Watching SB today, some lots struggling to reach $100.....
Lakesammman
Posts: 17,401 ✭✭✭✭✭
.....and I'm coming to appreciate the "internet only" sessions at HA. 
"My friends who see my collection sometimes ask what something costs. I tell them and they are in awe at my stupidity." (Baccaruda, 12/03).I find it hard to believe that he (Trump) rushed to some hotel to meet girls of loose morals, although ours are undoubtedly the best in the world. (Putin 1/17) Gone but not forgotten. IGWT, Speedy, Bear, BigE, HokieFore, John Burns, Russ, TahoeDale, Dahlonega, Astrorat, Stewart Blay, Oldhoopster, Broadstruck, Ricko, Big Moose.
0
Comments
<< <i>.....and I'm coming to appreciate the "internet only" sessions at HA.
Yep.
I collect tokens and was surprised at my throw away bid won the darn piece. Either the coin market is in the tank or Stacks is, I prefer to go with the latter.
<< <i>I collect tokens and was surprised at my throw away bid won the darn piece. Either the coin market is in the tank or Stacks is, I prefer to go with the latter.
With S/B's site issues turning bidders off I think consignees would have been better off selling at a flea market.
Looks like a lot of folks that managed to get on got some screaming bargains
Some of the US stuff coming up later is just OK. I think I'm watching 2 or 3 lots. Seems like the overly monstrous FUN auction sucked out most of the good stuff.
<< <i>
I collect tokens and was surprised at my throw away bid won the darn piece. Either the coin market is in the tank or Stacks is, I prefer to go with the latter.
small world, same here
signed..
Anonymous Consignor . . .
What lot was this, and is BJ that much of a token expert that he can accuately gauge its market value? Did BJ examine this particular token in actuality?
BJ: <<Either the coin market is in the tank or Stacks is, I prefer to go with the latter.>>
Broadstruck: <<With S/B's site issues turning bidders off I think consignees would have been better off selling at a flea market.>>
These remarks are ridiculous. SBG will be auctioning several excellent collections this year. The Kendall Collection in March and the first of the Pogue sales in May come to mind.
Coin markets are faring well, and I do not believe that markets for tokens could be that much different this year from the ways they were last year. People who do not feel comfortable with the SBG website, which has recently been improved, can bid in other ways. Leave book bids or communicate telephone bids. Call Greg Cohen, Melissa Karstedt, Andrew Bowers, or others at SBG and ask for assistance. My guess is that they would be more than willing to help people bid.
For more expensive items, it is a good idea for collector-bidders to hire expert consultants, anyway. This advice pertains to all auctions, not just to SBG auctions. Auction firms tend to represent consignors; bidders should hire their own experts, IMO.
Col. Jessup: <<Nobody smart bids until the last day, sniperites>>
The auction started at 11:00 AM today, and I believe that two or more posters above were referring to lots that have sold.
Bryce: <<Some of the US stuff coming up later is just OK.>>
I viewed auction lots and there are more than a few excellent U.S. coins in this sale. It is much better than the auction that SBG s conducted about twelve months ago.
There is a stunning 1900-O quarter in an excellent collection that will be auctioned tomorrow night:
Stunning 1900-O Barber Quarter in Stephen Winthrop’s Type Set
will be higher yet.
Your point are valid, and there are certainly many ways to bid and many nice items in the auction. SB certainly gets its share of the good stuff, and even more of the really, really good stuff. For me, though, it makes little difference if they auction a single million-dollar coin or fifty of them. I don't even look at those lots as there is simply no point. I'm no whale, but not exactly a guppy either. This particular auction has only a small smattering of coins in the series and range that I usually collect. Competing auction sites seem to "mesh" with my collecting interests a little better...... thus my earlier comment.
Now, to depart from the OP's intent..... If a person is going after a six-figure coin, a tremendously rare variety, or something that they've just gotta have, the ease of navigating the website is of no importance. There will certainly be a bidder's representative at the live auction or someone on the phone when the lot comes up. For someone looking to bid on a smattering of three and four-figure type coins (the bulk of the lots at any large auction), the ease of navigating the website to plan, enter, and track a few bids is important. If their software was the only option, I'd make it work. Of the four or five most popular auction sites, SB still has the most room for improvement. When it's just too frustrating to use, it's easier to just sit it out and wait for the next auction at the competitor's site. The next auction is never far away.
The solution for me was to install Firefox (which I basically only use for Stacks)
Now the site works sort of great
The OP intent was that some lots are so low in value that there's no point in wasting the staff or clients time. Put it in a internet session.
Overall, I think the site is making improvements - lot viewing this time was much easier and I found about 10 lots to bid on.
<< <i> I think consignees would have been better off selling at a flea market. >>