A Message From REA

[cgreat14]

Man you guys screwed up. Go back to the old days when I could stay up till 5:45 AM and kick ass. I would out wait those guys and would win every time. It was a challenge but I loved it. Look at Mile High...still doing the same way and no complaints. Stop trying to fix it, if it works. You got the moaners out there who complained about staying up too late....tough....it worked.

[NC-Vintage]

Brian and the entire team at REA are first class ! They have proven it once
again with how they handled a difficult situation last night.

[pawpawdiv9]

I placed my MAX BID and sat on it days beforehand. Didn't have to worry about sleep at all. In the end, I still WON.

[kmac32]

Great auction, no issues with me

[joed25]

It was a nightmare for me trying to get my bids in. I also didn’t like how on the emails you kept saying even though there are technical issues we will NOT go past 12... the next email said 12:30 and then it stayed open till 3 or something.
Maybe switch to the website that Goldin uses. Simple auctions sites. REA website has an outdated feel to it. And I hate to criticize but if your selling 20 million a year or so you should spend a lot more on your website. I doubt this issue ever happened with Heritage.

[drcy]

I heard from a bidder that Goldin has had its own auction software issues.

[DerekMichael]

For whatever it is worth I just want to say I feel badly for the people who struggled with the website and felt it effected their interests and I mean that with absolute sincerity. For Brian Dwyer I know this must have felt like a dagger through his heart because he cares so deeply about what he is doing in this hobby.

It was a surprising experience for me on Sunday night because quite honestly my time with REA and Brian has always been a bed of roses and I am so grateful for the way I am treated. This was an unusual issue and I know Brian and his team must have done everything in their power to correct this and keep things running as smoothly as possible under the circumstance. This all happened at the most inopportune time one can possibly imagine and sometimes there is simply nothing which can be done to fix the situation when the event is live, despite ones absolute efforts.

I know this was frustrating for many but speaking only for myself, I do not personally feel this is damning simply because this was an honest mistake and not an issue of Brian doing anything with evil spirits or ripping people off. I TRULY believe Brian Dwyer to be one of the good guys in this hobby and it seems many here share in this feeling. I have lots of confidence this will not be an issue in the future.

In any event, I feel very badly to see some of my fellow collectors frustrated, but based on everything I have ever seen of Brian and REA this will be corrected. I will continue to bid and consign in the future, and I will do so with great confidence despite what happened, which is regrettable.

On a side note, and with no intention of trying to analyze the effects of the website issues on bidding and pricing, T206 prices were by and large extremely impressive and many things I was hunting ended up at prices far above where I hoped to acquire them. It was a spectacular offering for those who enjoy the backs, with many ridiculously hard to find pieces.

Honesty and integrity mean everything when we are spending our hard earned money or parting with things which are special to us, and Brian and REA will continue to deliver on that for us.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by cgreat14

Man you guys screwed up. Go back to the old days when I could stay up till 5:45 AM and kick ass. I would out wait those guys and would win every time. It was a challenge but I loved it. Look at Mile High...still doing the same way and no complaints. Stop trying to fix it, if it works. You got the moaners out there who complained about staying up too late....tough....it worked.

You want to give an opinion, awesome. Please put your full name next to your post per the rules....and for the record I like the way they close now better than before because of people like you. ....There is no harm in staying up all night but there is no need to either.

And I too think REA did as well, or better, as could be expected under the circumstances. There is no playbook for that sort of thing. Good job by Brian and team....

[bobbyw8469]

Originally Posted by Leon

You want to give an opinion, awesome. Please put your full name next to your post per the rules....and for the record like the way they close now better than before because of people like you. ....There is no harm in staying up all night but there is no need to either.

And I too think REA did as well, or better, as could be expected under the circumstances. There is no playbook for that sort of thing. Good job by Brian and team....

Agreed...I should NOT be penalized because I live on the east coast!

[Pack The Ripper]

Hiccups happen is business. You've handled this situation with a proactive and professional posture. Hold your chin up Brian.

Let's look forward with anticipation and positivity for the next auction.

[RedsFan1941]

Originally Posted by bobbyw8469

Agreed...I should NOT be penalized because I live on the east coast!

so you got a catalog this year?

[drcy]

Originally Posted by Leon

You want to give an opinion, awesome. Please put your full name next to your post per the rules....and for the record I like the way they close now better than before because of people like you. ....There is no harm in staying up all night but there is no need to either.

And I too think REA did as well, or better, as could be expected under the circumstances. There is no playbook for that sort of thing. Good job by Brian and team....

At first, I thought he was bein joking/sarcastic but wasn't so sure as it went along.

Though I no longer collect/bid-- as a late night person and a West Coaster, even I thought it was ridiculous how late (early) the auctions went to.

[iwantitiwinit]

Brian that explanation and customer friendly attitude is the type of response I look for when doing any type of business with people. Great job and I look forward to bidding and possibly consigning to REA in the near future.

Thanks,

Bob I.

[nolemmings]

I forgive but I don't forget. There were a good half-dozen items I was precluded from chasing because of the snafus. It's left a bad taste. I would expect not only an explanation of how the problem will be addressed so that it does not happen again,but also a stated policy, well in advance, as to how the auction will be handled if somehow it does. Otherwise, I'll watch from afar. Nothing personal.

[Rhotchkiss]

Originally Posted by nolemmings

I forgive but I don't forget. There were a good half-dozen items I was precluded from chasing because of the snafus. It's left a bad taste. I would expect not only an explanation of how the problem will be addressed so that it does not happen again,but also a stated policy, well in advance, as to how the auction will be handled if somehow it does. Otherwise, I'll watch from afar. Nothing personal.

I am thrilled to have less competition, and I hope more people take your position.

[nolemmings]

And I'm happy for you too.

[Topnotchsy]

Originally Posted by nolemmings

I forgive but I don't forget. There were a good half-dozen items I was precluded from chasing because of the snafus. It's left a bad taste. I would expect not only an explanation of how the problem will be addressed so that it does not happen again,but also a stated policy, well in advance, as to how the auction will be handled if somehow it does. Otherwise, I'll watch from afar. Nothing personal.

I agree that it would be reasonable to lay out some sort of plan with some guidelines that would dictate whether more time would be added in the evening or if the auction would be extended to another day as well as when extended bidding would start. It can never cover all bases, but could provide some sort of direction for the future.

I also wonder whether there's a way to open up an alternative avenue for bidding (via text maybe?) that can be used if the internet is down.

Just a couple of thoughts. I do think it was handled well given the circumstances.

[hank_jp]

REA is a class act and they keep proving it in the most trying circumstances. Sorry to hear about the abusive comments hurled at them, but those are nothing compared to things I kept shouting at my computer and iPhone as I tried to increase my bids.

[1952boyntoncollector]

Originally Posted by Leon

You want to give an opinion, awesome. Please put your full name next to your post per the rules....and for the record I like the way they close now better than before because of people like you. ....There is no harm in staying up all night but there is no need to either.

And I too think REA did as well, or better, as could be expected under the circumstances. There is no playbook for that sort of thing. Good job by Brian and team....

i think cgreat14 is kidding...i wonder what number 14 on the name references..perhaps a football or baseball great?