More auction models!

 Well, we've only got a week left, people! Actually, probably less than that since people start showing up at the Clarion on the Monday before Breyerfest. Are we all ready for the greatest week of the year? I know I'm not! It's going to be a BUSY weekend for me. We'll be in room 409 at the Clarion as usual, so if you're there, stop by and mention the blog and you'll get a free RR Stablemate (while supplies last). 

In other news, we got to see another auction model today! Well, two of them, actually. Behold! 

This photo was included in an email I received from Bidspirit today, announcing next week's live benefit auction. A OOAK set on the FAM/FAF? That's practically unheard of in this day and age. They haven't been regular runs since 1997, and last appeared at the Breyerfest auction 30 years ago! Even their last special run appearance was 10 years ago. Sheesh. I guess they were overdue for another appearance! I wonder if they're getting a regular run or special run release soon? I kinda doubt it, but you never know! Hey, maybe they'll be the holiday mare and foal set this year.

Auction models!

 Exciting news today, everyone! We got to see some auction models in today’s post on the Breyerfest blog - behold! 

It’s a beautiful glossy bay Morgan! Scrumptious.

And a handsome red dun pinto Criollo with a badger face! 

And a Fell Pony that’s basically a mini version of Heath! I want her.

And a stunning peacock-themed Moody Andalusian! I’m trying to figure out if he’s the same one we’ve seen in the archive room live feed. I feel like that one had a more elaborate tail? Can’t remember for sure. 

Most importantly, here’s a quote from the blog:

ALL bidders, whether bidding in-person or online, will need to register through BidSpirit. When registering, bidders must fill out all required contact information and include a valid photo ID and credit card number. When you register your card, you will get a text or phone call from Stripe confirming you added your card. You must type in the two-step authentication code to continue. Once registered you will be able to preview the lots online before the auction; however, no pre-bids will be accepted. All bidding must be done live during the Live Auction. 

…

Onsite winners will be required to present payment to the Breyer staff onsite immediately after the lot has been announced “SOLD”. If the winner of a lot is online, the credit card associated with the bidder’s profile will be charged immediately after the lot is announced “SOLD” for the full amount of the lot, including sales tax. Split payments will not be allowed, so please plan accordingly when registering your card. If a card is declined and the bidder cannot be reached within the allotted amount of time to provide an alternate card, the transaction will be voided, and the lot will restart and be resold at the end of the auction - the lot will not automatically go to the next highest bidder. If a card declines that bidder will not be able to continue to bid on future lots.

I like these changes! They should make it harder for people to bid models up into the stratosphere and then back out of paying later. There’s some suspicion that this was being done on purpose so the non-paying bidders could ensure their friends got auction models for a much lower price than they could have gone for. Of course, my preference would be for no online bidding at all, but that ship seems to have sailed, so I’m happy with these changes. Now let’s see some more auction models and the raffle models! 

The plot thickens (again!)

 We have...a Friday raffle model! Say hello to Muybridge! 

From the blog: 

Our Muybridge for this year’s BreyerFest Friday raffle pays homage to Muybridge’s Horse in Motion. Done on the Icelandic (mold # 729), sculpted by Kathleen Moody, this handsome boy has been done as a beautiful silver black splash with blue eyes. We know this guy will add some dynamic movement to your herd!

All I can say is...wow! 

 

This guy is stunning! Crossing all my fingers that I win one! 

So I guess we're getting three raffle models this year? Friday, Saturday and Sunday? That would be fun. I wonder if they're going to continue this for future Breyerfests, or if it's a temporary change to make up for not having an Early Bird raffle? Either way, exciting! 

There's also a reveal of some of the live auction lots on the blog: 

These are all items that would usually show up in the silent auction. Hngh...that Best Customs set is stunning too. 

Interesting that it says a full set of Seven Arts Surprise. Are they really doing seven colors? I really hope not...but a full set implies matte and glossy...for a total of 14 models? What a crazy year. Well, now I'm really excited to see the program on Thursday! 

Live auction venue change!

Exciting news for potential auction bidders...the live auction is no longer taking place on eBay! Saturday's auction items can be found here, and Sunday's are here. I hope things work out smoothly, though I'm wondering why they changed the venue this late in the game. Maybe eBay would have made them reveal what the Surprise model is? And why are they so dead-set on not revealing it? I know it's a closely guarded secret, on par with sneaking into Fort Knox or Area 51, but...I don't see the issue with revealing it a few hours earlier than it's normally revealed every year, and people want to know what they're buying. I guess I'm just not getting it.

In other news, I just wanted to remind everyone that all of the weekend's festivities are happening in the Eastern time zone, so if you're not in that time zone, don't forget to convert the times to whatever zone you're in, especially for the special run tickets!

Also, it appears that the Celebration Horses and Single-Day Stablemates are already shipping out, as people have been posting photos of them in hand! Huzzah! I'm not sure if mine have been shipped yet, but I hope they get here soon!