Experience with Goodwin & Co?

[scottglevy]

Let me start by saying that I have previously met Bill Goodwin and my dad and I have bought and sold cards through his auction without issue in the past.

However, I had very recently consigned a number of moderate (four digit) value cards. I have not found the response to my questions to be as prompt as I would have liked and am frankly wondering if I'm being paranoid or if I made a mistake in selecting them.

I'll leave the details aside for the moment and try to be more patient to allow for Bill & Co to have some additional time .... but I am certainly feeling nervous!

-Scott

[philliesphan]

Bill is one of the best in the business. He is not an e-mail guy. If you have questions, concerns or something else, call him on the phone. When you talk to him, you'll likely feel better.

Waiting for an e-mail response -- probably not so much-

M

[FrankWakefield]

I've been in your shoes in dealing with him, and I think everything is fine. Mr. Goodwin doesn't have an army of workers, big offices, huge overhead... He gets good cards, shows them to collectors known to him who would be interested in the cards, and gets folks interested in an auction before it happens. I think you'll be pleased with the end price he gets you, and with the low cost involved. He moves around the country, hunting for stuff, and for buyers of stuff. In the end, you'd rather he found those potential buyers than for him to answer all emails immediately and have weaker results.

[JP]

Scott, search the forums here and you'll get a lot of compelling evidence to the contrary...

[kylebicking]

Agreed.... call Bill. He's a phone guy...

[forazzurri2axz]

he has ALWAYS been 110% honest and professional in every aspect!!!

Frank hit the nail on the head--you're much more likely to reach him by phone

or get a return call than via email---He has always been willing to work with

consignors in many ways, some of them very creative I may add---No reason to

worry Scott, and say hello to Hank for me as well!!!!!
bill latzko

[scottglevy]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I spoke with Bill today by phone. He made a pretty bad mistake but at least he took accountability for it and offered a few possible solutions. While none of the solutions really made the situation much better at least Bill was up front and honest about his mistake.

So now a little inside info....Bill currently has a T206 auction that will be followed up by another one that launches in mid-May.

Regards,
Scott

[calvindog]

"very creative ways" -- I often use that as a defense in trials.

[Jim VB]

Originally Posted by calvindog

"very creative ways" -- I often use that as a defense in trials.

And why not? It obviously works.

[calvindog]

Agreed. How else do you think I could afford cards from Goodwin's auctions?

[forazzurri2axz]

Jeff, while I often enjoy your wit and especially your opinions (I happen to concur 100%) about Mastro/Legendary and their fiascos--I can't think of a better word at the moment ---I think you are sadly mistaken about Bill Goodwin and you seem to love to bash him any time there is a thread about him or auction houses in general. As I mentioned earlier, I have had several substantial consignments and NEVER had a problem at all with Bill. I have not met a collector who has ever had a transaction in which Bill's honesty ever came into question.
While you and many others on the forum are far more knowledgeable about vintage cards and this hobby than I will ever be, while y'all have access to every auction catalogue since the Fall of the Roman Empire and a collective memory to shame that of the proverbial elephant, you are also WRONG every so often--case in point--a couple of years ago, many of you(I believe you were one) bashed to hell Memory Lane and Buddy Mason in regards to an M116 consignment, with accusations of unsold cards,shill bidding and reholdering the same cards to get new cert #'s...to make a long story short--and I believe that thread broke the record for # of responses-Buddy Mason had dupes of many cards in the same high grades and they were not shill bid --I bought many of them privately from him and some in Memory Lane--I do not in all honesty remember all the details but do know that many of the accusations were not true based on my own purchases in person with him and in the auction.
I bring this up only because I think some of the attacks on Bill Goodwin are unfounded and if you judge the whole of a person , I think his auctions and actions are far more ethical than you make him out to be.

regards to all!!! bill latzko

[Jim VB]

Bill,

I have no dog in this fight. I don't know if Jeff's suspicions are correct or not. But how would you explain some of the outlier prices that Jeff has pointed out in the past?

I realize that one or two examples could be understandable, but it seems there are far too many, and the gaps are far too wide for easy acceptance.

I'm sure Bill is good to his consignors. Until Scott started this thread, I'd never heard of a problem, and Scott seems to be OK with the response. But the discrepancy in reported prices is alarming.

In addition, I stopped by Bill's booth at last year's National. He had several cards for sale in his case that had been "sold" in previous auctions. I was told that one was owned by Goodwin. I was told that another was the result of a buyer renegging. Problem was that the auction had just ended on 7/17/09. In 10 days they had decided that the buyer had renegged and had the card for sale!

Needless to say, this left me with concerns.

[FrankWakefield]

Looks like those with actual personal experience are happy with Bill, and his efforts. I can see how a high bidder on a lot could declare that he's not going to pay within 10 days... either because he won other lots or because of a financial setback. Good of Bill to get that card back out among potential buyers.

[calvindog]

Bill, I appreciate your comments; yes, I am capable of being wrong on occasion. And I agree with you that Bill Goodwin is probably fantastic to his consignors. To his bidders? I would say that Jim sums it up pretty well. Ray Charles could see what's going on here.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Jim VB

Bill,
I was told that another was the result of a buyer renegging. Problem was that the auction had just ended on 7/17/09. In 10 days they had decided that the buyer had renegged and had the card for sale!

Needless to say, this left me with concerns.

While some of Bill's prices realized seem unreal I have never had a problem with Bill. I have done many transactions with him and even had one small return, with no issues at all. Bill has called me on a few occasions about goings on, on the board. We have talked about a few things and I have never thought any were concerning, after we spoke. As for a buyer renegging, and knowing after only 10 days.....I can only say from my personal experience in the auction business that this is not at all far fetched and is not out of the norm whatsoever. Again, this is from personal experience so it's not like it's debatable. It's fact. I do want to make sure that everyone knows I am NOT talking about the specific situation Jim mentioned above, but my own situation(s) which are similar to that one cited. regards

[Potomac Yank]

If within 10 days .....

I find out that an auction card didn't do its thing for whatever reason.

..... and within 10 days I have a table at a major show .....

Damn right it's up for sale.

[Rob D.]

Edited for fear of offending.

[Wesley]

I have nothing but good things to say about Goodwin, both as a buyer and as a consignor. Goodwin & Co. and REA are the two auction houses that I trust the most in this hobby.

[calvindog]

Don't worry, Rob. Even if I find your post offensive I won't take my ball and go home. And sell my collection.

[Potomac Yank]

Originally Posted by Rob D.

Edited for fear of offending.

*

Fear of a comeback?

[Rob D.]

Originally Posted by Potomac Yank

*

Fear of a comeback?

Joe,

I pretty much ignore your posts/rantings/incoherent babble because I feel sorry for you. Be thankful of that.

[Rob D.]

Originally Posted by calvindog

Don't worry, Rob. Even if I find your post offensive I won't take my ball and go home. And sell my collection.

Thank-you note sent.

[calvindog]

Fear of a Black Planet.

[ChiefBenderForever]

Originally Posted by calvindog

Fear of a Black Planet.

Great album !!

[Potomac Yank]

Originally Posted by Rob D.

Joe,

I pretty much ignore your posts.

*

Keep up the good work ... you're doing a great believable job.

[AndyG09]

Originally Posted by calvindog

Fear of a Black Planet.

Great album but I prefer It Takes a Nation of Millions....

Best,

Andy