Best print quality auction catalog
 

Surprisingly received an auction catalog from Morphy Auctions today. The print quality of this auction house's catalog is amazing.... overwhelmingly better than any other better known firearm related auction houses!! It appears in a book like form, with hard cover (very unusual, all other catalogs that I have seen have soft cover. Morphy is the only exception), and the paper quality is top. The whole book is heavy. Printing and distributing these must cost them something. This is the best printed and bound auction catalog that I have ever seen.

I'm tickled whenever I get one that's in color, like the RIA Premiere auctions. Those are spiral bound, as well... Hard cover is very impressive, and I think it will increase any tendency to keep the catalog--and thus also keep the auction company in mind!

RIAC catalog quality depends on what they sell. In their premium session, they list high priced items and catalog is well printed color catalogs. In their regional session, their catalog is in black & white, and items were commonly listed in bulk.

This Morphy is unusual.. Most items in Morphy's list are estimated in RIAC regional auction level items, $150, $300, $400, etc. And they distribute hard cover color catalog!! and items are individually listed.

I bought one item from them last time. They charge same for online and phone call bidders. Item's accessory condition was a little bit over described, but not totally off (I mean, not a fake nor forced matching). Shipping was slow, but they explained that it would take them about 2 weeks. Otherwise, good. The disadvantage was 18% BP, but that BP was counted in mind when bidding and this catalog gives probably $50 back :) Generally speaking, still satisfied.

...???...I get RIA catalog but not spiral; 'normal' color book-type binding, soft cover, about 1/2" thick. For smaller auctions [regional?], I just get 8 or 10 page color flyer... :confused:

I think I have seen RIA ad on site for pay-catalog...Don't recall how much they charge - Is this what you guys are speaking of??? You pay for the auction-coming-up catalog??? Better/more pics???

No. It's free.... well, I guess you have to let them making some money in the past. More or less, probably does not matter, but cannot be zero. Otherwise, they won't know you're still interested in these.

The cover is color. Inside is full of B&W.

That looks like what I get; but not spiral...I haven't gotten that one for Feb 2015 auctions yet... :(

I've bid maybe 18 - 20 times, in 8 - 10 separate auctions over last few years...never won any...I do get online emails about Heritage Auctions, and some other one...I forget which...Never bothered...Some book auction place... :rolleyes:

Obviously, you have very good control. There are some good guns from time to time, but it's not easy to find good price deal in public auctions. Too many people are watching.