Does the REA auction pick up towards the end?

[Hordfest]

This Spring auction is the first time I have watched an auction and it seems really slow right now. Are REA auctions known for picking up in the last couple or days or can I expect this pace until the end?

[jcmtiger]

Most auctions pickup towards the end.

[Carter08]

No lot is the same in my opinion. Some jump right out at the beginning and don’t move, some go slow and steady, some triple in extended bidding at the end.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by Hordfest

This Spring auction is the first time I have watched an auction and it seems really slow right now. Are REA auctions known for picking up in the last couple or days or can I expect this pace until the end?

Put in a marker bid on anything you might want, check back at 11PM on auction night and be fully prepared to lose.

[mrreality68]

Every item is different depending on the demand
Most auctions are long. So the first day or so everyone gets in an initial bid knowing the action really starts at the end. So then there is many days or weeks of a lull with an occasional bid or so for others getting in. Then on the last day or so more people get bids in or tries to position themselves. In extended bidding depending on the item and how high it went up in the beginning the bids often soar to whatever the market is set that night by a few potentially eager bidders.

In the end recently most items seem to go higher than most bidder thought they would and more then most collectors are willing to pay but someone does

At times if you lucky you can get a bargain but recently it does not seem that way and we have to step up to get what we want if we want it badly enough

[Snapolit1]

For many desirable items it seems like 75% of the bidding takes place in the first 48 hours and the last 48 hours. Many people will put a bid down and have no plans to bid again until extended hours. Particularly where the rollout of new auctions seem endless like it does now.

Auctions run too long.

[Carter08]

Originally Posted by Snapolit1

For many desirable items it seems like 75% of the bidding takes place in the first 48 hours and the last 48 hours. Many people will put a bid down and have no plans to bid again until extended hours.

Auctions run too long.

Some run a few days to a week too long. And some end wayyyyy too late at the end. Personal view is prices would not be any lower with slightly shorter and early ending auctions.

[Hordfest]

Thanks guys. I figured they would run similar to an Ebay auction but wasn't sure.

Like that Honus Wagner has been sitting at $750k for several days and wasn't sure if it was dead of it would probably heat up again soon!

Can't wait to check out the last 48 hours!

[Stampsfan]

Originally Posted by Carter08

Some run a few days to a week too long. And some end wayyyyy too late at the end. Personal view is prices would not be any lower with slightly shorter and early ending auctions.

I tend to agree with this. I have put my initial bids in, then another auction comes around that intrigues me more (with more wants), and I will focus on the latter.

I gotta make choices, and at times the newer auction has the potential to grab my attention more.

[JustinD]

Originally Posted by Snapolit1

For many desirable items it seems like 75% of the bidding takes place in the first 48 hours and the last 48 hours. Many people will put a bid down and have no plans to bid again until extended hours. Particularly where the rollout of new auctions seem endless like it does now.

Auctions run too long.

I am one of those people.

Marker bid and I don’t even log in to look till an hour before extended to decide what I will be continuing on.

[chadeast]

Originally Posted by JustinD

I am one of those people.

Marker bid and I don’t even log in to look till an hour before extended to decide what I will be continuing on.

Me too. This is really the most logical way to bid. There could be some value in bidding it up to get fence sitters to give up on the card early, but I think it's more likely that you're just driving up the cost for yourself if you bid before extended bidding. Honestly, it doesn't seem like any strategies matter these days... nothing slips through and you're going to have to pay more than you planned if you want it.

And yes, some auctions run too long. Anything longer than 2 weeks is annoying and I think it hurts the auction results. I've completely forgotten about a few of the three week auctions. There was one late last year (I think) that was 4 weeks, it was unbelievable.