU
Don't panic, there are ways to get this subverted.
First, has the user responded to you/outbid you directly in the auction? If they block you and prevent you from bidding after that fact, it's malicious activity and can be aired to the auction artist(s).
Second, want to bid but can't?
Respond to the start of that comment chain, to the artist. Put in brackets the reason why you can't respond directly to the comment chain, maybe add a comment airing the problem.
Third, consider not using FA for YCH auctions.
Some auctions have taken place on other platforms like YCH(dot)com and even Patreon.
Fourth, if you've been unfortunate with your luck and are too late to bid/rebid, consider contacting the artist, either in comments or directly, and broadcast the problem to them.
It is under the artist's descretion to know if a bid was made in good faith, and it is their right to deny a bid from passing through and potentially win the auction slot. If the bad bidder has directly outbid you and you couldn't rebid, that'll be more damning and potentially make it easier for the artist to make that decision.
ONLY USE THIS AS A LAST RESORT THOUGH
Do not overstep yourself in regards to this issue, you may be in the right but it doesn't mean you can be demeaning or insulting, that might work against you. Additionally, some artists prefer not to use DMs.
Be professional when making contact, consider sending the evidence to an external source, maybe a video capturing the problem. Most of all, respect the artists decision. If this doesn't turn in your favour, then move on. Thank them for responding if they have. Consider looking for another auction or any other commission openings, maybe the artist has something open alongside the auction?
Here's a list of things you shouldn't do!
• Don't flame the artist, they don't controll a bidders behaviour, only with guidelines.
• Don't be impatient, repeatedly airing the problem in a short amount of time isn't a good idea, one considerate message or comment will do the trick.
• Don't write a journal/social media thread complaining, it'd be seen as a potential case of harrassment and could get you punished, maybe even blocked from the artist!
• Don't try to go after the blocking bidder, they may have blocked you for a legitimate reason, if they haven't, that doesn't give your justification to hound them on other platforms, and doing so can punish you.
• Don't cast blame, consider the possibility that this is a non malicious act from a fellow user, and everything that has occured is a misunderstanding. Casting blame, no matter how small may show you as a hostility.
Hopefully, you won't encounter such a problem, but if you do, consider reading this journal for advice.
And remember, there's always more auctions and things to commission. Maybe save up your money for a bigger commission? Or direct your money elsewhere?
Whatever you decide to do, just be honest and decent. Have a good day 💙
taghyrt brought up, involving ych auctions.https://twitter.com/Arlo_Sloane/sta.....00892086239660
For those that don't want to click the link, what was explained was a ych was about to end, and despite wanting to bid on it, they find that they cannot respond to the chain of bidding.
They find out too late that this was because the last comment was made by someone who blocked them.
So we now know that YCH auctions and auctions in general can be potentially manipulated to favour someone who blocks another potential bidder.
It's a fair comment to say that this could be a harmless coincidence, the blocking user could have any reason to block you, but it most definitely can be abused to favour the blocker in this scenario.
IF THIS HAPPENS TO YOU
Don't panic, there are ways to get this subverted.
First, has the user responded to you/outbid you directly in the auction? If they block you and prevent you from bidding after that fact, it's malicious activity and can be aired to the auction artist(s).
Second, want to bid but can't?
Respond to the start of that comment chain, to the artist. Put in brackets the reason why you can't respond directly to the comment chain, maybe add a comment airing the problem.
Third, consider not using FA for YCH auctions.
Some auctions have taken place on other platforms like YCH(dot)com and even Patreon.
Fourth, if you've been unfortunate with your luck and are too late to bid/rebid, consider contacting the artist, either in comments or directly, and broadcast the problem to them.
It is under the artist's descretion to know if a bid was made in good faith, and it is their right to deny a bid from passing through and potentially win the auction slot. If the bad bidder has directly outbid you and you couldn't rebid, that'll be more damning and potentially make it easier for the artist to make that decision.
ONLY USE THIS AS A LAST RESORT THOUGH
Do not overstep yourself in regards to this issue, you may be in the right but it doesn't mean you can be demeaning or insulting, that might work against you. Additionally, some artists prefer not to use DMs.
Be professional when making contact, consider sending the evidence to an external source, maybe a video capturing the problem. Most of all, respect the artists decision. If this doesn't turn in your favour, then move on. Thank them for responding if they have. Consider looking for another auction or any other commission openings, maybe the artist has something open alongside the auction?
Here's a list of things you shouldn't do!
• Don't flame the artist, they don't controll a bidders behaviour, only with guidelines.
• Don't be impatient, repeatedly airing the problem in a short amount of time isn't a good idea, one considerate message or comment will do the trick.
• Don't write a journal/social media thread complaining, it'd be seen as a potential case of harrassment and could get you punished, maybe even blocked from the artist!
• Don't try to go after the blocking bidder, they may have blocked you for a legitimate reason, if they haven't, that doesn't give your justification to hound them on other platforms, and doing so can punish you.
• Don't cast blame, consider the possibility that this is a non malicious act from a fellow user, and everything that has occured is a misunderstanding. Casting blame, no matter how small may show you as a hostility.
Hopefully, you won't encounter such a problem, but if you do, consider reading this journal for advice.
And remember, there's always more auctions and things to commission. Maybe save up your money for a bigger commission? Or direct your money elsewhere?
Whatever you decide to do, just be honest and decent. Have a good day 💙
people should have their account suspended for doing that!
You're actually aware of the subject matter in this journal right?
Everyone should have a chance, you're right, but the subject matter is the abuse of that chance.
I don't really know you personally but it's not a good impression to give off mixed signals in regards to potential auction sabotage.
The people who do this probably realize that they don't have the money to win a bidding war. So they do what anyone who is less than fortunate would do to get the things they want. They look for alternative methods. I could see this as a way to make it easier for poorer folks to get good art. Or to prevent price hiking by people who don't actually have any interest in the piece and just want to drive the price up. Life isn't black and white. It's many shades of grey. I'm more so just saying, I can see why people would do this. My opinions on auctions and how they are run not withstanding.
Not all artists are saintly good to work with, some are patronising, some are drama-magnetising, some are just plain worse.
It's for us to know what kind of person these people are, and if we should avoid them after paying for their work.
Personally, haven't encountered auction bias from an artist, so that's probably why I feel more strongly about this journal's subject than you do.
Whatever the case, thanks for coming.