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.

[alanu]

I believe that Huggins and Scott offers a discount if you choose not to get their catalog, I liked that idea and chose to opt out of receiving the catalog.

The one thing I don't really like is that I get catalogs and e-mails from auctions I've never even registered for.

[scooter729]

Originally Posted by alanu

I believe that Huggins and Scott offers a discount if you choose not to get their catalog, I liked that idea and chose to opt out of receiving the catalog.

The one thing I don't really like is that I get catalogs and e-mails from auctions I've never even registered for.

Alan, you're exactly right - I found this on the H&S site:
====
Huggins and Scott is GOING GREEN!

In an effort to do our part in saving the environment and save money on printing and mailing costs, we are hoping to entice our customers to opt out of getting a printed catalog. We will not remove you from the mailing list if you do not want to be removed, however, in exchange for declining a printed catalog, we will give you a $10.00 credit off of each auction invoice. For each auction that you win at least one lot, we will automatically credit you $10.00 off of your bottom line amount owed to us. We will run five auctions in 2010 - each auction that you win at least one lot, we will issue you a $10.00 credit off of that invoice.
====
I'd take the $10 off an invoice to not get a catalog, save a tree, etc.

I didn't know about this offer from H&S, and wish more companies would offer a similar program....

[ubiqty]

I've got about a 7 year pile about 2 feet high and my office is moving in June. If anyone would like all of them, please pm me your UPS # and you can have them. Otherwise they are going in the trash.
scottg@accessmfgsys.com
Thanks,
Scott.

[slidekellyslide]

Originally Posted by alanu

I believe that Huggins and Scott offers a discount if you choose not to get their catalog, I liked that idea and chose to opt out of receiving the catalog.

The one thing I don't really like is that I get catalogs and e-mails from auctions I've never even registered for.

I think Huggins & Scott opted me out of getting their catalogs...which I don't blame them for since I haven't bid in over a year in one of their auctions...I didn't even know about their last auction until someone here posted about it on the last day.

[murcerfan]

just think of the small forrest, diesel fuel, toxic printing and paper production waste chemicals that would no longer be needed. but then again, we all know that saving the planet is for suckers, Polar Bears and Greenies to worry about.

[wondo]

I don't need them. Some guys cherish them it seems, but after quickly running through them, I just recycle the catalogues.

[Jewish-collector]

The only thing better than an auction catalog is a free auction catalog.

No, seriously a lot of the auction houses have said that some of their big buyers want to see all of the lots in a condensed format because they take their catalogs with them on business trips, family vacations, etc,... and it's easier for them to bid by phone than to worry about bidding online.

[4815162342]

Yes.

[scooter729]

Originally Posted by Jewish-collector

The only thing better than an auction catalog is a free auction catalog.

No, seriously a lot of the auction houses have said that some of their big buyers want to see all of the lots in a condensed format because they take their catalogs with them on business trips, family vacations, etc,... and it's easier for them to bid by phone than to worry about bidding online.

I appreciate that 'some' buyers want the physical catalog, and I know the catalogs won't entirely go away.

However, I'd love for some auction companies to see that not all collectors need the catalogs, and they could save big bucks (and hopefully pass some of that savings on to buyers / consignors) by not having to print and mail catalogs for every bidder.

[E93]

Yes, I like auction catalogs. I always miss some things in the fatiguing internet scan that I catch in the catalog in big auctions like REA. I don't want to read a phone book on the internet.
JimB

[bijoem]

Originally Posted by murcerfan

just think of the small forrest, diesel fuel, toxic printing and paper production waste chemicals that would no longer be needed. but then again, we all know that saving the planet is for suckers, Polar Bears and Greenies to worry about.

Murcerfan - I would like to respond to the above.

The US forest products industry planted more trees last year than it cut down. Over four million trees are being planted each day. Realize, paper used for printing is farmed. Just like the carrots and tomatoes people eat. A person would not be saving a forest by not choosing print. Actually - quite the contrary. The stronger the print industry and paper industry is.... the more need there will be for tree farmland. = more trees.

Quite possibly the largest fallacy I hear is that not printing something 'saves trees'. There are many industries that may pillage a forest somewhere / but the paper industry builds forests and farms trees.

If anyone cares to actually go green and save the planet - I would suggest choosing a printed catalog. You never have to plug it in. Unplug your computer, stop recharging the tablet or cell phone, and sit down and read a printed book.

Take as long as you like. You won't ever have to recharge it.

And when you are done - printed materials are very much recycled (especially when compared to electronics).


in short - if you want to save the planet and go green.... choose print.

[Exhibitman]

After opting out of the H & S catalog I find that my interest in their auction has waned and I am less aware of their auctions. It is nice to be able to take a catalog like REA to the couch every evening during auction season and thumb through it during otherwise useless moments like commercials, conversations with the wife, phone calls from my mom, etc.

[majordanby]

there is a larger debate in all of this that relates to print publications in general vs. online resources. there's no question that print publications like newspapers and magazines have been hit hard by online access to information. i think this debate is likely a generational issue...a lot of buyers in these auctions likely grew up with print publications. although many have adapted, some are still wedded to their paper in hand beliefs. there are likely going to be certain newspapers that stick around because of their stature and importance...probably the same will happen with auction catalogs (REA, perhaps?). but, i think eventually catalogs will diminish over time as younger cohorts start to amass the type of money needed to bid big in these auctions.

i get a lot of catalogs and i only briefly go through them.

[Rob D.]

Here's a previous thread we had on the topic:

http://www.net54baseball.com/showthread.php?t=123781

[HRBAKER]

Originally Posted by majordanby

there is a larger debate in all of this that relates to print publications in general vs. online resources. there's no question that print publications like newspapers and magazines have been hit hard by online access to information. i think this debate is likely a generational issue...a lot of buyers in these auctions likely grew up with print publications. although many have adapted, some are still wedded to their paper in hand beliefs. there are likely going to be certain newspapers that stick around because of their stature and importance...probably the same will happen with auction catalogs (REA, perhaps?). but, i think eventually catalogs will diminish over time as younger cohorts start to amass the type of money needed to bid big in these auctions.

i get a lot of catalogs and i only briefly go through them.

That sounds like me. I get the catalog, comb through it several times, circle the lots I am interested in red and then get my abacus out and decide how much I can bid on each.