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Hindsight says I should have gone away in May

   What is it they say? Sell in May, and go away? Wish I had. To a beach somewhere, anywhere. 
   I've just spent two days watching a 1400 lot auction and noted every price (pop in to the shop and I'll show you the catalogue). I was interested because I had four items in the sale, and I had been instrumental, indirectly but enough to feel a bit guilty, in two other people putting lots in. Lots of lots. In total between us I think we had 14 or 15 lots. We did badly. But then so did (guesstimate) 90% of the sale. The odd thing did incredibly well, one lot selling for ten times its top estimate of £4000. But it was rare and I feel a fool for even contemplating a July sale.
   Luckily I followed my own advice and fixed reserves, so the single item of mine that did sell made me a profit. Not as much as I had hoped, but it will pay the rent on the shop this week. Sadly, one of my clients lots was on a discretionary reserve and they used the full 10% plus a bit to get it sold, so he didn't even get the bottom estimate. At least I get my things back and can sell them another time. Not between May and September though. Not doing that again!

(PS, that's Woolacombe above)

29/07/2016 Posted by Paul Hardy Tags: antiques,  selling,  auction,  live auctions
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