Do big auctions go forward?

[Snapolit1]

Will be interesting to see. No health issue obviously and a nice diversion, but I'm wondering if the economic picture makes sense to be running a large auction right now. Are buyers going to show up as they are watching their retirement accounts and kids college savings accounts taking a huge kick in the nuts every day. Are sellers going to be cool with this? Time will tell.

Yes, a fairly insignificant issue in the grand scheme of things.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Snapolit1

Will be interesting to see. No health issue obviously and a nice diversion, but I'm wondering if the economic picture makes sense to be running a large auction right now. Are buyers going to show up as they are watching their retirement accounts and kids college savings accounts taking a huge kick in the nuts every day. Are sellers going to be cool with this? Time will tell.

Yes, a fairly insignificant issue in the grand scheme of things.

Even though we are discussing it in several threads I think it's ok as that is what is dominating the world today.
I think it's a mixed bag. If I see a certain card I need I will just have to figure a way out to acquire it. However, I have curtailed a bit otherwise.

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

It's super scary for the small auctions out there. I can't NOT have auctions, and my live auctions are shut down for the foreseeable future. I don't have a lot of options, I can't collect unemployment. Legally I don't have to, but I am going back to each consignor to make sure they are still OK with going ahead and have only lost one so far. With a full slate of online auctions AND having to move my live auctions online I am really concerned with the survival of my company. This is extra frustrating because I was just getting to the point where I was getting ahead, better consignments were coming in, people were scheduling appointments to meet at shows, which are also canceled, and obviously our customer base was growing each sale. How do we get through this? Your guess is as good as mine.

[CurtisFlood]

Originally Posted by Aquarian Sports Cards

It's super scary for the small auctions out there. I can't NOT have auctions, and my live auctions are shut down for the foreseeable future. I don't have a lot of options, I can't collect unemployment. Legally I don't have to, but I am going back to each consignor to make sure they are still OK with going ahead and have only lost one so far. With a full slate of online auctions AND having to move my live auctions online I am really concerned with the survival of my company. This is extra frustrating because I was just getting to the point where I was getting ahead, better consignments were coming in, people were scheduling appointments to meet at shows, which are also canceled, and obviously our customer base was growing each sale. How do we get through this? Your guess is as good as mine.

Hope you can do online auctions to keep your momentum on a positive note Scott. I found when I sold on ebay that if I stopped listing for a month or so that I lost most of my regular bidders. I'm sure it isn't that much different for you. Best of luck going forward

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Thanks Bob. What makes it tough is the company has been doing live for over 30 years and that is our much larger revenue stream. The online, which I added only 2 years ago, has been improving but was still being supported by the live.

[painthistorian]

There will be a demand for on line auctions as so many people will be home and need some stress relief and or will have the prudent anticipation for things to get better. We must remain diligent & positive. As long as USPS, fedex and ups are still able to function, mail order auctions, mail order business models are doing well now and should continue to do well if we all remain calm & positive.

The speculation market will not fare as well and of course not having shows at this time will be a hit to some dealers but we have net 54, e bay, on line stores, we have to reinvent ourselves in many ways and I for one still want auction houses & grading services to function, if for anything else, it gives us something to look forward to. Be safe!

[Rhotchkiss]

Originally Posted by Aquarian Sports Cards

It's super scary for the small auctions out there. I can't NOT have auctions, and my live auctions are shut down for the foreseeable future. I don't have a lot of options, I can't collect unemployment. Legally I don't have to, but I am going back to each consignor to make sure they are still OK with going ahead and have only lost one so far. With a full slate of online auctions AND having to move my live auctions online I am really concerned with the survival of my company. This is extra frustrating because I was just getting to the point where I was getting ahead, better consignments were coming in, people were scheduling appointments to meet at shows, which are also canceled, and obviously our customer base was growing each sale. How do we get through this? Your guess is as good as mine.

Scott, you can keep the proceeds from my consignment (D359 Rochester Balijg, Cy Morgan, SGC 2). Consider it a show of support. I know it won’t solve any issues, but it may help a tad. I would rather may favorite auction houses stay open then me get a few hundred $$. If you don’t feel comfortable doing that, pick a charity and donate the money in the auction house’s name (maybe you get some advertising benefit).

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Ryan, I don't know what to say. I'm probably like most people, not looking for a hand out, but a hand up. The main reason I have shared the posts I have is to hopefully drum up support from those in the Net54 community who are still buying. In my short few years on this board I have tried to be a contributing member, not just an advertiser. I love this hobby and have so many great experiences with collectors and dealers and even other auctions that I have tried to give back with what little knowledge I possess, my honest (to a fault) opinions, and even the occasional tobacco card give-away trivia questions (which sometimes take a little too long to ship, but hey it's a free prize) So I felt fairly comfortable asking for some support from the community.

Having only lost one consignor has been an amazing experience as it had to be tempting to pull out with all the uncertainty. Your gesture, in going a step further, is honestly a little humbling. Hopefully by late Spring when the auction starts I'll have a grip on where we are as a company and it won't be necessary. If that's the case, maybe we can put our heads together on a way to best use the money in the fight against the coronavirus (hopefully the AFTERMATH of coronavirus at that point!) I would lean towards donating it somewhere that benefits someone who is suffering financial consequences of shut downs etc.

Thanks again for the honestly unlooked for offer. I know we're all tough manly men here, but I was sincerely touched.

[Snapolit1]

Scott - when I can get to my safe deposit box in the coming weeks will send you a few nice cards for the next auction. Steve

Originally Posted by Aquarian Sports Cards

Ryan, I don't know what to say. I'm probably like most people, not looking for a hand out, but a hand up. The main reason I have shared the posts I have is to hopefully drum up support from those in the Net54 community who are still buying. In my short few years on this board I have tried to be a contributing member, not just an advertiser. I love this hobby and have so many great experiences with collectors and dealers and even other auctions that I have tried to give back with what little knowledge I possess, my honest (to a fault) opinions, and even the occasional tobacco card give-away trivia questions (which sometimes take a little too long to ship, but hey it's a free prize) So I felt fairly comfortable asking for some support from the community.

Having only lost one consignor has been an amazing experience as it had to be tempting to pull out with all the uncertainty. Your gesture, in going a step further, is honestly a little humbling. Hopefully by late Spring when the auction starts I'll have a grip on where we are as a company and it won't be necessary. If that's the case, maybe we can put our heads together on a way to best use the money in the fight against the coronavirus (hopefully the AFTERMATH of coronavirus at that point!) I would lean towards donating it somewhere that benefits someone who is suffering financial consequences of shut downs etc.

Thanks again for the honestly unlooked for offer. I know we're all tough manly men here, but I was sincerely touched.

[Rhotchkiss]

Originally Posted by Aquarian Sports Cards

Thanks again for the honestly unlooked for offer. I know we're all tough manly men here, but I was sincerely touched.

Scott, don’t sweat it. I am happy to help. You are one of the good guys and I want to see your outfit grow; but it needs to survive. Happy to help. Keep on kicking butt