I don't think this is a popularity issue at all. We just had a big auction for Brian, then the OK tornado, etc. I think maybe people are just tapped out (I'm eeking by right now after having to buy plates and emission testing for my vehichles, buying a motorcycle trailer, mortgage comes up next week, etc).
One of the parts I won in the last auction I told him to keep and I just sent the money to Brian. :)