Where are you located?  Been to a few here in Houston and yes crowds were up.  Not 200.  Maybe 40-60. 

Went to my first auction here in Houston today.  Weather was very rainy and slightly cold.  Did not seem to keep anyone from going.  About 50 people were there.  Saw some just like me who were there to watch and learn and some who obviously knew each other and were talking about their previous days aucitons.  Auction started about an hour late and it pretty much rained, sometimes very hard, the whole time.  First door went up and the unit was packed high but not to neat.  Maybe a 10x20.  Saw some bedframes and matresses and other bed pieces.  Lots of other types of wooden pieces that could have been parts to book shelves or office furniture.  None of it looked very expensive or solid.  A lot of particle board and such.  I don't think anyone really knew.  The back 5 feet could have been empty but one guy did comment that anything could be in the back.  It was all thrown in and looked like some crazy type of jigsaw puzzle. Bids started and no one made a sound.  Finally the aucitoneer asked if anyone wanted it for 5 bucks.  Some guy spoke up and said he would take if for five.  Thats where it ended.  Heard some of the guys that I think are experienced auction buyers making comments about the amount of work it would take to load it out and that there was nothing visible to make it worth that much work. 

More to come later.