Hey Big Spender

[scgaynor]

As somebody who has been behind the scenes at a number of high end auctions I can tell you that Bruce's numbers are high, especially in the current market. A number of the big spenders from a few years ago are no longer active.

There are maybe a handful of people who spend $1 million a year. While they might spend a million dollars a year, they are selling alot as well to finance that buying habit or are dealers who are selling for more money than they are spending. They are not dumping a million a year into the hobby and sitting on the stuff.

The typical big catalog auction mailing list is probably about 5,000. There are probably about 500 active bidders in an auction and 100-200 winners. Those numbers would probably be an average.

That $100 million in sales is actually about $50-$60 million. Many "sales" are not really "sales" at all.

I would revise Bruce's numbers to read

"There are about 200 people who spend at least $10,000 a year (in high value items) 100 who spend $50,000 a year or more and 30-40 folks who spend $100,000 a year or more. To the best our knowledge there are 5 dealers/collectors who spend in excess of a million dollars a year."

[Shoeless Moe]

Scott, "I" for one would like to say, "we" thank you.

[mark evans]

I think the answer to Bruce's initial inquiry turns on whether the population of wealthy collectors will increase, decrease or remain constant during the period in which he continues to collect. I don't know the answer. But based upon Scott's statement that current figures show a downward trend, my concern would be a continuation of that trend due to adverse economic conditions and aging baby boomers. Even assuming such a continuing trend, though, I suspect that true rarities would be more likely to retain their value (or perhaps even increase in value) than more common pre-war cards and memorabilia.

[scgaynor]

I agree that Rob has more people spending 50K in an auction than the average auction, however I think that is because he only has one auction a year, and his per lot average is probably higher than everybody else for that reason.

Lets say Rob has 30 people spend over 50K in his auction. Those 30 people probably spend about that much in all other auctions combined over the course of a year.

Mark absolutely hit the nail on the head. The good stuff is always good. Collectors and Investors both want it keeping the price high. It is that way in coins, stamps, cards, etc. Everything else will rise and fall depending on the economy or a couple of collectors entering or leaving the market.

[HRBAKER]

"croak"

[slidekellyslide]

Originally Posted by HRBAKER

"croak"

Jeff, in the Ivy Leagues it's spelled "Croke"...get your facts straight man.

[theseeker]

Unless he is a siamese twin, that "we" stuff is leading me to a question...are we going to the national this year?

My being there is based on how he/we answers.

[rdixon1208]

Is this guy who's bad mouthing someone over the university they went to the same guy who threatened to sue Archive?

[forazzurri2axz]

been in a lousy mood today--was about to hit the sack and instaed read all this---I've been laughing for 10 straight minutes for the first time today!!!

bill latzko

[buymycards]

So what is the point of this post? There isn't one. If there is a point - who cares? It is meaningless. No one cares.

Rick

[Ejm1]

We care.

[SethY]

Originally Posted by scgaynor

As somebody who has been behind the scenes at a number of high end auctions I can tell you that Bruce's numbers are high, especially in the current market. A number of the big spenders from a few years ago are no longer active.

There are maybe a handful of people who spend $1 million a year. While they might spend a million dollars a year, they are selling alot as well to finance that buying habit or are dealers who are selling for more money than they are spending. They are not dumping a million a year into the hobby and sitting on the stuff.

The typical big catalog auction mailing list is probably about 5,000. There are probably about 500 active bidders in an auction and 100-200 winners. Those numbers would probably be an average.

That $100 million in sales is actually about $50-$60 million. Many "sales" are not really "sales" at all.

I would revise Bruce's numbers to read

"There are about 200 people who spend at least $10,000 a year (in high value items) 100 who spend $50,000 a year or more and 30-40 folks who spend $100,000 a year or more. To the best our knowledge there are 5 dealers/collectors who spend in excess of a million dollars a year."

And Brucii just told me to get my facts straight. Thanks for the info man!

Bruce, the CURRENT Boston College basketball coach took your Ivy league team to the ELITE EIGHT.

Get your facts straight

With deep regards for your personal health and well being,

A republican.

We were referencing the former Boston College Coach, Chuck Daly
who later coached the Pistons. He coached Penn after Boston College.

We also disagree with Scott Gaynor- the number of different bidders in the REA Auctions who spend over $50,000 is quite high.


As for the items not sold, that is something that may be true- we were only referencing what the auction houses state. If you look at the top 12 auction houses they average well over 90% on items valued at $2000 or more.

Thanks for your good health wishes, Seth.

Bruce