Robert Edwards Auction Shock

[legaleagle92481]

Re: Robert Edwards Auction Shock

Your item is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it. Maybe you can't face the fact you over paid for piece of garbage. Maybe you paid too much to begin with. Who cares about Urlacker???

I'm surprised REA would even handle an item that is so common. Maybe a Lou Lampson letter would have help.

Stop the crying already
Bill

Lol. I posted this thread not to cry but to help educate other collectors. People post threads about wanting to know which auction house to consign to all the time. If I were looking to consign stuff this is information I would want to know.

[otismalibu]

Re: Robert Edwards Auction Shock

Two things...

1) Often, photos don't do justice to white jerseys. Some closeups of the use/wear would have been nice. On more than once occasion, I've asked eBay sellers for a photo of the item in natural light/no flash just to get an idea what it really looks like.

2) Didn't the Bears thread recently feature 3 posters that were leaving the hobby and would be selling off most or much of their collection? Did they move any Urlacher jerseys? Maybe just bad timing.

[trsent]

Re: Robert Edwards Auction Shock

Looking at REA history, you just got unlucky it looks like to me.

See previous Urlacher jerseys they sold:

http://www.robertedwardauctions.com/auction/2007/1377.html

http://www.robertedwardauctions.com/auction/2008/1527.html

While your auction was for a road white jersey, it still went for a bargain:

http://bid.robertedwardauctions.com/bidplace.aspx?itemid=22959

Funny thing is the first two jerseys, from a few years back, were autographed by Brian with great inscriptions, which I'm sure hurt the price of the jersey just sold. NFL Auctions jerseys are great, but for Brian Urlacher I'd rather have a jersey that originated right from him that comes hammered with use. The white jersey that recently sold doesn't show much use in the images with the listing and maybe people found it hard to believe the jersey was worn and could be issued for that game?

The Giants did switch to turf in 2003 so there would be no grass stains, but there are so much nicer game used Urlacher jerseys out there with tons of use and Brian's signature authenticating them that reasonably bidders may have been turned away even at such a low price.

[schubert1970]

Re: Robert Edwards Auction Shock

My first experience consigning to a major auction resulted in a nightmare. My Brian Uralcher jersey sold for only $1,300 in the REA Auction. Everyone always says how REA brings in the best prices but I guess it goes to show that such isn't always true. I am hoping that the Nicks playoff jersey and Von Miller 1st jersey i consigned to Grey Flannel do better or i will have lost my faith in auction houses. I traded a jersey I paid 4 grand for straight up for the Uralcher. the last time REA had one it went for over 3k and it was a beauty someone got a great deal. I would have gotten more on Ebay.

Your item is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it. Maybe you can't face the fact you over paid for piece of garbage. Maybe you paid too much to begin with. Who cares about Urlacker???

I'm surprised REA would even handle an item that is so common. Maybe a Lou Lampson letter would have help.

Stop the crying already
Bill

[tom1315]

Re: Robert Edwards Auction Shock

Legaleagle, I 'feel your pain'...I am a helmet guy primarily and purchase GU bats from time to time...I was looking at several bats until they passed my comfort zone...saw your jersey and it had no bids for so long and I began think something must be wrong with it...I truly hate it for you...hang in there!

Tom

Go Pack! 1981 NC State graduate

[BostonSportsFan]

Re: Robert Edwards Auction Shock

[quote=nickacs;292731]Sorry too legal

Funny, someone mentioned maybe it's because it's not football season, and they might be right. I had a 2009 WS Phil Hughes jersey that I got from Steiner right after NY won just because I never had any WS jersey. I just got into the "hype" and WS timeframe. Afterwards I was sorry I even bought it as he's no star player and thought I'll never make my money back. Then I consigned it a year later in the fall 2010 GFC auction right around WS time and it actually went for a lot more than I bought it for!
I know for NBA items, you definitely want to consign to GFC's annual BHOF auction every August. I couldn't believe the prices in the last 2 year's of their auctions! Everyone comes out of the woodwork for that auction for NBA stuff.

Possibly another reason might be due to the auction house itself. REA is a great auction house, don't get me wrong, but I personally don't feel they are very "main stream" like GFC, Lelands, Heritage and even AMI (although don't care for them personally!). Possibly, but who knows....

I consigned in the last 2 yrs to GFC and Lelands and both were great for me in terms of my auction piece pricing and payment.

Best of luck in your future consigning![/quote


I think another poster mentioned this but in terms of mainstream I could not disagree more. REA is up there as one of the top three houses in the buisness bar none. Rob's reputation is of the highest calibre however with that being said, the other poster mentioned that they are the kings of the vintage stuff, baseball cards, old vintage misc. items they are as good as it gets and as mentioned those niche collectors come out in droves for this once per year auction.

I too have had several experiences where some game used items of more recent time periods have done worse than I expected. However vintage pieces I have in the past consigned with Rob that were more one of a kind items have done phenomenal.

Perhaps it really is that niche market just not sure.

Joe

[gingi79]

Re: Robert Edwards Auction Shock

Had the seller been the buyer and posted they won this jersey for that price, I'm betting a large majority of people would have this first throught:

"Yeah, that's fake..."

[nickacs]

Re: Robert Edwards Auction Shock

Sorry too legal

Funny, someone mentioned maybe it's because it's not football season, and they might be right. I had a 2009 WS Phil Hughes jersey that I got from Steiner right after NY won just because I never had any WS jersey. I just got into the "hype" and WS timeframe. Afterwards I was sorry I even bought it as he's no star player and thought I'll never make my money back. Then I consigned it a year later in the fall 2010 GFC auction right around WS time and it actually went for a lot more than I bought it for!
I know for NBA items, you definitely want to consign to GFC's annual BHOF auction every August. I couldn't believe the prices in the last 2 year's of their auctions! Everyone comes out of the woodwork for that auction for NBA stuff.

Possibly another reason might be due to the auction house itself. REA is a great auction house, don't get me wrong, but I personally don't feel they are very "main stream" like GFC, Lelands, Heritage and even AMI (although don't care for them personally!). Possibly, but who knows....

I consigned in the last 2 yrs to GFC and Lelands and both were great for me in terms of my auction piece pricing and payment.

Best of luck in your future consigning!

[gingi79]

Re: Robert Edwards Auction Shock

Could the problem have been because it is not football season? Ive gotten some of my best stuff in spring for football but I am curious as to what others think.

That could be a part of it however considering the providence, I can't think of a single GU collector who would pass on a first ballot HOF for $1300. Even as a flip, even a novice collector knows that's easy money to recoup.

People love to throw around " An item is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it" Here, Legal gets the short end of the unfortunate "Who the hell wouldn't pay that for that item" I can only hope Karma allows you to somehow uncover some epic life changing piece for pennies on the dollar. Like Walter Payton for a grand or Barry Sanders photomatched for $1200

No one else said it, I will: Yes Legal, you got hosed and that sucks. The GU gods owe you sir.

[legaleagle92481]

Re: Robert Edwards Auction Shock

I have found that for some reason a lot of the game used items (unless pre 1960) just don't bring as much at their auction as some of the other auction houses. I know the majority of their bidders are hard core vintage memorabilia and card collectors and this is the the event that they look foward to each and every year so this may be a reason. I can say this about Rob Lifson and his auction, there is no other auction house that does more for their consignors and bidders than they do. Every lot in this past auction (except international and oversized lots) will be shipped to the winning bidders FREE of charge. That is unheard of in this hobby. Their auction catalogs are some of the best in the business and they are mailed free to anyone that ask for one. I would say that with the shipping and the printing of those catalogs I would bet that it runs them at least $6-8 each for each catalog that they print and mail to prospective bidders. They also pay out much faster that any auction house I have ever consigned to and I have consigned with pretty much all of them. Well known and repeat customers sometimes even get their winnings before even submitting payment. A true class act auction house.

I noticed there wasn't much GU stuff in the catalog. I am not faulting Rob or the company it happens I was just shocked that it went for so little.

[legaleagle92481]

Re: Robert Edwards Auction Shock

Could the problem have been because it is not football season? Ive gotten some of my best stuff in spring for football but I am curious as to what others think.

[legaleagle92481]

Re: Robert Edwards Auction Shock

Sorry to hear that legal. I consigned an item to an auction house last year and didn't get anything close to what I thought they might bring considering the guy was a HOFer. I wasn't told prior to consigning that they wouldn't be included in the catalog or at the live auction which was upsetting to find out after the fact.

Anyhow, I always associate REA with baseball and not any of the other major sports. Seems like GFC might be best for football and basketball. Good luck with the Nicks and Miller jerseys!

Thanks Dewey. I agree with you on REA and baseball. My Mariano did fairly well yesterday. I only consigned Uralcher because they had one a few years ago that did well and I was trying to see if I got better prices from REA or GFC as I am thinking of consigning some really high end items and was trying to decide between the two leaders prices realized wise.

[rose14]

Re: Robert Edwards Auction Shock

I have found that for some reason a lot of the game used items (unless pre 1960) just don't bring as much at their auction as some of the other auction houses. I know the majority of their bidders are hard core vintage memorabilia and card collectors and this is the the event that they look foward to each and every year so this may be a reason. I can say this about Rob Lifson and his auction, there is no other auction house that does more for their consignors and bidders than they do. Every lot in this past auction (except international and oversized lots) will be shipped to the winning bidders FREE of charge. That is unheard of in this hobby. Their auction catalogs are some of the best in the business and they are mailed free to anyone that ask for one. I would say that with the shipping and the printing of those catalogs I would bet that it runs them at least $6-8 each for each catalog that they print and mail to prospective bidders. They also pay out much faster that any auction house I have ever consigned to and I have consigned with pretty much all of them. Well known and repeat customers sometimes even get their winnings before even submitting payment. A true class act auction house.

[legaleagle92481]

Re: Robert Edwards Auction Shock

Stories like these are what keeps me for sending items to auction houses.

Unless my GFC items do well, I am going to be doing the same. At least on Ebay you keep control and can end auction if your item is not doing well.

[legaleagle92481]

Re: Robert Edwards Auction Shock

I have had that happen too and it really is a horrible feeling to see your items end up that way. For a nice Urlacher jersey with provenance, what is the normal price range, about $4k-$7k?

Mine was originally from NFL Auctions. i was expecting 3-4k. The last one REA had sold for in that range. $1,300 has to be a record low.