And let the games begin - REA is underway!

[ZenPop]

...can't afford almost anything there... though almost all of it looks great.

What I would go nuts for (and has anyone ever done this, outside of individual EBay auctions?) would be a "Beaters Auction"... Just a massive auction of various old items / cards in states of distress. Affordable and cool.

I'd be all over that. Maybe I'll start it up:

ZenPop Baseball Beater Auction:
Where Dreams Come True In The Land of Misfit Cards.

[TanksAndSpartans]

Originally Posted by ZenPop

..."Beaters Auction"...

LOTG did a set builder's auction - similar concept - I won a card I needed in a PSA 4 holder. From what I recall Sterling has a lot of affordable lots. I don't think every AH has the same business model - I don't think they're all focussed on the high end of the market....

[conor912]

Originally Posted by ZenPop

...can't afford almost anything there... though almost all of it looks great.

What I would go nuts for (and has anyone ever done this, outside of individual EBay auctions?) would be a "Beaters Auction"... Just a massive auction of various old items / cards in states of distress. Affordable and cool.

I'd be all over that. Maybe I'll start it up:

ZenPop Baseball Beater Auction:
Where Dreams Come True In The Land of Misfit Cards.

Being a midgrade collector, I am often frustrated by the fact that most single cards in auctions are either five figure low grade cards or PSA 8 or better. But the fact is, there's just not enough money to be made in fees to make it worth it for the AH's to do a beater auction.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by conor912

Being a midgrade collector, I am often frustrated by the fact that most single cards in auctions are either five figure low grade cards or PSA 8 or better. But the fact is, there's just not enough money to be made in fees to make it worth it for the AH's to do a beater auction.

There are many smaller and mid size auctions that do not meet that description at all.

[conor912]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

There are many smaller and mid size auctions that do not meet that description at all.

Sorry, I wasn't clear. "That I need" should have come after "cards".

[Jewish-collector]

REA has to split their stuff into 2 auctions per year, so each auction will not be as good as their Spring auction had been when they only did that one auction.

I still can't figure out how the hell collectors (regardless of how large their collecting budget is) keep tract all of these auction houses' auctions, catalogs, closing dates, etc,...

ZenPop -
I can't afford much either, but luckily there are plenty of low end auction houses, where a poor slob like myself can get nice low end stuff.

Collectibles Auctions in Irwin, PA
Andy Sandler All Sports Auctions in Kingston, NY
Hakes Collectibles (wide range of realized prices)
Hunt's monthly auctions