REA Auction House?

WrigleyCub

Do they really charge 17.5% to the winning bid price? There stuff already seems high, are they legit?

RipublicaninMass

that is low compared to some others, and yes they are probably the best in the business, did you see what they are offering?

WrigleyCub

They offer alot of high end cards.

summerof68

I've heard that Steve Hart inspects all their vintage unopened material for authenticity. Perhaps this explains why those bogus '70 thru '72 "grocery cellos" in GAI slabs routinely appear at other major auction houses and (not) at REA!

WrigleyCub

How do their auctions compare price wise to ebay?

hammered

Their items are the often unique and always very high-end. And their prices realized have recently been the highest in the industry. I'm sure the current auction will prove the same.

I got their giant catalog in the mail, and it's been an interesting read. No one does a better job of promoting items than REA. They have well-written, interesting descriptions, while the other auction houses just write "highly recommended - bid to own"

divecchia

I would recommend REA above all other auction houses based on my purchasing experiences with them and other auction houses.

Donato

mj23kg21

REA is the best in the business!

WrigleyCub

If anybody gets a chance, go over there and check out the 52' Topps Mantle graded by SGC. What is everyone's opinion on what that would crossover at graded by PSA?

smtjoy

Best in the Business!!! Now I just wish I could win a few more lots, lol.

RipublicaninMass

<< <i>Best in the Business!!! Now I just wish I could win a few more lots, lol. >>



Just lost my final bid

bigwilli

My opinion is , that Mantle needs to stay right in the holder it is in.

grote15

REA is very reputable and one of the best auction houses. 17.5% is really nothing compared to other major auction houses, and this is how they make a p[rofit as many of the items are sold with very low or 0% commission.

JeffD27177

<< <i>REA is very reputable and one of the best auction houses. 17.5% is really nothing compared to other major auction houses >>



I don't know any sports card auction houses that charge more than 20%.

But REA always has amazing stuff, and they're definitely legit. Although this year there were some cards that looked a little over-graded and possibly even trimmed. Not to slander REA, but I never saw that kind of thing in past years. It was sort of surprising to see, as I was under the impression that they inspected lots in ADDITION to sending them out to third party graders/authenticators.

Scans are obviously tough to judge from, but I personally wouldn't bid on either of these two:

http://bid.robertedwardauctions.com/bidplace.aspx?itemid=13621

http://bid.robertedwardauctions.com/bidplace.aspx?itemid=13622

grote15

< REA is very reputable and one of the best auction houses. 17.5% is really nothing compared to other major auction houses >>



I don't know any sports card auction houses that charge more than 20%.

But REA always has amazing stuff, and they're definitely legit. Although this year there were some cards that looked a little over-graded and possibly even trimmed. Not to slander REA, but I never saw that kind of thing in past years. It was sort of surprising to see, as I was under the impression that they inspected lots in ADDITION to sending them out to third party graders/authenticators.

Scans are obviously tough to judge from, but here's one I wouldn't personally bid on:

http://bid.robertedwardauctions.com/bidplace.aspx?itemid=13621

When I said "nothing" compared to other auction houses, I meant that 17.5% is on the low end of the spectrum in comparison to other auction houses, which typically charge 18-20%. That may sound minor, but if you are spending 20K, a percent or two is pretty significant.

otwcards

<< <i>

<< <i>REA is very reputable and one of the best auction houses. 17.5% is really nothing compared to other major auction houses >>



I don't know any sports card auction houses that charge more than 20%.

But REA always has amazing stuff, and they're definitely legit. Although this year there were some cards that looked a little over-graded and possibly even trimmed. Not to slander REA, but I never saw that kind of thing in past years. It was sort of surprising to see, as I was under the impression that they inspected lots in ADDITION to sending them out to third party graders/authenticators.

Scans are obviously tough to judge from, but I personally wouldn't bid on either of these two:

http://bid.robertedwardauctions.com/bidplace.aspx?itemid=13621

http://bid.robertedwardauctions.com/bidplace.aspx?itemid=13622 >>



Having personally previewed them, I think you're a bit off base with your assumption...

That being said, I think this auction will be much softer than the previous auctions. After increasing totals on a regular basis, I think this one will fall about 15% short of last year's totals... Still some incredible material, however!

Blacklabelsociety

charging 17.5 % is enough to scare me away as a buyer.

cardbender

REA is probably the most honest auction house there is.
According to their catalog, they (REA) cannot see your high or top all bids, just like sellers on ebay can't. No other auction house can make that claim. Meaning they won't shill you up to your max bid.
Why do no other auction houses use this same type of software for bidding........draw your own conclusions.

Their 17.5 juice is the norm on todays auction market. Many are at that same level. Some are slightly higher. Their catalog is the best and heaviest in the business weighing in at 5.3 LBS.

Just factor the 17.5% into your top bid and you'll do fine.

Not to hammer auction houses here, but I just won one PSA card for $235 from Memory Lanes last auction. They charged me $13 for insured shipping. Now that's way too high in my opinion. Since they don't state their actual shipping rates before you bid, I'll have to pay it and I couldn't factor it into my bid either, but it is what it is. So they overcharge $5-6 in shipping. Big deal.

UlyssesExtravaganza

I've got no problem with 17.5. In fact that feels very similar to others I've worked with. You just have to figure it in to your bid price. I think prices are usually higher with the major auction houses. I would theorize that it's because the big spenders usually come out for them because you have a ton of high quality items in one spot and they are a little more visible than your average eBay auction.

mikeschmidt

it's not as if bidders are unaware of the 17.5%. If it is a big deal to you, simply figure it into your bid amount. That's all -- very straightforward to do.

If anything, it could be the consingors that would be upset that buyers are paying 17.5% more than the consignors are getting [and I'm not even figuring in the consignment fees]. But as is absolutely clear from the quality of materials in REA -- consignors flock to REA and love Lifson and his auction. It is the premier auction of sports collectibles for the year.

Bids are aggressive in REA -- but they have access to a ton of material that is typically not seen elsewhere.

kingnascar

Great auction house - tons of cool material - NO SHILLS