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Author
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Topic: Auction House Recommendations?
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stsmithva
Member Posts: 1933
From: Fairfax, VA, USA
Registered: Feb 2007
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posted 02-05-2007 07:48 PM
   
Hello, I am about to consign for sale several items from my autograph collection for the first time. (I've got a July honeymoon in Ireland to pay for!) Only one of them is that of an astronaut (a Jim Irwin SP), but I am hoping that members on this site might be able to recommend an auction house. I've spent a lot of time considering such factors as prices realized in the past, quality of current lots, consignment rates, etc. Word of mouth is important too, so I'm hoping someone will be able to steer me towards or away from specific houses. (I do have it narrowed down to one of three houses, but I won't name them here. I do know that employees from at least one of them post on this site!) I'm looking for specific honest details and preferably first-hand experiences.Thank you very much for your time and consideration. Sincerely,
Steven T. Smith |
mjanovec
Member Posts: 3811
From: Midwest, USA
Registered: Jul 2005
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posted 02-05-2007 09:40 PM
I would consider the R&R auction. They seem to attract high bidders, plus they auction a wide variety of autographed items beyond space items...unlike Aurora and Superior, whose space auctions only deal in space items. Keep in mind the consignment charges, of course. |
spaceflori
Member Posts: 1499
From: Germany
Registered: May 2000
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posted 02-05-2007 11:57 PM
I would also consider R&R if it's a general autograph collection, their service and reliability is outstanding !
(though with the minimum charges of 20% for items selling lower than $200 and the $15 catalog charge I wouldn't recommend them for items selling lower than $100 - but I think they won't accept such consignments anyway)Florian
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Flown artifacts, autographs and more !
www.spaceflori.com
[Edited by spaceflori (February 05, 2007).] |
spaced out
Member Posts: 3110
From: Paris, France
Registered: Aug 2003
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posted 02-06-2007 01:48 AM
Another factor to bear in mind is the turn-around time and the time to get the check for sold consignments. This can be a very long process. It may already be too late to consign to some Spring auctions and it's possible that even if you did consign you might not get the check before July.On RR's website they clearly state the times for each step of the process, from the consignment deadline to the date your check should be sent out. The next deadline is March 1st for their April auction, and they state that the checks for that auction should be mailed out June 2nd. With that said, you can always sell some of your items directly yourself on eBay. Space autographs sell well there or on Astro-Auction. If your Jim Irwin item was a WSS SP then people might be willing to pay say $1500 for it. Through an auction house that would mean a bid of say $1250 (to pay $1500 with buyer's fees). The seller would get maybe $1062 after paying the 15% seller's fee. Selling the same item direct on Astro-Auction would get you much more money. |
albatron@aol.com
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posted 02-06-2007 05:05 PM
You may also want to consider the auction we are having at Spacefest. It's received little attention, but will be an excellent one. www.spacefest.info |
taneal1
Member Posts: 230
From: Orlando, FL
Registered: Feb 2004
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posted 02-06-2007 11:48 PM
quote:
Originally posted by stsmithva:
(a Jim Irwin SP), but I am hoping that members on this site might be able to recommend an auction house. I've spent a lot of time considering such factors as prices realized in the past, quality of current lots, consignment rates, etc.
Steven, Before you spend any more time/money choosing an auction house, you should consider posting a scan of the Irwin signature here on CS. The best and most experienced space autograph experts are on this site. They will gladly offer (free!) opinions regarding authenticity. Always a good idea prior to selling any rare autograph... Tom |
stsmithva
Member Posts: 1933
From: Fairfax, VA, USA
Registered: Feb 2007
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posted 02-07-2007 09:18 AM
I have a question about something many auction houses do. If this is something that has been the industry standard for years, or has already been complained about ad nauseum, please bear with me. And I'm just curious, not sputtering with rage- I've talked with people from two auction houses that do this and they were above-and-beyond friendly and helpful. Here is it: isn't it strange to have a per-lot charge on top of the consignment fee, for handling, photographing, and listing the item? Isn't that basic service exactly what the consignment rate is for? I have about 15 lots going up for auction, so I'll have to instantly pay more than $200 before the consignment rate is also taken off. That's a big chunk of my proceeds. What's next, a $20 per-lot "authentication fee"? One of the houses charges extra for such things as having to insure framed items, or having to ship back items deemed not authentic. Those extra incidentals that won't apply to everyone I totally understand. It's the standard per-lot extra charge that I am curious about. I know I wouldn't have to worry too much about this if I used eBay. I will use it for a bunch of minor items, but for major ones I want to use an auction house for two reasons. Some of my items are the kind that are frequently forged and I think buyers would be leery and bid low unless an auction house is putting their name behind it instead of an elementary school teacher. And I've searched past sales results for comparable items at these three auction houses and been quite happy, even with the 15% off that will occur. Sincerely,
Steven T. Smith |
Michael
Member Posts: 309
From: Brooklyn New York
Registered: Jun 2002
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posted 02-07-2007 03:05 PM
Hello Steve,
I couldnt agree more.....In this so called hobby.....the people who make the most money are the auction houses. This hobby isnt for investing......that is for sure. Did you ever buy something and try to auction it off at a auction house?? You will be lucky if you get your money back.
Mike |
VCampbell
Member Posts: 83
From: Bell Canyon CA USA
Registered: Oct 2002
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posted 02-07-2007 03:34 PM
quote:
Originally posted by stsmithva:
Here is it: isn't it strange to have a per-lot charge on top of the consignment fee, for handling, photographing, and listing the item? Isn't that basic service exactly what the consignment rate is for? I have about 15 lots going up for auction, so I'll have to instantly pay more than $200 before the consignment rate is also taken off. That's a big chunk of my proceeds. What's next, a $20 per-lot "authentication fee"?
Steve - each auction house sets its own rules. My firm, Aurora, charges one flat rate for the consignment and none of the add on fees. You can email me off list at vcampbell@auroraauctions.com if you wish to discuss this further.Best regards,
Victoria Campbell
Aurora |
Kurt
Member Posts: 83
From: Santa Clara, CA
Registered: Oct 2002
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posted 02-08-2007 12:02 AM
My recommendation is to use Mastro Auctions, especially if your stuff has enough value to be put in their regular April/August/or December auctions (and not their classic auctions). I believe they treat their consumers better than anyone else.I personally dislike R&R Auctions because they will not look at scans of stuff ahead of time. This means you have to send your stuff in, and then if they reject it for any reason, they charge you for the return postage! Mastro does not do this. They eat the cost if your items must be returned. Additionally, Mastro generally realizes much higher prices. Kurt |
alexanderautographs
New Member Posts:
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posted 02-12-2007 09:06 AM
You're right - consignors shouldn't get beaten up when they offer their material at auction. We charge a sliding scale, with NO other fees at all, including buy-ins. If we agree on a reserve and your items fail to achieve that reserve, why should we penalize you? I don't think Mastro accepts reserves from most consignors.Our latest sale, 1,988 lots, 99% autographs, will be online in a day or two. Take a look. Bill Panagopulos
info@alexautographs.com
[Edited by alexanderautographs (February 12, 2007).] |
stsmithva
Member Posts: 1933
From: Fairfax, VA, USA
Registered: Feb 2007
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posted 02-23-2007 07:46 PM
I'd like to thank everyone who gave me advice and recommendations. I was really torn after considering so many factors, but I made my decision and the auction house accepted ten of the 13 items. You'll know which auction house when you see a nifty "Jim Irwin / Apollo 15 [moon]" typed Pledge of Allegiance for sale in a month or so. (Plenty of room for other signers!) I decided not to sell my SP- it isn't a big WSS (a term I've learned in the last month after joining CollectSpace!) but a postcard of him on the moon. |
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