I chuckled when you mentioned people 'squirreling' some item away to be able to buy it in cheap.

I think farm sales were the same around the world.

Often went to a local sale and never bid on anything but always got a number just in case.

going way back we didn't even have or need numbers to bid, if you got the item you just called out your name if the auctioneer or clerk didn't already know it.