Henry Yee Winnings

[slidekellyslide]

Originally Posted by thecatspajamas

I said basically the same thing in the other thread, but I'll repeat it here: quality merchandise, clear/detailed photos and scans, and knowledgable descriptions will typically translate to higher prices realized.

If you're used to shopping sellers with 1-line descriptions and fuzzy satellite images that rely on you already knowing what it is you're looking at to fill in the details, you may well have sticker shock (or gavel shock in this case, I guess). If putting in the extra effort into presenting the items attractively and thoroughly DIDN'T translate to higher prices realized, why would anyone put forth the effort? HARD WORK THAT PAYS OFF ISN'T A SCAM.

On rare or one of a kind items I understand this, but he gets ridiculous prices for extremely common items. I don't know how he does it, but he does it.

[D. Bergin]

Originally Posted by slidekellyslide

On rare or one of a kind items I understand this, but he gets ridiculous prices for extremely common items. I don't know how he does it, but he does it.

I really think bidders who get pushed off the more expensive items end up bidding on the secondary material.

There is definitely something to be said for surrounding weaker material with very strong material. The good stuff tends to help drive the bidding on the weaker stuff.

[Lordstan]

My personal opinion is that there are multiple reasons for his prices.
1) High quality, incredible condition items. Even common things tend to be top condition examples. Not only do the items themselves get high bids, but as Dave commented losing bidders may bid on something in the heat of the moment just to satisfy the need to get something. Even winning bidders may find other stuff they like without really having to look for it.

2) His presentation is fantastic. I have never seen better pictures than in his auctions, even in the big stand-alone auctions houses. They are clear, well staged, and have great contrast against the background. The write ups are clear and detailed.

3) His clientele. It is my understanding that his mail list is many thousands long. It is also my understanding that many of his customers aren't regular ebayers. I think this is probably why you see some buyers with low feedback and no bids with other sellers in the past 30d. I think these buyers are also the ones most likely to be affected by the "surround weak items with strong ones" effect. A person who isn't on ebay routinely, might not realize the usual going rate for a bat bank or magazine. All they know is Henry's reputation for top quality items.

4) Auction reputation. I agree with Dan that many will bid higher than usual for the same stuff because of what is known about Henry's auction prices.

Anyhow. Did anyone else besides Leon win anything they want to share?

Best,
Mark

[thecatspajamas]

Originally Posted by D. Bergin

I really think bidders who get pushed of the more expensive items end up bidding on the secondary material.

There is definitely something to be said for surrounding weaker material with very strong material. The good stuff tends to help drive the bidding on the weaker stuff.

+1

Another thing to consider is that Henry Yee's auctions do bring buyers to eBay that would not normally venture onto the site.

Not everyone is willing to invest the time to dig through the morass of crap presented on eBay on a daily basis to pull out the few gems, in the same way that not everyone is willing to dig through a pile of clothes at the thrift store looking for designer labels. Many will just go to the designer's stores where they know there will be an abundance of what they are looking for, albeit at higher prices, rather than investing the time and energy hunting for something that might be at the thrift store for a cheaper price. Pull all the "good stuff" off into one small section that is only open a few days each year though, and make the buyers compete with each other for the opportunity to buy it, and you'll have well-heeled collectors and bargain hunters alike elbowing each other to get at the goods.

And the prices inch (or leap) up accordingly.

Lots of factors to consider here, and lots of things done right on Yee's end. I just get tired of the kneejerk "high prices = shill bidding" response without any real evidence to back it up.

[Lordstan]

Originally Posted by thecatspajamas

+1
Not everyone is willing to invest the time to dig through the morass of crap presented on eBay on a daily basis to pull out the few gems, in the same way that not everyone is willing to dig through a pile of clothes at the thrift store looking for designer labels. Many will just go to the designer's stores where they know there will be an abundance of what they are looking for, albeit at higher prices, rather than investing the time and energy hunting for something that might be at the thrift store for a cheaper price. Pull all the "good stuff" off into one small section that is only open a few days each year though, and make the buyers compete with each other for the opportunity to buy it, and you'll have well-heeled collectors and bargain hunters alike elbowing each other to get at the goods.

Very well said Lance!

[jgmp123]

I think Lance hit it on the head.

Not everyone is willing to invest the time to dig through the morass of crap presented on eBay on a daily basis to pull out the few gems, in the same way that not everyone is willing to dig through a pile of clothes at the thrift store looking for designer labels. Many will just go to the designer's stores where they know there will be an abundance of what they are looking for, albeit at higher prices, rather than investing the time and energy hunting for something that might be at the thrift store for a cheaper price.

[packs]

How about some items guys

[mybestbretts]

I have been watching the interest in photos here for awhile and I am so
glad to find a place where there is such interest. I have been buying from
Henry's auctions for several years and I am a lucky one because there isn't
much interest in George Brett's. I don't know how to upload an auction to
this site and would appreciate alittle help if someone has the time.
Here are the two auctions I won if anyone wants to upload them.
261042391167 & 261042391154.

[Scott Garner]

Originally Posted by mybestbretts

I have been watching the interest in photos here for awhile and I am so
glad to find a place where there is such interest. I have been buying from
Henry's auctions for several years and I am a lucky one because there isn't
much interest in George Brett's. I don't know how to upload an auction to
this site and would appreciate alittle help if someone has the time.
Here are the two auctions I won if anyone wants to upload them.
261042391167 & 261042391154.

mybestbtretts,

Welcome to net54.
Here you go! Nice photos, buy the way!

[doug.goodman]

Originally Posted by thecatspajamas

+1

Another thing to consider is that Henry Yee's auctions do bring buyers to eBay that would not normally venture onto the site.

Not everyone is willing to invest the time to dig through the morass of crap presented on eBay on a daily basis to pull out the few gems, in the same way that not everyone is willing to dig through a pile of clothes at the thrift store looking for designer labels. Many will just go to the designer's stores where they know there will be an abundance of what they are looking for, albeit at higher prices, rather than investing the time and energy hunting for something that might be at the thrift store for a cheaper price. Pull all the "good stuff" off into one small section that is only open a few days each year though, and make the buyers compete with each other for the opportunity to buy it, and you'll have well-heeled collectors and bargain hunters alike elbowing each other to get at the goods.

And the prices inch (or leap) up accordingly.

Lots of factors to consider here, and lots of things done right on Yee's end. I just get tired of the kneejerk "high prices = shill bidding" response without any real evidence to back it up.

Well said Lance

[perezfan]

Granted he does a great job, provides glowing descriptions and has an extensive mailing list. But just to play "Devil's Advocate"...

Does ebay have any system in place, to prevent Yee's consignors from bidding up their own stuff? Anyone who thinks that isn't happening with frequency has blinders on. Unfortunately ebay doesn't care in the least, where as most of the Catalogue Auctions won't allow you to bid on your own consignments (and have systems in place to prevent it).

Obviously, this factor doesn't account for all of the goofy Yee prices, but it certainly contributes.

[BigJJ]

Got it

[whitehse]

Originally Posted by BigJJ

Got it

This is a great image. Congrats.

[Scott Garner]

Originally Posted by BigJJ

Got it

Nice, big JJ!!

[Lordstan]

Originally Posted by BigJJ

Got it

Great pic. Congrats

[D. Bergin]

Originally Posted by perezfan

Granted he does a great job, provides glowing descriptions and has an extensive mailing list. But just to play "Devil's Advocate"...

Does ebay have any system in place, to prevent Yee's consignors from bidding up their own stuff? Anyone who thinks that isn't happening with frequency has blinders on. Unfortunately ebay doesn't care in the least, where as most of the Catalogue Auctions won't allow you to bid on your own consignments (and have systems in place to prevent it).

Obviously, this factor doesn't account for all of the goofy Yee prices, but it certainly contributes.

Hopefully he knows his consignors enough to discourage any of them from doing this and would know if any of them were trying to push stuff up.

Hard to tell with so many auctions running at once.

Hopefully he keeps track of bid retractions and does a little investigating when it happens.

[71buc]

Originally Posted by thecatspajamas

+1

Another thing to consider is that Henry Yee's auctions do bring buyers to eBay that would not normally venture onto the site.

Not everyone is willing to invest the time to dig through the morass of crap presented on eBay on a daily basis to pull out the few gems, in the same way that not everyone is willing to dig through a pile of clothes at the thrift store looking for designer labels. Many will just go to the designer's stores where they know there will be an abundance of what they are looking for, albeit at higher prices, rather than investing the time and energy hunting for something that might be at the thrift store for a cheaper price. Pull all the "good stuff" off into one small section that is only open a few days each year though, and make the buyers compete with each other for the opportunity to buy it, and you'll have well-heeled collectors and bargain hunters alike elbowing each other to get at the goods.

And the prices inch (or leap) up accordingly.

Lots of factors to consider here, and lots of things done right on Yee's end. I just get tired of the kneejerk "high prices = shill bidding" response without any real evidence to back it up.

I love his auctions as well but cannot afford to compete any longer. This is the first year I will be shut out on all items I wanted. I too continue to be amazed at the prices his items realize. Below are two items that sold the last couple of days in his auction. The unopened pen and pencil bat on the left sold for $86.00 yesterday. The one on the right I purchased for $10.00 about six months ago. The Jim Thorpe photo on the left sold an hour ago for $212.05. The one on the right is from the Tribune's Ebay site I paid $32.49 a year ago. The Yee bats include Maris and mine has Frank Robinson. Does Maris make it worth an additional $70.00? My photo has a small ink mark on the front which apparently devalues it $180.00. He is quite the salesman. That being said, I will continue to "dig through the morass of crap presented on eBay on a daily basis"

[Scott Garner]

Originally Posted by 71buc

I love his auctions as well but cannot afford to compete any longer. This is the first year I will be shut out on all items I wanted. I too continue to be amazed at the prices his items realize. Below are two items that sold the last couple of days in his auction. The unopened pen and pencil bat on the left sold for $86.00 yesterday. The one on the right I purchased for $10.00 about six months ago. The Jim Thorpe photo on the left sold an hour ago for $212.05. The one on the right is from the Tribune's Ebay site I paid $32.49 a year ago. The Yee bats include Maris and mine has Frank Robinson. Does Maris make it worth an additional $70.00? My photo has a small ink mark on the front which apparently devalues it $180.00. He is quite the salesman. That being said, I will continue to "dig through the morass of crap presented on eBay on a daily basis"

Henry Yee's "Chief" is certainly happier.

Maybe Chief is stoked that he finally got slabbed and brought the top dollar that he always felt he was worth, but previously was unable to bring in the morass of crap on the bay...

I think I would obviously rather own Chief at $32.49

[Lordstan]

Mike,
I think the differences you point out all still go back to the same points that have been made. Now, the specific reasons to what happened in individual auctions may vary.
1)High Quality - His Thorpe is a nicer image. Looking at camera and smiling with more flattering lighting. I think the ink mark makes only a little bit of difference.
2)Presentation - The Tribune auctions are very utilitarian without flattering descriptions.
3)Clientele/Morass of crap - Many will not put out the time and energy needed to weed through the tens of thousands of items on ebay to find bargains. A group of his buyers are those who only care about wanting the best quality item. Whether it is a bargain or market value isn't the main issue. I would think that there are a few items out there, for each of us, that would fall into the "gotta have it no matter what" category or at least ALMOST no matter what.
4)Reputation - People expect to pay more to win an auction from Henry.

I decided to add one more that hasn't been mentioned. After thinking about it, I think the lack of a buyers premium may make a significant difference as compared to other big auctions.
I know it's always something that gives me a little pause when looking at the Hunt's/REA/Heritage types that after I bid and win, I'll be paying an extra 15-20%. I know I can calculate it ahead of time and bid accordingly, but it just doesn't feel the same to me. I just wonder if the psychology is such that if a buyers knows that the final price is the final price, will they feel a certain freedom to bid more aggressively.

Morass of crap example
Lets say you want to buy a vintage Gehrig card. You're not a hard core collector, so you have no set card in mind. You'd just like to see what's available.
Search Lou Gehrig - 6115 listings.
Refinement 1 - category BB cards - 2931
Refinement 2 - Years 1922-1950 - 276
Refinement 3 - Era Pre WW2 - 262
Refinement 4 - "original" - 135
Refinement 4 - Product "single" - 105
Of those remaining, only 59 are actually original Gehrig cards from 1922-1950, and that number includes approx 15 exhibits and Wheaties panels.

We have an advantage. Most of us on this board know, after years of using and learning how to manipulate the searches on ebay, ways to cut down the time needed to find what we want. Most others do not.

Despite the fact that I do spend a little with Henry each auction, like many here, I will continue to sift through the morass of crap to find those diamonds in the rough as well.

Keep those winnings coming.

[D. Bergin]

Originally Posted by 71buc

I love his auctions as well but cannot afford to compete any longer. This is the first year I will be shut out on all items I wanted. I too continue to be amazed at the prices his items realize. Below are two items that sold the last couple of days in his auction. The unopened pen and pencil bat on the left sold for $86.00 yesterday. The one on the right I purchased for $10.00 about six months ago. The Jim Thorpe photo on the left sold an hour ago for $212.05. The one on the right is from the Tribune's Ebay site I paid $32.49 a year ago. The Yee bats include Maris and mine has Frank Robinson. Does Maris make it worth an additional $70.00? My photo has a small ink mark on the front which apparently devalues it $180.00. He is quite the salesman. That being said, I will continue to "dig through the morass of crap presented on eBay on a daily basis"

I think you can also consider that you got a tremendous bargain on the Thorpe photo and benefited from finding it in a poorly designed Tribune photo auction.

[slidekellyslide]

It occurs to me that the people who spend dumb money just because it's Henry's auction and aren't able to navigate the sea of crap on ebay could save themselves a lot of money by learning how to use ebay's search function.

[perezfan]

Originally Posted by slidekellyslide

It occurs to me that the people who spend dumb money just because it's Henry's auction and aren't able to navigate the sea of crap on ebay could save themselves a lot of money by learning how to use ebay's search function.

Completely agree... It's not exactly rocket science. Just a few "key words" and price parameters, and you're on your way.

Takes all of 10 seconds