I DARE YOU...

[harmoniousjosh]

Well, we knew it was coming. Artists with any sense of integrity, read no further. Here's the deal: you think of an idea for an aceo, the more absurd the better, and dare another artist to create that image. The artist lists that image, the dare-er is obligated to place the first bid. Issues to be resolved: Starting bid. It's been established that I'll pay to make an aceo for someone, while others start the bidding more becoming an artist with a modicrum of self-esteem. We could either establish a set beginning price, or have the price be negotiated beforehand. Before we make it official, any other ideas from the peanut gallery? harmoniousjosh http://harmoniousjosh.blogspot.com/

[harmoniousjosh]

jeanze - yeah, I'll get everything together. Oh, and you can call me King Josh, thank you very much. I checked ebay's policy re shilling. I think we're in the clear - we're not inflating the value of the artwork. The dare-er is agreeing to pay a min. of $3 for an aceo - a commisioned work. Plus, the policy applies only to employees, roomates, family members, or the auctioner him/herself. None of us have any insider information about the aceo that isn't known by any other, non-participating bidder. Check out their policy yourselves and see if you interpret different than I (they even have a fun quiz!): http://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/seller-shill-bidding.html Just to be on the safe side, let's go with the gentleindividual's agreement. That should be sufficient. If a dare-er chooses not to be gentle, we'll deal with it then.

[harmoniousjosh]

COMMISSION DESIGNATION AND TIME LIMITS I'm a laissez faire kind of king. The thought of being responsible for making lists and assigning dares to artists makes me quiver in my pantaloons. Plus, I'm very corruptable. If an artist wants a particular dare, a couple of cookies is all it would take. So to keep things on the up and up, a dare is listed on the official dare thread. The first person to accept the dare in the thread gets it. When accepting, the artist must include the full description of the dare, the name of the dare-er, and the time-stamp of the dare. Once accepted, the artist has two days to to create the aceo and list it - at a 7 day listing. When it's listed, the image is to be posted on the thread ALONG WITH A DARE from the artist. Once listed, the dare-er places the $3 bid. ONE DARE PER ARTIST. Once an artist accepts a dare, he/she cannot take another dare until the auction is completed. Every requirement in the dare must be met. That means nothing too abstract. If the dare is to draw an aceo with 3 little pigs beating up a wolf dressed in a red cape, there has to be 3 (not 2, not 4) pigs beating up a wolf (not a kangaroo, not a politician) dressed in a red (not yellow... ah, you get it) cape. Other features can be added. There is no limit to the number of dares. Artists can pick and choose from the list, accepting only after making sure the dare has not already been selected. If the dare-er submits 10 dares, they do so with the understanding that all 10 might be accepted and would be expected to bid on all of them. -- How does this look to everyone? Any adjustments/additions/problems/etc? I am a benevolent King, who listens to his subjects. Especially when he's pretty sure they're smarter.

[stvictor]

I like the idea especially since ebay is a little slow right now with many on vacations etc. etc. Myrna

[art*teanne]

ahhh, You didn't answer my question. Would it be open to those who don't sell on ebay but on other sites.?

[golders]

In my own opinion it should just be eBay.....a lot of us don't search/buy on other sites. I think this is a large enough arena after all..... BUT, I am not the Dare King, just a lowly acolyte, the thrower of double dog challenges.

[sleepflower-doodles]

is it open to international sellers?

[art*teanne]

I thought we were all a team here. Why segregate us? I can't afford to sell on ebay.

[harmoniousjosh]

Sorry, art*teanne, I missed your question the first time around. The servant who reads me my email has been punished. I don't think ebay would appreciate us using their forums to sell merchandise from other sites. So, until it's time to take the next step to world domination, let's stay on ebay. Remeber, even if your piece sells for the minimum bid, you will have a chance to get someone else's for the same price. If no one else bids on our dare work, none of us earn - or lose - any money. we're simply exchanging cards. So worst case scenario you break even financially, while trading your card for someone else's. The international question brings up the whole shipping issue - we all have different shipping requirements. I offer free shipping, simply because at this stage of the game form me it's more important to make sales than to make a profit. I realize I'm probably alone in this. Shall we charge $1 for shipping? And what do people think about international? I've got no problem with Mexico, Canada, and the UK. They're only pennies more than Des Moines for me.

[dairylandiva]

OMG, what a great idea! Count me in!

[jeanze]

Josh, I think you've done a kingly job of establishing guidelines for this fun and frivolity! I agree with a $3 opening bid. I love the two day time limit to create (I work best under pressure), but would note that if someone doesn't have the time to fulfill that obligation, even if the dare really appeals, they should probably pass. I agree with $1 shipping, too, within the USA. I'd go $1.50 for international, but am happy to comply with whatever the king mandates. If the king requires a secretary, I offer my humble services. My Virgo moon makes me absolutely fanatic about organizing things like lists. I could set up an Excel spreadsheet that includes the Darer, the Dare, Date Dare was Submitted, the Dare Accepter, the Dare Listing Date, and the Winner of the Dare. Seriously, I'm happy to help. It looks like a lot of work. Just send a holler out to my email if I can do anything. Jeanne

[art*teanne]

Has this all been cleared by Jillian first?

[harmoniousjosh]

You are correct and right to address the established hierarchy, art*teanne. The King does submit authority to the EMPRESS, Jillian. I humbly await her final go-ahead. Jeanne, if you would like to keep track of everything, that would score very high on the totally awesome meter. I'm doing work stuff today, but will check back here periodically when the boss isn't looking.

[artistjillian]

Hi folks. I'm all for having fun. But am also into fairness. I personally like minimal 'rules', but understand that something like this needs perhaps more guidelines than others. Understandably I don't want anything that reflects badly on the group and its members, or anything against ebay policies, which is another thing again. I haven't had time to read through what your proposal is, and I have to dash out on errands, already more than half the day is gone I have a zillion things I'm doing at the moment. I'll check back later. Thanks. ~Jillian

[artistjillian]

Josh, seems you posted the same time I did. I HAVE to dash - back later.

[robsfweak]

Greetings! Me again, the wet blanket! Josh stated: Check out their policy yourselves and see if you interpret different than I (they even have a fun quiz!): http://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/seller-shill-bidding.html I read through the shilling policy and yes, I even took the "fun quiz." If you do the same, you'll see that question #11 is somewhat similar to this situation. I would hate for people to be suspended for something that is supposed to be fun! Why not do the dare challenge as a swap, or more correctly, as an ATC gift to a colleague? I'm sure that the brain trust here 😉 can come up with a plan that will work! That way there are no (potential, seemingly) shill bids being made and nothing to fear. If I'm overreacting, then I sincerely apologize, but I do remember reading a discussion awhile back about an artist who was suspended for shilling. I believe that there was a misunderstanding of the policy at that time. I'll look for the thread and bump it up. Thanks, Penny