Proxi-bid..??

[lew1]

Proxibid is one of a few bidding devices. It allows one to bid on auctions where the auction house has contracted with it.

In a way it is lke a telephone bid.

They do not have their own auctions.

For their services there is a fee and the auction houses pass such along to the buyer as part of the buyer's charge.

[sheepherder]

Originally Posted by Mike B

However the 18% buyers premium is a killer...

Originally Posted by lew1

Proxibid...For their services there is a fee and the auction houses pass such along to the buyer as part of the buyer's charge.

Ok, I'm confused...RIAC charges 15% (or is it 17%? - I didn't win, don't know) and Proxi-Bid charges 18%??? Do you pay a cumulative service charge, or just one of the two???

I don't see any advantage to using Proxi-Bid as opposed to bidding yourself on RIAC, for instance...It would even be cheaper...

Maybe for anonymity??? Or just to use Proxi-Bid to locate an auction with, say, a Russian Contract 1906 Luger and then go to that auction and bid on it??? Not use Proxi-Bid at all???

Maybe if you were at work when the auction was taking place, and used Proxi-Bid as your bidding agent???

I guess I'm missing something here...

What is the advantage of using Proxi-Bid???

[lew1]

Originally Posted by postino

Ok, I'm confused...RIAC charges 15% (or is it 17%? - I didn't win, don't know) and Proxi-Bid charges 18%??? Do you pay a cumulative service charge, or just one of the two???

I don't see any advantage to using Proxi-Bid as opposed to bidding yourself on RIAC, for instance...It would even be cheaper...

Maybe for anonymity??? Or just to use Proxi-Bid to locate an auction with, say, a Russian Contract 1906 Luger and then go to that auction and bid on it??? Not use Proxi-Bid at all???

Maybe if you were at work when the auction was taking place, and used Proxi-Bid as your bidding agent???

I guess I'm missing something here...

What is the advantage of using Proxi-Bid???

The buyer's charge includes the proxibid charge.

First - it is always best if one can attend in person.

As compared to mailing a bid to the auction house, proxibid gives more control over the bidding process. You never have to wonder if the auction house just put your high bid in even if there were no lower bids. You can sort of watch the bidding process and control this.

Can it be rigged - sure. But even if you go in person, there can always be a shill present.