phil wrote: Ian might be able to explain it more cogently.
Not sure about that!
Personally I don't think that there is necessarily anything wrong with discussing specific auctions as I regard them as publicly available information. However, some people do object and the reason they give is that it takes time and effort to research auctions and to announce a live auction is seen as giving away free information (especially to lurkers) or as a spoiler. More opinions can be found here:
http://www.coffeegeek.com/forums/espresso/general/21989 or
http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&l ... 26rnum%3D1
So it's really an etiquette thing, a bit like burping in public, some people will think it's acceptable, some won't.
I have lots of spelling variations of espresso and cappuccino in my favourite searches and would be happy to tell another member of an auction if I knew that they were looking for something.
I guess this would be carried out in the Members' clubroom - it's up to the membership to decide?
Cheers
Ian