For what it's worth, I believe it would be very difficult to assess whether outing auctions would really have any negative (i.e. increased £$) effect on the end sale price on these boards.
The fact is, the people here will ALL do their research as to what is available and I would submit that the outing of auctions would only be of use to people who a) very rarely research their daily needs and b) just happen to luckily come across an item that may possibly be of interest. I.e, people who do not frequent these boards.
Is there any proof to suggest that, subsequent to an outing, x number more people bid, and that their bids offered any material competition to that which was the winning bid?
Or could it all just be 'in the head'?
Happy to be proved wrong of course.