CONFIDENTIAL GUIDE AUCTION - BUY NOW or Forever Hold Your Peace

[Ronald Montesano]

Word...

[Tony_Muldoon]

While it's fun to watch this auction from the sidelines, I would add a touch of admiration, this is an amazingly generous offer. Thanks Sean.

[PCCraig]

I hope the proceeds are going to Charity...otherwise I'm pretty sure E-Bay works.

[Tom Huckaby]

Pat - as Sean says in first post, the proceeds are going to Ran.  So not exactly charity, but close enough.  The man does rely on donations to fund the running of this site.

And this is the part that makes it admirable to me, as well.  If not for the proceeds going to a good cause, I'd have to wonder at the sanity at paying this much for this book.  Now the FIRST version - the one Tom D. refuses to sell - that I could understand.  But this one is just like the one I have (the Sleeping Bear version) without pictures.  And although it is a decent book, I've never gotten the clamor over it.  I think Anatomy of a Golf Course is a WAY better book.

[PCCraig]

I take my comment back! Sorry. 

[Ken Moum]

I'd have to wonder at the sanity at paying this much for this book.

Oh, I don't know....

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110263627472

Others seem to think it has some value....

Ken

[Tom Huckaby]

Ken - to me that's just more evidence of the insanity of all of this.

 

[Chris Burgard]

Actually, $700 is quite a good deal for this version now.

I have seen them sell between $1,300 and $2,875 in the last two years...mostly through PBA Galleries and Ebay.

Chris

[Tom Huckaby]

Guys, I am not doubting this could be a fine investment.  That wasn't my point.  I was thinking of it as something to read.

 

[Ken Moum]

Guys, I am not doubting this could be a fine investment.  That wasn't my point.  I was thinking of it as something to read.

 

I think it's more about having it...

With my income, I can no way justify paying $400-$500 for a book, but I have bid up a couple of these on eBay--just because I want one.

Ken

[Tim Bert]

I'd have to wonder at the sanity at paying this much for this book.

Oh, I don't know....

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110263627472

Others seem to think it has some value....

Ken

What's interesting is the other items the seller has up for grabs.  She offers shipping discounts for combined purchases, so act now!

[Chris Cupit]

OK.  I'll be a dickhead and relate a totally true story from a couple of weeks ago.  My mom cleaned out some closets at her house and brought some books she "thought were mine" over to my house.  In the stack were two Confidential Course Guides (Sleeping bear Press version with pics).  I had purchased three of the books simply browsing through Barnes and Noble a long time ago and had planned on giving two away as Christmas gifts. 

Obviously I gave crappy presents that year since I still have the extra two copies--never even had a page turned in either of them!!

No.  They are not for sale--I am giving them as gifts, albeit late, to the guys I had planned to years ago.

I've thoroughly enjoyed my copy over the years but my gosh guys, books are to be read not hoarded like gold.  I'd only give the book to someone I knew would enjoy it as entertainment and wouldn't consider giving one to someone I thought was going to turn around and try and make money from it

I also ran into a neat guy and I suppose friend/acquaintence back in 1999 of TD who related over several pints what he claimed were to his best recollection some of the comments from the original notebook version of TD's "book".  I don't care if the stories weren't true--they were that funny and absolutely unprintable  

[Sean_A]

Guys - Tom should get a load of credit as it was his trade offer which made this extra copy available.  Being a bit un the wiser, I had no idea the edition I traded for was this valuable and I am sure Tom did know.  I had been looking for a way to auction my copy off (one with pix), but when Tom made an offer I couldn't refuse the Ltd Edition copy was auctioned instead.  From my understanding of things, its a win-win-win situation which is the only way to deal with these sorts of things.  Now, keep bidding!

Ciao

[Sean_A]

For the benefit of those still interested in the auction.

I can report that Bidder #2 has upped his price to $700/£378.

Ciao

[Sean_A]

A new chap has entered the fray, Bidder #5 has pitched $750. 

Bidder #2 just upped it to $800/£435.

Ciao

[Sean_A]

Bump

[Sean_A]

Going once to Bidder #2 at $800/£435.

Ciao

[Jeff_Lewis]

Sean, if the bidders are amenable. I'd add another Confidential Guide with 1/2 proceeds to site and 1/2 proceeds to Charity.

[Sean_A]

Going twice to Bidder #2 at $800/£435.

Ciao

[Sean_A]

Sold to Bidder #2 for $800/£435. 

Thanks to all who participated - I am sure Ran will put the money to good use.

Ciao

[Marty Bonnar]

So was this a secret auction or can you tell us who the lucky guy was? I nearly put (gal) in brackets after guy there, but no woman would be sad enough to fork out a week's wages on a list...

FBD.

[Sean_A]

FBD

Sorry, the man in question is playing his cards close to the vest.  I can say that he is a well respected member of the Tree House who promises to love, honour and cherish the book.

I also want to stress Tom's involvement in this plan.  I hatched the idea, but it couldn't come to fruition without the Tom's input. 

Ciao

[Peter Pallotta]

Edit - meant to be an IM thanking Sean for his generosity to the site

Peter

[Chip Gaskins]

Sean & Tom-

Thanks for the generosity to this site!

Chip