Has Anyone Sold Directly To An Auction House?

[SyrNy1960]

Originally Posted by MVSNYC

There's many great Auction Houses. I've been consigning cards & memorabilia since the 90's. Can't remember a bad experience (some items will do better than you expect, some less). Your bat sounds like a great item, and should do well. I'm assuming you have a PSA/DNA LOA for it.

For memorabilia I'd contact Goldin, Heritage, REA, and LOTG. See who will give you the best deal (possibly a cash advance, and likely some of the buyer's premium, maybe you'll get 105% of hammer?). Good luck.

Michael,

Thanks! I sent you a PM.

Tony

[Snapolit1]

Your item could always underperform in an auction. It does happen. Timing might suck. Or general economic jitters could take over. Or the same item could have sold twice in last month through dumb luck. In that case sale to an AH might work out better. I’d put that as a very unlikely chance here with a one of a kind item.

The real beauty of an auction is where two guys who “have to have it” lock horns and get in a bidding war. When I consign anything my hope is only that there are 2 guys who need it. Or want it. Badly. Hopefully both multi millionaires with money to burn. Don’t need 22 bidders. Most bidders put a marker down early and aren’t really going to made a hard run at it. I just want two well heeled guys in the AH session who are trying to wear each other out.

[whiteymet]

I have submitted some complete sets and other things to major AH's then find them a little later on ebay or in smaller auctions.

Specifically there is a major ebay seller with a sterling reputation here and on ebay who has bought sets of mine from an AH and then breaks up the set and sells them on ebay card by card.

I noticed it was my set and contacted them about other sets I had been thinking of consigning. They were VERY interested in buying directly as it saves them the AH buyers premiums, sales tax and shipping which can add up to close to 30% in some cases.

You selling directly to them saves you a sellers premium ( if any) and they would pay say 10-15% more than they would bid on the item in an auction in order to save the 30% if you get my drift. You just have to figure out a fair price for you and them.

Just a note, I am in no way related to any ebay seller other than myself.