Features all auction houses should implement

[oldjudge]

Have auction descriptions which, if relevant, highlight why a bidder should want to own that lot. Unfortunately, many smaller auctions with no catalogs have virtually no descriptions, thereby saying pay me my buyer's premium just for snapping an image of this lot and posting it on line. Many larger auctions fill up a page with flowery language (and often incorrect information), but provide little reason for a bidder to be attracted to the lot. It takes real skill to write good descriptions. Sadly, with the exception of REA and LOTG, few do what I consider to be a good job.

[darwinbulldog]

Originally Posted by oldjudge

Have auction descriptions which, if relevant, highlight why a bidder should want to own that lot. Unfortunately, many smaller auctions with no catalogs have virtually no descriptions, thereby saying pay me my buyer's premium just for snapping an image of this lot and posting it on line. Many larger auctions fill up a page with flowery language (and often incorrect information), but provide little reason for a bidder to be attracted to the lot. It takes real skill to write good descriptions. Sadly, with the exception of REA and LOTG, few do what I consider to be a good job.

+1.

I'm in the camp that prefers to be able to go back and bid on a lot after I've been outbid in overtime on something else, so I don't enjoy the lot-by-lot closing as much, but I definitely appreciate a good description. If you're looking to buy a PSA 3 1933 Goudey Babe Ruth with a clean back and decent corners that may not matter so much, but if you're looking for esoteric stuff the description is essential.

[4815162342]

Great thread topic, DJ. The one feature that I wish all auction houses would implement is a mobile-friendly web site.

[darwinbulldog]

And another thing. There is at least one major auction house that doesn't include scans of the backs of cards. They provide them upon request (after a couple of days), but the whole process is an annoyance, and it seems like a very inefficient way to run their business.

[x2drich2000]

I definitely did not mean for this to involve the auction rules as we could easily debate the pros/cons of different ending formats, but I'm sure we could almost all agree that knowing the cost for shipping for each lot would be great (says the person who just spent $17 shipping for a lot of 3 graded cards costing less than $150).

I would also add that auction houses should, within reason, allow customers to pick up their winnings at a show where they are setup.

Daryl, interesting cause I really dislike the mobile views of most sites. I almost always try to switch back to the desktop version on my iPad. But I agree they should at least give the customers that option.

DJ