Auctions

[Abbazorkzog]

How many here have participated in an auction either as a buy or seller? What's your opinion and/or advice about auctions? I myself have never been either, but I'm looking at getting into that today (I have an original Charles Dickens novel, The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club, from before 1868 - I know this because copies weren't printed in the U.S. until after that time and it's old as ****. It's worth quite a bit of money.)

 

[RetiredUSN]

How many here have participated in an auction either as a buy or seller? What's your opinion and/or advice about auctions? I myself have never been either, but I'm looking at getting into that today (I have an original Charles Dickens novel, The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club, from before 1868 - I know this because copies weren't printed in the U.S. until after that time and it's old as ****. It's worth quite a bit of money.)

The first rule is understanding the value.

The second rule is to remove yourself emotionally from the bidding.

 

[MaggieD]

How many here have participated in an auction either as a buy or seller? What's your opinion and/or advice about auctions? I myself have never been either, but I'm looking at getting into that today (I have an original Charles Dickens novel, The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club, from before 1868 - I know this because copies weren't printed in the U.S. until after that time and it's old as ****. It's worth quite a bit of money.)

I'm assuming you'll contact one of the specialists? Books & Manuscript Auction Department | Sotheby's

Never as a seller. A number of times as a buyer. No doubt about it, emotion gets in the way as a buyer. RetiredUSN is sooo right.

I'm thinking, though, that as a seller, you can get all the inside information you need from Sotheby's -- after, of course, you've had your treasure verified.

Good luck!

 

[CaptainCourtesy]

I've done that Ebay thing somewhat extensively, though not in a while. Research the hell out of the item so you know it's value and what price range you're looking at. Be careful of any buyer or seller who wants to "go around the rules" of the auction. If it seems too good to be true, it nearly always is, though sometimes the seller has no idea what he has (happened to me, once, on the buying end). If using an online site, only use sites that are reputable. As a buyer, decide how much you want to spend, and then never go any more than 10% higher than that. As a seller, set a minimum price. As a seller, if you are using an online site, make shipping free. Definitely will be more enticing.

Hope that helps.

 

[Abbazorkzog]

I'm assuming you'll contact one of the specialists? Books & Manuscript Auction Department | Sotheby's

Never as a seller. A number of times as a buyer. No doubt about it, emotion gets in the way as a buyer. RetiredUSN is sooo right.

I'm thinking, though, that as a seller, you can get all the inside information you need from Sotheby's -- after, of course, you've had your treasure verified.

Good luck!

I contacted the Heritage Auctions, but I'll definitely check that out.

I have - actually quite a few antique/possibly uber-valuable things that I could auction in the future (if this one goes well). I don't think I'll be buying any time soon. Not an emotionalism problem but moreover a monetary problem lol.

 

[Crovax]

How many here have participated in an auction either as a buy or seller? What's your opinion and/or advice about auctions? I myself have never been either, but I'm looking at getting into that today (I have an original Charles Dickens novel, The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club, from before 1868 - I know this because copies weren't printed in the U.S. until after that time and it's old as ****. It's worth quite a bit of money.)

Just some simple research on it shows neither to these to be true (depending on condition), you should definitely learn all about it if you want to sell it

 

[joG]

How many here have participated in an auction either as a buy or seller? What's your opinion and/or advice about auctions? I myself have never been either, but I'm looking at getting into that today (I have an original Charles Dickens novel, The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club, from before 1868 - I know this because copies weren't printed in the U.S. until after that time and it's old as ****. It's worth quite a bit of money.)

Make sure of the attributes of what you are selling.
Don't let it out of hand, till it is paid for.
Get the good quality of the item certified before and at delivery.
Make sure that there is no way the buyer can reclaim the money without a court case.

 

[Abbazorkzog]

Just some simple research on it shows neither to these to be true

:lamo

 

[Crovax]

:lamo

Like I said if you dont do your research you will probably be very disapointed

 

[Moot]

I've never sold anything but I used to go to auctions to buy furniture and stuff. It depends on the item and how many bidders are interested in it. Sometimes you can tell how much interest an item gets from the pre show before the auction. People have strategies how they bid and bidding wars can get crazy. My strategy was simply to put a limit on how much I'll pay and stick to it. Sometimes I got lucky and sometimes I didn't. But yeah...auctions are a lot of fun.

 

[americanwoman]

How many here have participated in an auction either as a buy or seller? What's your opinion and/or advice about auctions? I myself have never been either, but I'm looking at getting into that today (I have an original Charles Dickens novel, The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club, from before 1868 - I know this because copies weren't printed in the U.S. until after that time and it's old as ****. It's worth quite a bit of money.)

My problem was understanding the auctioneer. The one I went to the guy talked really fast and did that auction speak that makes no sense. I ended up buying a box of really cool Budweiser mugs but since I didn't get that the price was per mug not for the whole box I almost screwed myself. Luckily they were really nice and didn't hold me to it.

 

[RAMOSS]

How many here have participated in an auction either as a buy or seller? What's your opinion and/or advice about auctions? I myself have never been either, but I'm looking at getting into that today (I have an original Charles Dickens novel, The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club, from before 1868 - I know this because copies weren't printed in the U.S. until after that time and it's old as ****. It's worth quite a bit of money.)

I have done both. If you have somethnig like that.. you have to get the right auctioneer. .. and you have to remember that they take a commission. (about 15 to 25 %). If it is important, you can make sure you have a reserve on it.

I did buy a book at an auction for 50 bucks, and sold it at an auction for 200 bucks the same week once (How I found livingston, by stanley, first edition)

 

[Abbazorkzog]

Like I said if you dont do your research you will probably be very disapointed

View attachment 67202813

This is not either of those, it was printed in London.