You want good stuff cheap?

[retro-man]

Well we did something last weekend we never did before. Last Saturday we had the day off and decided to go to a local auction house to see how this all works. Have never been to an auction before. I was totally amazed at what went for so little money. You could take $500.00 - $600.00 and completly furnish a house or an apartment. They were selling sets of crystal glasses, 24 glasses in the set for $10.00. Boxes of crystal vases for $10.00. Antique tufted 3 piece living room set for $250.00. Complete dinning maple dinning room set with hutch for $125.00. Complete sets of goldware with all the serving pieces for $25.00. Oriental rugs $5.00. Complete sets of nice china for $25.00. If you guys have some time on your hands on the weekends check out your local auction houses. They usually have 1 to 2 hours to preview everything prior to the start of the auction. There were a lot of people there who own antique shops and they were buying to fill their stores. Others were buying to put up on E-Bay. Boy did we get an education. We all think our crystal and china is worth so much. NOT. After that we are using everything in our hutch and if it breaks, oh well. When the glasses get thinned out in the cabinet from breakage I will go back there and buy crytal and use them. Very interesting experience.
Jon

 

[rocketwarrior]

Proxibid

I have been working on an estate of an eccentric collector. We had several small auctions here in Omaha, but the personal representative had stored and catalogued $100,000 worth of stuff back east. We made arrangements with an auction house in Maryland to have a Thursday evening auction. There would be a lot of ‘dealers’ present.

But we also arranged for a simultaneous on line auction through Proxibid. It was a workshop on how to do an auction correctly in the 21st century. As far as I am concerned, if there is a decent inventory of interesting stuff, it is now “auction malpractice” not to use Proxibid to permit to the world to “be there.”

The internet bidders increased the return to the estate dramatically as they competed with the on site bidders.

Anyway, you should cruise the Proxibid website and maybe pick out a sale that interests you and just watch it in real time. It’s a kick and just watching is free.

Online Live & Timed Auctions: Connecting Buyers with Sellers | Proxibid

Proxibid offers a platform to match buyers with sellers: bringing together auctioneers, consignors and buyers from multiple industries. Browse Proxibid now!

www.proxibid.com

 

[sudsmaster]

I'm wondering if perhaps the rotten economy has much to do with the low prices for these heirlooms. Once the economy recovers I suspect the prices will shoot up, as well.

Supply and demand. Right now lots of people may be trying to generate cash by selling off assets, including granny's post mortem possessions.

I don't think I need any more bric-a-brac. What I probably need is a seismically safe display cabinet for what I already have.

 

[perc-o-prince]

Jon,

I know you said this was your first auction, so please take some advice.

Auction prices will generally be the lowest prices paid for items in the marketplace, other than yard sales. For most general-line auctions you'll find this true. There are specialty auctions of all kinds, and you'd be hard-pressed to find these bar-goons there.

Just because china or glassware was selling cheaply, doesn't mean yours isn't worth that or more. I'd still be careful if you have good china or glassware (not saying don't use it, but I wouldn't be so cavalier about it breaking).

Same thing with furniture. If it's not an outstanding piece that a dealer can make good money on, s/he's not gonna bid much on it because it's heavy to move and takes up a lot of space. There are real good buys to be found for "average" furniture at most general-line auctions.

Also, the type of wood needs to be addressed. There are times when, for example, oak won't go for much here, but will bring big money in the South, where it's not plentiful.

It's also knowing what you're bidding on. As an example, we went to an auction in PA several years ago because they advertized having a large number of typewriters (no names). Since it was about 5 1/2 hours away, I called the auctioneer for names of machines, and he gave me a general list of what was there. Then he said that he knows what collectors look for and there wasn't a lot of that there. Bottom line, we went, and walked away with a $3500 machine for something like $30. There were many other less profitable, but still very profitable, buys that day. I wonder how many collectors called him, heard the same thing, and believed him???

I'm not saying everything in an auction is crap, or everything is super, or even that auctioneers aren't to be listened to. I'm just saying that you should go to a lot more auctions and get a feel for what goes on, keeping in mind that most of the people going there are probably dealers looking for things to buy and make money on!

OK, now I have the itch. Haven't been to an auction in a while!!!!

Chuck

 

[toggleswitch2]

Thou shalt not spend.. *SMACK* LOL

I have been spoiled rotten by good yard/tag sales, Goodwill and Salvation Army thrift stores and estate sales.

...And most of the stuff I see there just needs a good cleaning. I have a friend whose kitchen I outfitted with the basics for $20.

 

[andrewinorlando]

Is it me, or is there just nothing like getting a bargain???? Who needs retail???

 

[xraytech]

I love a great bargain and especially enjoy a good fleamarket or auction particullary estate auctions where I tend to find better items and older vintage items.

As for prices of items varies from time to time depending on the crowd. I have bought a maple dining room suite for $25 one day and the next time a similar set would sell for hundreds At the one sale I got a 4 piece set of Mersman Maple Living room tables in mint condition for a whole $2 and a Mahogany Currio for $30 and my best find a Lane Cedar Chest for $10(The Deville was loaded to the brim that day on top of the Duncan Miller pieces and Shiny Brite ornaments I came home with) Same with glasswares, except in our area Roseville, Duncan Miller, Fenton, Hull, and McCoy always sell for high prices Here in S.W. Pa.

Sam

 

[launderess]

One thing to remember about auctions, is that many for the most part only accept cash, which keeps many (especially in these times), out of the game.

Have often found there isn't a rhyme or reason to how auctions go, aside from the big players like Christies or Phillips.

Collectors and dealers who know their stuff, most always dress down and are as deadpan as Paul Lynde! Never let on you are interested, less you tip off someone else, or worse the house that they may have a schnook on the line.

However if one has the eye, and I do by the way; one can pick and choose what suits one's fancy, and what will move to bring in cash at resale.

One of the best things anyone serious about auctions can do is make "friends" with someone such as an estate auction person, or someone in the "house" to tip one off what has come in, or what they are working on. A little greased palm can go a long way towards steering choice items your way.

While one does like a good auction, tend to avoid estate sales/auctions run by family members. I make it a rule. Such persons tend to have an overly inflated view of what things are really worth, or try to have too much control over the process. It comes down to this, do you want to move this tat or what? *LOL*

L.

 

[runematic]

Auctions are great, but like everyone else has said you need to be aware. There are some auctioneers out there that like to have Mr. Wall or Ms. Chair, etc. bid on items from time to time. You'll learn who does this as you attend more public sales. I live in an area that has many many auctions every week. It's a bad bad bad habit, trust me.

I am freinds with a few local auctioneers and they all tell me Ebay has killed the values of typical household items, glassware, and other collectibles. Also, a lot of previously thought of as hard-to-find items are now easier to find online.

 

[xraytech]

There are also usually a lot of auctions around here on a weekly basis, but it has been a little sparce for past few months finding anything other than farm machinery and real estate auctions. It is very addicting to me and can become a bad habbit, haven't gone to an auction for a few months and am in withdrawl.
I also know a few of the auctioneers and it can help when bidding on things, I also always stay at the back of the crowd so I can see who if anyone is bidding against me since some auctioneers are known to run up the bids

 

[retro-man]

Another habit I don't need to get into

This auction we went to was at an auction house. Not a house auction. This is a building on the owners property and this is his business. This is all he does. He has specialty auctions such as model trains, boating, radios etc. This particular weekend was two combined estate auctions. I spoke with him prior to the start and he said alot of this "stuff" like crystal and silver are being autioned off because no one wants this type of decor in their houses. A lot of work dusting and polishing. Couples of today want ease of maintenance and less clutter. Things have changed in our life times, but I tend to agree less maintenance and more free time. How come I never have any free time? Too much stuff. Need to start cleaning out the house, hope to move into new house in 2 years. Anyways here is a link to the auction house we attended.
Jon

auction | Brookline Auction Gallery - Brookline NH

brooklineauctiongallery.com

 

[launderess]

Less Free Time, Less Children

Especially daughters who normally would be stuck polishing all that silver and such. Trust me I KNOW! *LOL*

Silveware, copperware and the like simply must be polished and often, something today's housewives really aren't into. Also many people just like the ease of using chinaware and "silver" ware that can go right from the table to dishwasher. The idea of something that has to be carefully washed by hand,dried otherwise properly cared for just isn't in many people's deck of cards.

You are seeing the same thing with fine and or vintage linens, especially in Europe. Castles, great country houses, estates, dowry chests, the lot, are all clearing out linens ranging from ages old to some only just made (circa 1940's to 1960's). Much if it is pure old linen, métis, cotton textiles, decorated with embroidery, cutwork, lace and so forth.

European housewives have had one or two centuries of dealing with caring for such "fine linen", or paying someone else to do it, and now many by and large prefer easy care no iron pure cotton or cotton/polyester blend stuff. Things that can go into an automatic washing machine, then dryer then drawers with no fuss.

L.

 

[perc-o-prince]

Hey Jon,

Funny- I was gonna ask you if it was Brookline. We've been there a few times and it seems to be a good, honest auction. Hopefully he evened out the parking lot a little since last time we were there though!!!

It's interesting to note that Ron discounts the buyers premium by 3% if you don't use a credit card. It's something many auctioneers who take credit cards (all but the smallest mom and pop auctions seem to take them now) do to get around the "no surcharge" clause in their agreement with the credit card companies. They can't say it the other way 'round, like, "12% premium for cash/check; 15% for credit cards" because that would be a surcharge, and the credit card companies don't allow surcharges. Gas stations have started doing this as well, advertising, "discount for cash."

Something else to watch for there. If you're interested in a flat lot or box lot, make sure you have a peek at the lot again as the runner (auctioneer's helper) has it in hand, before it hits the block for bidding. Duing the previews, and this happens a lot at non-catalogued auctions, people will put stuff into different boxes. Sometimes as a legit mistake, and sometimes to hide a good piece in a box with crap.

If you don't get Antique Week, email me your full name and address and I'll have them send 4 complimentary, no obligation copies to you. There's a weekly column in there by Steve Proffitt, an auctioneer and lawyer. Many of his articles deal with questions from auctioneers and auction goers on practices seen at auctions. There are also a lot of auction ads in every issue, as well as articles about different antiques and collectibles. I'll start a separate thread about this so anyone wanting 4 issues can get them.

Auctions are a lot of fun as long as you're careful, and keep your eyes open!!!

Chuck

 

[whirlcool]

My sister told me about a company located here in Houston that auctions off furniture used in Model Homes. She bought a Henredon dining set for $500.00 including the chairs and a hutch! This company has auctions all over the US, but almost one every week here in Houston. Right now, we don't have the need for any fine furniture, but we do need to start thinking about a new sofa for the den soon.

We went to some of those FDIC auctions back in the 80's that they were having when all those banks were failing. We wanted a computer desk, one of those executive kind. We went to the auction and even though they listed everything individually they started "grouping" things together by the time we got down to the desks "What is my opening bid for the next FIFTY desks here?" We don't want 50, we just wanted one. They were doing that with typewriters, answering machines, even mirrors on the walls! This made the auction totally worthless for us.