Hunt NFL Superbowl Auction-Lots of DNS

[encinorick]

Re: Hunt NFL Superbowl Auction-Lots of DNS

If there are any Los Angeles Rams fans out there, I have the LA Rams Gary Jeter (circa 1987-88) lid. Anyone interested?

[jhunt28]

Re: Hunt NFL Superbowl Auction-Lots of DNS

This is strange...I had put a bid in at nflauctions for the Hunt Superbowl Auction. I bid what I thought was fair for the game worn Bettis helmet with gloves...only I bid $2,500. I get an email today saying my shipment has been sent, and I owe $3,400??? I've never dealt with something like this, and of course everyone at Hunt is gone. Anyone ever have this happen??? The worst part is I never received any notification that I had won anything even after the auction closed???

[silverschmidts]

Re: Hunt NFL Superbowl Auction-Lots of DNS

I was very displeased at the lack of transparency in this auction. Many of the DNS items had bids, but Hunt never disclosed that many items had, as one person referred to it, "silent reserves" placed upon them. I have never seen this practice before and I think it's a bad policy. As a bidder who bid in absentia on several items that DNS, I can say that if I had known in advance what the reserve was (or even that there was a reserve), I would have bid higher on some items. I don't understand what purpose is served by having silent reserves. I think they cause confusion and suspicion. Even Ebay, which allows reserves, at least lets you know that there IS a reserve. IN the case of Hunt, not only do they keep the reserve a secret, they don't even tell you whether or not there is a reserve on an item. I spoke to a Hunt representative about this after the auction and expressed my displeasure, but it was pretty clear during the discussion that the Hunt representative wasn't particularly concerned about my views and that Hunt Auctions will continue to use this unusual and I believe unattractive practice. --Steve

[suicide_squeeze]

Re: Hunt NFL Superbowl Auction-Lots of DNS

I was very displeased at the lack of transparency in this auction. Many of the DNS items had bids, but Hunt never disclosed that many items had, as one person referred to it, "silent reserves" placed upon them. I have never seen this practice before and I think it's a bad policy. As a bidder who bid in absentia on several items that DNS, I can say that if I had known in advance what the reserve was (or even that there was a reserve), I would have bid higher on some items. I don't understand what purpose is served by having silent reserves. I think they cause confusion and suspicion. Even Ebay, which allows reserves, at least lets you know that there IS a reserve. IN the case of Hunt, not only do they keep the reserve a secret, they don't even tell you whether or not there is a reserve on an item. I spoke to a Hunt representative about this after the auction and expressed my displeasure, but it was pretty clear during the discussion that the Hunt representative wasn't particularly concerned about my views and that Hunt Auctions will continue to use this unusual and I believe unattractive practice. --Steve

Steve,

I know at this moment you probably won't agree, but Hunt is one of the truly good auction houses in this biz.

They have always honored a "silent reserve" for any item they have auctioned off if there was a reserve requested by the consigner.

I think the reason that has become a more "transparent" issue is due to the economy, and therefore lack of usual bids that would be thrown at items. There are other factors too, like maybe there are more consigners trying to sell items won at an earlier time that maybe they paid a bit too much for, and now they are trying to insure they don't "lose" when offing them.

Bottom line, there is something to be learned here. If there are any items that you are really trying to win, whether you are present or absent, maybe it would be a good idea to call before the auction takes place and ask Hunt if those items have any kind of a reserve. If you did that, and they THEN told you "We can't divulge that information".....then I would have to wholeheartedly agree with you, but I don't think that would be the case. I think they would be happy to share that amount with you. After all, they are in the business to complete the sale of these items up for auction. "DNS's" are not a good thing for ANYONE involved.

Better luck on the next auction!

Regards,

Steve (also)