Paris Live Auction s.v.v.artcurial

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#2
OK, so all the comments made so far have been helpful, IMO.
To answer MattNY re: why placing an absentee bid has drawbacks:
1) Although I doubt it would happen in this auction, occasionally an item does not receive any bids at the starting price, and the auctioneer lowers the starting bid price.
2) Let's say an item has a starting price of 200 euros and your maximum bid is 400 euros. You would be in a better position if you didn't enter the bidding until seeing how others are bidding. I believe that you would not get the item for less than what you bid, where you might have been able to had you participated live. I may be wrong on that; so that's a question that could be asked of the auction house in advance.

general info per my own experiences:
When offered the option to bid over the phone (not through eBay) you can hear what's going on, and you save some of the premium. However, if one is not fluent in French, this could be difficult.

I have always been able to get a shipping estimate from the auction house in advance, based on the heaviest item I plan to bid on. Even when I did the New Zealand auction (Haywards) the shipping was only about $45, and I got a big beach towel, shawls, etc. Maybe EMS is cheaper than Fedex.

Finally, if anyone would like to deputize me to fly to France to attend this auction and bid on your behalf, just let me know, cuz there's stuff I'd like to get for me too!!!
(dear moderators, that was absolutely just a joke)

Any further chiming in re: live auction proxy or absentee bidding would be appreciated here.
 
#3
I was drooling over their Hermes items, too, but between the fact that you have to give the auction house your credit card information in advance, the buyer's premium, and the fact that they don't ship, so you have to arrange shipping yourself, which is apparently very expensive, and then customs fees... it's pretty discouraging.

Not to mention that you basically have no idea what kind of condition the items are in, with only one distant picture to go on, and barely any description.

Still, it's tempting to throw in a couple of low-ball bids, just to see...

Or actually, I'd love to fly to Paris and go to the auction! :graucho: (any excuse will do- see my avatar!)
 
#4
#5
I have bought things at Sotheby's, Christie's, William Doyle, Phillips, Bonham, etc. and I dont understand what Laila is talking about regarding absentee bids. When bidding by phone, you need to talk with a rep and there is only so many number of reps on hand. I know for a fact that Sothebys/Christies wont let you bid by phone if the estimates are below a certain amount, usually US $3000. Also, they tell you in advance that they expect you to be agressive in your bidding. Most times, you have no choice but to do absentee bids if you cant be there.

For a fashion auction like this, price levels are lower of course but most auction houses work the same way.

As for the point about starting bids. It doesnt matter. Most live auctions have reserves so if the reserve is not reached, it's not sold.

Smaller auction houses might have slightly different rules but all of them generally operate in the same way.
 
#7
seton said:
I have bought things at Sotheby's, Christie's, William Doyle, Phillips, Bonham, etc. and I dont understand what Laila is talking about regarding absentee bids.
Click to expand...

i've often it happen that with no bidders to open the auctioneer lowers the opening bid amount. so the minimum opening bid for absentee bidding may be $100, but if there are no bids the auctioneer might take it down to $50. if you bid via the absentee system you lose the ability to get the benefit of a lowered opening bid - and in my experience that CAN sometimes mean items ending with a sale lower than the published opening bid. just last week, as a matter of fact, on yet another purchase i shouldn't have made. (bad, bad DQ :push: )
 
#8
On an auction recently, when I asked about the difference in premium between online and phone it was 20% and 15% respectively. I was offered a phone line, even though it was only a $225 item. I guess this is depends on the size of the auction house, as seton said.

i was wondering seton, based on the many scarves/shawls offered, would you recommend this is a good auction to bid on? i realize that is a stupidly general question, so how 'bout... anything catch your eye? you don't have to say which ones -- i don't want to mess up chances for anyone. just wondering if you would care to comment on this auction being worth one's while if one sees something that sings... tia

but anyway, all the concerns/questions raised seem pretty valid to me, so i just want to reiterate: ask as much up front as possible.

CobaltBlu, thanks so much for those helpful links. I will def be checking them out!!!
 
#9
There are a few interesting items but the buyers premium (22.5%!) + VAT + shipping costs = totally discouraging.... Having said that.... plenty of eye candy such as this:
390.0_mid.jpg
 
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#10
dressage queen said:
i've often it happen that with no bidders to open the auctioneer lowers the opening bid amount. so the minimum opening bid for absentee bidding may be $100, but if there are no bids the auctioneer might take it down to $50. if you bid via the absentee system you lose the ability to get the benefit of a lowered opening bid - and in my experience that CAN sometimes mean items ending with a sale lower than the published opening bid. just last week, as a matter of fact, on yet another purchase i shouldn't have made. (bad, bad DQ :push: )
Click to expand...
yes, DQ, that's what I meant in my point #1 in post #2
 
#12
one more thing that might not have been clear. this auction is live ONLINE, so those registered in advance will be able to view the progress of each item with both floor bids and internet bids.

that is why it is not necessary to place an absentee bid.
 
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#13
dressage queen said:
i've often it happen that with no bidders to open the auctioneer lowers the opening bid amount. so the minimum opening bid for absentee bidding may be $100, but if there are no bids the auctioneer might take it down to $50. if you bid via the absentee system you lose the ability to get the benefit of a lowered opening bid - and in my experience that CAN sometimes mean items ending with a sale lower than the published opening bid. just last week, as a matter of fact, on yet another purchase i shouldn't have made. (bad, bad DQ :push: )
Click to expand...

That would only work if it is a lot with no reserve. Usually the lots I bid on have one.
 
#14
LailaT said:
On an auction recently, when I asked about the difference in premium between online and phone it was 20% and 15% respectively. I was offered a phone line, even though it was only a $225 item. I guess this is depends on the size of the auction house, as seton said.
Click to expand...

which was 15% and which was 20%?


i was wondering seton, based on the many scarves/shawls offered, would you recommend this is a good auction to bid on? i realize that is a stupidly general question, so how 'bout... anything catch your eye? you don't have to say which ones -- i don't want to mess up chances for anyone. just wondering if you would care to comment on this auction being worth one's while if one sees something that sings... tia
Click to expand...

I didnt click on a single of those auctions. There was over 600 lots and I find auctions out of my country a hassle. I will say that just from the thumbnail in the gallery, there was about 2 things I would have been interested in otherwise.
 
#15
seton said:
That would only work if it is a lot with no reserve. Usually the lots I bid on have one.
Click to expand...

true, but i've found many houses simply say that lots "may" be subject to a reserve - and with the exception of lots that don't sell it's speculation as to whether and at what amount reserves were set for any given lot. even at cristie's there are no reserve lots - all lots with low estimates of 5k GBP and under were without reserve in the sep '07 auction with all the crocodile kellys - that included many of the hermes offerings.
 
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