[PrintOwners] Auction experts?

[Ron Taggart]

I have gone to many auctions and have seen a trend of people paying
ridiculous prices for stuff increasing.

Do you homework on major items BEFORE the auction.  Try to talk with
ex-employees who know the condition of the equipment.  Often there will be
one or two of them hanging around the auction site.  Go early.  Study the
entire list carefully so that when your item comes up, you know exactly your
limit of what to bid way before bidding starts.

Find out new prices.  I will only pay up to 30% of new, and much less if the
condition is bad or I have no knowledge of the equipment.  People at
auctions who don't do their homework ahead of time victimize themselves.  If
it is a major item, hire a MECHANIC to look at it for you and give you a
written evaluation.

The Internet has brought a new dimension to auctions of allowing people who
couldn't travel to attend.  So you have a fresh supply of uninformed people
bidding against you.

The bigger auctions attract people from farther away.  I am convinced that
they think they have to buy something in order to justify the expense of
their trip, these morons drive prices up to ridiculous levels.  There are
still bargains, but now like there used to be.  I suspect the smaller
auctions might offer more bargains.  After all, you are buying something
that you have not one shred of a guarantee, these prices shouldn't approach
what a dealer will sell something for even with a limited guarantee.

A dealer friend asked me to bid on an item for him.  The equipment was beat
up and poorly maintained.  His top price was $10,000 and the item eventually
sold for $44,000!!!.  The dealer had plans of refurbishing and selling for
$24,000!  The moron who bought it then went to my dealer friend and asked
him how much to fix up the item:  answer:  $10,000.   And a new one sells
for $60,000!!!

Do your homework.  Set limits and stick to them, do not bid on emotion.



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Ron Taggart, President
PRINTING CONCEPTS, INC.
4246 Hudson Drive
Stow, Ohio  44224
330-572-8200  fax. 330-572-8201
www.printingconcepts.com
ron at printingconcepts.com


-----Original Message-----
From: printowners-bounces at printweb.org
[mailto:printowners-bounces at printweb.org]On Behalf Of Ted Gelletly
Sent: Wednesday, January 30, 2008 8:32 AM
To: Discussion List for Printing Business Owners Only
Subject: Re: [PrintOwners] Auction experts?


***** This is a PrintOwners List Message *****

Dennis has been a great resource for us too. I purchased our  Strate Flo
Suspension envelope feeder from him simply because he wouldn't be selling it
if if he didn't stand behind it. Patton Printing Supplies is also a dealer
for Astro and gave us the pros and cons of each. Dennis understands how we
operate so we went with his recommendation. Are list members in the
Maryland, DC and Northern Virginia area listening?

Ted Gelletly
Champion Printing
5401 New Expansion Drive
Eldersburg MD 21784
410-795-6464 ext.4 Fax 410-795-6488
ted at championprintingonline.com


----- Original Message ----
From: Paula Smith <paula at curryprint.com>
To: Discussion List for Printing Business Owners Only
<printowners at printweb.org>
Sent: Wednesday, January 30, 2008 7:00:11 AM
Subject: RE: [PrintOwners] Auction experts?

***** This is a PrintOwners List Message *****

Hi, John:

In this realm, if I am seriously looking at some larger ticket items, I will
take a trusted printing supply vendor with me to the auction. I know you
know Dennis Patton...I took him with me to an auction a few years ago for
the price of a lunch (I'm a good customer of his, it was a win-win for both
of us). He knows the market and knows what things should cost. He knows if I
buy something, he can help with moving, installation, service, supplies,
etc. It never hurts to have an expert...that's why people pay you to consult
with them, right?

Paula Smith
Curry Printing & Copy Center
314 North Charles Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21201
410.685.2679
410.685.1018 fax
www.curryprint.com
paula at curryprint.com
"IMPOSSIBLE DEADLINES MET"

> -----Original Message-----
> From: printowners-bounces at printweb.org [mailto:printowners-
> bounces at printweb.org] On Behalf Of QKCONSULT at aol.com
> Sent: Tuesday, January 29, 2008 2:23 PM
> To: printowners at printweb.org
> Subject: [PrintOwners] Auction experts?
>
> ***** This is a PrintOwners List Message *****
>
> Remember I told you about the large competitor who shut his doors and is
> going to prison? Well, the flyer from the auctioneer says "owner
> retires."
>
> Anyway, It has been 20 years since I last attended an auction but there
> are
> one or two items on the list I might be interested in...
>
> (1) a Nygren Dahly 5-head paper drill - I am very interest in this, even
> though we have a 5-head drill. The heads on our drill will not close up
> enough
> to allow us to 5-hole drill a special application we have for a huge
> contract,
> thus causing us to drill in two steps. This one looks like it has narrower
> heads  and might suit us well.
>
> (2) A Count M121 Vacuum feed numbering machine. Other than I have a  photo
> of
> it that shows 5 x 7" or so control panel mounted on top of the back of
> the
> machine I have no idea how old the machine is or what it is worth....
>
> I will admit that the last time I was at an auction I was perplexed to see
> things sell for much more than I thought they were worth.... folks just
> seemed
> to get caught up in the bidding process. Then again, I've heard of other
> folks getting some real bargains at auctions. If anyone can suggest a
> reasonable
> price range on either of the two items above it would be  helpful.
>
> Also, anyone with experience going to auctions have any advice to  offer?
> What to watch for, what kind of check do you get from the bank to hold
> items,
> etc.....
>
>
> John  Stewart
> Q. P. Consulting, Inc.
> Featuring - _"Print Shop For Sale"_ (http://www.printshopsforsale.net/)
>
> by Larry Hunt & John Stewart
>
> 2110 S. Dairy  Road
> West Melbourne, FL 32904
> 321-727-2442 Fax 321-727-2166
> Cell:  321-794-6259
> _www.quickconsultant.com_ (http://www.quickconsultant.com/)
> "Winners  analyze, losers rationalize."
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