hey all
this is James from today's show.
Definitely a long-time fan and LFAT. The strategy guide here was immeasurably helpful in preparation and in the TTM win.
I knew everyone was way under on the one-bid, I was planning to bid 1000-1100 and then I only had to cover 675. I felt a little bad one-dollaring Evette, but she wouldn't have won either way, and I wasn't going to leave anything to chance.
Not sure if it's been discussed here, but they are filling contestants row left-to-right as each person is called down, I'm sure that seems obvious, but filming this on 8/10 in the second week of shooting, we had zero idea what to exactly expect.
Drew already knowing I was a huge fan was as a result of the stop down to mike everyone, he was asking when we got in line and going on about the good ole days were people were in line from the early hours and then we talked about overnight lineups for Bob's last year. Obviously on TV, it's weird continuity wise because he's just come out and I go straight up.
When TTM was revealed, while George was reading the copy I joked to Drew, "oh, thanks for the easy game." 😬
From the start I was basically like, I'm going to 3 or 7, and it'll be based on how much we see, and I'm guessing the car is 25k-ish based on brand and size. When it started with 17k, I knew we were going to 7, and when it lined up with the price in my head it felt good. We went super fast, and they had to reshoot Drew doing the prices because I was telling him to move on almost instantly through the first 4-5.
As I was backstage for PG2, during the stop tape to mic Silvia, Drew was joking with he audience: "man, that guy was super efficient," to some big laughs.
The Wheel was intense because Evette hit the 1.00 but was just short of a full spin. I was like "oh no, and then suddenly yelling 'it doesn't count'" - the crew was already all over it.
Silvia got the $1 bid from me, I really liked her when we were talking, and her son is named James, and was so happy she won and got to the showcase. I knew she badly needed a new car, and that was my motivation to pass any Car showcase to her.
That boat seems to have sinked a lot of people so far this season, I had it at 19k. The guy who played Time is Money was telling me afterwards he's 100% confident it's 16k. That 3k was the difference between a DSW and the big overbid. But honestly, I'm thrilled with how it worked out for Silvia.
Anyways, thanks for being a huge resource all these years. I wouldn't have won TTM without this forum, I don't believe.
