Baltimore auction 10/31 - what should I expect?

[Grantman]

I'm planning on attending the Auction Game Sales event near Baltimore on October 31 (http://www.auctiongamesales.com/AUCTIONDATES.htm). I've never been to a coin-op auction before. Any tips or things I should know ahead of time?

Do they really have 750-1,000 items at each auction? How many of those are videogames? Do they have decent (classic) games or are they mostly junk?

How many hours does the auction take? Do they group together similar types of items (video, pinball, jukes, etc.) or do they spread them throughout the entire auction so you have to sit through the whole thing (if you are just interested in videogames, for example)?

Do they charge a buyer's premium? This is not listed anywhere on their website but it's pretty common for live auctions.

Is there any information about the games up for auction or do you just have to figure out what's working or not working by yourself?

Should I bring an extension cord to plug them in?

Thanks.

 

[zfcamaro]

I'm planning on attending the Auction Game Sales event near Baltimore on October 31 (http://www.auctiongamesales.com/AUCTIONDATES.htm). I've never been to a coin-op auction before. Any tips or things I should know ahead of time?

Do they really have 750-1,000 items at each auction? How many of those are videogames? Do they have decent (classic) games or are they mostly junk?

How many hours does the auction take? Do they group together similar types of items (video, pinball, jukes, etc.) or do they spread them throughout the entire auction so you have to sit through the whole thing (if you are just interested in videogames, for example)?

Do they charge a buyer's premium? This is not listed anywhere on their website but it's pretty common for live auctions.

Is there any information about the games up for auction or do you just have to figure out what's working or not working by yourself?

Should I bring an extension cord to plug them in?

Thanks.

Probably about 500 pieces total, there will be a lot of junk with a few nice ones scattered about

2 sections, auction style and buy it now section with fixed prices. Anything that isn't bought in the buy it now section is auctioned off about half way through the day

It takes all day, plan to be there 12 hours if you stay for the whole thing

Buyers premium is 15% I think...Bring an extension cord, you have to figure out yourself if the game is working and in what condition. They will fire it up when they auction it off.

 

[Fatsquatch]

What should you expect?

Prolly lots of multigames.

 

[Umortal377]

With the fact this is on halloween cause issues you think?

 

[metahugh]

With the fact this is on halloween cause issues you think?

I would be going if it wasn't on Halloween.

 

[yzrider926]

I would be going if it wasn't on Halloween.

Yeah I won't be there since they switched it to Halloween. Sucks too I usually just like to go up there for a few hours and talk to people from the boards and play a few pins I don't get to play regularly.

As far as what to expect, there will probably be a lot of projects, I wouldn't go there expecting to find pristine games. It is an all day affair especially if you plan on buying some stuff and have to wait for them to get to it. Also don't get caught up in bidder wars, usually you will probably be bidding against an op or the owner of the machine just driving up his price, so figure out what you want to pay and stick to it.

Dennis

 

[enjoyvelvet]

I'll be at the auction. not really looking for anything...just want to go for the experience. I need to be back in the afternoon for Halloween with the family though.

 

[Grantman]

Also don't get caught up in bidder wars, usually you will probably be bidding against an op or the owner of the machine just driving up his price, so figure out what you want to pay and stick to it.

Don't they have reserve prices? I don't understand why owners would have to bid on their own stuff. Also, that's called shill bidding (fraudulently driving up the price). Is that allowed in these auctions?

 

[norton9478]

Don't they have reserve prices? I don't understand why owners would have to bid on their own stuff. Also, that's called shill bidding (fraudulently driving up the price). Is that allowed in these auctions?

It is encouraged.

It's pretty nasty... But the idea is that with 15% buyers premium and 20%ish commission....

Go right ahead.

 

[yzrider926]

Don't they have reserve prices? I don't understand why owners would have to bid on their own stuff. Also, that's called shill bidding (fraudulently driving up the price). Is that allowed in these auctions?

No reserves, hence why you get people bidding up their stuff. Just pay attention and don't get discouraged if something goes out of your price range. If you pay attention you can probably tell if its an OP because they'll be bidding on a lot of stuff. I can guarantee you most of the pins will be buy backs probably.

 

[Encom]

I as at an arcade auction once where they had reserves and it seemed like everytime something didn't reach the reserve the auctioneer had to explain the whole reserve concept to the bidder that just won the auction but didn't get the item. The way the auctioneer was handling the reserves was that after it was down to one bidder and below the reserve the bidding would continue with the auctioneer raising the bid against you. You would end up bidding against the auctioneer themselves.

 

[DLP]

I've been to this auction every year since 2000. Unfortunately since it is on Halloween, I can't make it this year.

 

[GuidoTorpedo]

I'll be there, but I'll have to leave early to be with the fam on Halloween. If you can stay late, you'll clean up!

AGS runs a great show. It is a good auction. Most people don't leave with a gaping anus like they do with Super Auctions.

-Mike

 

[zfcamaro]

If they didn't let people bid on their own stuff NOTHING would show up.... Someone isn't going to bring a nice Classic only to have it sell for a couple hundred bucks.... I don't have a problem with that, if someone brings a nice Joust for example and doesn't want to sell it for less than $300 so be it, it's still a good price for the game.

 

[_sentient_]

Im going to be there for sure. Its only about 15 minutes from me.

 

[sohchx]

I saw no start time. What time do they open the doors??

 

[SilverDuck]

I need some sit-down drivers. What are the chances?

 

[sohchx]

I need some sit-down drivers. What are the chances?

Wow! Those newer ones are usually big bucks. The only reason I don't own any lol. I priced a used NFS yesterday at $10,000. I would love some older driving sit downs though Race and Hard drivin, Turbo outrun,Rad mobile and some others. What titles are you looking for?

 

[SilverDuck]

Daytona, Daytona 2, Sega Super GT, Rave Racer, Cruisin (whatever), California Speed....others like that.

Will most of the auction games be there Friday night for the Buy Now, or will they show up just before the auction? Is anyone going Friday night to make a list of machines for the rest of us?

If anyone wants my Killer Instinct 2 machine, I can bring it. Also have some misc Daytona USA parts.

 

[sohchx]

Daytona, Daytona 2, Sega Super GT, Rave Racer, Cruisin (whatever), California Speed....others like that.

Will most of the auction games be there Friday night for the Buy Now, or will they show up just before the auction? Is anyone going Friday night to make a list of machines for the rest of us?

If anyone wants my Killer Instinct 2 machine, I can bring it. Also have some misc Daytona USA parts.

Ahhh you like the 90's drivers, wasn't rave racer like ridge racer?