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.

Nice. No such thing as dead stock plus it gives them a thorough testing.
yes, and it would also work as advertisement to the auction. so maybe isn't bad idea to create accounts on few other pools with names that would advert the auction few days before it begins.
and I think that good think would be to sell boards/units with different hash speed. that would be great for people that would like to start with mining. I think that they would prefer to buy new ASCI board instead of FPGA board, but also would like something not so expensive for the first try. -or simply the do not have so much money. and If power requirements are not exotic, units without power module could also be available. I'm not saying to have units like this from prepared for this auction, but in the long run we should not target just on big and expensive units. targeting and selling to mining beginners and "broke students" could earn some money too.