I actually prefer sealed bids. Newbys tend to either not bid or bid low because they are afraid to lose money. Sealed bids encourage guys who know their stuff to bid what an item is worth, whatever that might mean. I know several guys who have personally told me that they would not have bid if they could not watch the bidding because they had no idea what to bid. Watching the action shows them what to bid. At that point, they can decide if they can afford an item by incrementally outbidding the last guy. To their credit, and it pains me to say this because I am a GL-hater, but GL has done the smart thing by providing most auctions as open auctions (as opposed to sealed bids). When GL first took over, their auctions were sealed bids. Then, they alternated sealed and open bidding. They realized that more people bid and they bid more on open autions. Trust me when I say that 75% of the people who own deuces would not have bid without open biddnig. Yeah, they can figure out the high bids on sealed bids, but I don't see the average guy on this list doing their homework. Instead, they would rather rely on others for information. Rather than do ANY RESEARCH WHATSOEVER, guys hit this list and expect answers. I have not been on here long, although I was a lurker for sometime and I know this is the case. Watch for yourselves. Watch how many guys ask where they can get wiper motors, tires, wheel seals, paint, etc. Back in the day, guys asked their friends or searched online, or called one of the main dealers. That is how I learned. Now, online research consists of starting a thread on this list. Does Steelsoldiers get any money for their online customer support??? Well, it should!