Just an amateur opinion, but doesn't the fact that the photo sold through a reputable auction house justify the higher price? Their exposure to the market is much greater and so many more potential customers will be exposed to the product. Don't you also have to factor in the services that the auction house provides like everything from scanning to advertising to setting up the software and the bid structures? All those things cost money. If I could get half the price that a reputable auction house got I think I'd be thrilled!
If someone sets up their own website auction they have to worry about advertising, shipping, pricing, etc. How would you set minimum bids? Wouldn't you worry that very few people would even find your website? I'd worry that everything I tried to sell would go for the minimum bid - or not sell at all. Plus you'd have to deal with all the shenanigans that can potentially happen with an auction - like actually collecting the money from the bidders! And photos aren't like baseball cards in PSA holders where prices are somewhat established - prices on photos are not as easy to determine - obviously!
If I had these photos I'd find my favorite auction house, let them cut me a check and take the money and run - right to the Bahamas!
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