Consignors (sellers can negotiate the consignment fee, depending on what your consigning, sometimes zero or anything less than the 25%.

Definitely the West Coast has the advantage because of when the auction ends. I like individual lots closing if no bids on them for 10-15 minutes after 9pm. This gives everyone a chance at a reasonable hour. Why keep all the lots open until 4-5 am. ?

Hordfest/Brandon shouldn't have to pay any seller's premium.

I'm fine with modified closing a number of AH have adopted where lots can close after midnight or 1 if there has been no bid in the last hour.

I think that's fair to consignors and bidders.

I understand the confusion when first encountering the AH pricing models. They are providing a service by marketing, collecting payment, and shipping your consignment. In some cases, they will also submit your cards to a grading service. Some AHs will give you a partial advance (say 25% of the estimated value) on your consignment and you can also use your consignment to offset purchases in the same auction. In exchange for these services, they charge a buyer's premium (non-negotiable) and consignment fees (usually negotiable). It’s pretty much the standard business model for auction houses all over the world.

You have to judge whether you think you could net the same amount by selling the cards yourself (also factoring in the time and effort spent in doing so). If you choose not to use their services, there are other options without fees, like the B/S/T section on this board.

My understanding is that an AH charges taxes as per applicable state laws. No one asks Home Depot why they are charging sales tax on the microwave you just brought. Taxes are certainly a big issue...I live in New York, so I know…but it’s not specific to baseball cards.

As for the buyer’s premium, I am not clear what the issue is. If you know ahead of time you will be paying 20% more than you are bidding (it’s always in the rules), you take this into account when you bid. If you are willing to pay up to $1200 for an item, you bid up to $1000. I understand the psychology of it and the sticker shock when you get the invoice. But it’s not a hidden fee that they spring on you without advance notice. In some cases (Heritage, for example) an AH will show the current bid with and without the BP.

As for REA, I have some lots consigned as well. Some have spirited bidding, some only one or two bids. I am hoping the slower ones pick up, but I think this is a function of the cards themselves not REA. The cards are accurately described and scanned. I doubt the final results will be different from any other major AH.

[Edited to add: That was not a knock on REA. I use them because of familiarity, and because I like their knowledge, customer service, and ability to reach collectors. But my cards are what they are (not headline stuff) and I assume they would get more-or-less the same prices elsewhere.]

First, the vast majority of businesses in the world make more than a 45% gross margin. 2nd, very few, if any, auction companies make a 45% gross margin. I can tell you ours is significantly lower than that number. Gross margin, if you are not aware, is NOT profit mind you it's merely the difference between what we take in and what we send to consignors. so out of that number we have to pay for the online platform or software, all of our employees, advertising, lease on our offices and warehouse, show fees and on and on.

If you are new to the board dig around a little you'll see plenty of stories of auctions that went bust, often after they actually stole from consignors. Why did they steal? likely because, like you, they thought running an auction was an easy path to instant riches. When they found out they were wrong and they couldn't pay the bills, they victimized their consignors.

Clearly my opinion is in the minority here. Maybe I'll change my mind as I get deeper into the hobby. For now, let's just say I'm a skeptic.

Being a new collector myself, I can tell you from my personal perspective over the last few years that coming up with a deal outside of an auction house can and often does work out well. But auction houses for the most part ensure you a wide audience and tend to get top dollar. Although there’s a small chance you could consign what ends up being a steal for a bidder there’s just as much of a chance that you consign an item that ends up with an insane bidding war at the end and the item goes for more than you thought it would. Good luck with everything.

Ffs