Alternative to the big two - Has anyone consigned with Lee (Sterling)?
 

Just looking for advice/opinions. As an alternative to the Ebay guys, has anyone ever consigned with Lee Behrens (Sterling Sports Auctions)? Any advice is more than welcome. How fast were the payouts? Did everything go smoothly? Spare no details......

I have never consigned with Lee but I am happy to vouch for him - he is as good as they come in the hobby and I have heard/read repeatedly about how people are always very pleased with his customer service as both a buyer and a seller.

I have consigned to and bought from Lee and have been happy in both regards.

Todd - do the payouts come quickly?

He was my first Consigning experience and I have used him a few times since (as well as a few others). I believe he had the quickest payout (2weeks) but this is dependent on buyers.

There was one time the payment didn't come quickly, but I too hadn't realized and forgot about it. Then when I did notice he quickly got back to me and noticed that even though he had marked it paid it never left his bank account and got it right out to me.

His communication is top notch. There was once another auction that I didn't get any responses back so I contacted him and had it all resolved and shipped before ever getting a response from the original auction I reached out to.

my check from lees last auction came this past week...you can do the math.

Top notch all around in my experience.

Congrats to Lee on a possible new consigner!

Fast payouts are huge to me. The knock on Probstein is the lack of detail....no back scans, no auction writeups....too basic to me. The knock on PWCC is it takes sooooo long to get payouts. Maybe others have gotten them faster. I haven't. I have heard a lot of good things about Lee. Are they any negatives?

You can't go wrong with Lee. One of the nicest guys out there. I've obviously never consigned to him, but know many people who have. Never heard a negative comment.

-Al

I have had nothing but great experiences buying from him. What are the seller's rates for consignment?

Brian

It's been a couple of years, but I think they were pretty prompt.

If it is a graded card, and it sells for over $50, it is ZERO %. If it is graded, and sells for under $50 it is 5%. I am trying to hammer out details on ungraded cards and sets, but that much I do know....

Mr. Lee's customer service is fantastic. The prize realized for my consignment wasn't what I had been hoping for, but that was the chance I was willing to take. The check was in my hands within three weeks of the auction ending.

I have done it 2x's with Lee...Excellent job both times. Easy to work with thru email.
He pays very quickly (by mail/check) usually in a week or 2, which is excellent compared to others.
I done many lots that was Mantle stuff. We discussed starting bids and what I wanted and went smoothly. Just plain easy to work with.
As for 'BIG' ticket items...not sure if he gets plenty of air-time, unlike REA or HA....Lee can sell your kitchen sink and toilet if need-be.

Thats what Im interested in....although I think Lee would rather not get kitchen sinks and toilets....I have accumulated a lot of "lots" over the years...have culled what I wanted out of the lots, and have been left with a bunch of stuff that I don't want (But I think other collectors would).....I would love to send them to Lee, but I am not sure if he wants that kind of stuff.

Lee is fantastic....

Nothing but good experiences w/ Lee both buying & consigning.
And in some of my winnings there's a few $ enclosed if the shipping cost is less then he charged.

Here is a thread I started about Lee and Sterling.

http://www.net54baseball.com/showthread.php?t=239964

Maybe you can call or email Lee and ask?

I have been emailing Lee....that is how I came to that conclusion.

"I would love to send them to Lee, but I am not sure if he wants that kind of stuff."

This was the reason for my suggestion to contact Lee. You posted you aren't sure if he wants your kind of stuff. I must have misread.

Buying or selling, Lee has always been super fast with every transaction being flawless.

+1 to all the positive comments already made about Sterling. Lee is top notch!

I have known Lee for many years and I can say without reservation that he is one of the most honest, nicest guys in the hobby. He is also a bowling shoe expert.

LOL....I noticed that on his email.....I thought it was a joke though.

I believe he managed a bowling alley at one point, which would make you one of the most reliable and accurate of fellows, especially adept at getting the right item to the customer (such as a sanitized and correct bowling shoe size, or sporting memorabilia won). Different job, same dedication to making the customer happy.

Brian

Lee is terrible. I once won an item Friday night, paid Saturday morning, and received the item on Monday. That requires some sort of witchcraft as any other house takes two weeks at least.

I kid. He's great. Been a year or more since I've bought from him as I've taken a couple hobby breaks here and there, but I honestly once received an item barely 48 hours after the auction ended that in itself is truly amazing. I can only assume he takes the same care and speed to pay his consignees. Nothing but great service in my several buying experiences.

I have yet to receive a bowling shoe from Lee, at Sterling Auctions, but exemplary service is the norm. They pay out commissions and ship winnings faster than almost any auction house in business.

Lee
 

You've received more than enough feedback to answer your question no doubt - but as another endorsement - I've used Lee/Sterling a few times and always had a positive experience. Quick payments, response times - exceeds expectations.

On a similar note - since he didn't plug his own, Al C. (Love Of The Game) is also in that same camp of exceeding expectations.

Thanks for all the feedback....it is much appreciated.