Selling watches at auction - any experiences?

[Neil.C]

I've never known this forum to be so slow for selling - even watches that would have flown within hours in previous years are unsold or sell for less than previously. I accept that times are hard, but new watches seem to be selling well by all accounts.

I'm wanting to reduce my collection and, having had no luck here, I'm considering selling at auction (not eBay, I mean specialised watch auctions such as Watches of Knightsbridge). I'd be interested to hear any experiences that people have had selling that way.

Worth a try or not?

Simon at WOK can be a bit flexible on charges if it is something he really wants in the sale but it's got be unusual. He may also buy from you to put in his own auctions later.

I may be shoving some stuff into him relatively soon to get top prices.

On the other hand I have found Subdial very fast and easy to deal with when selling too.

[davide]

Many thanks all - some useful thoughts. There's no doubt in my mind that prices have dropped over the last couple of years and there are some lovely watches on the sales forum here that are going for lower prices than previously.

I'm going to try WoK (see Neil's post above) and will report back in due course.

[Gren]

Auctions are for idiots ! You are likely to get a low price and then pay a hefty commission on it too. If you know the fair value of an item sell it privately based on that. At auction, you are at the mercy of whoever turns up, or doesn't, on the day. Talk of bidding wars only apply for unique objects such as plots of land, famous paintings etc., anything else is just a commodity and buyers want a bargain. Add to that the crazy buyers' and sellers' fees and the only winners are the auctioneers.

[Neil.C]

Auctions are for idiots ! You are likely to get a low price and then pay a hefty commission on it too. If you know the fair value of an item sell it privately based on that. At auction, you are at the mercy of whoever turns up, or doesn't, on the day. Talk of bidding wars only apply for unique objects such as plots of land, famous paintings etc., anything else is just a commodity and buyers want a bargain. Add to that the crazy buyers' and sellers' fees and the only winners are the auctioneers.

Not in my experience.

Nothing to do with people in the room. Most bids at specialist sales like watches etc are by people who leave bids or bid on the phone or net.

A lot of unusual stuff would be very difficult to shift at the right price without auctions.