I work with a couple of Charity Orgs here in Melbourne and at fundraising evenings we run an aution with a 'difference'. The deal is this: Everyone who bids MUST pay their top bid. So if I bid $70 but (someone else) bids $80, then they get the book, but I still pay my $70. Surely we're all happy to donate to the foundation in this 'fun' auction.

P.S. Excellent talk last night, despite arriving 10 mins late and leaving at 9pm ... I want my Perl 6 and I want it NOW!