Regarding Grant Zahajko Auctions

[Hankphenom]

Originally Posted by Steve D

Well, they had a bunch of "Holy Grail" type items for me, with all the SD Padres stuff from a former team executive, that I would kill to have; but their buyer's premium and payment stipulations (they accept only wire transfer or venmo/whatever that even is) killed it for me. It was just about the biggest array of Padres items I've ever seen, and that's my primary focus; but their rules, along with them being an unknown entity, just killed any chance of me bidding.
Steve

They can conduct their business anyway they want, of course, I just don't understand a model where their buyer's premium is higher than everybody else's and they make you go to your bank and fill out a wire transfer form requiring more information than my application for social security, both guaranteed to make a lot of sports collectors say "f**k it." And in this age of free shipping (not that I would be expecting anything like that, but we're getting pretty spoiled in that regard by eBay sellers, Amazon, etc.), their requirement of third-party S&H charges seems a bit unfriendly. (I would expect a big, active AH to be doing it in-house as a service to their bidders and charging accordingly.) They are clearly a very active, professional outfit, but I don't care how little they charge consignors, getting near-catastrophic results for their items doesn't seem sustainable in this era of intense AH competition. If they know anything about the market, consignors to this auction must have been sick to their stomachs, I certainly would have been.

[Orioles1954]

I participate in European record auctions and you know what 25% BP on that continent is….well it’s cheap!

[Hankphenom]

Originally Posted by Orioles1954

I participate in European record auctions and you know what 25% BP on that continent is….well it’s cheap!

But if you're the only AH here charging 25% in a super competitive market, it's not going to seem terribly friendly.

[UKCardGuy]

I've participated in a couple of their auctions including this recent one. I've had nothing but positive experiences.

I use them on the LiveAuctioneers platform. Even though it says "wire transfer only" on many of the listings, I was able to pay the invoice using a credit card through LiveAuctioneers.

25% BP isn't great but I've had a number of AH charge 20% For me, accurate descriptions, good photos and good service are worth a few extra percent. That said, I still managed to get a few bargains (even accounting for the BP).,

My previous wins were well packed and shipped quickly. They responded quickly to my email after the auction about shipping options too.
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Gary Goldberg

[Hankphenom]

Originally Posted by UKCardGuy

I've participated in a couple of their auctions including this recent one. I've had nothing but positive experiences. I use them on the LiveAuctioneers platform. Even though it says "wire transfer only" on many of the listings, I was able to pay the invoice using a credit card through LiveAuctioneers. 25% BP isn't great but I've had a number of AH charge 20% For me, accurate descriptions, good photos and good service are worth a few extra percent. That said, I still managed to get a few bargains (even accounting for the BP)., My previous wins were well packed and shipped quickly. They responded quickly to my email after the auction about shipping options too.
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Gary Goldberg

As I said, this was one of the best auction experiences I've ever had in terms of snagging bargains, and they are clearly a big-time professional AH. As long as I end up with great stuff at half or less of the current market value, they can charge me a 50% BP and I'll still be bidding like crazy in their auctions. I would never consider consigning with them, however, and although they got my money yesterday about this time, I haven't heard a word about shipping, so I'm calling it a mixed bag with these guys. As I titled my first response: "Strange Auction."