Curious Psychology

Radio Record, Volume IV, Issue 17, 7 November 1930, Page 34

Curious Psychology

¥ friend and I one afternoon visit-. ed an auction sale of seaside sec-' tions. We looked carefully at the plan and position of the sections first, and decided on one. We heard the reserve price was £250, but to be on the safe side we decided we would go up to £150, with £10 deposit and the balance in five years. Yes, between us we could just manage that-but we really were only treating it as a joke. Well, we went into the long room, where the sale was being held. It was a@ room so long. that it must have been ‘two or three rooms knocked into one, There were a number of very dingy people in it. Nearly all were men, With a sprinkling of hard-faced women. The section we had decided on was put up first. pac. " ‘Any bid ?" ¢ I called out "£150." My voice boomed, though I thought I had ealled so quietly. Everybody looked at me. I felt as if I had transgressed, or suddenly walked in upon a meetine of conspirators. The next man called, looking at me contemptuously, "£250." Then the bidding stopped. Later in the afternoon, after-so it appeared to me-nothing had been done, we had tea brought to us; then we suddenly found ourselves surrounded. by three -important-looking men, who were ex-~ tremely pleasant; and their cleverness passeth all understanding, because before we left we found we were the possessors of Lot I at the sum of £250, and that this was the only section sold that day! This was a dearly-bought experience, but the psychology of an auction sale might fool the cleverest of men. The weapon used was one that made us feel we were keen, business women with great foresight! However, the fates were kind for we sold this section the other day for £450 after holding it for two years; but the next sale we attend we will be "old hands" and not be the first to move.