AH guys - ask me anything?

[CrownSports]

We get at least 1-2 offers per auction for an item that sold.

We had a couple of nice George Brett game used items that we didn't get once but nothing that I would call a White Whale item

Yes, Auction houses will make exceptions for premier items. I actually had it happen once as a consignor on a premier item that estimated over 100K when that was still a huge number

[conor912]

I’d be curious to know what threshold you need to cross in terms of quality/scarcity/value in order to get your own auction with a printed catalog. I imagine it’s different for each AH, but I always thought that that would be a cool way to exit the hobby when the time comes.

[insidethewrapper]

I was wondering how are 100K+ cards send to the winning bidder. How are they insured etc. A Wagner delivered by the PO,UPS etc ???

[conor912]

Originally Posted by insidethewrapper

I was wondering how are 100K+ cards send to the winning bidder. How are they insured etc. A Wagner delivered by the PO,UPS etc ???

Good question, but if I bought a Wagner I’d sure as hell buy a plane ticket to go pick it up myself!

[Jewish-collector]

What card/memorabilia item would make you really drool ?

[Rhotchkiss]

Originally Posted by insidethewrapper

I was wondering how are 100K+ cards send to the winning bidder. How are they insured etc. A Wagner delivered by the PO,UPS etc ???

If the card is valuable enough, it will be hand delivered by brinks truck or similarly secured in-person method, including the AH owner or key employee may hand deliver in person. I don’t know what the threshold for hand-delivery is, but I do not think it’s $100k; maybe $250k+

[Lorewalker]

Originally Posted by Rhotchkiss

If the card is valuable enough, it will be hand delivered by brinks truck or similarly secured in-person method, including the AH owner or key employee may hand deliver in person. I don’t know what the threshold for hand-delivery is, but I do not think it’s $100k; maybe $250k+

Yeah this has happened to me...NEVER.

[Snowman]

Originally Posted by insidethewrapper

I was wondering how are 100K+ cards send to the winning bidder. How are they insured etc. A Wagner delivered by the PO,UPS etc ???

A $100k card comes via FedEx overnight usually. A Wagner will arrive in a Brinks armored truck or hand delivered by the AH owner catching a flight.

[parkplace33]

How negotiable are consignor fees? I have heard some consignors getting 0 or negative fees?

[Sterling Sports Auctions]

I rarely get calls on closing night. I do have one customer that likes to talk with me and always places his bids by phone.

I don't think I have ever had anyone make an offer on a sold card after the auction.

I have never done a theme auction, partly because I believe you are missing out on potential bidders that the theme is not there major focus. Doesn't mean I may run one in the future.

Always open to any questions, feel free to call or email.

Lee Behrens
320-219-1372

[whiteymet]

I am sure AH's know what they are doing, but I have asked a few over the years to contact the underbidder on another of the same item that I own to see if the underbidder would buy mine for their top bid.

I offer the AH the normal consignment fee, and they would get the normal Buyers premium. No adverting, photography, etc. A quick easy sale in my eyes.

But every time I have been told that that never works. They have tried it in the past and the underbidder never accepts. They say we collectors get involved with the auction and when the adrenaline wears off they won't pay the same price they offered during the auction.

I can't believe that is always true. I know if I was bidding on something and I lost it I would in most cases be willing to purchase it. I may have some reservation if I could see the bidding history and if I see only myself and one other guy going at it at the end, I may not want to pay my last bid as the next next (third high bid) is much lower, but who knows, I may if it is a card or item I really want.

Wish they would at least pick up the phone and try....

[rand1com]

Originally Posted by parkplace33

How negotiable are consignor fees? I have heard some consignors getting 0 or negative fees?

Depends entirely on the value of the consignment and how bad competing auction houses want the item. A few years ago I had a sealed case of 1979 Topps Cello baseball that I offered to several auction houses to see how low of a consignment fee I could get. We're not talking an extremely valuable item but the last couple that had sold prior to this auction brought about $24K at the hammer price. I actually got a 2.5% fee in my favor from one auction house. I was extremely happy but the night of the auction the site went down during extended bidding and they did not carry over to the next day. They claimed they got the system up around 10 PM although I could never get in and ended it at midnight. Needless to say, the case went out at $15K which was a grand less than I had in it. So, the great consignment rate in my favor was worthless. Of course, the auction house still made $2625 on the item collecting a net 17.5% fee. I know why so many auction houses keep popping up.