major auction houses a lesson to be learned

[Al C.risafulli]

I want the item described.

If you're describing a 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr in PSA 10, perhaps you don't need to say much more than describing any important characteristics in the card, and maybe a little bit about the significance of that card in the hobby.

But if you're describing a Henry Johnson Confectioners Ty Cobb, some information about how there are two graded copies and this one is the highest, and perhaps some background on how tough the cards truly are, how they were issued, and what their significance was, well, that may have helped the consignor get the price that card should have gotten.

I'd rather have too much copy than too little.

That said, useless crap like "A REAL GEM!" and "WHAT A GREAT DEAL!" is used car salesman copy that has no business in an auction of historically important sports memorabilia. That's Crazy Eddie stuff.

-Al

[Al C.risafulli]

Al, that was cold, man, very cold.

What? I never told you how much I actually paid for the card?

I believe the hammer price was $425.

There was no description in the auction catalog. Just a title.

-Al

[Rob D.]

Originally Posted by Al C.risafulli

That said, useless crap like "A REAL GEM!" and "WHAT A GREAT DEAL!" is used car salesman copy that has no business in an auction of historically important sports memorabilia.

Among my favorites is "Bid to win!"

Why else would someone bid?

Oops. Never mind.

[Rich Klein]

Appear to be within the correct range. Why are those the only outliers?

Rich

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by Rich Klein

Appear to be within the correct range. Why are those the only outliers?

Rich

Rich there are of course two possibilities, one is that there really were two genuine bidders going against each other with an underbidder genuinely bidding an insane amount, and the other is that someone who didn't know better placed an outlying ceiling bid and was taken advantage of. I am not sure there is a third scenario, but perhaps there is. One has to draw one's own conclusions, of course.

[murcerfan]

I thought Larry's original theorem that started this thread was interesting.

any other thoughts regarding genres or specialties that certain auction outfits currently seem to outperform others on?

I've been kinda on the sidelines for a few years, so my question is sincere.

[chiprop]

Jeff- Choose your words very carefully when you decide to call me out! I really could care less about your obsession with Goodwin, but you need to chill. You’re becoming annoying and irrelevant.

[calvindog]

Dan, I chose those words very carefully. Really. And my obsession is 'retarded?' Maybe you want to choose another word?

[chiprop]

I chose that word carefully.

[calvindog]

Then I'm sending you a dictionary.