Do you need to get auction catalogs?

[murcerfan]

just think of the small forrest, diesel fuel, toxic printing and paper production waste chemicals that would no longer be needed. but then again, we all know that saving the planet is for suckers, Polar Bears and Greenies to worry about.

[wondo]

I don't need them. Some guys cherish them it seems, but after quickly running through them, I just recycle the catalogues.

[Jewish-collector]

The only thing better than an auction catalog is a free auction catalog.

No, seriously a lot of the auction houses have said that some of their big buyers want to see all of the lots in a condensed format because they take their catalogs with them on business trips, family vacations, etc,... and it's easier for them to bid by phone than to worry about bidding online.

[4815162342]

Yes.

[scooter729]

Originally Posted by Jewish-collector

The only thing better than an auction catalog is a free auction catalog.

No, seriously a lot of the auction houses have said that some of their big buyers want to see all of the lots in a condensed format because they take their catalogs with them on business trips, family vacations, etc,... and it's easier for them to bid by phone than to worry about bidding online.

I appreciate that 'some' buyers want the physical catalog, and I know the catalogs won't entirely go away.

However, I'd love for some auction companies to see that not all collectors need the catalogs, and they could save big bucks (and hopefully pass some of that savings on to buyers / consignors) by not having to print and mail catalogs for every bidder.

[E93]

Yes, I like auction catalogs. I always miss some things in the fatiguing internet scan that I catch in the catalog in big auctions like REA. I don't want to read a phone book on the internet.
JimB

[bh3443]

I enjoy the auction catalogs very much. With my unique situation of being sick, it's easier for me to read the actual catalog than going on-line to read it.

I am by no means a big buyer, however, I do buy an item or two.

I want to take this opportunity to thank Doug Allen and Rob Lifson for their kindness and generosity in mailing me all their books. The reference material is price-less and i certainly appreciate their kindness.

My favorite two items won in recent auctions are an E95 of Wagner from legendary and a wonderful group of 1974 PSA cards from our leader and all around good guy Leon Luckey!

As for Steve's question, I'd have to say yes; I would pay for the catalog if it was necessary. I believe it was a conversation with our friend Rich Klien where we were conversing about the value of such catalogs for simply reference value.

Once again, I would like to extend my thanks to all our members. Our group here on net54 represent the very best of all hobbyists in our chosen field.

Thanks for this opportunity to express my opinion about another important issue in our industry.

Best Wishes to ALL my friends,

Bill Hedin

[Bicem]

I'm probably in the minority but I personally much prefer just to view auctions online (assuming there are large scans and the site is easy to navigate). Current bid prices, watch-lists, search function, etc. are all benefits vs. a catalog to me. Catalogs are fun and all to sit and read, but AH's would be just fine w/o them in my opinion.

I know a lot of people say that they miss things that they only catch in the catalog, that viewing online is more trouble, that AH's would lose bidders w/o catalogs, etc., but take away the catalogs and I have no doubt that those same bidders would adapt.

[bijoem]

Originally Posted by murcerfan

just think of the small forrest, diesel fuel, toxic printing and paper production waste chemicals that would no longer be needed. but then again, we all know that saving the planet is for suckers, Polar Bears and Greenies to worry about.

Murcerfan - I would like to respond to the above.

The US forest products industry planted more trees last year than it cut down. Over four million trees are being planted each day. Realize, paper used for printing is farmed. Just like the carrots and tomatoes people eat. A person would not be saving a forest by not choosing print. Actually - quite the contrary. The stronger the print industry and paper industry is.... the more need there will be for tree farmland. = more trees.

Quite possibly the largest fallacy I hear is that not printing something 'saves trees'. There are many industries that may pillage a forest somewhere / but the paper industry builds forests and farms trees.

If anyone cares to actually go green and save the planet - I would suggest choosing a printed catalog. You never have to plug it in. Unplug your computer, stop recharging the tablet or cell phone, and sit down and read a printed book.

Take as long as you like. You won't ever have to recharge it.

And when you are done - printed materials are very much recycled (especially when compared to electronics).


in short - if you want to save the planet and go green.... choose print.

[Exhibitman]

After opting out of the H & S catalog I find that my interest in their auction has waned and I am less aware of their auctions. It is nice to be able to take a catalog like REA to the couch every evening during auction season and thumb through it during otherwise useless moments like commercials, conversations with the wife, phone calls from my mom, etc.

[majordanby]

there is a larger debate in all of this that relates to print publications in general vs. online resources. there's no question that print publications like newspapers and magazines have been hit hard by online access to information. i think this debate is likely a generational issue...a lot of buyers in these auctions likely grew up with print publications. although many have adapted, some are still wedded to their paper in hand beliefs. there are likely going to be certain newspapers that stick around because of their stature and importance...probably the same will happen with auction catalogs (REA, perhaps?). but, i think eventually catalogs will diminish over time as younger cohorts start to amass the type of money needed to bid big in these auctions.

i get a lot of catalogs and i only briefly go through them.

[Rob D.]

Here's a previous thread we had on the topic:

http://www.net54baseball.com/showthread.php?t=123781

[Bicem]

Originally Posted by Rob D.

Here's a previous thread we had on the topic:

http://www.net54baseball.com/showthread.php?t=123781

The only thing that I took away from this thread is that you live in your parents' basement.

[Rob D.]

Originally Posted by Bicem

The only thing that I took away from this thread is that you live in your parents' basement.

Good catch. That was my attempt at a subtle hint. They told me I need to move out, so I need a place to crash for a couple years. How's the weather in Texas?

[Rich Klein]

This is what I wrote on the last thread -- and I think Bill Hedin actually made my point better than I did

"Is that, if you keep them, and something interesting comes up on the board; you can research and reference if and when you'd seen the item before in a catalog. On line, it's quite different research and harder to remember"

To wit, Bill James once wrote about his baseball abstracts in the 1980's that they sit around the house and a reader can re-reference his books. Being on line is not as "eternal" as print ---- and print is easier for people to remember than what they see on line.

I think Leon has a pretty good point, for "smaller" auctions on-line is fine but for bigger auctions, the more you have in front of you the better it is.

I prefer print because catalogs are fun to read through even after they end (Part of that is my Beckett heritage of researching all the items that may have needed to be added to the data base) while if all you are interested in is working on the 33 Goudey Set --- then on-line may be the way to go for you.

And to wit, and to mention some friends of mine -- and to bring up the Beckett reference --- John and Judy Burk have an auction which just began, in that auction they say they have an uncatalogued Steelers set from c.1973. With a catalog in print, I'd always remember that item --- now when that auction is over, I'll forget about that item real quickly.

Print lasts, on-line does not

Rich

[HRBAKER]

Originally Posted by majordanby

there is a larger debate in all of this that relates to print publications in general vs. online resources. there's no question that print publications like newspapers and magazines have been hit hard by online access to information. i think this debate is likely a generational issue...a lot of buyers in these auctions likely grew up with print publications. although many have adapted, some are still wedded to their paper in hand beliefs. there are likely going to be certain newspapers that stick around because of their stature and importance...probably the same will happen with auction catalogs (REA, perhaps?). but, i think eventually catalogs will diminish over time as younger cohorts start to amass the type of money needed to bid big in these auctions.

i get a lot of catalogs and i only briefly go through them.

That sounds like me. I get the catalog, comb through it several times, circle the lots I am interested in red and then get my abacus out and decide how much I can bid on each.