live auctions

[catd69u]

I have had bad experience with every online live auction that I've bought from, and I've dealt with several over the past few years. It seems like most of them play games with some lots, to favor some bidders over others. I have also seen a very high level of arrogance and condescension from some of these people, when questioning them about these issues. I don't think there's any such thing as an honest online auction. I was wondering what you guys think about this, and how many have noticed what I'm talking about?

Barry

[v8vega]

i have bought lots and lots of stuff from eBay with little problems. The couple of problems I had were resolved OK.

[Roy]

I think Barry is speaking of the auction houses that specialize in trains. I know a guy that buys a lot from these auctioneers, but I don't know anything about live online auctions. Like v8vega, I've had good luck with conventional ebay auctions.

Where I live, we have at least three different train clubs, and I've bought much of my stuff from there. I even worked the auctions for two of those clubs, for several years.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

I think Barry is speaking of the auction houses that specialize in trains.

And also ones that have a live crowd that you are competing against while on-line. I've never bothered with any of them seeing little at any that I had to have adequately to motivate my participation.

I've had good luck with conventional ebay auctions.

I've had more than enough good luck buying and could use some on the selling side.

[robert.]

Auctioneers play games. Their job is to get the highest price for the seller. Slide of hand, smoke and mirrors, shills what ever you want to call it. Many auctioneers buy things out of estates. Then they auction it off. The get the price they want plus 20 percent buyers premium. It's a great racket. Also illegal in many states.
How do they get around it? Many auction houses owners are not auctioneers. They hire an outside licensed auctioneer. A guy comes for the 3 hour event. Auctions everything off by playing the mouth that roars. Bottom line is don't bid more then your willing to pay. After all that auctioneer will get from you.

[E7]

Bottom line is don't bid more then your willing to pay.

Above is the most important advice.

Apart from that, make SURE you have read the item description carefully and KNOW what you are getting. If the images of the item are poor or inadequate, ask for better ones and if they don't supply them, forget it! A return option is a plus.

I've done well with Ebay.

[CWBurfle]

Bottom line is don't bid more then your willing to pay.

And remember to include the auction's buyer's fees and shipping.

The last on-line/live auction in which I participated was only about an hour from home, so I went and picked up the merchandise in person. Too bad I only won one item. Winning a few would have made the drive more worthwhile. Oh well.

I've given up on remote on-line/live auctions for two reasons:

1 - It's hard for me to predict shipping. The shipping on the last lot I won was considerably more than the purchase price. Making a good deal not so good.

2 - I don't think the on-line auctions provide enough detail on condition. For the most part, the sellers on EBay provide better pictures and descriptions. I also noticed that one auction house listed some reproduction 6414 automobiles in odd colors as being made by Madison Hardware. Most folks familiar with what Madison had made don't think they did that.

[catd69u]

I was not refering to ebay, or that type of format. I'm talking about the live format, where you bid against other people. I've dealt with three different ones over the years, the last one recent, and I've come to the conclusion that they are all crooks........................................

[healey36]

After the NETTE fiasco occurred, I wouldn't go near a live auction, either as a seller or buyer. There's a bit of a seedy underside to the collector train market.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

I was not refering to ebay, or that type of format. I'm talking about the live format, where you bid against other people. I've dealt with three different ones over the years, the last one recent, and I've come to the conclusion that they are all crooks........................................

Maybe that's the train collector collective, and 3 is a very small sample number. But after 50 years of live auctions, I've found very few crooks and those that were did not last long in business. Word gets out and people stop attending, people stop buying, and people stop selling through them since the prices go into the basement.

[E7]

I was not refering to ebay, or that type of format. I'm talking about the live format, where you bid against other people. I've dealt with three different ones over the years, the last one recent, and I've come to the conclusion that they are all crooks........................................

I think everyone here understands that. My post was a hint that you might do better using Ebay. From what you say above, it would probably be a vast improvement. At least you have Ebay between you and the seller to mediate any problems.

[catd69u]

I've actually bought more items at Ebay over the years than everywhere else combined, so I know how Ebay works............................

I was not refering to ebay, or that type of format. I'm talking about the live format, where you bid against other people. I've dealt with three different ones over the years, the last one recent, and I've come to the conclusion that they are all crooks........................................

I think everyone here understands that. My post was a hint that you might do better using Ebay. From what you say above, it would probably be a vast improvement. At least you have Ebay between you and the seller to mediate any problems.