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Do Heritage's 'Auction Previews' help or hurt their business?

While I enjoy looking to see whats coming in some future Heritage auction, I do wonder if this is a good thing for them to do or not.

Maybe some people are bidding less in a current Heritage auction becuase they are waiting for some coin that will be in the next one, or the one after that, or even the one after that.

While some other auction houses have sent info previewing a major event (ANR and the Cardinal collection come to mind), I've always assumed those efforts were based on marketing commitments made by the auction house to secure the consignment in the first place. Other companies have historically played it very close to the vest evidently thinking that its better to be mysterious about future sales.

But what Heritage is doing is different - they just show everything coming up without any fanfare or specific attempt to increase participation or drive bids higher.




Comments

  • RYKRYK Posts: 35,799 ✭✭✭✭✭
    The Auction Previews have had little or no impact on my bidding on current auctions.
  • MrEurekaMrEureka Posts: 24,364 ✭✭✭✭✭
    One of the benefits of running the previews - by no means the most important - is that it enlists the help of site users in proofing the catalog before it is printed. I know I've caught a couple of errors and brought them to Heritage's attention, and I hardly spend any time using the feature.
    Andy Lustig

    Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.

    Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
  • JulianJulian Posts: 3,370 ✭✭✭
    The preview section is certainly good for the dedicated collector. It may not be so good for the current seller, as it may keep a collector from bidding now on an item and waiting for an item that will come up.
    PNG member, numismatic dealer since 1965. Operates a retail store, also has exhibited at over 1000 shows.
    I firmly believe in numismatics as the world's greatest hobby, but recognize that this is a luxury and without collectors, we can all spend/melt our collections/inventories.

    eBaystore
  • RussRuss Posts: 48,514 ✭✭✭
    The way the market has been, I don't think it's really having a negative impact. I could see it doing so when the market tanks, though.

    Russ, NCNE
  • MacCrimmonMacCrimmon Posts: 7,058 ✭✭✭


    << <i>is that it enlists the help of site users in proofing the catalog before it is printed. I know I've caught a couple of errors .... >>

    It's a method of helping out with their workload without paying for it......image

    I'm sure Heritage appreciates your help, Andy. image
  • PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 46,618 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I see it as a zero sum game. The current seller benefits if his auction was previewed earlier and someone didn't bid in someone elses previous auction so they could bid in his auction. I'm assuming that Heritage previews most of their auctions including this one. If his auction wasn't previewed he may be getting stiffed.

    Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
    "Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
    "Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire

  • NysotoNysoto Posts: 3,821 ✭✭✭✭✭
    A collector might suspend purchases with other auction firms or retailers if they see a desirable coin in a future Heritage auction.
    Robert Scot: Engraving Liberty - biography of US Mint's first chief engraver
  • flaminioflaminio Posts: 5,664 ✭✭✭


    << <i>A collector might suspend purchases with other auction firms or retailers if they see a desirable coin in a future Heritage auction. >>

    Possibly, but as a collector I consider that a Good Thing.
  • mozinmozin Posts: 8,755 ✭✭✭
    Makes no difference to me in my bidding. I do enjoy the previews because it gives me something to do between auctions.
    I collect Capped Bust series by variety in PCGS AU/MS grades.
  • LongacreLongacre Posts: 16,717 ✭✭✭
    They do not impact my bidding practices.
    Always took candy from strangers
    Didn't wanna get me no trade
    Never want to be like papa
    Working for the boss every night and day
    --"Happy", by the Rolling Stones (1972)
  • They do impact my bidding practices -- I have found myself holding off on bidding because a better coin is coming to auction in the future.

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