Do auction houses buy cards outright?

[Snapolit1]

Originally Posted by parkplace33

I know you can consign with auction houses. But do they also buy cards outright? Anyone done this? And if so, what percentage of the value did they give you?

I'm not aware of that with the major AHs. Maybe PWCC?

[raulus]

How about an advance?

Most all of them advertise the possibility of getting generous advances against your auction proceeds.

HA also has some terms in their auction rules that suggest that their employees and I think even the house can bid on items. Not quite the same as you had in mind, but maybe not all that different either.

[puckpaul]

Certainly ones that are dealers and have a regular catalogue and sale business buy cards outright, like Clean Sweep Auctions.

[Johnny630]

If the price is right!

[Snapolit1]

I would think this would be a poor way of maximizing your value. Wouldn't you rather put it in an auction and hopefully let a bunch of collectors fight over it?

If an AH was going to buy it, I assume their calculus would be what's a purchase price I can easily exceed by putting it in my next auction and turning a quick profit.

[Casey2296]

I'm just taking a stab at it but would imagine you'd get .60 -.70 on the 1.00, and if that's the case plenty of guys here would pay that.

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

We get asked that a lot by people who want to sell. We don't do it because we feel it presents a conflict of interest. If my brother or I or the company is buying cards to put in the auction, the temptation to give them the best placement, the most advertising etc. could be seen as a detriment to my consignors.

The first year or two I kept the company afloat by selling off the vast majority of my inventory, now-a-days it's pretty rare for me to have something in my own auction, and I'm certainly not out looking for collections to buy and auction off.