Christie's Baseball Auction question

[ramram]

I'm looking through Christie's auction. Haven't ever bid in one of their auctions before and I'm guessing I won't ever. They have several nice photos that are tempting. They have an Estimated Cost Calculator that let's you know exactly what to expect to pay, which is nice. Bidder's Fee, at a healthy but not unusual 25%, and a reasonable shipping insurance fee. Then it gets REAL ugly. Shipping Cost. For, say, a single 8"x10" photo they estimate a shipping cost of $147!! Several items of similar size come up with the same cost or more. They can charge whatever they want, especially since they put it in front of you, but it's still a hell of a scam in my opinion. I emailed them twice about it to see if it had any merit since it says "estimated" cost but from their canned responses, it appears that's what they would stick you with. Has anybody else had experiences with them to know if this is true?

Rhys, help me out here - I'm guessing you could just about ship your whole monster collection for that price.

Rob M

[TCMA]

I just registered yesterday and visited the auction gallery on Sunday. Incredible collection of items and it was fun just to browse around. I was also the only person there and really took my time.

[darwinbulldog]

I know $147 sounds steep, but they put the photo inside a photo mailer, put the photo mailer inside a cardboard box, and put the cardboard box inside a vintage pinball machine.

[TCMA]

Originally Posted by darwinbulldog

I know $147 sounds steep, but they put the photo inside a photo mailer, put the photo mailer inside a cardboard box, and put the cardboard box inside a vintage pinball machine.

Lol, that'll do it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[ramram]

Originally Posted by darwinbulldog

I know $147 sounds steep, but they put the photo inside a photo mailer, put the photo mailer inside a cardboard box, and put the cardboard box inside a vintage pinball machine.

lmao

[Shoeless Moe]

HA!!!!!!!

[scooter729]

And no combined shipping if you win more than one. So 2 photos = $300. OUCH.

I'm already figuring out if I end up with a few items, how to get down from Boston to NYC for a day and pick up in person. It'll certainly save a bunch of $$ to do so!

[drcy]

I think Christies is used to shipping $5 million paintings to Dubai not 1957 Topps to Omaha.

[gnaz01]

Yup, I was "told" in another thread about this subject if I have to question $164 in shipping charges for an 8x10 photo, I probably should not be bidding....

[RedsFan1941]

Originally Posted by gnaz01

Yup, I was "told" in another thread about this subject if I have to question $164 in shipping charges for an 8x10 photo, I probably should not be bidding....

i was going to post the same thing, but then I remembered that christies is the biggest and bestest auction house in the universe, so, you know, don't question them.

[Republicaninmass]

Probably subject to nyc tax if you pick it up...just saying

[ramram]

Originally Posted by gnaz01

Yup, I was "told" in another thread about this subject if I have to question $164 in shipping charges for an 8x10 photo, I probably should not be bidding....

Yeah, I kind of figured that was their away of telling me I didn't belong. I was just surprised their reply wasn't peppered with a few words like "whilst" and "colour".

Rob M

[Shoeless Moe]

Originally Posted by Republicaninmass

Probably subject to nyc tax if you pick it up...just saying

I don't think so, not if you pay with an out of state check. I've done it with another auction house. Pay by check then pick up when I'm in that state. They've never charged me tax.

[prestigecollectibles]

According to the rules:

Payment must be made online by credit card and will be in the currency of the sale site. No other forms of payment are accepted for online auctions. Christie’s will only accept credit cards with a Mastercard, Visa, Discover (including Diners Club International and JCB), American Express or China Union Pay logo. Please note that China Union Pay credit cards must feature a Visa or Mastercard logo.

Payment must be received and cleared in full within two business days of the close of the auction.

[gnaz01]

Originally Posted by ramram

Yeah, I kind of figured that was their away of telling me I didn't belong. I was just surprised their reply wasn't peppered with a few words like "whilst" and "colour".

Rob M

awesome reference

[MVSNYC]

Yes, 8.875% sales tax applies if you pick up. 25% buyers premium is kind of ridiculous, shipping costs (as noted here and in other threads) is egregious, and you can't enlarge images on their site (yes, there's a little zoom overlay feature, but we are all used to being able to enlarge scans to see finite details)...other than that, it's good, ha.

[Snapolit1]

Looks like no one is bidding on their stuff. Same as last year. These guys are idiots.

Here's a secret: if you buy an item from them for $2000 that would go for $7500 in REA or Goodwin (with an 18% commission and only $50 dollars in shipping), Christies's shipping costs are a footnote. But don't spread that around to anyone. Mums the word.

[ls7plus]

Originally Posted by MVSNYC

Yes, 8.875% sales tax applies if you pick up. 25% buyers premium is kind of ridiculous, shipping costs (as noted here and in other threads) is egregious, and you can't enlarge images on their site (yes, there's a little zoom overlay feature, but we are all used to being able to enlarge scans to see finite details)...other than that, it's good, ha.

As the items become more valuable, buyers premiums should be going down, not up. Example: 10% in Mecom's classic car auctions, where the cars go for high five to seven figures.

Just MHO,

Larry

[Topnotchsy]

Originally Posted by Snapolit1

Looks like no one is bidding on their stuff. Same as last year. These guys are idiots.

Here's a secret: if you buy an item from them for $2000 that would go for $7500 in REA or Goodwin (with an 18% commission and only $50 dollars in shipping), Christies's shipping costs are a footnote. But don't spread that around to anyone. Mums the word.

Did you feel like prices were really weak last year? I'm not an expert on many of the items up, but the few I was watching/bidding on seemed to sell pretty strong (with just one exception).

[Shoeless Moe]

The higher the BP, the less for the consignor.

[MVSNYC]

Steve- I doubt $7500 items would go for only $2000, however. Also, I actually saw very strong prices last year.

[darwinbulldog]

Originally Posted by gnaz01

awesome reference

We agree.

[Snapolit1]

I have seen good buys at Christies sports auctions even with the extra percentage points and shipping.

[GoCubsGo32]

Did you guys have to email the AH to get the estimated shipping cost? On the site it just says TBC...

[darwinbulldog]

"Market price"

[TakingStock]

Originally Posted by GoCubsGo32

Did you guys have to email the AH to get the estimated shipping cost? On the site it just says TBC...

Once you go to bid on an item, it should fill in with an estimated shipping cost. You can see this without actually entering a bid.

[Jewish-collector]

Every once in a while, you gotta say WTF & go for it.

[Snapolit1]

Originally Posted by Jewish-collector

Every once in a while, you gotta say WTF & go for it.

Yeah, I heard that before somewhere. Possibly on this board. Not sure.

[scooter729]

Originally Posted by GoCubsGo32

Did you guys have to email the AH to get the estimated shipping cost? On the site it just says TBC...

Once you sign in and register, you'll see the estimated shipping cost.

[ajjohnsonsoxfan]

Their website suuuuuucks so bad. Can't even count all the ways. ugh

[Snapolit1]

Originally Posted by ajjohnsonsoxfan

Their website suuuuuucks so bad. Can't even count all the ways. ugh

It does. When I was on an item and wanted to hit back arrow to see the last item I was previously looking at it takes you to the top of the auction. And then you need to find the item again you want to see. Really lousy.

As crappy as some or all of the shipping fees are, I do like the cost calculator feature which shows you exactly to the penny what you will pay in making the next bid. That's cool. Wish every AH did that.