Major Auctions v. eBay

[barrysloate]

I agree with Johnny S. completely. Venue is pretty much irrelevant. Getting a high price at auction is all about who is bidding, period. Find the right combination of bidders and you might set a new price record. Offer the same lot a month later when these same bidders have lost interest and you might get a weak price. Auctions are a crapshoot and it's always good to sell something when it is hot, and the buyers are out there. I've had incredible results on ebay, and I've consigned to the biggest auction houses and gotten killed. And vice versa.

[YankeeCollector]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

I agree with Johnny S. completely. Venue is pretty much irrelevant. Getting a high price at auction is all about who is bidding, period. Find the right combination of bidders and you might set a new price record. Offer the same lot a month later when these same bidders have lost interest and you might get a weak price. Auctions are a crapshoot and it's always good to sell something when it is hot, and the buyers are out there. I've had incredible results on ebay, and I've consigned to the biggest auction houses and gotten killed. And vice versa.

well said! I totally agree!

I recently sold my Razor BAbe RUth cut auto on eBay when I noticed that there were a lot of bidders bidding on Ruth auto cards and I got 2500 more than I thought I would get.

[Exhibitman]

Amendment to the rule:

It is possible to do very well flipping auction lots because anything I consign to a major auction will sell at a bargain basement price.

[drc]

Been there done that, Adam.

I once bought a cabinet photo for $3,000, resold via major auction for $1,500 then a few years later saw it sell for $13,000.

The only benefit for me is I tell people I once owned a $13,000 photo.