Tips for a newbie at live baseball auctions?

[wvtalbot]

I started collecting earlier this year and I am hooked. Especially love cards from the mid 50s.

Most of my buying has been on ebay, but coming up this weekend is a live auction in the mid-Atlantic I was considering going to. It is not purely a card auction, but seems they have some nice cards.

Was wondering if anyone had some tips or tricks so I don't end up getting skinned alive.

Thanks!

[bnorth]

Find out if they have a buyers premium. Some places you pay what you bid and others tack on an extra 10-30% on top of your bid.

[almostdone]

Try and have an idea of what you're looking for and what you would pay for it. It's ok to attend an auction and just enjoy it without purchasing anything. It's very easy to get caught up in all the atmosphere then end up buying a card for $100 plus 20% buyers premium plus sales tax then getting home and seeing the same card and grade on eBay with a crazy Buy It Now of $80 with free shipping. Been there, done that too many times.
Drew

[Neal]

Originally Posted by almostdone

Try and have an idea of what you're looking for and what you would pay for it. It's ok to attend an auction and just enjoy it without purchasing anything. It's very easy to get caught up in all the atmosphere then end up buying a card for $100 plus 20% buyers premium plus sales tax then getting home and seeing the same card and grade on eBay with a crazy Buy It Now of $80 with free shipping. Been there, done that too many times.
Drew

same here, but man o man is it fun! we only live once, so why not spend extra on a little bit of fun and excitement!

[BearBailey]

My 2 tips are know what you are looking for and stay until the end if there is something you are looking for. The best deals I have ever gotten are at the end, usually the old timers leave by 9pm so if you can grind it out you can get what you want cheap.