Still Going Strong - MEARS December 2010 Auction

[barrysloate]

Leon- I knew you would be up my butt on this one, and I knew you would misinterpret what I said. I never said that any auction house should ever leave bids on the table (although there is always one idiot who will call the next day and say he forgot to bid). But if a lot has at any point in time three increments left before it hits its max- and every lot, you agree , does have a max- what's the difference between getting those three bids in within an hour's time, versus getting the same three bids in in five hours time? I am suggesting that the time be compressed, not eliminated. If a bidder was somehow forced to get his bid in earlier (am still not sure of the best way to accomplish this) he would gladly do it. However, he won't because nothing compels him to do so. Every lot is going to get its final bid eventually, so all I am suggesting is to find a way to get rid of all that dead time and to make those final hours more productive.

And the sheet music/book comment was hitting below the belt, in my opinion. That said, Happy New Year to you.

[bcbgcbrcb]

Just about every auction house has some type of 15-minute rule (or similar time frame) along with the statement in their terms and conditions that they reserve the right to end the auction at any time if bidding goes beyond (XX:XX AM). If that was not enforced, I'm sure that other auction house events would be doing the same thing as the one going on right now. To me, this has gone beyond rediculous, I don't really care if it is benefitting the consignors or not.

[baseballart]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

And the sheet music/book comment was hitting below the belt, in my opinion. That said, Happy New Year to you.

Barry

I think a reply to Leon would be that it hit the "wrong note", and he should "turn the page".

As to the Mears auction format, I must admit I did review the items again this morning, but even with a cool crisp sunny Vancouver day and a night's sleep, the extension did not inspire bidding in me. The market should of course determine whether their business model is a good one.

Best of the New Year's to all,

Max


(still collecting baseball books and sheet music, but dropping baseball art collecting when a dealer quoted a price of $65,000 on a Kernan painting...)

[barrysloate]

And to continue my argument, consignors may be happy but bidders are seething. Is that a good business model?

[GoldenAge50s]

And as a bidder I thank you from the bottom of my wallet .

No worry Leon, your wallet & mine will never match up in a bidding war!

As an auctioneer yourself, do you think it is OK to have as many unhappy bidders as some who have posted here (and many, I'm sure, that haven't)?

Jeff is totally getting screwed after being high bidder for 10-12 hrs w/ no activity. I'm at the point where even if I win, my joy of getting my item has been compromised by the stupidity of it all.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by GoldenAge50s

And as a bidder I thank you from the bottom of my wallet .

As an auctioneer yourself, do you think it is OK to have as many unhappy bidders as some who have posted here (and many, I'm sure, that haven't)?

Of course I don't want any unhappy bidders. And I bet if MEARS had to do this over again, they would try to compress it, as Barry correctly mentions. Maybe this could have been 2 auctions, had a bit higher opening bids and/or had the extended bidding start earlier in the day. I have not spoken with them so I don't know their feelings but I am sure they didn't intend to piss anyone off. Live and learn. regards

[Leon]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

And the sheet music/book comment was hitting below the belt, in my opinion. That said, Happy New Year to you.

ok....you got me on that. Sorry 'bout that one. Hope you have a happy and safe New Years also.