Stamp Auction Network... Taking Over!

Revcollector,

According to SAN, 83 percent of winning bids were placed thru SAN, and another 11 percent from SAN were the underbidder on the loss. These are remarkable statistics. I don't know if these bid results are similar to other big auction houses like Kelleher and Schuyler but I suspect they are close.

I'm not familiar with the live bidding agents for the billionaire class I presume. Perhaps for the big ticket items they are of use. I don't know much about this. Regardless, I think a new era of auction access, business model etc, has entered the arena beyond just ebay... We can either love it, embrace it, support it... or hate it. I like it, and hope SAN uses their important presence in the hobby as more than just money making. Don't get me wrong, I hope owner is having a lucrative Christmas Holiday season. This is all good for philately

I actually prefer Rasdale's auction format. When you're the high bidder just barely hanging on it's nice to see that count down clock tick to 0. I have found Rasdale to be very efficient and responsive and nice to deal with.

Prior to SAN agents were a necessity if you were spending any amount of money at auction. SAN has lessened the need by some, for an agent, but if there is something you have to have for your collection/exhibit then you don't want to be at the mercy of an internet hiccup to miss something that won't show up again in your lifetime.

SAN live bidding allows you to not tip your high bid ahead of time, like being on the floor or via an agent. All you have to do is mail in a few large max bids to an auction house and the need for an agent becomes clear (excluding SAN).

Using an agent also takes the emotion out of bidding, and helps prevent one from getting caught up in a bidding war where ego and pride might cause one to bid more then planned.

It is very possible that 83% of winning bids in Siegel's M&M sale were on SAN because one or two deep pockets were using SAN. Given the more specialized nature of the material it makes sense. I love SAN but I think that these types of statistics are outliers.

The only way to know if it was a trend is if we had that same number for EVERY auction that had live bidding through SAN, not just a single data point.

What is a "qualified bidder"? And how are they counted? - Do you count if you are registered thru SAN to bid with that auction firm but don't actually bid? or only if you bid? and do you only count once if you bid on multiple lots?

Geoff - for the Murray Payne auctions Saleroom charges 3% buyer commission

shermae - thank you. I tend to use their listings for one auction group that only lists items on its website, whereas it provides an illustration for The Saleroom's listings. But I simply place a bid by e-mail, rather than participating live. Merry Christmas, by the way!

got it - email sent to registered SAN users

Caveat: Complete neophyte regarding SAN
Recently looking at some literature
1. I presume SAN is free, although they seem to ask $7.95 a month?
2. How do I find the buyers fee?
3. I presume I have to request shipping cost by the House in question.
(I am thinking perhaps 5 Kg from Britain to Australia)
Anyone had / have ideas of the approx cost? and best company to use?
Thanks for any help.
(I have emailed the auctioneer for approx price also)

I used SAN for years and very happy to have it ,saves a lot of money traveling .

Many agents, myself included, bid via the internet unless it is a "must own at any cost" bid.

Rod222, SAN is an auction venue, not an auction house. 1. There is no SAN fee to use the SAN basic features such as bidding. Any SAN fees shown are for various advanced features. 2. Buyer's fees are set by each auction house and not SAN and can usually be seen in each house's Terms and Conditions. 3. Shipping costs are set by each auction house and not SAN and can usually be seen in each house's Terms and Conditions.