Featured WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH CHRISTIE'S & AUCTION HOUSES!

I received my May Maine Antiques Digest a couple of days ago....VERY interesting article if you either don't get it or haven't read it!! In general, doesn't bode well for some of the stuff I'd like to move!!!!

 

Thanks for posting the article. I found it interesting that they are changing their business plan to adapt to the changing World Economy and life styles.

 

craptastic :O

 

They became snobbish to the point of making you not want to do business with them. I've sold a few high end items with them. They gave me the impression that I should be grateful that they chose to take my items. Fees were very high and they charged for everything. They even charged outrageous prices for a photograph in the catalog. If memory serves me it was $400 to $1200 depending on how large. Items had to have a minimum value of $2500. On top of that, they charge the buyer a 25% premium. Unless it's an item of very high value with a global interest, I would not use them again.

 

Thanks Aquitaine, that's very interesting.

 

hey thats true at Mil cove treasures. one of my friends shared the same experience. he said doing bossiness with christie's was a utter mistake. too much high costs and not worth selling it at all with them.

 

Not to be rude, but that is their appeal to many. And in all fairness, they have qualified and quantified their standards and they stick to them until they re-evaluate the field. There are houses with "lower" standards for lower (NOT low) valued goods. The cobbler doesn't repair cooking pots and the tinker doesn't hem coats..................................

 

So, @Mill Cove Treasures, do you know who you WOULD use for a high end item, of the big houses?????? I did use Christies for one item and WAS happy with that result......it had been pre-appraised so had a good idea of value........and I was under the impression there is always a "buyers premium" with auction houses.....large and small.....unless they advertise that they don't.........

 

The Black Market!

 

They're sitting on mega prime real estate. Property development there would net billions.

 

If I had an item that was worth £££££££, then I would go to one of the elite auctioneers. I would rather have 70% of £10m than 80% of £5m, and I would choose a house that I thought would deliver the best result.

But as even a church mouse looks down on me, I'll stick to the local auctioneers!!

 

The snobbishness aka rudeness is not necessary to maintain a level of quality. I understand maintaining a reputation for knowledge & quality, I do not understand the need to act rude about it. You don't have to jump for joy but don't make it sound like I'm a nuisance for asking questions.

Aquitaine - Yes, all auction houses charge a buyers premium but 25% of the final price is very steep. Add $1000 to a $4000 item or $2500 to a $10,000 item and so on. Then deduct all the fees you are charged for photo, insurance, storage. That's why I said, if it's a very high value item with a global interest, it would still be worth it but not on lower items.

 

Mill Cove.........the way you're putting it.....you DO make a whole lot of sense!!!!!

 

I got this in reply to my Asian copper pot. I always got an e-mail before saying no Thanks, this one is different.

 

they're using outside experts......so they may not say no...right away.

 

Oh okay, Thank You