Christie's Baseball Auction Closing Procedures

[Snapolit1]

If I paid $20,000 for a panorama from 1910, I'd be happy to pay for a top notch shipping job. For a garbage can, not so much.

Bought 2 items last year from Christies and the shipping was far far better than any auction house. Not even in the same ballpark. And I was happy. It's easy to drop a card in a small box with bubble wrap. Not so easy to ship a large rare artifact.

Originally Posted by JamesGallo

I didn't even know they still did sports auctions so there is that.

Those cracker jacks look really clean is there a story with these or thoughts they have been bleached?

I was involved with a auction Sotheby's did a year or so ago and the shipping was a massive issue there as well. These companies just dont know how to ship cheaply.

They sold a Simpsons tin garbage pail for $250 and wanted to charge 350 to ship it. Its pretty dumb imo and hurts the auction prices but i dont see any way around it beyond picking the stuff up in person.

I think these big two auction houses have once again taken notice of the pop culture side of things getting back to some of the type of things they did in the 1990s.

James G

[scooter729]

Originally Posted by Snapolit1

It's easy to drop a card in a small box with bubble wrap. Not so easy to ship a large rare artifact.

And that's the problem many will have with this. They're basically charging the same $150+ shipping price for a 1915 Cracker Jack card that will sell for under $1,000, as they are for that $20K large rare artifact.

A little adjustment based on size and price would go a long way. For me, it just means I'll bid less on the items based on what I know will be charged for shipping.

[scooter729]

Also, should I assume they will not combine shipping if you win more than one lot? Do I get nailed the $150 for each item?

[jcc6252]

Originally Posted by scooter729

Also, should I assume they will not combine shipping if you win more than one lot? Do I get nailed the $150 for each item?

Scott, I just spoke with them on the phone, and they DO NOT provide combined shipping savings. They actually send each item out in its own package.

[scooter729]

Originally Posted by jcc6252

Scott, I just spoke with them on the phone, and they DO NOT provide combined shipping savings. They actually send each item out in its own package.

Thanks for the information - and great idea in Mark's comment above about using UPS as a 3rd party shipping alternative. Certainly could save a few bucks if you pick up a couple of items!

[RedsFan1941]

Originally Posted by scooter729

And that's the problem many will have with this. They're basically charging the same $150+ shipping price for a 1915 Cracker Jack card that will sell for under $1,000, as they are for that $20K large rare artifact.

That's the point numerous people in this thread have made. "Most" everyone gets it.

[Snapolit1]

Originally Posted by RedsFan1941

That's the point numerous people in this thread have made. "Most" everyone gets it.

If anyone buys one of the cheaper smaller items I will be happy to ship it to you for cost of priority mail. I already indicated to them that I will pick up in person anything I "win". Can't do for something large that will not be east to repack and ship. Card or small photo no problem.

Keep it in mind. Leon and others can vouch that I may be loud and opinionated but I 'm an honest broker and have done countless deals on the board. Would be happy to save some a few hundred bucks.

[h2oya311]

Originally Posted by Snapolit1

If anyone buys one of the cheaper smaller items I will be happy to ship it to you for cost of priority mail. I already indicated to them that I will pick up in person anything I "win". Can't do for something large that will not be east to repack and ship. Card or small photo no problem.

Keep it in mind. Leon and others can vouch that I may be loud and opinionated but I 'm an honest broker and have done countless deals on the board. Would be happy to save some a few hundred bucks.

FWIW, if you pick it up for someone else, the buyer will have to pay the NY state sales tax. In some cases, shipping may actually be more cost effective than paying the NY state sales tax. For the smaller/lower cost items though, this could make sense.

[Kawika]

Almost too much hassle to even bother with but, Holy Jeez, there are some terrific items that I would love to have a shot at.

[markf31]

UPS in New York actually offers an auction house pickup and shipping service for the high end auction houses. On the shipping form for Christies you can authorize the pickup of your item by a third party shipping company.

From the UPS website:
Auction House Pickup
We pickup from Christie's, Sotheby's, Bonham's, and other auction houses to provide a cost effective and secure alternative to auction house in house shipping. We will pickup your fragile, high value items provide a customized packaging solution and deliver the items guaranteed safely anywhere in the world. Call us for a free quote.

https://newyork-ny-4766.theupsstorel...ces/pack--ship

For many of the items in the baseball auction such as photographs, cards, documents, etc I bet that choosing this method would probably save you a considerable sum.