Mastro is the 800 pound gorilla in the auction business and thinks he can do whatever he wants and get away with it. In the past that might be true, but unlike in the past there are many options for buyers and sellers today. This new attempt to make a few extra dollars in the end is going to cost Mastro far more than he gains.
Hopefully, as a result of this maneuver, Mastro loses a lot of customers and potential customers. Hopefully, better auctionhouses will emerge as the new leaders in this business. >>
I could go on--my friend, it is not just us lawyers...for some reson people do not like to pay the lawyers. Interestingly, who do you call when you need a legal problem fixed?
I could go on--my friend, it is not just us lawyers...for some reson people do not like to pay the lawyers. Interestingly, who do you call when you need a legal problem fixed? >>
The only time I needed a lawyer was to draw up a will and I could have done that too if I wanted. I have defended myself in quite a few lawsuits for business and won every one... I am probably the exception. I also do my own plumbing, carpentry and electrical work when needed. I am also an audiophile and have installed multiple soundsystems in my homes over the years. I have also done all of my own auto mechanic work as well. Again, I am the exception. I feel Doctor's and Lawyer's are both overpaid but that is the way the system is in this country so I live with it but don't agree with it. I am entitled to my opinion my freind. chaz
It would seem to me that, generally speaking, it is the consigners that are going to be the ones taking it on the chin. If we assume that most reasonable people take the buyer's premium into consideration when bidding, then the "hammer price" will simply be a bit less at 20% than it would have been with a buyer's premium of 17.5%.
Perhaps this is what allows Mastronet to offer low or no seller fees as an incentive to get good items.
It will be interesting to see if Mastro can continue to get good items. Many large collectors are now saying that they will never sell through Mastro again.
well who would want to sell with a company who waits until they have a huge lot to sell then ups there price? i think they would have done better if they waited for the next auction to raise the fee. not one currently going.
If I ever decide to sell my collection--it will not be Mastro that gets it. I have also instructed my wife not to deal with them in the event that I --GULP!!--roll a 7.
And needless to say, it will NOT be Alan "Mr. NrMt" Rosen
well duh years of school liabliity insurance, etc?
<< <i>techs to work on your surround sound--$75/hr...? >>
you got hosed
<< <i>Starbucks--grande mocha lattee with caramel...$5? >>
YUM!
I could go on--my friend, it is not just us lawyers...for some reson people do not like to pay the lawyers. Interestingly, who do you call when you need a legal problem fixed? >>
It's cause 99% of lawyers gie the other 1% a bad name isn't it? Who do i call to fix a problem??
<< <i>If I ever decide to sell my collection--it will not be Mastro that gets it. I have also instructed my wife not to deal with them in the event that I --GULP!!--roll a 7.
And needless to say, it will NOT be Alan "Mr. NrMt" Rosen >>
Already Mastro is losing on this. Add me to the list. If Mastro was a little more intelligent, he would have upped the premium in increments instead of a whopping 14% increase which is what the 2.5 % represents. By the way what's wrong with Mr. Mint? Anyone who holds all those "Benny's" for the camera can't be all bad. He'll give at least a penny on the dollar and complain to your wife for "dumping" all these "old" cards on him.......... chaz
Even though I'm an avid collector, I've always recognized that the sports collecting hobby is a bit of a racket. This naked money grab by Mastro is further evidence of that.
Any cash I drop on cards is treated like cash I drop on a Guinness at the local pub - money I'll never see again. But hey, that doesn't mean we can't enjoy ourselves as we piss our money away.
"The sports collecting hobby can be somewhat shady...If you learn nothing else...remember that sports memorabilia is a terrible investment." Pete Williams, "Sports Memorabilia for Dummies"
"When the music stops, I want to be sitting down, meaning I want to have money and not inventory." Alan Rosen, "True Mint"
I'll be the first to admit that I know very little -- if not nothing -- about large auction houses. I've never purchased one and never facilitated one for a sale. Admittedly, I'm not the target audience for a large auction house.
But from an ignorant outsider's perspective, this thread eerily resembles the one about eBay's store fee hikes. No one likes it, no one agrees with it, but when it's all said and done I didn't see any difference in the service provided. Seemed to have rustled up a big pissing storm and then nothing. More than likely -- as someone previously pointed out -- because the company CAN do it. Are they dirtbags? Sure. Does everyone not like it based on principle? Of course. But realistically, are we going to see I reduction in Mastro's popularity and sales? To be honest, I don't think we will. Right or wrong, these major companies don't just sit around and come up with these fee hikes over a soup/salad combo. They do it because they can get away with doing it and they know that before pushing forward with it.
<< <i>Just for clarification - Doesn't Sotheby's own Mastro now? Before we go slamming Donny Boy, this could be a corporate issue. >>
No, Sotheby's owns SportsCards Plus.
Mastro is owned by SilkRoad Equity.
I am actively buying MIKE SCHMIDT gem mint baseball cards. Also looking for any 19th century cabinets of Philadephia Nationals. Please PM with additional details.
<< <i>Even though I'm an avid collector, I've always recognized that the sports collecting hobby is a bit of a racket. This naked money grab by Mastro is further evidence of that.
Any cash I drop on cards is treated like cash I drop on a Guinness at the local pub - money I'll never see again. But hey, that doesn't mean we can't enjoy ourselves as we piss our money away.
"The sports collecting hobby can be somewhat shady...If you learn nothing else...remember that sports memorabilia is a terrible investment." Pete Williams, "Sports Memorabilia for Dummies"
"When the music stops, I want to be sitting down, meaning I want to have money and not inventory." Alan Rosen, "True
If Mastro is now owned by an equity fund, then this is all about a money grab. They are probably trying to juice up the numbers before selling it to the next sucker.
The only difference between paying a 10% seller's commission and 5% is someone that negotiates. Seriously, if you have a high quality item, the seller's commission is FREE or even -10%. NEGOTIATE! Now if I consigned (before the change), I would not be a happy consignor. However, Mastro (reps.) online offered to talk about a solution. To me, this is fair (to some). Just bad timing (or good timing for Flip).
Check out the past business dealings of Flip...Filipowski...the money behind Silkroad (the main owner). How about DivineInterventures?
<< <i>Sotheby's does not own Sportscards Plus. Their auctions are a joint venture between the two. Sportscards Plus is still an independent company. >>
Sorry - that is correct, and I should have been more clear/accurate in my original message.
Chaz - I'm still pretty active on these boards, I thought!
I am actively buying MIKE SCHMIDT gem mint baseball cards. Also looking for any 19th century cabinets of Philadephia Nationals. Please PM with additional details.
<< <i>Sotheby's does not own Sportscards Plus. Their auctions are a joint venture between the two. Sportscards Plus is still an independent company. >>
Sorry - that is correct, and I should have been more clear/accurate in my original message.
Chaz - I'm still pretty active on these boards, I thought! >>
I know MS but I haven't seen any responses from you on my threads in awhile. No big deal. As always, glad to have your input. chaz
Comments
<< <i>G-R-E-E-D
Mastro is the 800 pound gorilla in the auction business and thinks he can do whatever he wants and get away with it. In the past that might be true, but unlike in the past there are many options for buyers and sellers today. This new attempt to make a few extra dollars in the end is going to cost Mastro far more than he gains.
Hopefully, as a result of this maneuver, Mastro loses a lot of customers and potential customers. Hopefully, better auctionhouses will emerge as the new leaders in this business. >>
EXCELLENT.....EXCELLENT POINT KOBY. chaz
<< <i>Several Things--
1. I am not surprised in the least. When others follwed suit with 17.5%, we all knew it was only a matter of time. before MAstro upped
their charge.
2. They do it becasue they can--how true. For me, it will affect me deciding to buy something-just on the point of it.
3. That's as bad as a g*ddamn lawyers fee. PLMK if I am wrong on this. chaz
Why do the lawyers always have to get dragged into it???????? >>
Because lawyers charge too much too. chaz
plumbers--$50-75/hr.
doctors--a ton of $$
techs to work on your surround sound--$75/hr...
Starbucks--grande mocha lattee with caramel...$5
I could go on--my friend, it is not just us lawyers...for some reson people do not like to pay the lawyers. Interestingly, who do you call when you need a legal problem fixed?
<< <i>Because lawyers charge too much too. chaz
plumbers--$50-75/hr.
doctors--a ton of $$
techs to work on your surround sound--$75/hr...
Starbucks--grande mocha lattee with caramel...$5
I could go on--my friend, it is not just us lawyers...for some reson people do not like to pay the lawyers. Interestingly, who do you call when you need a legal problem fixed? >>
The only time I needed a lawyer was to draw up a will and I could have done that too if I wanted. I have defended myself in quite a few lawsuits for business and won every one... I am probably the exception. I also do my own plumbing, carpentry and electrical work when needed. I am also an audiophile and have installed multiple soundsystems in my homes over the years. I have also done all of my own auto mechanic work as well. Again, I am the exception. I feel Doctor's and Lawyer's are both overpaid but that is the way the system is in this country so I live with it but don't agree with it. I am entitled to my opinion my freind. chaz
Perhaps this is what allows Mastronet to offer low or no seller fees as an incentive to get good items.
It will be interesting to see if Mastro can continue to get good items. Many large collectors are now saying that they will never sell through Mastro again.
looking for low grade t205's psa 1-2
And needless to say, it will NOT be Alan "Mr. NrMt" Rosen
1) Mr. Mint
2) Mastro
Deceptive business practices usually catch up to people, no matter how clever they initially think they are.
<< <i>Because lawyers charge too much too. chaz
plumbers--$50-75/hr. >>
doing your own plumbing is illegal here in Mass
<< <i>doctors--a ton of $$? >>
well duh years of school liabliity insurance, etc?
<< <i>techs to work on your surround sound--$75/hr...? >>
you got hosed
<< <i>Starbucks--grande mocha lattee with caramel...$5? >>
YUM!
I could go on--my friend, it is not just us lawyers...for some reson people do not like to pay the lawyers. Interestingly, who do you call when you need a legal problem fixed? >>
It's cause 99% of lawyers gie the other 1% a bad name isn't it? Who do i call to fix a problem??
<< <i>If I ever decide to sell my collection--it will not be Mastro that gets it. I have also instructed my wife not to deal with them in the event that I --GULP!!--roll a 7.
And needless to say, it will NOT be Alan "Mr. NrMt" Rosen >>
Already Mastro is losing on this. Add me to the list. If Mastro was a little more intelligent, he would have upped the premium in increments instead of a whopping 14% increase which is what the 2.5 % represents. By the way what's wrong with Mr. Mint? Anyone who holds all those "Benny's" for the camera can't be all bad. He'll give at least a penny on the dollar and complain to your wife for "dumping" all these "old" cards on him.......... chaz
Any cash I drop on cards is treated like cash I drop on a Guinness at the local pub - money I'll never see again. But hey, that doesn't mean we can't enjoy ourselves as we piss our money away.
"The sports collecting hobby can be somewhat shady...If you learn nothing else...remember that sports memorabilia is a terrible investment." Pete Williams, "Sports Memorabilia for Dummies"
"When the music stops, I want to be sitting down, meaning I want to have money and not inventory." Alan Rosen, "True Mint"
But from an ignorant outsider's perspective, this thread eerily resembles the one about eBay's store fee hikes. No one likes it, no one agrees with it, but when it's all said and done I didn't see any difference in the service provided. Seemed to have rustled up a big pissing storm and then nothing. More than likely -- as someone previously pointed out -- because the company CAN do it. Are they dirtbags? Sure. Does everyone not like it based on principle? Of course. But realistically, are we going to see I reduction in Mastro's popularity and sales? To be honest, I don't think we will. Right or wrong, these major companies don't just sit around and come up with these fee hikes over a soup/salad combo. They do it because they can get away with doing it and they know that before pushing forward with it.
Just my $0.02
Arthur
<< <i>Just for clarification - Doesn't Sotheby's own Mastro now? Before we go slamming Donny Boy, this could be a corporate issue. >>
No, Sotheby's owns SportsCards Plus.
Mastro is owned by SilkRoad Equity.
<< <i>
<< <i>Just for clarification - Doesn't Sotheby's own Mastro now? Before we go slamming Donny Boy, this could be a corporate issue. >>
No, Sotheby's owns SportsCards Plus.
Mastro is owned by SilkRoad Equity. >>
Nice to hear from you again Mike Schmidt. I feel very honored that you added something to my thread! It's been a long time..... chaz
<< <i>Even though I'm an avid collector, I've always recognized that the sports collecting hobby is a bit of a racket. This naked money grab by Mastro is further evidence of that.
Any cash I drop on cards is treated like cash I drop on a Guinness at the local pub - money I'll never see again. But hey, that doesn't mean we can't enjoy ourselves as we piss our money away.
"The sports collecting hobby can be somewhat shady...If you learn nothing else...remember that sports memorabilia is a terrible investment." Pete Williams, "Sports Memorabilia for Dummies"
"When the music stops, I want to be sitting down, meaning I want to have money and not inventory." Alan Rosen, "True
Mint" >>
I can't add anymore to this. chaz
Their auctions are a joint venture between the two. Sportscards Plus is still an independent company.
Check out the past business dealings of Flip...Filipowski...the money behind Silkroad (the main owner). How about DivineInterventures?
<< <i>Sotheby's does not own Sportscards Plus.
Their auctions are a joint venture between the two. Sportscards Plus is still an independent company. >>
Sorry - that is correct, and I should have been more clear/accurate in my original message.
Chaz - I'm still pretty active on these boards, I thought!
<< <i>
<< <i>Sotheby's does not own Sportscards Plus.
Their auctions are a joint venture between the two. Sportscards Plus is still an independent company. >>
Sorry - that is correct, and I should have been more clear/accurate in my original message.
Chaz - I'm still pretty active on these boards, I thought! >>
I know MS but I haven't seen any responses from you on my threads in awhile. No big deal. As always, glad to have your input. chaz