Auction House thievery Lelands style

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Originally Posted by gzman

Scott, thanks for the insight. I appreciate it. But understand that many other auction houses line item the insurance at 1%(which is comparable to USPS as you stated) on top of very high shipping costs(sometimes stated with listing)-and buyer %'s that are higher than yours, and in some cases, much higher...

Well they're trying to make money on shipping, and there's nothing wrong with that. People need to, and do, vote with their money. I often wonder if the lengths we go to to keep things reasonable for our customers are worth it.

If most other companies view every part of the transaction as a profit center, yet we're not seeing any benefit from being more buyer friendly, I'm not sure what the incentive is to remain so!

[Casey2296]

Originally Posted by Aquarian Sports Cards

Well they're trying to make money on shipping, and there's nothing wrong with that. People need to, and do, vote with their money. I often wonder if the lengths we go to to keep things reasonable for our customers are worth it.

If most other companies view every part of the transaction as a profit center, yet we're not seeing any benefit from being more buyer friendly, I'm not sure what the incentive is to remain so!

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Don't lose faith Scott, I don't know how you guys do it at what is best a 20% margin. Add labor and other costs seems more like a 7% margin. That's a labor of love and thank you for sticking with an industry where you're only as good as your last auction.
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[gzman]

Originally Posted by Aquarian Sports Cards

Well they're trying to make money on shipping, and there's nothing wrong with that. People need to, and do, vote with their money. I often wonder if the lengths we go to to keep things reasonable for our customers are worth it.

If most other companies view every part of the transaction as a profit center, yet we're not seeing any benefit from being more buyer friendly, I'm not sure what the incentive is to remain so!

I don't think most of your competitors view every part of the transaction as a profit center...but those that do leave a negative impression for sure...(IMHO)

[Eric72]

Originally Posted by Aquarian Sports Cards

Well they're trying to make money on shipping, and there's nothing wrong with that. People need to, and do, vote with their money. I often wonder if the lengths we go to to keep things reasonable for our customers are worth it.

If most other companies view every part of the transaction as a profit center, yet we're not seeing any benefit from being more buyer friendly, I'm not sure what the incentive is to remain so!

Scott,

I realize my purchases don't add up to very much. However, I tend to get a few things per year from your AH because you're so buyer friendly.

Drop in the bucket, to be sure, but there are certainly others who feel as I do and spend their money accordingly.

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Originally Posted by Eric72

Scott,

I realize my purchases don't add up to very much. However, I tend to get a few things per year from your AH because you're so buyer friendly.

Drop in the bucket, to be sure, but there are certainly others who feel as I do and spend their money accordingly.

Thanks Eric, sometimes I like to throw myself a pity party, and whining is never a good look, so rest assured my customers are greatly appreciated.

Just to give people a little perspective I worked in live theater in PA for almost 20 years. Not exactly a path to riches. I still haven't personally made in any year since I've begun in the auction business, what I made in my last year in theater.

To pull back the curtain a little bit, gross margins after paying consignors are consistently 28%. That has to cover 4 salaries and a part time graphic designer. 1200 Sq Ft of office space and utilities, 6000 Sq Ft Warehouse space & Utilities, auction software (which takes a percentage of every sale) Insurance, advertising, travel and show fees etc... If you're a $100,000,000 company that 28% goes a LONG way. If you're a $1,000,000 company well, not so much.