Moving FROM ebay TO auction houses!?
 

Long time ebay shopper here, spent enough to buy a house on this platform, like many undoubtedly have. Once in a while I flip an item or two. Getting frustrated with new policies (dwindling and disappearing of ebay bucks; must use them to process payments; rigid seller fees; now additional layer involving CSG authentication). I haven't used AH's in over 10 years. My first step back was signing up for Sterling today.

Have folks had good experience with Sterling?

As a buyer? As a consignor?

Quick to get packages and/or money from your sales?

Do they issue 1099-k's to consignors? Many thanks

I have not consigned but have had great experiences bidding/buying from Sterling Auction. Joe

Lee and Sterling are fantastic, and rank right up there with other great AHs. Lee's also a member, just doesn't post as often as some. I haven't ever consigned with Lee/Sterling, so can't weigh in on those questions, but I'm fairly certain others will. Good luck.

Lee is absolutely one of the good guys.

Sterling is a good AH.

I consigned with Lee at Sterling last year. After being away from the hobby for many years, when I returned I realized that I no longer wanted to do business with the big consignors on Ebay (thanks net54). Everything about Sterling was a really good experience and I won't hesitate to use them again when the time comes.

+1 for Lee and Sterling Auctions. Auction often brings strong prices and has been setting records with the rest of the AC's.

Lee is a great guy, and honest business man, and his auctions do very well.

I consigned a bunch of times with Sterling. I think they are one of the best.

I have bought and sold with Sterling. Lee is top notch.

+1 agree

This is all great feedback and very much appreciated. I searched the forum before acting and saw a number of positive experiences with Sterling/Lee. REA was the other very favorable AH. I like that the owner here seems very involved and that they are not a large house, still a bit more personal. We'll see how the first several purchases go and then perhaps I'll auction a Wilt Chamberlain and a Ty Cobb to test the process.

Many thanks.

I've never consigned anything so I will not comment on the selling side.

However I have been, and continue to be a repeat bidder/buyer at the following:

• Sterling Sports Auctions
• The Collector Connection
• Huggins & Scott Auctions
• Brockelman Auctions
• Robert Edward Auctions

I have always been satisfied with dealing with them, and have never had an issue.

If you knew me, you would know that the fact that I continue to use the above says something.

Life is too short to be aggravated. My wife has been concerned that we would no longer be able to go out to eat together because of the number of restaurants to which I refuse to ever return!

Sterling is, er, sterling.

I bought and consigned with Sterling/Lee.
Quick & Easy.
I consigned a 34 Goudey Gehrig (the yellow one), since i had a duplicate.
Sold for about average...just keep in mind the Buyers Premium the bidders calculates towards the bid and the lesser audience ....dont go thinking this is a PWCC with wild prices and sheninagans.

Will do, thanks for the feedback.

Also, I like the option to Paypal as a buyer. Quick and easy for me. Not all AH's take Paypal it seems.

Paypal is a great way to hide your many transactions from your wife, er, I mean that nosy postal worker who reads your credit card statements ;)

Only as a buyer, so far, but top notch.

Yep - Im just about done with eBay also.

Hadn't thought about consigning with Lee but gonna take a look for sure.

I, too, have both purchased from and consigned to Sterling, and all of my experiences have been very good. Most important to me is what Ryan H. said: "Lee is ... an honest business man."

Another auction house that I don't believe has yet been mentioned in this thread and one that I encourage the OP to check out is Al Crisafulli's LOTG (Love of the Game) - Al is another honest businessman.

Yup.... LOTG is top-notch.

My favorite AH to consign to, along with REA. Al's integrity, expertise and amicability are second-to-none, and you will never be disappointed using LOTG.

While that may be true in theory, in practice very few bidders pay attention to the BP during the heat of bidding. Human nature.

I always keep 20% plus 8% (tax) in mind. I think most people think about the BP when bidding. Sounds like a poll might be needed :).

.

And for some of us guppies, shipping fees! :D

Years ago I got burned by not reading shipping terms that clearly stated (when they pointed it out) a flat FV-based PER LOT fee. :eek:

Made my bargains about 18% less bargainy.

You can depend on Lee.

Thanks all for the positive feedback! It is very much appreciated. I try to run Sterling the way I want to be treated as a buyer/seller, which I was for many years prior to buying Sterling. I am always available if you would like to call and discuss any aspect of buying or selling with Sterling.

A big benefit of consigning with that the bigger site can not offer at this time:

Buyers do not have to pay sales tax at this time in any state but Minnesota.

Which should translate to more money for the consignor!

Always a collector that is happy to have a job in a hobby he loves!

Lee Behrens
320-219-1372

Thanks for your reply Lee and congrats on the good reputation, something evidently well earned. I look forward to following your auctions more closely. Best, Joe