Robert Edward vs. Memory Lane vs ???

kidzfund

If you had to sell something by summer, which auction house would you use? These two companies have auctions coming up in my time frame (I have a wedding to pay for). This is about a $15K graded set. Memory Lane just sold a similarly graded set, but I have read a lot of negative comments on these threads about them.

Also, is there a central site that lists upcoming auctions? Or do I have to check each company's web site?

Thanks for the help.

Joe

Griffins

REA if you didn't miss the deadline, Goodwin or Mastro if you did.

Alternately Huggins and Scott. Or Barry Sloate if it's pre WW1

illini

In my opinion. REA with no questions asked. Robert by far is the most fair person you will ever come across in the auction house industry. Do some research yourself and you will see for yourself. I received a check for 33k from REA with no hassle. I used a couple auction houses in the past and it is always some BS or stalling. Do what you want but if you want an opinion of someone who has experienced different ones REA cannot be beat! I am adding on to my house and need to come up with a lot of dough and it doesn't even enter my mind who I am going to use.

baseballfanatic

REA than Mastro.
Period.

storm888

I have heard good stuff about REA.

I have bought from Memory Lane and Mastro. VERY good service.

bobsbbcards

If I had to sell something by summer, I'd sell it privately. What set are you wanting to sell?

blades3

You really can't make a bad decision between those two. If you are thinking of REA, you'll need to hurry a little because its consignment deadline is Feb. 10 (auction closes May 3). As you probably know, they only have one auction per year. Memory Lane (consignment deadline is Feb. 20, auction date is still being finalized but will be late April/early May) is great to work with also, promotes its items very well and will get prices equal to REA or Mastro (next Premier auction is April 30/May 1 closing date, with a consignment deadline of Feb. 8).

Where am I getting these dates from? While I'm not on this board to promote our own site, I put the auction calendar together for SCD and the website has the most comprehensive auction calendar in the industry. Here's the link: SCD auction calendar

gosteelers

I would go with REA. As the previous poster mentioned, their deadline is quickly approaching.

I think that the timing of when REA ends their annual auction is great for sellers due to many people (buyers) being 'flush' with cash due to income tax refunds...

53BKid

Which auctions command better premiums for graded 50s sets?

mikeschmidt

<< <i>Which auctions command better premiums for graded 50s sets? >>



I tend to view REA as more specifically catering towards the pre-war crowd, and Mastro a little better at catering to the post-war slabheads. (not that there is anything wrong with that)

kidzfund

Thanks for the feedback, guys. Now I'm hesitating on selling because I'm thinking the weak economy might keep prices down. Will high-value cards bring in high prices this spring?

mikeschmidt

<< <i>Thanks for the feedback, guys. Now I'm hesitating on selling because I'm thinking the weak economy might keep prices down. Will high-value cards bring in high prices this spring?
>>



Do you own research and analysis. There have been auctions that have recently closed (Mastro in December....Sloate last week). Although some prices are down, some are way up, too. It really depends on what you're selling.

m

blades3

I don't think the high-end stuff will be affected all that much by the possible recession. That stuff is going to very high-end collectors that are basically protected from any downturns in the economy. My take is that the middle class collectors will be affected the most and you'll see a lot of mid-range stuff in auctions in the next year because the guy that's making $50,000 per year might have to decide to sell his collection. I think there will be some great bargains out there too since many other middle-class buyers won't have that extra money to build collections. The guy making $500,000 might not be interested in a $3,000 game-used bat or graded card, but still be buying a $20,000 graded set, while that's not an option for the guy making $50,000. Does that make sense?