Open For Bidding: Love of the Game's Summer Set Builder's Auction

[Al C.risafulli]

Hi Everyone:

Just a quick note that LOTG's Summertime Set Builder's Auction is live and open for bidding.

This is a fun little auction, with something for everyone - lots of small groups and single cards to fill in holes in your sets, some nice autographed cards and photos, a couple of unique memorabilia items, and even some shiny stuff this time.

Highlights include a nice '33 Goudey #181 Ruth, a T205 Matty, and a cool group of vintage pinback buttons from defunct major league teams.

The auction closes on Saturday, May 30. Get your bids in now at http://loveofthegameauctions.com/catalog.aspx

Just as a reminder, we have a monster catalog auction coming up this July which will be closing just after the National. Stay tuned for more info on that, and good luck with the Set Builder's auction!

-Al

[bcbgcbrcb]

Pretty weak effort, might have been better to just wait and put this material in the bigger July auction. Just my opinion.............

[ethicsprof]

Your auctions are always great fun with some interesting offerings for the set builders and type collectors.
I already have my handful of bids in.
Congrats and all the best,
Barry

[atx840]

Nice Al, some great items.

[dstudeba]

Originally Posted by bcbgcbrcb

Pretty weak effort, might have been better to just wait and put this material in the bigger July auction. Just my opinion.............

There are a variety of schools of thought on this. You imply that it cheapens the brand to have an auction like this. LOTG makes a clear differentiation between premier auctions and set builder's auctions. They even go so far as to have lower buyer's premiums for their set builder's auction. The other school of thought is it gets to include buyers who might not have the bankroll at this time to participate in the premium auctions.

LOTG is not unique in this regard as Mile High has a very similar model and Heritage with one of the best brands around has their weekly internet auctions.

Outside our little world, Mercedes has introduced lower price offerings and I have not seen their brand diminish.

I think this type of auction helps include bidders now that might not otherwise be able to participate as well as allowing LOTG to accept a larger range of items without requiring the consignor to break up their consignment.

[DerekMichael]

Sweet auction Al! Nice variety.

[oldjudge]

Good job Al, good luck with the auction.

[4815162342]

Originally Posted by dstudeba

There are a variety of schools of thought on this. You imply that it cheapens the brand to have an auction like this. LOTG makes a clear differentiation between premier auctions and set builder's auctions. They even got so far as to have lower buyer's premiums for their set builder's auction. The other school of thought is it gets to include buyers who might not have the bankroll at this time to participate in the premium auctions.



LOTG is not unique in this regard as Mile High has a very similar model and Heritage with one of the best brands around has their weekly internet auctions.



Outside our little world, Mercedes has introduced lower price offerings and I have not seen their brand diminish.



I think this type of auction helps include bidders now that might not otherwise be able to participate as well as allowing LOTG to accept a larger range of items without requiring the consignor to break up their consignment.

+1 and well said, Dan.

[terjung]

Bids placed. Good luck, Al!

[calvindog]

I think Al's auction model makes sense because it's not all high or low end material -- so everyone has an interest instead of just some of the market. Plus he's honest which makes him a rarity in the auction business. Probably makes sense to support the honest guys instead of gushing over the criminals who have been stealing from all of us for years -- some of whom still are.

[ALR-bishop]

Originally Posted by 4815162342

+1 and well said, Dan.

+ 2

[3-2-count]

Originally Posted by calvindog

i think al's auction model makes sense because it's not all high or low end material -- so everyone has an interest instead of just some of the market. Plus he's honest which makes him a rarity in the auction business. Probably makes sense to support the honest guys instead of gushing over the criminals who have been stealing from all of us for years -- some of whom still are.

Bingo!!! Good luck Al.......

[Orioles1954]

I'm a working father with three young children with little (if any) disposable income. REA is only eye candy for me and I don't even look at many other auctions because they are out of my league. I for one appreciate Al's efforts and think his hybrid model is the wave of the future in the auction industry.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by bcbgcbrcb

Pretty weak effort, might have been better to just wait and put this material in the bigger July auction. Just my opinion.............

You forgot to ask him about advertising in your book?

PS...bid placed and not a bad little auction for guys looking for collector level cards...

[toppcat]

Another stellar looking collector auction from Al, hope to see more like this!

[gregr2]

I placed 3 bids! Thanks Al for another great auction.

[edjs]

Not only placed my bids, but already been outbid on all of them.

[Peter_Spaeth]

I have never understood the term collector level/collector grade. Aren't we all collectors?

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

I have never understood the term collector level/collector grade. Aren't we all collectors?

Some are investors and don't normally go for more entry level (less expensive) cards. So, no, we aren't all collectors. I know a few members that aren't collectors.

ps..for me, I mostly collector lower grade cards....collector grade (to me)

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by Leon

Some are investors and don't normally go for more entry level (less expensive) cards. So, no, we aren't all collectors. I know a few members that aren't collectors.

ps..for me, I mostly collector lower grade cards....collector grade (to me)

Fair enough but the implication of the term is that higher grade cards are NOT collector cards. I disagree.

[smtjoy]

Happy to have an alternative to ebay, glad LOTG runs auctions for all budgets.

Phil with negative comments like that, good luck getting more to advertise in your book.....

[iowadoc77]

This auction certainly does not have the same caliber offerings as some of the big auctions, but that is what I love about it. Lots of opportunities to get some neat stuff without over-extending the budget. You have a great thing going here Al!

[Luke]

Yeah, when I came back into the hobby about 5 years ago, I saw the term "collector grade" and assumed it must mean the really high grade cards. I was and still am a bit confused that it only refers to lower grade cards.

I collect mostly lower grade, but that's just because with my budget I have to choose between a few high grade cards or a bunch of lower grade cards. Easy decision for me.

I guess it's probably because we have the term "high end" for the high grade stuff, and "low end" doesn't sound very appealing, so someone came up with "collector grade".

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Fair enough but the implication of the term is that higher grade cards are NOT collector cards. I disagree.

That is your misconception not mine.

ps. I am in no way trying to disparage high grade collecting. As evidenced in my collection going to auction, I own a few. But I don't think of high grade and collector friendly grade in the same breath. Both are great ways to collect. I love them both, but collector grade a bit better.

[Al C.risafulli]

I guess it's probably because we have the term "high end" for the high grade stuff, and "low end" doesn't sound very appealing

I LOVE the term "collector grade." The first time I read it was here on Net54, years ago. The implication, to me, was that all the stuff is GREAT, regardless of what condition it's in, and collectors like us are happy to pick up the cards they need, regardless of grade. Better to have a hole in the card than a hole in the collection, as the saying goes.

It's a much better way of describing cards than "beater," or "low-grade," in my opinion, because to me, those cards that have been loved and handled are just as awesome as the beauties that haven't. If you buy one of those cards, you shouldn't feel like it's somehow inferior. You wanted a card, and you got it, and it's awesome!

In any event, thanks for all the positive comments in this thread. The idea behind the Set Builder's auction is to be able to present lower-dollar lots that are still cool and unique and worthy of a collector's attention. In a lot of ways, it's more fun to run the Set Builder's auction for me - lower-dollar lots means more people can participate, the lower buyer's premium and cheap shipping just means it's a fun auction for everyone. From a consignor's standpoint, it's an easy way to clean out the dupes box with fees that are the same or less than eBay's. That's sort of the idea behind the Set Builder's auction. It's just a fun thing we do in-between the bigger auctions because auctions are fun and cool, and because everyone loves getting cards in the mail!

-Al

[wolf441]

Originally Posted by Al C.risafulli

I LOVE the term "collector grade." The first time I read it was here on Net54, years ago. The implication, to me, was that all the stuff is GREAT, regardless of what condition it's in, and collectors like us are happy to pick up the cards they need, regardless of grade. Better to have a hole in the card than a hole in the collection, as the saying goes.

It's a much better way of describing cards than "beater," or "low-grade," in my opinion, because to me, those cards that have been loved and handled are just as awesome as the beauties that haven't. If you buy one of those cards, you shouldn't feel like it's somehow inferior. You wanted a card, and you got it, and it's awesome!

In any event, thanks for all the positive comments in this thread. The idea behind the Set Builder's auction is to be able to present lower-dollar lots that are still cool and unique and worthy of a collector's attention. In a lot of ways, it's more fun to run the Set Builder's auction for me - lower-dollar lots means more people can participate, the lower buyer's premium and cheap shipping just means it's a fun auction for everyone. From a consignor's standpoint, it's an easy way to clean out the dupes box with fees that are the same or less than eBay's. That's sort of the idea behind the Set Builder's auction. It's just a fun thing we do in-between the bigger auctions because auctions are fun and cool, and because everyone loves getting cards in the mail!

-Al

Well said. I always seem to find something great in LOTG auctions. Super job as always Al!!

[three25hits]

LOTG is one of my favorite auction houses

[MVSNYC]

Good luck, Al...nice auction.

[itjclarke]

Originally Posted by three25hits

LOTG is one of my favorite auction houses

Agree 100000%