Maybe when the auction start the actual machine can be linked to a new account at btcguild. With a name something like "Asicminer auction 1" or so. This way the buyer can see that the machine is already working and can be shipped as soon as he bought it. Plus it would work as an advertisement. And as soon as the buyer bought it the machine is shipped. So that the machine doesnt have to stand there too long and block power supply.
Im interested to see the first auction start.