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How often do you find yourself NOT bidding or raising your auction bid because the required incremen

coinguy1coinguy1 Posts: 13,484 ✭✭✭
If you were running a major auction house, what bidding increments would you set, either in terms of %'s or dollar amounts?

Comments

  • dthigpendthigpen Posts: 3,932 ✭✭
    I've only ran into this in larger live auctions, but it has happened once or twice. I understand the large increments and why they are in place though (Other than just to drive up the hammer).
  • jayboxxjayboxx Posts: 1,613 ✭✭
    Pretty often. I once outbid myself on an ebay auction, that was interesting. I placed a bid which put me into the high bidder range, then decided to place a little higher bid in case someone sniped it, and ended up pushing it up to the next increment...
  • I would set a larger increment than eBay does. I am not sure who has the largest required increment but it is probably too large. image
  • Happened to me last night on an internet only auction. The increment was $100, on a $1400 coin. Would have went $50.

    I think a $25 increment is fair, at that level. But the seller, of course, is free to choose.
  • MikeInFLMikeInFL Posts: 10,188 ✭✭✭✭
    It rarely happens to me. If I were in charge of things the increment for all auctions over $100 would be 1%...Mike
    Collector of Large Cents, US Type, and modern pocket change.
  • jayboxxjayboxx Posts: 1,613 ✭✭
    I like the 1% idea.
  • LongacreLongacre Posts: 16,717 ✭✭✭
    It should be a function of the starting price of the bid and the expected value of the coin. What that function is, I can't really say.
    Always took candy from strangers
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  • keetskeets Posts: 25,351 ✭✭✭✭✭
    most increments go up as the price goes up with the intention of maximizing the price for the bidder and aution house, as well as weeding out low-ballers and speeding things up. without preset increments that are on the high side, things would crawl along as the typical bidder tried to win as low as possible.

    it's a no-win for the auction house; if they set lower increments this thread would be about Lots creeping along and low prices realized by consigners. it's human nature, or so it seems, to find something to bitch about.
  • RussRuss Posts: 48,514 ✭✭✭
    Not a problem. Most of the stuff I bid on is in the 50¢ increment bracket.

    Russ, NCNE
  • LakesammmanLakesammman Posts: 17,464 ✭✭✭✭✭
    The increment isn't a problem for me - it's the price level it's getting to.
    "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, Cardinal.
  • Russ,

    What if you're only willing to pay a quarter more than the present bid for an item? Therein
    lies the dilemma.
  • Never happened yet.
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  • JulianJulian Posts: 3,370 ✭✭✭
    I have found over the years that a 5% increment is acceptable to me.
    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
  • mozinmozin Posts: 8,755 ✭✭✭
    Heritage lists these increments:

    Current Bid
    Bid Increment

    < $10
    $1

    $10 - $29
    $2

    $30 - $59
    $3

    $60 - $99
    $5

    $100 - $199
    $10

    $200 - $299
    $20

    $300 - $499
    $25

    $500 - $999
    $50

    $1,000 - $1,999
    $100

    $2,000 - $2,999
    $200

    $3,000 - $4,999
    $250

    $5,000 - $9,999
    $500

    These look to be about 10% of current high bid, at the start of the next range. I would like to see this somewhere between 3% and 5%, instead of the 10%.

    Often times I do not place my bid with Heritage auctions, because I am only willing to go part of an increment. I normally bid on items in the range above $500, so even at the start another increment costs me an extra $57.50. Basically, an increment works out to almost an entire dealer profit margin.
    I collect Capped Bust series by variety in PCGS AU/MS grades.
  • mgoodm3mgoodm3 Posts: 17,497 ✭✭✭
    The above vary from about 5 to 10% depending on what side of the range you're in.
    coinimaging.com/my photography articles Check out the new macro lens testing section
  • RussRuss Posts: 48,514 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Russ,

    What if you're only willing to pay a quarter more than the present bid for an item? Therein
    lies the dilemma. >>



    Well, if it's something I really want, I'll sacrifice and skip dinner that evening.

    Russ, NCNE
  • I'm continually impressed by your dedication to the hobby, Russ! image
  • ttownttown Posts: 4,472 ✭✭✭
    I try to use the Bid Increments to my advantage once they get over $10-$25. I bid just enough where someone would really want the coin if they outbid me but still a decent deal for me.
  • relayerrelayer Posts: 10,570

    I never do since my bid reflects a bargain price while the next bid increment would push the price into stupid money territory imageimage
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    since 8/1/6
  • krankykranky Posts: 8,709 ✭✭✭
    Agree with keets. They have to get the bids up fast.

    New collectors, please educate yourself before spending money on coins; there are people who believe that using numismatic knowledge to rip the naïve is what this hobby is all about.

  • Happens on coins at the price breaks of $1000 and $2000 to me-- I don't bid there because I don't want to jump a full $200 say at the $2000 mark and you can't tell the auctioneer clearly it's a cut sometimes (ie. $2100 not $2200)
    morgannut2

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