Hall's Nostalgia - end of an era?

[scooter729]

Anyone who grew up in the Boston area or picked up an SCD in the 1980s knew all about Hall's Nostalgia. Their monthly auctions were a staple for me in my teen years in the 1980s, and I was lucky enough to pick up some great items back in those days from their auctions.

Hall's never really kept up with technology without much of a website, and the quality of their auctions dropped over time. I still perused their offerings, though i kept in mind that their "old school" grading methods meant that a raw EX-MT card likely would get a PSA 4 if graded.

They still have maintained monthly auctions, but the nicer memorabilia they used to offer no longer seems to be there. The in-person auctions appear to have been reduced to phone auctions of $5 and $10 items.

So, I'm not sure what the future of Hall's may be, but I certainly enjoyed their operation for many years. Thanks to Walt, Dave and Joel for some good collecting memories over many years.

Scott S@ri@n

[steve B]

They were my local card shop back when there were very few anywhere, and they're the reason I still collect.

Getting really good stuff is hard for any auction. Probably harder for auctions without a big marketing budget.

I wouldn't be sure the in person auctions are over. They've taken a few breaks when the auctioneer is on vacation or during stretches where renting the hall would be less useful.

Steve B

[obcbobd]

Growing up in Arlington MA, I was one of their first customers in 1976. Moved home a few years ago and was sad to see their store was gone. Have attended a few of the auctions and the KofC. Hope they come back.

Bob

[DHogan]

I remember their shows at the Holiday Inn in Peabody Mass. great shows too. They still have a lot of Ebay auctions too.

[granite75]

That's sad. My first auction as a kid.

[ALR-bishop]

I had never heard of them until about a year and a half ago when a fellow collector told me he had seen a Topps odd ball baseball item in their latest auction mailer. He faxed me a copy. It sounded interesting and was not listed in the SCD catalog, but there was no picture, just a weird description. So I called and asked if they could send a scan. They said no. I was still interested in taking a shot at it but by phone all you could do was give them a bid. They could not or would not tell me if anyone else had bid and there was no way to check the status of the auction except to call them, which was a painful process.

It was very difficult to participate in their auction if you were doing it by phone and there was no on line option. I gave them a "max" bid and, surprise, I won the item for my max bid. I have not participated in one of their auctions since, but was happy with the item I got. Fairly unique.

[SMPEP]

That was my experience with them too, Al. I put in ridiculous bids on 4 different cards (AT LEAST $200 more than they were worth), and shocker, my sales price was my high bid for all four lots. And similar cards that I had bid less on (because I already had them, but would have taken if I got a reasonable deal on them) ... shockingly those sold for the usual market prices.

You can draw your on conclusion on their honesty, but I know I won't deal with them again.

Patrick

[GoldenAge50s]

I used to set up @ the Peabody shows in the late '80's-early '90's. They were always the best shows in NE at the time and I NEVER had a bad show sales -wise!

Usually had 2 guests signing for FREE or almost nothing! Those were good show days for sure!

[DHogan]

Another long gone show in Boston was at the Boston College High School in South Boston. I recall Bill Russell was signing at one of the shows for about $350.00 in the early 90's.

[spec]

Originally Posted by SMPEP

That was my experience with them too, Al. I put in ridiculous bids on 4 different cards (AT LEAST $200 more than they were worth), and shocker, my sales price was my high bid for all four lots. And similar cards that I had bid less on (because I already had them, but would have taken if I got a reasonable deal on them) ... shockingly those sold for the usual market prices.

You can draw your on conclusion on their honesty, but I know I won't deal with them again.

Patrick

Obviously, I can't speak to the auction experiences of Al and Patrick. However, I have known and done business with the Halls for more than 40 years and have not encountered more honest and forthright individuals in my more than half a century in the hobby. 'Nuf Sed!
B.ob Ri.chardson

[ALR-bishop]

Bob-- let me amend. As I said, I was happy with the item I received and ok with the price paid since my max bid was what I was willing to pay. I am an old guy, 64, and by no means a modern guy. I just found dealing with them cumbersome and frustrating. Did not mean to call into question their integrity. Based on what you and others have said I take it that they are like me, just slow or reluctant to change