Looks Like SUPER AUCTIONS will Happen (St. Louis

tddlny

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I just checked Super Auctions website and also the Belle Clair Fairgrounds and both have the arcade auction listed for April 7th. Alos checked the terms on Super Auctions website and they are going to be charging a 15% buyers premium. That is a "WOW" factor if I have ever seen one. Unbelievable for a company trying to earn back it's reputation. Since auction is actually in Illinois you will have to pay Illinois sales tax too unless you are exempt. That is another 7%. So if you bought a $500 game you are actually going to pay $610.00. 15% is totally unacceptable!

Thoughts??
 
It used to always be 13%, so its not that much higher. The all cash part now surely can't help business. At least the past few here in St. Louis were all cash.
 
I too think the premiums are high, but I thought the same thing even when it was around that 12% mark. I think 10% would be plenty to support their staff and pay their bills comfortably. What pisses me off personally is that they tack those high fee's on there to pay their staff and still expect tips to boot. Not sure if they are still pushing that with the new staff.

I was under the impression that the cash only thing was just a temporary effort to try and heal wounds of the sellers that they bounced checks to. Either way cash only works for me. Keep's me from the temptation of debt and I think it's helped keep some of the bidding low for us cheap bastards.
 
What did they expect tips for? Helping you move the machine or what? First I've heard of that, then again I bought 1 machine ever at the auction and that was way back. Think I paid like $26 for it.
 
hopefully whatever cab i bid on is no more than 100 :) preferably one that dosent work but easy fix so it can be cheaper.
 
What did they expect tips for? Helping you move the machine or what? First I've heard of that, then again I bought 1 machine ever at the auction and that was way back. Think I paid like $26 for it.

Yep, basically if they have to touch that game after you won it, they expect compensation. I've yet to give them anymore than I've already paid and have yet to be asked for a tip. If it ever happens Ill tell them my premium is their tip. If they want to escelate that further then I'll load it myself. I know that makes me sound like a cheapskate, but think about it. These guys aren't waiters for one. And even if they were, are you going to tip your waiter if you've already paid a 15% premium for your meal?
 
The way I handle it - I load my own stuff and politely decline their repeated, incessant requests to help me. But if I did NEED their help, I'd tip them. I don't think they get paid much at all - very little of the 15% premium ends up in the hands of those loader guys.
 
I agree. If I accepted their help, then I would be prepared to tip them since I don't really know how much of the premium ends up in their hands. But, at 15%, I will be doing my best to be prepared and NOT require any help from them.

Driving down to Dallas this weekend to pick up some games. Wife isn't thrilled about me being gone all weekend. So hopefully I can make it to this auction. I know that if I miss it, the one item I have been looking for will be there. ;-)
 
Also, having them dolly a game 50 yards is one thing - not real worthy of a tip. But when I see them helping some naive homeowner try to stuff a sit down afterburner deluxe into the back of a Chevy S-10 with no lift...I think THAT deserves a tip.

I must admit one of my favorite things about going to these auctions is watching people try to fit enormous games into vehicles that have no hope of holding them. But they try nevertheless. And it is fun to watch!!! I hate to gawk, though...I should just set up a camera and film the parking lot after the auction, then sit with some popcorn and friends and enjoy the show later.
 
cash

they will never go back to credit cards, as they had so many charge backs as to become a problem vendor for the cc, as well as the auction house did not get paid, as can you imagine how many soccer moms and dads over the years, paid for a street fighter 2, or a pac man, with a credit card, that rob said was working all the way, they paid 550 plus tax and fees, ($689 total lol) and the thing has a bad monitor and bad joys and buttons, and the soccer mom and dad screamed bloody murder to the cc co. to reverse or cancel the charge, and im sure alot of times rob did not get paid even though its supposed to be as is, so they will never go back to cc's
 
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I just checked Super Auctions website and also the Belle Clair Fairgrounds and both have the arcade auction listed for April 7th. Alos checked the terms on Super Auctions website and they are going to be charging a 15% buyers premium. That is a "WOW" factor if I have ever seen one. Unbelievable for a company trying to earn back it's reputation. Since auction is actually in Illinois you will have to pay Illinois sales tax too unless you are exempt. That is another 7%. So if you bought a $500 game you are actually going to pay $610.00. 15% is totally unacceptable!

Thoughts??

In that example, the difference between 10% and 15% is $25. So on a $1,000 game it becomes a $50 difference. Hardly a deal breaker for me, but I'm ok with less competing bidders who have been put off by this fee.
 
OK i forgot to ask this is their a bidders fee or do you have to pay to get in the door also if so how much and do i have to register before the auction? i know thiers a 15% premium + tax i belive how much is tax in illinois btw?
 
edit: free to get in, no door fee, never has been one either. No bidder's fee. You can preregister I think but you shouldn't have any problem getting registered day of. The line usually isn't too bad.

Pretty sure it was always 13% premium, and 7% tax. So now it'd be 15% premium and 7% tax. I work in the tax field. I can try and research it tomorrow if you want under the guise of being busy doing research.

I too agree that I enjoy watching people try and get this crap in their car. The last one at the Machinists Hall, they sold some of those Sega NASCAR machines real cheap. Well right as I'm walking out this guy walks in with his buddies and I guess his gf, and does a gesture like well this is it!!!!!!!! and I just hear her say YOU BOUGHT THIS?!?!?!?! in the most pissed off tone, hahaha.
 
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lol man i wish i had the room for two in my jeep. I do on the other hand have a budy about 14 miles away from the auction that wants a Street fighter 2 so if he ends up going more room to haul more stuf since he has two pickup trucks of course i will pay for gas or something so it dosent seem like im useing him but i would leave the games in his garadge and pic them up the next day. Hopefully :p
 
Yeah, it just depends. Some auctions there's TONS of good stuff cheap, other times there's hardly anything. Hard to predict. Are they running ads on the radio yet? That usually draws in a lot of people with money to burn and no clue of what they're buying. Good for them, bad for collectors/enthusiasts.
 
I just checked Super Auctions website and also the Belle Clair Fairgrounds and both have the arcade auction listed for April 7th. Alos checked the terms on Super Auctions website and they are going to be charging a 15% buyers premium. That is a "WOW" factor if I have ever seen one. Unbelievable for a company trying to earn back it's reputation. Since auction is actually in Illinois you will have to pay Illinois sales tax too unless you are exempt. That is another 7%. So if you bought a $500 game you are actually going to pay $610.00. 15% is totally unacceptable!

Thoughts??

13 to 15% is very common among live and many web based auction houses.
This isn't just for arcade auctions, it is any type of equipment, cars, tractors, even the storage wars type auctions. It is supposed to be used to pay for advertising, auction staff, credit card fees, the rent of the building where the auction is, and cost like that.

as far as tipping. most of the guys that work the auction are paid very low. They are like day labor and get change for the amount of work they do. I am not defending them, but they really don't have to help you move or load your purchases. the auctions are alway as is, where is, which means the second you win the bid, it is now yours, no matter what and becomes your problem even if you haven't paid for it yet. They don't even have to let you use their dollies. Its like anything else, if you can move it yourself, you probably should. If you need their help, throw them a few dollars for beer money. after working all day and helping load 100 plus machines, they need a cold one.
 
I'm really debating on attending this auction, but want to hear there is going to be loads of other collectors and classic games there first. :) Yeh, I know... pipe dream. :) But the conversation is a big part of the auction for me, as is seeing that elusive grail show-up and I buy it for beans. :> Who is going for sure?

If I go, I will likely take my Missile Command cocktail for sale outside the auction (IF ANYONE IS INTERESTED!!!). I have no intention of entering into the auction and having it sell for $50. I am open to $ and trades, including Taito minis (trimlines) with games, kits, empty, etc.

Scott C.
 
I should be going. You can carpool with me if you want. Curious about the MC cocktail.

If anyone wants a free dead D9200 speak now, I'll bring it along.
 
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