Do you need to get auction catalogs?

[majordanby]

there is a larger debate in all of this that relates to print publications in general vs. online resources. there's no question that print publications like newspapers and magazines have been hit hard by online access to information. i think this debate is likely a generational issue...a lot of buyers in these auctions likely grew up with print publications. although many have adapted, some are still wedded to their paper in hand beliefs. there are likely going to be certain newspapers that stick around because of their stature and importance...probably the same will happen with auction catalogs (REA, perhaps?). but, i think eventually catalogs will diminish over time as younger cohorts start to amass the type of money needed to bid big in these auctions.

i get a lot of catalogs and i only briefly go through them.

[Rob D.]

Here's a previous thread we had on the topic:

http://www.net54baseball.com/showthread.php?t=123781

[Bicem]

Originally Posted by Rob D.

Here's a previous thread we had on the topic:

http://www.net54baseball.com/showthread.php?t=123781

The only thing that I took away from this thread is that you live in your parents' basement.

[Rob D.]

Originally Posted by Bicem

The only thing that I took away from this thread is that you live in your parents' basement.

Good catch. That was my attempt at a subtle hint. They told me I need to move out, so I need a place to crash for a couple years. How's the weather in Texas?

[Bicem]

Originally Posted by Rob D.

Good catch. That was my attempt at a subtle hint. They told me I need to move out, so I need a place to crash for a couple years. How's the weather in Texas?

Perfect! I need a ringer for my work's softball team.

[Rich Klein]

This is what I wrote on the last thread -- and I think Bill Hedin actually made my point better than I did

"Is that, if you keep them, and something interesting comes up on the board; you can research and reference if and when you'd seen the item before in a catalog. On line, it's quite different research and harder to remember"

To wit, Bill James once wrote about his baseball abstracts in the 1980's that they sit around the house and a reader can re-reference his books. Being on line is not as "eternal" as print ---- and print is easier for people to remember than what they see on line.

I think Leon has a pretty good point, for "smaller" auctions on-line is fine but for bigger auctions, the more you have in front of you the better it is.

I prefer print because catalogs are fun to read through even after they end (Part of that is my Beckett heritage of researching all the items that may have needed to be added to the data base) while if all you are interested in is working on the 33 Goudey Set --- then on-line may be the way to go for you.

And to wit, and to mention some friends of mine -- and to bring up the Beckett reference --- John and Judy Burk have an auction which just began, in that auction they say they have an uncatalogued Steelers set from c.1973. With a catalog in print, I'd always remember that item --- now when that auction is over, I'll forget about that item real quickly.

Print lasts, on-line does not

Rich

[murcerfan]

yep...recycling catalogs uses no resources at all.

sending ups and fedex trucks all over creation to deliver a triple wrapped padded celo condomed catalog has no carbon footprint...hell, diesel feul is already there in the tank, you have to burn it anyways.

... the nasty waste products from printing are harmless to the environment and can be turned into candy for children in a co-generation plant powered by gnomes on treadmills...or even bottled and sold as an elixir.

[vargha]

I'm saving my catalogues to burn someday in a giant outdoor bonfire. Why? Because in Texas we can. Hopefully, prevailing winds dump the ash in California.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by vargha

I'm saving my catalogues to burn someday in a giant outdoor bonfire. Why? Because in Texas we can. Hopefully, prevailing winds dump the ash in California.

That was funny...at least to this Texan.

[Exhibitman]

Originally Posted by vargha

I'm saving my catalogues to burn someday in a giant outdoor bonfire. Why? Because in Texas we can. Hopefully, prevailing winds dump the ash in California.

You know why Texas is so big?

Because you can't cram all that trailer trash into Rhode Island.

[bijoem]

Originally Posted by murcerfan

yep...recycling catalogs uses no resources at all.

sending ups and fedex trucks all over creation to deliver a triple wrapped padded celo condomed catalog has no carbon footprint...hell, diesel feul is already there in the tank, you have to burn it anyways.

... the nasty waste products from printing are harmless to the environment and can be turned into candy for children in a co-generation plant powered by gnomes on treadmills...or even bottled and sold as an elixir.

since you didn't mention the magically disappearing forests - I assume you realize your prior contention was completely false - and that the paper industry grows forests.

Yes, print has an environmental impact.
Everything has an impact on the environment.
Everything.

Including electronic / online distribution. The electronic devices need to be manufactured at an environmental impact. Including delivery in their own bubble wrap or packaging. Devices are disposed of at an environmental impact. They are used (plugged in, charged, recharged) at an environmental impact. The content used on these devices is served at an environmental impact.


I love online. I love tablets, smartphones, computers, etc.

But I don't kid myself into thinking I am saving a tree - because I am not.
And I don't fool myself into thinking I am making a 'greener' choice - because I am not.

[HRBAKER]

Originally Posted by majordanby

there is a larger debate in all of this that relates to print publications in general vs. online resources. there's no question that print publications like newspapers and magazines have been hit hard by online access to information. i think this debate is likely a generational issue...a lot of buyers in these auctions likely grew up with print publications. although many have adapted, some are still wedded to their paper in hand beliefs. there are likely going to be certain newspapers that stick around because of their stature and importance...probably the same will happen with auction catalogs (REA, perhaps?). but, i think eventually catalogs will diminish over time as younger cohorts start to amass the type of money needed to bid big in these auctions.

i get a lot of catalogs and i only briefly go through them.

That sounds like me. I get the catalog, comb through it several times, circle the lots I am interested in red and then get my abacus out and decide how much I can bid on each.