Posted By:
Joe D.The catalogs offer a value added. They are more of an investment than an expense.
I guarantee there would be more bids in an auction that prints a catalog / than there would be if the same auction did not have a catalog. More bids = more revenue.
The internet is wonderful for finding the stuff you already want. It is also very good at allowing you to ignore everything else.
The catalogs are very good at showing you everything - including the things you never knew you wanted.
The catalogs are very good at creating increased interest in all items.
The catalogs are always on - much more portable and transferrable.
When auction houses set up at a show... should they hand out links to their auction website?
or a catalog 
If auction houses stopped printing catalogs - that action would do three things:
- - directly decrease bidding.
- - eliminate an effective 'future-consignment' sales tool
- - make the auction house more like eBay.
With Leon's question in mind - I find it ironic - that we all collect printed items (cards). Heck, maybe we should all start collecting scans instead?
(yes I am a printer)
edited: spelling - probably missed a bunch more.