I'm realizing that there is some confusion that we aren't allowing any "bidding" on the new system, so I adjusted my post on the first page:
One of the tradeoffs with the new system (and there are a few things we had to give up in exchange for all the great things above) is a change in our auctions system. We won't have the automated proxy bidding like we have now, but we're working on some workarounds. Members will be able to place "bids", but they will be done as replies to a topic vs. as proxy bids as they are now. We hope to be able to bring back proxy bidding as an option in the future.
Again, we strongly request that peeps postpone judgements until everyone has a chance to play and become familiar with the new system.