Dealer to Dealer Sales, Life blood of the Antiques Trade.
With out Dealer to Dealer sales the Antiques and Collectibles Business would fold.
It's not much talked about, but everyone is aware of it. In my end of the business it's absolutely vital, I have to buy cheap enough to resell to another Dealer who can mark it up and resell it to another dealer, in my view few items actually end up in collectors hands. Of course that's not a wholly accurate statement, but it does get to the point, that your more likely to sell to another dealer than to Jane Public.
Reasons being, dealer are out looking to buy every day, all week, the Public Buys when it falls in love with something or they have a need for an object. Very Hit and miss. Yes there are more Janes than Dealers, but dealers buy cold, wind or rain. Not just for Jimmys Birthday.
Dealers have the ready funds to purchase when they find what they want. They can buy it today rather than "Think it Over".
Dealers have the "Need" to fill their shelves, Electronic or other wise, they must have inventory. Some may call this the "Bigger Fool Theory" and I'm sure in some cases it is. Many items on the shelves of the "Higher End Shops" came from humbler shops, perhaps to be sold to another Dealer, to put in yet another shop.
I've seen the revolving door some items seem to get stuck in. Going from Estate Sale to Auction House to Dealer Back to the Auction House, round and round she goes.
Other Items move up the food chain, from Yard Sale to Picker to Dealer to Dealer.
Every Item I've sold on Ebay was bought by Dealers. Much of our view point comes where in that food chain, we find our selves.
I've seen no loss of interest at the Live Local Auction, Prices are lower in some categories, while other categories have stayed somewhat firm, but the population of the Auction Room has remained high, certainly there are no fewer participants than in past years. The vast majority of these folks being Dealers, of some sort.
Dealer to Dealer Sales are the Life Blood of the Trade, so far we seem to be holding our own, as long as we are not afraid to buy, we can weather this storm.
So it's important to know who our customers are, Dealers or End Users?
I was told when I first got into the trade, that if I could sell to other Dealers, I'd have no troubles in this business, that's turned out to be very true.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Joan Reep Silver Glass Bowl
Sliver Nitrate Glass Bowl Artist Signed Joan Reep Art Glass Bowl
Dark blues, heavy purple, creams, silver greens, yellows swirl, collide and swirl over, under and around each other. Hand blown Art Glass Bowl by Colorado Glass Artist Joan Reep. Made of Silver Nitrate Glass this bowl is very difficult to photograph and the photos just can't reproduce the beauty of this Art Work. Artist Singed Joan Reep on the bottom, original "Silver Glass" sticker.
Joan Reep seems to be known for her Silver Glass work, the little I have seen is Unmistakably Joan Reep, she has her own style with out doubt.
6 1/4" Wide at the top, 6 /1/2 inches tall...... Inside is Pure Solid Purple, the outside looks like the Clouds of Jupiter. No Chips or Cracks or Scratches, wonderful condition, beautiful Bowl.
Not much out there on Joan Reep if any one can fill me in please do so.
German Model 1898 Butcher Bayonet
I ran Across a German Model 1898/05 Bayonet. I had to do research of course! This is what I know about this Bayonet. Simson Co. made in Suhl Germany Bayonet no "Saw back". Most likely the " 2nd Pattern" Manufactured between 1915 and 1918.
This bayonet is more like a Sword than a knife at a total length of 24 inches , the blade it's self being 18 3/4 inches, with handle at 5 1/4 inches. In over all good condition, the blade was re-sharpened at some point in it's life.
There where many Bayonet Manufactures operating in Suhl Germany at the time, this one was made by the "Simson Co." as is Impressed in the blade. A Crest or Shield with Sun Burst is stamped on the end of the Pommel. Research indicates this could mean the Bayonet was made for or "Exported" to Peru.
I believe this to be a German Model 1898/05 of the 2nd pattern, made between 1915 and 1918 for the Peruvian Army.
Links to sites with info used in this post.
http://www.antiqueswords.com/GB3.htm
http://www.old-smithy.info/default.htm
http://www.seitengewehr.com/Fachzeitschrift/
NOTE: I have since found out this is a German SG1898 not 1898/05 and is a "South American Export"
William Guerin Limoges
Have a very pretty Limoges water pitcher going up for auction soon. So I did some research on it and found it to be very educational. Limoges is an area in France that has the Whitest Clay called Kaolin. So Limoges is "Generic" term for all "Porcelain" made in that region, somewhat more than 50% of French Porcelain is produced in Limoges area. Many companies came and went, or where merged since 1768 when the Kaolin was found.
As one can imagine production of porcelain dramatically dropped during the War and never recovered, although many factory's are still in operation to this day. American "Limoges" took much of the American Market.
Mine was made by the WG & Co, the mark indicates it was produced between 1891 and 1932.William Guerin started doing business in porcelain around 1836, his son's came into the business in 1903 as well. I wont bore you with a Company History you can Google as well or better than Me :) Ok so I know who made the pitcher, but whats the 2nd mark mean? "Hand Painted Stouffer"?
J.H. Stouffer Studios (1905-1952) was a very well respected "Decoration" Company in Chicago. Ahhh So then the "WG&Co" Limoges Pitcher was shipped here to Chicago and painted here. Good so far.
We now know my WG&Co Limoges pitcher was "Decorated" at "The Earliest: 1905, and the absolute latest is 1932.
Then I find the Artist Signed it, Pfohl. Not much out there on him.... Thanks to a RubyLane Seller I found out his name was Wenzel Pfohl. My best guess is this WG&Co Limoges Water Pitcher be 1908 to 1916 ish :)
Links to information used in this blog.
http://www.rubylane.com/
http://e-limoges.com/makers/guerin-limoges-boxes.php
http://antiques.about.com/od/ceramicsporcelai1/a/aa011601.htm
Pianos and Posters
2 little tales of Auctions past.
Sometimes you make mistakes and errors in judgment occur to everyone. But luckily Collectibles and Antique mishaps, you can at least break even, or even a small profit.
It has been well known for the entire life span of humanity, "BUYER BEWARE" were the 1st words written in stone!
It was a very late night at Steve's Little Auction, many folks where packing up and going home, but the few hardened bidders where hanging around hopping to grab the last of the boxed lots cheap.
Steve asked if there where any items that we would like to go up quick. before he shut down for the night. I had seen on a shelve behind him, A RED WING Piano Flower Pot.
It had been there for 3 or four weeks. I asked for that to be put up. He did so and I won it for $35... nice deal, I never seen one, and book was about $300 at the time.
I took it to the BARN and asked everyone what they thought I should price it at, we thought try $275 as I could always lower the asking price. So up it went, inside a locked case. About a week pasted and one of the dealers called me over and showed me the RED WING Book, and the Photo of the Piano, he pointed out the "Foot Peddle" in the Photo, and showed me where on "MINE" it was missing! Also the break had been very cleverly Filed down!
Now I do not hold the Auction House responsible! I was a "Professional" it was viewable for weeks before hand! I Screwed up! How could I sell it now? Could I even get my $35 back out of it?
I was told, Drop the price to $175 and mark it " AS IS" if anyone asks point out the fild down missing "Foot Peddle" I asked that if anyone sold it to POINT IT OUT anyway, I didn't want to HIDE that damage from anyone.
A week passed and I came to the Barn and my RED WING Piano was gone, asking who had bought it, I was told I got my $175 asking price and it was sold to another DEALER!!!!! Who Never asked about the "AS IS"" so they never told him. At 1st I was kinda sore that no one had told him about the Missing Part... but was reassured 'Rationalized" He was a Dealer just as I was a Dealer, we both had the same access to the same information, it was Viewable for weeks, so on and so on. I didn't feel as bad, besides I made a good profit off that mistake.
Another Saturday and up comes a Early 1900's Stone Lithograph of Harry HOUDINI, I had seen this Poster before an knew if original was worth a LOT of money, there where a number of MAGIC Items up that night. Steve told a tale of a Local Magician who "Mysteriously Disappeared" so the Auction of these Items.
I bought the Poster for $75 and it was Lovely, I have a good eye for Prints, but this is a very tricky area of collecting. I took the Poster to my Place of work, ( A PRINT SHOP!) and an Old Tymer told me it was a VERY VERY NICE STONE LITHO, he thought it it was authentic but neither of us experts.
I called the Harry Houdini Museum in APPLETON Wisconsin, the gentleman asked me if there was a Phone Number stamped on the back, there sure was I said. He told me it was an EARLY Reproduction, a very very GOOD one, but none the less not an Original. He felt my $75 was about correct for it......
Before I left the Auction that night Steve asked me if I would sell it to him? Same money... I almost did... but wanted to find out for my self if it was real or not and took the chance.
Now I felt kinda bad about buying it, yet I said well it's still a NICE Stone Litho! Heck I'll keep it, but a guy at work said he'd give $75 for it, cause he liked it a lot, even though he knew it was a reproduction... A VERY GOOD REpro! I broke even on the deal and learned alot!
Sometimes you make mistakes and errors in judgment occur to everyone. But luckily Collectibles and Antique mishaps, you can at least break even, or even a small profit.
It has been well known for the entire life span of humanity, "BUYER BEWARE" were the 1st words written in stone!
It was a very late night at Steve's Little Auction, many folks where packing up and going home, but the few hardened bidders where hanging around hopping to grab the last of the boxed lots cheap.
Steve asked if there where any items that we would like to go up quick. before he shut down for the night. I had seen on a shelve behind him, A RED WING Piano Flower Pot.
It had been there for 3 or four weeks. I asked for that to be put up. He did so and I won it for $35... nice deal, I never seen one, and book was about $300 at the time.
I took it to the BARN and asked everyone what they thought I should price it at, we thought try $275 as I could always lower the asking price. So up it went, inside a locked case. About a week pasted and one of the dealers called me over and showed me the RED WING Book, and the Photo of the Piano, he pointed out the "Foot Peddle" in the Photo, and showed me where on "MINE" it was missing! Also the break had been very cleverly Filed down!
Now I do not hold the Auction House responsible! I was a "Professional" it was viewable for weeks before hand! I Screwed up! How could I sell it now? Could I even get my $35 back out of it?
I was told, Drop the price to $175 and mark it " AS IS" if anyone asks point out the fild down missing "Foot Peddle" I asked that if anyone sold it to POINT IT OUT anyway, I didn't want to HIDE that damage from anyone.
A week passed and I came to the Barn and my RED WING Piano was gone, asking who had bought it, I was told I got my $175 asking price and it was sold to another DEALER!!!!! Who Never asked about the "AS IS"" so they never told him. At 1st I was kinda sore that no one had told him about the Missing Part... but was reassured 'Rationalized" He was a Dealer just as I was a Dealer, we both had the same access to the same information, it was Viewable for weeks, so on and so on. I didn't feel as bad, besides I made a good profit off that mistake.
Another Saturday and up comes a Early 1900's Stone Lithograph of Harry HOUDINI, I had seen this Poster before an knew if original was worth a LOT of money, there where a number of MAGIC Items up that night. Steve told a tale of a Local Magician who "Mysteriously Disappeared" so the Auction of these Items.
I bought the Poster for $75 and it was Lovely, I have a good eye for Prints, but this is a very tricky area of collecting. I took the Poster to my Place of work, ( A PRINT SHOP!) and an Old Tymer told me it was a VERY VERY NICE STONE LITHO, he thought it it was authentic but neither of us experts.
I called the Harry Houdini Museum in APPLETON Wisconsin, the gentleman asked me if there was a Phone Number stamped on the back, there sure was I said. He told me it was an EARLY Reproduction, a very very GOOD one, but none the less not an Original. He felt my $75 was about correct for it......
Before I left the Auction that night Steve asked me if I would sell it to him? Same money... I almost did... but wanted to find out for my self if it was real or not and took the chance.
Now I felt kinda bad about buying it, yet I said well it's still a NICE Stone Litho! Heck I'll keep it, but a guy at work said he'd give $75 for it, cause he liked it a lot, even though he knew it was a reproduction... A VERY GOOD REpro! I broke even on the deal and learned alot!
Tales from the Trench
I just found out my old Auctioneer is still having Saturday Auctions. I had moved and gotten out of the business and lost track, well he's having one this Saturday so I'm going.
This is the 1st Auction House I ever went to, and where I made the bulk of my money buying.
This brought back fond memories of Auctions Past, and I have more than a few stories I will pass along in time. But this one in particular shows how even Auctioneers can let the Auction get away from them.
I'd been going to Smith's Auctions every Saturday, for many, many months. I learned all I know, not that I know much, but I learned at the Podium of a Great Auctioneer. From my 1st $75 purchase, I knew I could trust his honesty and he all ways kept his word as did I. He would extend me bidding money when he knew I already blew my wad for the night. So we where on very good terms. How ever it was business and friendly as we were, we also understood it was an AUCTION, and ANY DANG thing can happen, even me practically stealing the buy of the night, in plane sight of God and everyone! Poor Steve was POWERLESS, how could this happen?
Long,hot,summer nights can make a person a little more prone to taking in more liquids, and doing so makes one visit the little Auctioneers room. That night I had talked the owner of the Antiques Mall a BIG RED BARN in fact, I was in, into coming along for the fun of it.
When we got there, we looked around and found our other Dealer friends, and hot dogs and what not, settling in for the long night ahead. Now Steve's Little Auction House was never known to be "Quiet or even particularly Orderly" "Inspection" lasts the entire Auction. I had spotted an old 10 Drawer Solid Oak Printers Cabinet, made by the Grand Rapids Furniture Company out of Grand Rapids,Michigan, probably made around 1930 or so, with 2 nice ornate steel handles on each drawer. But it was PAINTED BATTLE SHIP GRAY, there was another printers Cabinet sitting on top of the one I wanted. It too was painted gray. In both were old Wood Block Letters and Zinc Blocks as well.
Each drawer had upwards of 60 little compartments for the blocks. You see the drawers sold anywhere between $25 and $50 each. Used as Shadow Boxes, or what not. Except the other Cabinet was not made of Oak, nor by the Grand Rapids co. and was not worth buying in my situation.
But that Grand Rapids Cabinet that was a prize, under all that paint though? Was it so badly INK Stained, or Worse BURNED, and that why it was painted gray? Well I thought I'd hope to get it cheap, but honestly felt someone would bid upwards of $250 for it, just to put their thimble collection in.
The evening wore on and about midway through, Steve, said he was taking a 15 minute break, and was giving the HAMMER to his "Under Study" The 7Up had to be released and just about that point, his understudy put up the Cabinets! ( OH HAPPY, HAPPY, JOY,JOY!)
The bidding seemed to go in slow motion as the understudy tried to get a higher price. I wasn't sure what Cabinet was up, but got the bidding going to a stunning $25, when the OWNER of the Mall, yelled out, "STOP! It's Steel! " Pointing to the gray paint on my Cabinet. I calmly pointed to the "Stripped OAK!" a small area where it clearly showed OAK. "Oh, ok, he says"
But now the whole house heard him and me and now is confused and and before I knew it, the bid was to $45 and then I find out it's CHOICE! At this point I didn't know for sure what Cabinet the other Bidders where after, I looked around the room and spotted the other Bidder, he was a guy I knew kinda ok, he was an old PICKER and I was sure he wanted the same Cabinet I did! His was the $45 bid! I wondered why no one else was bidding too! I thought to my self "Hell People it's frikin OAK!" and us two bidding? Whats wrong here?"
Now from the Men's room, we hear, "WAIT! HOLD ON!"
But the Understudy was already banging the hammer down "SOLD" I was STUNED, all that yelling between the My Friend and Steve in the Bathroom, I didn't know what was what, but I was sure I'd lost the Cabinet!
Understudy gives the Old guy CHOICE, I'm lookin right at him, he looks at me, and he says "TOP ONE" My Heart Leaped Up in the Joy of Victory!
The Old Picker Took the top Cabinet, the ONE I Didn't want!
"DAMN! DAMN! " Steve yells, still dragging toilet paper behind him.
I was given Choice of the 2nd Cabinet at $45 IF I wanted it! WELL OF COURSE I Say! and Steve Comes Swooping over to my Cabinet and Pulls out a Drawer and Yells to the Room! THESE SELL FOR $45 Each People! HE just got 10 of em for that!"
As he looked at the understudy, who;s face was so red, he shamed tomatoes!
I took it home striped and picked it clean and it was a beauty! I tongue oiled it for days and weeks and took it to the shop where I put $650 on it and sold it for $450 3 weeks later to a marble collector, who wanted it as a Coffee Table/ Display for his collection.
Now the point to this is, I must have been the only person there, other than Steve who knew that was Painted OAK! Doubtful, I don't give myself so much cedit as to think I alone could see it was Oak.
Steve had left his post and that started the whole session off. Even with a hand at the "Helm" confusion set in. It didn't hurt that my Mall Owner Friend, Jon, yelled out in concern for me either, that may have put a great number of people off it. Why the Old Picker didn't pick the better of the 2 cabinets is beyond me, perhaps he only wanted one to store little stuff in and didn't need a fancy box, or he knew I had a shop and was being nice, or what ever the reason I got the prize cheaper than I ever thought possible. Had Steve been behind the Hammer, I'm sure He would have Sold each Separate, and Push hard on mine, bringing in more bidders, tell everyone it was Grand Rapids, and Oak and so on, getting his $259 for it. I was once again LUCKY.
This is the 1st Auction House I ever went to, and where I made the bulk of my money buying.
This brought back fond memories of Auctions Past, and I have more than a few stories I will pass along in time. But this one in particular shows how even Auctioneers can let the Auction get away from them.
I'd been going to Smith's Auctions every Saturday, for many, many months. I learned all I know, not that I know much, but I learned at the Podium of a Great Auctioneer. From my 1st $75 purchase, I knew I could trust his honesty and he all ways kept his word as did I. He would extend me bidding money when he knew I already blew my wad for the night. So we where on very good terms. How ever it was business and friendly as we were, we also understood it was an AUCTION, and ANY DANG thing can happen, even me practically stealing the buy of the night, in plane sight of God and everyone! Poor Steve was POWERLESS, how could this happen?
Long,hot,summer nights can make a person a little more prone to taking in more liquids, and doing so makes one visit the little Auctioneers room. That night I had talked the owner of the Antiques Mall a BIG RED BARN in fact, I was in, into coming along for the fun of it.
When we got there, we looked around and found our other Dealer friends, and hot dogs and what not, settling in for the long night ahead. Now Steve's Little Auction House was never known to be "Quiet or even particularly Orderly" "Inspection" lasts the entire Auction. I had spotted an old 10 Drawer Solid Oak Printers Cabinet, made by the Grand Rapids Furniture Company out of Grand Rapids,Michigan, probably made around 1930 or so, with 2 nice ornate steel handles on each drawer. But it was PAINTED BATTLE SHIP GRAY, there was another printers Cabinet sitting on top of the one I wanted. It too was painted gray. In both were old Wood Block Letters and Zinc Blocks as well.
Each drawer had upwards of 60 little compartments for the blocks. You see the drawers sold anywhere between $25 and $50 each. Used as Shadow Boxes, or what not. Except the other Cabinet was not made of Oak, nor by the Grand Rapids co. and was not worth buying in my situation.
But that Grand Rapids Cabinet that was a prize, under all that paint though? Was it so badly INK Stained, or Worse BURNED, and that why it was painted gray? Well I thought I'd hope to get it cheap, but honestly felt someone would bid upwards of $250 for it, just to put their thimble collection in.
The evening wore on and about midway through, Steve, said he was taking a 15 minute break, and was giving the HAMMER to his "Under Study" The 7Up had to be released and just about that point, his understudy put up the Cabinets! ( OH HAPPY, HAPPY, JOY,JOY!)
The bidding seemed to go in slow motion as the understudy tried to get a higher price. I wasn't sure what Cabinet was up, but got the bidding going to a stunning $25, when the OWNER of the Mall, yelled out, "STOP! It's Steel! " Pointing to the gray paint on my Cabinet. I calmly pointed to the "Stripped OAK!" a small area where it clearly showed OAK. "Oh, ok, he says"
But now the whole house heard him and me and now is confused and and before I knew it, the bid was to $45 and then I find out it's CHOICE! At this point I didn't know for sure what Cabinet the other Bidders where after, I looked around the room and spotted the other Bidder, he was a guy I knew kinda ok, he was an old PICKER and I was sure he wanted the same Cabinet I did! His was the $45 bid! I wondered why no one else was bidding too! I thought to my self "Hell People it's frikin OAK!" and us two bidding? Whats wrong here?"
Now from the Men's room, we hear, "WAIT! HOLD ON!"
But the Understudy was already banging the hammer down "SOLD" I was STUNED, all that yelling between the My Friend and Steve in the Bathroom, I didn't know what was what, but I was sure I'd lost the Cabinet!
Understudy gives the Old guy CHOICE, I'm lookin right at him, he looks at me, and he says "TOP ONE" My Heart Leaped Up in the Joy of Victory!
The Old Picker Took the top Cabinet, the ONE I Didn't want!
"DAMN! DAMN! " Steve yells, still dragging toilet paper behind him.
I was given Choice of the 2nd Cabinet at $45 IF I wanted it! WELL OF COURSE I Say! and Steve Comes Swooping over to my Cabinet and Pulls out a Drawer and Yells to the Room! THESE SELL FOR $45 Each People! HE just got 10 of em for that!"
As he looked at the understudy, who;s face was so red, he shamed tomatoes!
I took it home striped and picked it clean and it was a beauty! I tongue oiled it for days and weeks and took it to the shop where I put $650 on it and sold it for $450 3 weeks later to a marble collector, who wanted it as a Coffee Table/ Display for his collection.
Now the point to this is, I must have been the only person there, other than Steve who knew that was Painted OAK! Doubtful, I don't give myself so much cedit as to think I alone could see it was Oak.
Steve had left his post and that started the whole session off. Even with a hand at the "Helm" confusion set in. It didn't hurt that my Mall Owner Friend, Jon, yelled out in concern for me either, that may have put a great number of people off it. Why the Old Picker didn't pick the better of the 2 cabinets is beyond me, perhaps he only wanted one to store little stuff in and didn't need a fancy box, or he knew I had a shop and was being nice, or what ever the reason I got the prize cheaper than I ever thought possible. Had Steve been behind the Hammer, I'm sure He would have Sold each Separate, and Push hard on mine, bringing in more bidders, tell everyone it was Grand Rapids, and Oak and so on, getting his $259 for it. I was once again LUCKY.
My 1st time
My 1st Auction
16 years ago I gave up drinking, for good. I needed something to replace all the time and money I had spent in the bars. After a few weeks of looking at Adult education Classes and so forth, I saw a poster for a Regular Saturday night Auction.
I had about $100 dollars on me the very 1st Auction. I walked into the large open room and started looking at everything I could, I got there late, but people where wondering all over looking at stuff and handling it. Kids every place, Moms screaming at them to PUT THAT BACK! It was almost a Circus! After a while I found a seat and just watched, I didn't plan on buying anything at all. But I found myself bidding on a few items and dropping out of them before I got the Item.
At some point the Auctioneer held up a small box with Razors and Strops and Old Cigarette Premium Indian Blankets, I bought it for $7.00.
During my "Viewing" I spotted an Odd Looking Television set with a Video Camera attached to a movable Copy Stand. I thought perhaps it was used to make animation videos, but you don't want to buy USED Electronics, but the TV was at least 40" and a Panasonic " Monitor" very nice if it worked at all, but I thought it would sell for $200 or so.
I bought about $25 worth of things by the end of the night. But the 3rd or 4th to last he put up the Panasonic Monitor. He started off saying he was sure the TV worked but was not sure what it all was for, He also said he called the Company's name on a sticker on the back of the TV.
He went on to say that the company offered him $450 Dollars for it, if it worked.
Someone in the Gallery asked him why he didn't sell it to them then. " Because I am an Auctioneer not a Broker! Who'll start off with $200!' No takers. He back peddled until he reached $10. I raised my hand. 3 others then made the price 45 and all of them drop out. I call $50 and the Auctioneer said, " I'm in the bidding at $55! " He was bidding on it for him self, and he made that very very clear! We bid each other up to $70... the last of my cash. He wanted me to go to 80 for it, I told him $75 was all the cash I had left and that was my final bid.
He and I talked for a good while, he was telling every body it was a guaranteed PROFIT in buying it. He looked at me and tried once more to get $80 from me. " I DON"T HAVE THAT MUCH! $75 is all I can do. "
SOLD! for $75 to a very smart buyer! I wasn't sure how smart I was at all.
Took it home and plugged it all in and Damn if it didn't work just fine. Beautiful Color and the Video Camera worked as well. It had to be for Video Animation I thought.
For $75 I had a Dang Nice Stereo Panasonic Video Monitor, I knew NEW those bring $4000. So I thought Heck I'll keep it! What a Bargain! If hadn't worked I woulda thrown it out and chalk it up to Stupidity.
But I saw the Label on the back and called them. When I called I told the guy I bought it at auction and might want to sell it. He asked me all kinds of questions, and I was getting the feeling this was STOLEN!
But I convinced him I BOUGHT it for $75 at Steve's Little Auction House 2 weeks earlier, I even brought the receipt. I brought it in ( it was a local company ) he looked it over and told me he was sorry but that One of their machines WAS Stolen from a customer of theirs, he was just being sure. He said he would check it out and if it needed any new parts we would deduct that off his offer price.
It was hard not to notice this man was Blind, he could see a little bit but thats what his Machines where for! So those very close to blindness could read Papers, Magazines and books, by Zooming in and Panning left right up or down with the copy stand and the Panasonic was the clearest picture for the HIGH Close ups they needed.
Now I was mad at who ever would of stolen one of these from a person who needed it, some people should just... well never mind.
I left it with him and about 2 weeks later he called and said he had to replace one camera connector, and offered me $425 for it, or pay him 25 bucks for the small repair.
Ummm can you mail me the check I asked. That was the moment when the Light Bulb Went Full On!
I might be able to make some money at this, hadn't even entered my mind before then.
But Steve The Auctioneer did me the biggest favor that night.... but he was a smart cookie. He got me coming back EVERY SINGLE Saturday until I had to shut my business.
I made $350 on my very 1st outing, not even an antique, and the buyer was VERY HAPPY to pay 425 for it, he was going to resell it for 2500 to another blind person, half what he sells them new. He even thanked me!
Auctioneers can be your very best asset in this business. I don't mean illegal things like collusion. But they have the info you need if you just USE IT! Ask Questions.
I use to think that I was may be too Brash, Too High Energy and Talkative, That I would tick off allot of other bidders by asking a question about a LOT.
After a few week though I found that most of the other bidders liked me doing it. The Auctioneer liked it because I shook the place up, kept folks on their toes. If I'm going to bid on a lot, I stand up walk to the back of the room, pace back and forth as I Raise my Number or like with Steve who got to know when I was bidding or just PICKING my nose. Sometimes I'll Yell out a Bid, Sometimes just flick a finger, I might Hide my Bids or I Might make a BIG PRODUCTION out of it, Depends on what I want to achieve.
That brings me to my next Blog Entry, The Ebb and Flow of an Auctions action!
16 years ago I gave up drinking, for good. I needed something to replace all the time and money I had spent in the bars. After a few weeks of looking at Adult education Classes and so forth, I saw a poster for a Regular Saturday night Auction.
I had about $100 dollars on me the very 1st Auction. I walked into the large open room and started looking at everything I could, I got there late, but people where wondering all over looking at stuff and handling it. Kids every place, Moms screaming at them to PUT THAT BACK! It was almost a Circus! After a while I found a seat and just watched, I didn't plan on buying anything at all. But I found myself bidding on a few items and dropping out of them before I got the Item.
At some point the Auctioneer held up a small box with Razors and Strops and Old Cigarette Premium Indian Blankets, I bought it for $7.00.
During my "Viewing" I spotted an Odd Looking Television set with a Video Camera attached to a movable Copy Stand. I thought perhaps it was used to make animation videos, but you don't want to buy USED Electronics, but the TV was at least 40" and a Panasonic " Monitor" very nice if it worked at all, but I thought it would sell for $200 or so.
I bought about $25 worth of things by the end of the night. But the 3rd or 4th to last he put up the Panasonic Monitor. He started off saying he was sure the TV worked but was not sure what it all was for, He also said he called the Company's name on a sticker on the back of the TV.
He went on to say that the company offered him $450 Dollars for it, if it worked.
Someone in the Gallery asked him why he didn't sell it to them then. " Because I am an Auctioneer not a Broker! Who'll start off with $200!' No takers. He back peddled until he reached $10. I raised my hand. 3 others then made the price 45 and all of them drop out. I call $50 and the Auctioneer said, " I'm in the bidding at $55! " He was bidding on it for him self, and he made that very very clear! We bid each other up to $70... the last of my cash. He wanted me to go to 80 for it, I told him $75 was all the cash I had left and that was my final bid.
He and I talked for a good while, he was telling every body it was a guaranteed PROFIT in buying it. He looked at me and tried once more to get $80 from me. " I DON"T HAVE THAT MUCH! $75 is all I can do. "
SOLD! for $75 to a very smart buyer! I wasn't sure how smart I was at all.
Took it home and plugged it all in and Damn if it didn't work just fine. Beautiful Color and the Video Camera worked as well. It had to be for Video Animation I thought.
For $75 I had a Dang Nice Stereo Panasonic Video Monitor, I knew NEW those bring $4000. So I thought Heck I'll keep it! What a Bargain! If hadn't worked I woulda thrown it out and chalk it up to Stupidity.
But I saw the Label on the back and called them. When I called I told the guy I bought it at auction and might want to sell it. He asked me all kinds of questions, and I was getting the feeling this was STOLEN!
But I convinced him I BOUGHT it for $75 at Steve's Little Auction House 2 weeks earlier, I even brought the receipt. I brought it in ( it was a local company ) he looked it over and told me he was sorry but that One of their machines WAS Stolen from a customer of theirs, he was just being sure. He said he would check it out and if it needed any new parts we would deduct that off his offer price.
It was hard not to notice this man was Blind, he could see a little bit but thats what his Machines where for! So those very close to blindness could read Papers, Magazines and books, by Zooming in and Panning left right up or down with the copy stand and the Panasonic was the clearest picture for the HIGH Close ups they needed.
Now I was mad at who ever would of stolen one of these from a person who needed it, some people should just... well never mind.
I left it with him and about 2 weeks later he called and said he had to replace one camera connector, and offered me $425 for it, or pay him 25 bucks for the small repair.
Ummm can you mail me the check I asked. That was the moment when the Light Bulb Went Full On!
I might be able to make some money at this, hadn't even entered my mind before then.
But Steve The Auctioneer did me the biggest favor that night.... but he was a smart cookie. He got me coming back EVERY SINGLE Saturday until I had to shut my business.
I made $350 on my very 1st outing, not even an antique, and the buyer was VERY HAPPY to pay 425 for it, he was going to resell it for 2500 to another blind person, half what he sells them new. He even thanked me!
Auctioneers can be your very best asset in this business. I don't mean illegal things like collusion. But they have the info you need if you just USE IT! Ask Questions.
I use to think that I was may be too Brash, Too High Energy and Talkative, That I would tick off allot of other bidders by asking a question about a LOT.
After a few week though I found that most of the other bidders liked me doing it. The Auctioneer liked it because I shook the place up, kept folks on their toes. If I'm going to bid on a lot, I stand up walk to the back of the room, pace back and forth as I Raise my Number or like with Steve who got to know when I was bidding or just PICKING my nose. Sometimes I'll Yell out a Bid, Sometimes just flick a finger, I might Hide my Bids or I Might make a BIG PRODUCTION out of it, Depends on what I want to achieve.
That brings me to my next Blog Entry, The Ebb and Flow of an Auctions action!
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