posted 01-27-2008 12:33 PM
From where I was sitting watching the Novaspace auction, it was clearly VERY slow. But I would not for one minute want Kim and his team to unterpret that comment as a criticism. Merely an observation. I was mighty impressed with the whole venture and offer my congratulations to the Novaspace team.
It is my understanding this was the first time they had undertaken such an auction. I am quite sure it was a massive learning curve and given the opportunity to repeat the whole process they would do some things differently.
The auction catalogue was excellent and given Novaspace's reputation for quality of service I can only hope they would contemplate holding similar events on a regular basis.
Regards,
Rick.
SpaceSteve Member
Posts: 428 From: San Antonio TX, USA Registered: Apr 2004
posted 01-27-2008 01:22 PM
quote:Originally posted by bulldog15: I wasn't able to catch the auction on ebay when the Armstrong items were sold. Does anyone know what lots 191, 192, 193 sold for?
The Armstrongs went for $6,500, $1,550 and $1,700 respectively (w/o the buyer's premium). I believe that's a new record for an uninscribed Armstrong!
Steve
mjanovec Member
Posts: 3811 From: Midwest, USA Registered: Jul 2005
posted 01-27-2008 05:24 PM
I myself would prefer a slightly slow auction over one that is too fast. I've followed Superior auctions where I see the item come up for bid and then close before I even get a chance to click the button.
I suspect Novaspace were having some problems with the Ebay live connection. Even though the connection worked for me, I noticed it would sometimes take 4 seconds or so for the bid to register. With some of those Superior sales, that would have been too late.
freshspot unregistered
posted 01-28-2008 04:01 AM
I was the one who started the "too slow" part of this discussion.
Novaspace did a terrific job with this auction. There was a great collection of items up for sale in a many areas of collecting. And the catalog was first rate. I do hope that Novaspace continues to hold auctions.
The time that it takes to run the session doesn't really matter that much as long as we all know what the deal is. I was planning on sitting in front of my computer for about six hours. That was based on my experience with other eBay live auctions that sell about 100 lots per hour.
When Novaspace was taking substantially longer, it meant that I could not be in front of a screen when stuff I wanted came up. Of course, I could have bid prior to the auction but I did not. My fault I guess.
Perhaps next time, Novaspace could make a sort of estimated timetable or something so we can all plan to be ready to push the button when our area of collecting comes up?
In any case, the sale was first class and the time the auction was taking was a surprise -- its not bad, just a surprise. If we're prepared, then it's just fine. (Except perhaps for those of you in Europe...)
Good job Novaspace team. Thank you for your efforts
Posts: 231 From: Surrey, England Registered: Aug 2005
posted 01-28-2008 06:25 AM
Uninscribed Armstrongs have sold in excess of $10K in the UK in the past twelve months.
------------------ Leslie Cantwell
eilisk Member
Posts: 100 From: London Registered: Oct 2004
posted 01-28-2008 08:13 AM
I was successful in some bids on some shuttle documentation and a few other bits in my very first auction - I wasn't expecting that, so I'm delighted! I guess everyone had gone to bed as mine were in the last 10 lots
A question though, I've got the ebay notifications to pay now, but does this differ from the traditional method of paying on Ebay? I've been looking for a "pay now" button etc, but I can't see one and I'd like to pay Do we get a combined invoice or similar?
All the best Eilis
mensclub10@aol.com New Member
Posts: From: Registered:
posted 01-28-2008 08:18 AM
First of all Novaspace ran a fantastic auction. Didn't we all suspect that this would be the case considering how Kim & Sally run their business including signings?
It seems that most of us felt that the auction took a long time to complete. I feel for the collectors in Europe. I definitely couldn't handle the wait to bid on my selected items. I purposely place bids well in advance of any Ebay live auction because I never know where I'll be at the time. I also realize it's very exciting to view in real time so you can sit by your your computer with mouse in hand ready to pounce on the items you want.
Personally I was refreshed with the available time it gave us to place our bids compared to the usual Ebay live auctions. How many times you are set to place a bid and it reads on your screen that the auction item is closed for bidding? I cannot understand that at all.
Considering the time it took to complete the auction process, I would suggest that Kim & Sally slightly reduce the amounts of offered items. That may bother some collectors but if Novaspace offered their auctions three times a year it would give all of us a chance to really get excited for another great auction. This may not be possible because of all the work it takes to present an auction but knowing that instead of the usual Spring-Fall auctions offered by the other auction houses we could have three auctions spread out during the year from Novaspace. This would reduce the length for the completion of their auctions. Secondly I would suggest that if possible they begin their auction earlier in the day, possibly 7:00 AM or 8:00 AM Central time, so that our European friends would be able to go to sleep at a much normal time.
Again, I compliment Kim & Sally and their staff for providing our collecting community a great auction.
p.s. One other suggestion. When previewing the auction on their site, please give us the ability to click and view the items with a much larger scan.
The best, Dave
Wings4Flight Member
Posts: 89 From: Auburn, AL, USA Registered: Dec 2007
posted 01-28-2008 10:02 AM
Man what an auction. I was blown away by the what some of the pieces sold for. I guess it just goes to show you that we space collectors take this stuff seriously. I don't know who won the Apollo: Navy to the Moon print but you had a lot of disappointed competitors. And what about those Group 1, 3, and I think 5 signed 8x10's that combined sold for $36,000.00. I wish that I had been the one selling those pieces. Any way I hope that everyone got at least something that they were bidding on. I'm definitely looking forward to the next auction.
------------------ Aaron M. Lyon www.wings4flight.com
spaced out Member
Posts: 3110 From: Paris, France Registered: Aug 2003
posted 01-28-2008 10:22 AM
Just for the record, it seems from the timings on the eBay completed items that the last item sold at just after 8pm PST. That's just after 5am in most of Europe (4am in the UK).
It's easy to say with hindsight that we should have placed bids in advance but most of us have a limited budget that means you need to bid live in order to adapt to the way things go. e.g. if you miss your first item you can try for an alternative or spend the money across a number of smaller items.
Anyway, for a first auction it was a great success and I can't see anything else that was a problem. Some auction houses have been doing this for years and still manage to make serious errors (lack of authentication, catalogs sent too late, items posted online two days before the auction...).
Wannabe Space Woman New Member
Posts: From: Registered:
posted 01-28-2008 01:12 PM
I volunteered my help during the auction & was glad to have done so. I met some fantastic people, worked with a first-rate staff & enjoyed sufficient eye candy - the auctioneer was hot!
Kudos to Kim, Sally & Novaspace team. Can't wait for your next auction - count me in.
Randy@astro Member
Posts: 44 From: Tucson, AZ USA Registered: Jul 2004
posted 01-28-2008 06:32 PM
The Novaspace 2008 Auction results are now available online. Report show lot number, short description and final bid amount.
------------------ Randy Clamons Systems Programmer Astro-Auction
mjanovec Member
Posts: 3811 From: Midwest, USA Registered: Jul 2005
posted 01-28-2008 10:42 PM
quote:Originally posted by Randy@astro: The Novaspace 2008 Auction results are now available online. Report show lot number, short description and final bid amount.
Randy,
For those who bid on Ebay Live, should they just hang tight and wait for an e-mail from Novaspace that has payment information, totals, etc? Sorry to ask this on a public forum, but I suspect I'm not the only one here with this question.
Thanks! Mark
Randy@astro Member
Posts: 44 From: Tucson, AZ USA Registered: Jul 2004
posted 01-29-2008 12:47 PM
quote:Originally posted by mjanovec: For those who bid on Ebay Live, should they just hang tight and wait for an e-mail from Novaspace that has payment information, totals, etc?
Please hang tight, and be a little patient. We'll be sending out invoices in the next couple of days. I need to do a little programming, which I did not expect, to get our purchased auction software to work for us. I expect to be able to start emailing invoices later today or tomorrow morning at the latest.
------------------ Randy Clamons Systems Programmer Astro-Auction
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 01-31-2008 05:57 PM
Video taken during the live auction (for those not familiar, the auctioneer is Gerry Montague):
Aztecdoug Member
Posts: 1405 From: Huntington Beach Registered: Feb 2000
posted 01-31-2008 06:26 PM
quote:Originally posted by Wannabe Space Woman: I met some fantastic people, worked with a first-rate staff & enjoyed sufficient eye candy - the auctioneer was hot!
quote:Originally posted by Robert Pearlman: Video taken during the live auction (for those not familiar, the auctioneer is Gerry Montague):
posted 02-01-2008 08:23 AM
DISCLAIMER: Yes, I am prejudiced but my following is realistic.
Is anyone else as impressed as I am, to have already received a preliminary statement via email?
With the communication in general as opposed to, well another house?
I look forward to future Novaspace Auctions.
Jerry Brouillette Member
Posts: 147 From: Louviers, CO Registered: Jul 2006
posted 02-01-2008 07:58 PM
I agree, it's a fast response BUT, why am I giving my credit card number without seeing the total first, with no other payment options? I might be getting a scam email. Mine says free shipping as well. Just wondering..... Any input? Jerry
albatron@aol.com New Member
Posts: From: Registered:
posted 02-01-2008 08:59 PM
Interesting Jerry - what email address are you getting it from? Is it specifically asking for a credit card # now?
So fars I know ONLY a preliminary closing is being sent, that's not final, nor soliciting info.
Jerry Brouillette Member
Posts: 147 From: Louviers, CO Registered: Jul 2006
posted 02-02-2008 07:01 AM
My apologies to Kim and the Novaspace staff, everything is cleared up, a stupid mistake at my end. I did receive a final invoice and am very pleased with the auction and invoice turnaround. Best of luck and I think we all look forward to future auctions. Jerry
Safecoat Member
Posts: 93 From: Austin, TX Registered: Sep 2007
posted 02-05-2008 01:04 PM
Great seeing the YouTube video of my winning bid on Alan Bean's book!
jut2y Member
Posts: 260 From: worthing west sussex united kingdom Registered: Aug 2005
posted 02-05-2008 01:32 PM
Received my winning 3 lots through the door yesterday here in the UK. The same fantastic packaging and service that we all receive from Kim, Sally and the team at Novaspace.
Paul.
eilisk Member
Posts: 100 From: London Registered: Oct 2004
posted 02-26-2008 03:29 AM
I got my package over the weekend, and very exciting it was too.
I thought one item I was bidding on at the last minute was some shuttle leaflet style booklets, but one of them is an A4 binder that was a checklist used at the pad for some checkout tests with the shuttle crew dated 1980. What an unexpected bonus
Of course now I'm wondering if this would have been Young/Crippen and Columbia.
Amazing the things you misread when you're tired but thanks again to Novaspace for a top event. For my first ever auction it was well worth it.
posted 01-27-2008 12:33 PM
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