A Reasonable Response From A Reasonable Auction House - Ha!!

[TriplexXxSports]

In short, I have been in contact with 2 auction houses about moving some of my current inventory to raise a little cash so I can focus more on my collecting priorities in 2010.

Each house had different dates they were running their auctions so in order to maximize visibility and potential sales I went with the auction house that was running the earliest auction first.

Throughout this time I stayed in contact with with the 2nd auction house working on consigning stuff to them which may include some of the items that did not sell in the 1st auction (if there were any). The gentleman that I was dealing with at this particular firm was nothing short of professional and helpful. We agreed and I was told to contact him when I was ready to make the move on consigning my items to them and we would get to work on the details.....

So, I sent an e-mail this morning giving an update and to get some more detailed info about their process to get the ball rolling. The response that I received (from a different individual) was unwarranted and unprofessional, to say the least!

(here is a copy of a couple of the e-mails that I exchanged with this auction house. For the protection of the company and parties involved, I did a little editing.)
__________________________________________________ ______________
From:
Subject: Re: Possible Consignments
To:
Date: Wednesday, January 6, 2010, 7:56 AM

Thank you. I believe I have all I need. I am working with another firm to get some items listed in an auction with a earlier closing date . When that auction is completed I will be in touch as to which items I will be looking to place in your April auction. I am trying to maximize visibility for my items and move them as quickly as possible. Thank you for all your information and time.

I will be in touch in regards to the April auction.

Matthew

Response:

From:
Subject: Re: Possible Consignments
To:
Date: Wednesday, January 6, 2010, 8:06 AM

Matthew,

Is there anything else I can do to assist you in making your decision? Any more questions I can answer?

__________________________________________________ _______________________
From:
To:
Sent: Wed, Jan 27, 2010 8:14 am
Subject: Upcoming Auction Consignments

As we spoke before, the (1st) auction is about to end (edited)....Therefore, I would like to pursue the option of consigning some items with you folks in your next auction.

I was looking for some information on how the process needs to work. Please let me know and I will begin to get things together on my end.

Thanks Again for your time,

Matthew

RESPONSE (different party than the original person I worked with):

From:
Subject: Re: Upcoming Auction Consignments
To:
Date: Wednesday, January 27, 2010, 7:55 AM

Sorry it does not work like that. You should have given it to us in the first place. The public has already seen what did not sell. Why would we want to run also rans. If you have something fresh and good please let us know.
Thank You
__________________________________________________ _______________________


Interesting response to say the least. I am being penalized for not using them in the first place. What is that? As stated before, I wanted to maximize visibility for the items I am selling. Now since another auction house touched them they are all of the sudden no good? They are not fresh? What's the difference if I had been running them on eBay this whole time?

Needless to say I feel it is very unprofessional to contact me in that manner, especially when the original party at this firm and I agreed on this process. One would think that the auction houses would be happy to give things a go, especially since it is potentially money in their pockets.

Very frustrating, and very unprofessional....

[rj_lucas]

Proof that ego trumps greed

Rick
rickjlucas@gmail.com

[joelsabi]

Proof that ego trumps greed

Rick
rickjlucas@gmail.com

auction house should have used more tact in their response.

if they see something not sell at another auction house, i guess they have a right to refuse it.

[bigtruck260]

Matt -

By not dignifying them with a response, you are doing yourself a favor. Not everyone knows about every auction house. People learn as they go...and some folks might not bid on items at one auction house - yet bid on them at another because they are more comfortable with the final transaction. For instance, had you named this auction house (smart for not doing it) I would have thought twice about doing any type of business with them. That's just me.

Good luck with your stuff.

[mariner_gamers]

There is nothing better than someone telling you "We don't want your money!!!" Even in this economy it continues to happen and absolutely baffles me. Any professional auction house should know collectors frequent different sites and their expendable income fluctuates. There are tons of threads on this very site where people discuss why something closed so much higher from one auction to another......

[otismalibu]

Why would we want to run also rans.

Yet, I've seen one auction house be the only bidder on another auction house's item, only to list it on their site.

[TriplexXxSports]

Matt -

By not dignifying them with a response, you are doing yourself a favor. Not everyone knows about every auction house. People learn as they go...and some folks might not bid on items at one auction house - yet bid on them at another because they are more comfortable with the final transaction. For instance, had you named this auction house (smart for not doing it) I would have thought twice about doing any type of business with them. That's just me.

Good luck with your stuff.

Thanks. I did respond to their last response and all I said was that I was sorry things did not work out, wished them the best of luck in their upcoming auction, and said I would take my 15% elsewhere.

I do not feel the name of the place is relevant, as it would serve no purpose to call them out on one consignors problem. Process of elimination will most likely lead you to the name of the auction house, but it is not for me to say. Just not in my character, I guess.

I guess I was wrong in assuming that certain auction houses would be honored to help consignors reach the maximum visibility and profit for their items and rewarding both parties in the process.

Lesson learned.

The owner of this company's response to me this morning says alot about their character over there and, if that is the type of reputation they want, then that is fine. Word travels quickly in this industry. I'm glad they are privileged enough to be able to refuse possible income.

[TDKID]

Yet, I've seen one auction house be the only bidder on another auction house's item, only to list it on their site.

You know,some of these Auction houses will "shill-bid"(it says it right in the bidder agreement of a couple) They will "max-out" a high bid. Usually do whatever the seller asks to squeeze a higher price out of an item Then there's that 20 percent BS "Buyer's Premium" on top of your total.(That one has kept me from buying many times.) I mean, you win an item for $800 right ? Then you have to pay some chump another $160 plus shipping(which is usually the highest available.) So an $800 item turns into a $1,000 item. On the flip-side they are charging the seller consignment fees and taking a rake off the sale. I can see, if I'm buying some ultra-rare, "Holy Grail" type item. I'll occasionally pay the "fluff" on top of the selling price. But, make a habit and buy like I do from Fleabay ? Not a Chance !

[earlywynnfan]

Just to play devil's advocate, why would an auction house want to try to auction something that didn't sell a couple months (or less) earlier?

Ken
earlywynnfan5@hotmail.com

[TriplexXxSports]

Just to play devil's advocate, why would an auction house want to try to auction something that didn't sell a couple months (or less) earlier?

Ken
earlywynnfan5@hotmail.com

I think Dave had it right when he stated....

"Not everyone knows about every auction house. People learn as they go...and some folks might not bid on items at one auction house - yet bid on them at another because they are more comfortable with the final transaction."