Do you need to get auction catalogs?

[scooter729]

As I sit home right now, there are auction catalogs all over the house - living room, bedroom, bathrooms (of course), etc. Sure, I enjoy reading them as much as anyone else, but do we NEED to get them?

I'm just wondering, because simply picking up the REA, SCP, Heritage catalogs could count as a workout for many. The cost of printing and mailing all of those catalogs - many which may go to people who don't even bid - must be a high cost to the auction companies.

Of course, we're all indirectly paying for these catalogs with a portion of the 15%-20% premiums we (I mean all of us on N54; there's only one Scott here) pay on an auction win. I have to imagine catalogs like those mentioned above must cost the company at least $20 or more to print and ship.

So, the questions I'd like to get feedback on:

- Would you pay a direct fee for an auction catalog, if the company were to offer a lower premium (maybe a couple of percent lower) but charge to mail you a catalog?

- Would you accept a discount on a premium (% or flat $10-$20 amount) by opting out of receiving a catalog?

- How many people use catalogs and not the Internet for auctions?

- Do many auction houses continue to send catalogs to people who never bid? I saw people mention they were concerned about getting the REA catalog after not bidding last year, but it looks like they did get them this year again.

I'm just looking to explore options which would limit the growing premiums, and this seems like a place that could save a few bucks for all of us.