I have attended quite a few collectors auctions in search of gems.

After winning the bid in a heated and enthusiastic bid session I have driven home wondering whether I had paid over the odds for a sign.

Stephens Ink (the bulldog) over 1,000 back in the early 90s. Has anyone else not known when to stop bidding?

I now always remember a wise man once said. "Why should you be the only person willing to pay more for something than anyone else is."

I am always suffering from auction fever. You go into it with a figure in mind and before you know it your swept up in all the excitement.

One sign comes to mind that came up a couple of years ago in my local auction. It was a Cadbury's Landau sign not in great condition but pretty good. Coming into the auction I thought I would go to AU$3,500- 4,000 for it, before I knew it I was having a bid at $5,000. I didn't end up getting it, and then found out that a friend was bidding at the back of the room and he had out bid me. I was a bit annoyed because he mostly buys motoring related signs, so I wasn't even thinking that he was going to be my competition. Looking back I'm glad I didn't get it because I think our auction fever pushed the price a bit over what it's worth.

Gordo

HI Lads- i am still getting over my stupidity on last Tuesday night. After a long drive home from a teddy bear fair (WOMEN) i had a quick look on ebay and saw item No270648386380 had just appeared for 30mins-i thought it was original and snapped it up- i should have known better but i bought the damn thing.next morning i checked my new bargain sign and had a really good look this time--just a repro and i paid the price-ouch im still crying--sad David

Ouch - Thanks for your honesty David - I would have kept quiet and hoped that no-one that I know found out

 This is a tale about NOT getting over auction fever at all, Ebay or otherwise. At the tender age of 10 I was bidding for some coins at my local auction. My Dad went every week and bought all sorts of tat. Coins were my latest fad (just before tins and advertising) and I bid £1.50, £2.00 and another £1.50 on three lots. I got absolutely hammered by my Dad for bidding on items when he wasn't there AND putting them on his account. He really made me pay with some hideous tasks to work off my debt. I still haven't learnt and still love auctions, and who doesn't just go one extra bid (the one that might win the lot).....??

Blue background, and completely mint