REA winners and losers

[DixieBaseball]

Originally Posted by lug-nut

I'm a winner!

was it just me or did several cards go for less than usual?

I won two cards I expected to lose, i'm happy my bids held

In my opinion several cards went way lower than expected. I have auctioned 2 cards (1 in each fall REA Auction) in the REA Fall Auctions, and have done poorly as a consignor. (Lost several hundred per card) Conversely, I am sure if you are a buyer, you are very happy. For me, I believe REA Spring Auction is a Seller's auction (Great prices realized) and the Fall Auction is a Buyer's Auction. At least for the first 2 Fall auctions... I am sure certain items did exceptionally well as there is always ancillary items that sell for top dollar, but I just didn't do well as a seller in this auction. A bit surprised.

[bobbyw8469]

Originally Posted by DixieBaseball

In my opinion several cards went way lower than expected. I have auctioned 2 cards (1 in each fall REA Auction) in the REA Fall Auctions, and have done poorly as a consignor. (Lost several hundred per card) Conversely, I am sure if you are a buyer, you are very happy. For me, I believe REA Spring Auction is a Seller's auction (Great prices realized) and the Fall Auction is a Buyer's Auction. At least for the first 2 Fall auctions... I am sure certain items did exceptionally well as there is always ancillary items that sell for top dollar, but I just didn't do well as a seller in this auction. A bit surprised.

If you have only lost several hundred per card, you are actually doing good. Other consignors (myself included) have actually lost quite a bit more than that. My best advice is collect what you love, and just when you think you picked up something cheap, there is always someone picking it up cheaper just around the corner. I equate buying and selling cards much like the stock market.

[iwantitiwinit]

Exactly. It was a tough week for the market and a tough week for consignors. Is the greater fool theory finally playing out. We might just have hit the limit, people only willing to pay so much for unusual but not truly rare items.

[sb1]

It depends entirely upon the item consigned. Rarities and ultra scarce/high grade pre-war may do well in REA, but more common material or even lower to mid dollar value items will often do better in smaller auctions where they are more highlighted and not overshadowed by the multiple five figure lots.

[1880nonsports]

that greeted this morning. An important album to finalize my sports album run and soon to be on the wall with the others - the Goodwin round album. Some minor flaws but hammered with penalty within a retail range I suppose - obligatory rationalization. I had wanted to position myself to be high bidder at 6000. but the random bidding waylaid my plan. Took the next bid perhaps a bit impulsively with night approaching as my emotional side gained control over the rational side. When falling asleep part of me wished I'd wake up to see I'd been outbid in the wee hours of the morning while the other was laying out the best configuration. Quite a bit of cheese for a retiree of modest means but the deed is done except to get it framed.

I thought one of the significant lots was the Burdick signed 1953 ACC. Coming down for a strong 3300.. Would LOVE to own something like that as the auto is on something significantly related to his contributions to our hobby. Cartophillic history while less important to me than the items themselves is still a part of and important to the gathering and synthesis of my collection. Surprised there isn't more signed stuff available (I never see any) as he communicated quite a bit by mail - phone calls were expensive. Even so they likely wouldn't have the POP of an item like an ACC. In any event - a 75.00 book and a primarily Burdick driven pair of autographs for 3200.00 - a level of Ruthian proportions. Given that price I wonder what Burdick's own copy of the 1939 ACC might sell for? Likely it wouldn't be signed - perhaps stamped with one of his 4/5 different initials - I would assume over 5000.. Have to believe it wasn't thrown out - perhaps it's already been in some auction?

[Bosox Blair]

Originally Posted by DixieBaseball

In my opinion several cards went way lower than expected. I have auctioned 2 cards (1 in each fall REA Auction) in the REA Fall Auctions, and have done poorly as a consignor. (Lost several hundred per card) Conversely, I am sure if you are a buyer, you are very happy. For me, I believe REA Spring Auction is a Seller's auction (Great prices realized) and the Fall Auction is a Buyer's Auction. At least for the first 2 Fall auctions... I am sure certain items did exceptionally well as there is always ancillary items that sell for top dollar, but I just didn't do well as a seller in this auction. A bit surprised.

Aaaaand, on the other hand...I was bidding on exactly 20 lots and came away empty. Every single one went above the going auction prices over the last couple years. This is the first REA auction in 5 years or more where I have not won at least 2 lots. From where I was sitting, prices were high!

Cheers,
Blair