Has anyone been able to reach Bill Goodwin?

[BruceWayne]

Originally Posted by glchen

Is there any other major auction house that issues print catalogs where the owner basically picks up all of the phone calls? It's only Goodwin and perhaps Clean Sweep as far as I know.

That is an interesting question. Even though Goldin Auctions has a full staff, including administrative assistants, I know Ken Goldin will respond to anyone's email and voicemail messages directly to him, usually right away.

Please note this is not because there are not other people who can also respond to client needs but that Ken's ethic is to try make himself available to everyone and get back to everyone as quickly as possible. In fact, I know of no other person running a company in this industry who is as easy to access as Ken.

Just another perspective on your question and another reason I was comfortable going to work for Ken.

-Chris

[Sean1125]

Originally Posted by BruceWayne

That is an interesting question. Even though Goldin Auctions has a full staff, including administrative assistants, I know Ken Goldin will respond to anyone's email and voicemail messages directly to him, usually right away.

Please note this is not because there are not other people who can also respond to client needs but that Ken's ethic is to try make himself available to everyone and get back to everyone as quickly as possible. In fact, I know of no other person running a company in this industry who is as easy to access as Ken.

Just another perspective on your question and another reason I was comfortable going to work for Ken.

-Chris

I've spoken with both customer service and Ken. I find he's always been very accessible and easy to reach. It seems typical, if he is in and you ask for him, you will be able to reach him. He has also personally called me when I e-mail about issues. I e-mailed last Saturday /w an auction problem and he personally called me within 10 minutes of the e-mail and resolved the problem another 5 after that.

[big80s]

I've been trying to reach Bill, as well. It's been a week and no response via email or phone.

[cyseymour]

I'm still expecting a rather large (almost 19k) consignment check from Bill from his 7/14 auction. Hakunamatata is great and all, but after eight weeks, I feel like it's time to recieve the check. We spoke last thurs and he said he'd send me the check and a tracking number last Mon, but I've received neither. Have called multiple times since. Hate to post about this but feel like I have no choice.

[ullmandds]

C'mon Jamie...CHILL! Peace and love and all that jazz!!!!

[cyseymour]

I'd feel a lot more of that if I just received the consignment check.

[oldjudge]

Jamie-I had a lot of trouble getting hold of Bill a few weeks ago. There is no excuse for not being paid on time. Maybe cash is tight-----the current auction ends next week so new cash should be coming and I would hope you should be paid soon. Several auction houses pay in under 30 days. Eight weeks is crazy. You should consider this when you decide who to consign with next time.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by BruceWayne

That is an interesting question. Even though Goldin Auctions has a full staff, including administrative assistants, I know Ken Goldin will respond to anyone's email and voicemail messages directly to him, usually right away.

Please note this is not because there are not other people who can also respond to client needs but that Ken's ethic is to try make himself available to everyone and get back to everyone as quickly as possible. In fact, I know of no other person running a company in this industry who is as easy to access as Ken.

Just another perspective on your question and another reason I was comfortable going to work for Ken.

-Chris

One would not realistically expect to get through directly to a Mark Zuckerberg or Larry Page as a matter of routine, but a card/memorabilia dealer/auctioneer being inaccessible would be completely unacceptable to me. I am really surprised to hear Bill and others appear to be less than accessible. Bad business model.

[Blunder19]

just an update.. Bill did just call me.. and was helpful on all my questions.

Jamie

[MVSNYC]

Rob Lifson often answers the phone over at REA. He's also very fast to respond personally to messages.

[cyseymour]

I have consigned two major cards with Bill and am not worried in the least. Per my experience, Bill does read his email, but can't respond to it all. Some people really don't like email and my guess is that Bill is one of them. When you think of it, there are some good reasons for that as it can be impersonal.

It is definitely a different style than using an auctioneer who is constantly on his toes, trying to make you happy. But if you can understand the laid-back vibe, then the one thing you can be pretty certain of it that eventually you will get your cards/check. So my advice is, no worries. Hakuna Matata!!!

[honus94566]

Originally Posted by cyseymour

I have consigned two major cards with Bill and am not worried in the least. Per my experience, Bill does read his email, but can't respond to it all. Some people really don't like email and my guess is that Bill is one of them. When you think of it, there are some good reasons for that as it can be impersonal.

It is definitely a different style than using an auctioneer who is constantly on his toes, trying to make you happy. But if you can understand the laid-back vibe, then the one thing you can be pretty certain of it that eventually you will get your cards/check. So my advice is, no worries. Hakuna Matata!!!

Disagree. As a business owner myself I offer my own perspective: If he doesn't/can't respond to email, he should state that publicly on his website, or have an automatic email responder saying "sorry, but I might be too busy to respond to your message. Please call." Something like that.

He's running a business and has customers and consigners, and they deserve the dignity of a response to inquiries - whether they be email, phone, or whatever. Anything less than that is just poor customer service.

If he's too busy, then obviously he's understaffed and needs to get someone to do the job for him.

I think one can have a "laid back vibe" without ignoring people for days on end, which seems to be the case here.

That being said, I have bought from Goodwin numerous times and always received my winnings promptly. Have never consigned though.

[ullmandds]

Gotta agree...the "laid back" vibe is not a very good way to run an auction house. Somehow I'd guess that if the prices realized in Goodwin auctions weren't so incredulous...most consigners would have major issues with this "style" of running a business.