Auction Houses

[sportscomicfantasy]

Originally Posted by x2drich2000

I'm bored so I'll give you a run down on my impressions. I'll break them down in 3 basic categories; great, eh, and never again.

Great
- REA - Never an issue, solid packaging, exceptionally quick shipping, offers to bring anything to shows for preview, answer questions.
- HA - Never an issue, bomb proof packaging. Some don't like the bidding rules regarding who can bid on lots and the house bidding. Never seemed to bother me though. Shipping time varies - I've had some lots take a while to ship, other seemed to ship before I paid.
- LOTG - Great customer service, answers question promptly, one of the best catalogs. Fair BP and shipping. Goes the extra mile - would bring winnings to shows to pick up/pay when reasonable.
- Brockelman - Quick shipping, goes the extra mile (at one point I had the wrong zip code on my shipping and they offered to reship for free when it was completely my fault.) Very low BP & shipping cost
- Birmingham - Honest to a fault, will point out every flaw even during in person auctions, really caters to lower end cards that other AH's would overlook or group together. Fair BP & shipping. Very highly recommend for those on a tight budget or just getting their toes wet in pre-war.
- H&S - never had an issue, very courtesy, shipping is high but goes extra mile by bring lots to show to pay/pick up, promptly answers emails
- Sterling - quick shipping, prompt service. Had 1 issue where I was sent the wrong card, but quickly apologized and got the correct card reshipped to me promptly. Which is how an issue should be handled.

Eh
- Clean Sweep - personally never had an issue, though I've heard others have. To me the reason they don't get into the upper category is due to the fact they won't bring winnings to shows - everything has to ship and they only take check/MO. This has resulted in taking longer to get cards as a result. I've also felt multiple times as shows that I didn't matter..."you can look in the catalog to see if we have any."
- Small Tradition - Personally never had an issue, however, the trimming scandal bumps them down for me and makes it so I will be hesitant to bid, but won't say never.
- Hunt - Have received cards trimmed (it was trimmed so bad I just laughed and moved on) that were not advertised as such. Website is difficult to navigate, lacks pictures, but they will answer questions promptly. Also will not bring lots to shows even when the show is 20 min from their office. What really drops them to me though is the attitude they had with the Philly Show. For anyone that isn't aware, Hunt is involved in promoting the show. At one point, they threatened dealers to not allow them to set up at the show if they set up at any local show in order to stop competition.
- Wheatland - Previously used outside shipper which was insanely expensive. I believe that has now been brought completely in house which is a good thing. I did receive one lot of over 200 1960's cards and about 70% had red marker or ink of some type on the edges edge and that wasn't disclosed.

Never again
- Crazy Uncle - I don't think I need to say anything based on the other threads.
- Goodwin/anything related - 1 really bad experience. One a lot of T3s and one of the cards was missing. Was promised they had it and would ship multiple times. Card never arrived. After about a month of empty promises, they finally issued a partial refund, but that wasn't even sent when promised.

Fantastic, thanks for the insight into why you like and don't like companies. It will help me if I want to add another auction or make sure I don't add the wrong one!