Dumb Auction Question from new guy

[Timbegs]

I have been reading on this board for a couple years and recently joined. I have read about people questioning the legitimacy of auctions, photo scans and in general the ability to police auctions - online or otherwise. So I wanted to bring up a reasonable, if unlikely, solution:

The good people here at Net54!

Seems to me there are hundreds, maybe thousands of members? That means if you all pooled some money (Leon sets up a crowdfunding page and acts as custodian) and some time (most of you research anyway for free, so set up a rotating 'police' force) you could create the ideal auction house for yourselves. You all seem to have vetted each other, you have the ears of the major auction houses and you possess the knowledge of what practices are unethical. You could set the fees to make it so that it is self sustaining - money is accrued to maintain and run the site, but the vast majority of funds could now be realized by the seller. The buyer also benefits from a better marketplace and no big attached to the buy price.

I'm aware that this is unlikely - that a group would form to shake the status quo and break from tradition, making sacrifices for a better future. There is precedent for this. Fifty six men in 1776. Stakes were higher, still worked.

My two cents, which incidentally is about what I could kick in.

[Brian Van Horn]

Your question sounds like a suggestion.

[Timbegs]

Originally Posted by Brian Van Horn

Your question sounds like a suggestion.

Good point.

Anyone think this has merit?

(Better?)

[EvilKing00]

The buy sell trade section below has an auction section, in this forum

[Timbegs]

Originally Posted by EvilKing00

The buy sell trade section below has an auction section, in this forum

And it is quite fantastic. Still, I don't know if it casts the widest net. I do think an auction site by collectors and for collectors (as opposed to by entrepreneurs, for profit) is an idea that could serve the hobby well. Perhaps I am misguided, but this seems like a heckuva collection of cardboard enthusiasts. Band together and you can set the terms. When you sell a card for 100 and collect 80 (or whatever the vig is), it's annoying. Collecting 99 would be sweeter...

[1952boyntoncollector]

Originally Posted by Timbegs

And it is quite fantastic. Still, I don't know if it casts the widest net. I do think an auction site by collectors and for collectors (as opposed to by entrepreneurs, for profit) is an idea that could serve the hobby well. Perhaps I am misguided, but this seems like a heckuva collection of cardboard enthusiasts. Band together and you can set the terms. When you sell a card for 100 and collect 80 (or whatever the vig is), it's annoying. Collecting 99 would be sweeter...

They been trying to do that with sportsbooks as well, Have people find bets against each other and pay 1% instead of 10 etc..

You would need too many people to work for free.

[Timbegs]

Originally Posted by 1952boyntoncollector

They been trying to do that with sportsbooks as well, Have people find bets against each other and pay 1% instead of 10 etc..

You would need too many people to work for free.

Go read any complaint thread - there are several people who 'work for free' already. Imagine how much more efficient they'd be if they access to better info and data? And those guys could be put into a rotation pool - along the lines of how a schedule is worked out for a volunteer fire department. And after some initial growing pains, you'd weed out the knuckleheads and have a legit, more trustworthy marketplace. Maybe later or you require 2-3 veteran members to sponsor a new guy for admission.

I'm just spitballing here - but as is often the case, there's more identification of problems going on than solutions offered. I just wanted to try to offer one...

[x2drich2000]

There are very good reason the owners of an auction house charge the percentages that they do. I would suggest talking to one or two auction companies and see what their actual overhead expenses are and the time commitment needed to put together an auction. I think you'll find it is a bit more than you expect.

As far as ethical auction houses, they are out there and get mentioned here from time to time.

A few other things to consider, who is responsible for when something doesn't go right, storing the items, or shipping? Despite multiple threads, this board has never been able to reach a consensus on how an auction should end. I'll let Leon or one of the other members who own or have owned an auction house speak of their experiences, but I just think you are greatly over simplifying the logistic of running an auction.

DJ

[Snapolit1]

As many people who follow this site regularly, and there are many, it's a drop in the bucket I'm sure as to who peruses card listings on eBay in a given day. And, as I've cynically said previously, dealing only with highly educated consumers of certain goods is probably a terrible strategy to maximize your profits. Think of your typical car dealership. Make most of their money off the least uneducated customers.

[1952boyntoncollector]

Originally Posted by x2drich2000

There are very good reason the owners of an auction house charge the percentages that they do. I would suggest talking to one or two auction companies and see what their actual overhead expenses are and the time commitment needed to put together an auction. I think you'll find it is a bit more than you expect.

As far as ethical auction houses, they are out there and get mentioned here from time to time.

A few other things to consider, who is responsible for when something doesn't go right, storing the items, or shipping? Despite multiple threads, this board has never been able to reach a consensus on how an auction should end. I'll let Leon or one of the other members who own or have owned an auction house speak of their experiences, but I just think you are greatly over simplifying the logistic of running an auction.

DJ

Exactly, working for free, SPENDING MONEY and liability and and many other things. Saying 'we will work it out' is easy but when its reality its a far different story. Labor of love is one thing. People dont love the labor

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Originally Posted by Snapolit1

As many people who follow this site regularly, and there are many, it's a drop in the bucket I'm sure as to who peruses card listings on eBay in a given day. And, as I've cynically said previously, dealing only with highly educated consumers of certain goods is probably a terrible strategy to maximize your profits. Think of your typical car dealership. Make most of their money off the least uneducated customers.

methinks you have an extra negative in there...

As for everything else being said, I can tell you, as a guy in the process of taking over a small auction house, yeah, TONS of work, liability issues, customer service time etc... it's not a get rich quick situation (at least if you do it ethically!)

[Timbegs]

Originally Posted by x2drich2000

There are very good reason the owners of an auction house charge the percentages that they do. I would suggest talking to one or two auction companies and see what their actual overhead expenses are and the time commitment needed to put together an auction. I think you'll find it is a bit more than you expect.

As far as ethical auction houses, they are out there and get mentioned here from time to time.

A few other things to consider, who is responsible for when something doesn't go right, storing the items, or shipping? Despite multiple threads, this board has never been able to reach a consensus on how an auction should end. I'll let Leon or one of the other members who own or have owned an auction house speak of their experiences, but I just think you are greatly over simplifying the logistic of running an auction.

DJ

You are correct about everything you mentioned. You are also helping illustrate how much potential this has if it is given any serious consideration. Any market is based mostly on people, liquidity, trust, execution and stewardship. Due to the presence of so many people who do have the ability, experience and credibility located here it makes it the perfect hatching spot. Sharing costs, workload and responsibility could make it bearable. This forum is proof how many people love the hobby and the extremes to which they will go to proliferate it. It's a big leap - for sure - but big leaps are often preceded by small steps and hops.

Fun talking about it, anyway.

Full disclosure, I have no vested interest, I was in diapers or not conceived when many of you were pulling gems out of wax packs and am a very budget collector.

[bn2cardz]

There are several options already put forth by members. Take the time to check out the sponsors as most are ran by participating members of the board. Some run monthly auctions so there is no need for waiting for "auction seasons".