That's auctions for you!
Just never look at their offerings ever again.
Lesson learned.
I have been disappointed by SAN before. I don't think their sales are always done in real time.
I always use an auction agent for items I really want.
Vince
edit
I checked their site and I only seen their "Mail Sales" (Eastern Auctions) which are handled differently than an auction. You only see the bids placed on SAN. Mail in and phone bids are usually done after their stated close time. I had the same problem with Nutmeg when they were in business, that's when I statrted using an agent. Instead of
"Just never look at their offerings ever again"
SAN are a waste of time. I tried many times to bid but kept being asked for references, feedback proof from other sites and more. I felt like I'd done something wrong. So I gave up.
But they still keep sending me auction details even though I have left the site and blocked emails from them.
Some years ago I contacted them about one of their auction houses listing items incorrectly described. That's when the trouble started.
Since then I have done my best to ignore them.
Londonbus1
I use SAN and Philasearch to simply search for items and will typically register and bid directly with the house. The few time I have bid through SAN it seemed fine. I've used Philasearch for bidding a bit more than SAN, and, again, haven't experienced any issues to date. Knowing the "house rules" for a specific auction is important as the "rules" can and will vary according to the type of auction. Auction agents, as previously mentions, are definitely worthwhile. I prefer "live" auctions, and recently participated in a "live" Spink's auction online and there were no surprises other than low hammers on really great material in the area I collect, but that's a different discussion...
C'mon.....I want that different discussion now. No fair!
I have participated live in SAN with Schuyler J. Rumsey Philatelic Auctions and everything is fine, as Laeding says, you have to see the rules of the auction house, in Schuyler they include live mail offers that arrived prior to the mailbox (snail mail ), via telephone, "floor" and online SAN, other philatelic houses do not include everything and reserve the right to give the winning auction after checking offers received in telephone calls.
The London Bus thing seems strange to me, normally with credit references and/or mentioning an auction house in which you have participated are usually enough.
I've only used SAN to bid in the Daniel F. Kelleher live auctions, and the only problem I have is that most of the bidders want to pay more for the lots than I do! Seriously, I've never had any issues and have participated in three of the auctions. If the auction you were participating in wasn't live, I don't have any experience with those.
Just checked that last Eastern auction - interestingly the only thing in the terms I found related to SAN suggests that the opposite can occur as well:
"It is possible that Stamp Auction Network (SAN) underbids may become the winning bid at auction close. This is due to the implications of “Limit” and “or” bids."
There is a direct link to their website from SAN and from what I can tell, even if you bid in the mail auction using their site, the same thing could occur.... looks like any bids received by the deadline, no matter how they get them, email, phone, online, regular mail..... can qualify and it makes sense the online site couldn't reflect any late bids. So I think it's just the nature of the beast, and not an SAN issue.
I have heard reports of this elsewhere. I guess you need to bid directly.
@bigcreekdad, I'll post regarding the auction after I get "through this weekend," daughter has a big volleyball tournament. Son's college applications went out this week, too! Hoping the shipment of my items comes in soon!
Regarding SAN: Yesterday I participated in the Sparks Auctions live auctions through SAN and won what I needed without problems, in this auction house the offers of "snail mail, telephone, floor and Network are mentioned; it is definitely a matter of the good organization of who sells.
This was a first for me. I've previously won 5 or so Vance auctions, and one Eastern, through Vance with no problems. Live and learn I guess.
Botton line is, why use SAN if you can go directly to auction house? Serious question...anyone have thoughts?
If you mean going physically, well I live in Mexico and I wouldn't spend on a plane, lodging, etc., to buy a $600.00 dollar stamp and if you mean the auction house page, at least where I participate; They say you that to see and/or participate live/real time, you have to go to SAN
No, No, No....not physically. I mean directly contact....phone, email etc. Sorry for the confusion.
I participated in one live bidding auction there where the Auction House was only offering the live bidding through SAN. I won the lot I wanted. I think it's up to the individual auction house to properly manage their incoming bids, and keep sites updated. Since it appears this is not being done consistently, probably best to bid with individual locations directly unless there is a live bid on SAN.
I've had pretty good luck with SAN....probably too good as I hate to think how much I've spent over there!
I'd say I've won about 99.9% of the stuff that I ended up high bidder on at the end of the auction that did NOT get trumped by a late arriving mail bid.
I've bid both at SAN and through dealers that advertise on SAN but bid at the auction house on-line. I just did that Saturday with the Rasdale auction out of Chicago.
Overall I'd say I've had quite a pleasent experience. I ended up with 36,000 FDC after one bid Acutally two...two separate lots thousands in each lot.
Mike
I was bidding, and following, a lot on Eastern Auctions. When the auction closed I was the high bidder. Little did I know that someone can call in a bid via phone trumping my bid, and SAN is not always notified. So, in effect, SAN shows only online bidders through SAN, not bids (phone or otherwise) going directly to the auction house.
This just doesn't seem right or fair. What is the purpose os SAN then?
Pretty much ruined my day....it was a lot I quite wanted and would have kept bidding if I had known otherwise,
re: Very disappointed with bidding on SAN
That's auctions for you!
Just never look at their offerings ever again.
Lesson learned.
re: Very disappointed with bidding on SAN
I have been disappointed by SAN before. I don't think their sales are always done in real time.
I always use an auction agent for items I really want.
Vince
edit
I checked their site and I only seen their "Mail Sales" (Eastern Auctions) which are handled differently than an auction. You only see the bids placed on SAN. Mail in and phone bids are usually done after their stated close time. I had the same problem with Nutmeg when they were in business, that's when I statrted using an agent. Instead of
"Just never look at their offerings ever again"
re: Very disappointed with bidding on SAN
SAN are a waste of time. I tried many times to bid but kept being asked for references, feedback proof from other sites and more. I felt like I'd done something wrong. So I gave up.
But they still keep sending me auction details even though I have left the site and blocked emails from them.
Some years ago I contacted them about one of their auction houses listing items incorrectly described. That's when the trouble started.
Since then I have done my best to ignore them.
Londonbus1
re: Very disappointed with bidding on SAN
I use SAN and Philasearch to simply search for items and will typically register and bid directly with the house. The few time I have bid through SAN it seemed fine. I've used Philasearch for bidding a bit more than SAN, and, again, haven't experienced any issues to date. Knowing the "house rules" for a specific auction is important as the "rules" can and will vary according to the type of auction. Auction agents, as previously mentions, are definitely worthwhile. I prefer "live" auctions, and recently participated in a "live" Spink's auction online and there were no surprises other than low hammers on really great material in the area I collect, but that's a different discussion...
re: Very disappointed with bidding on SAN
C'mon.....I want that different discussion now. No fair!
re: Very disappointed with bidding on SAN
I have participated live in SAN with Schuyler J. Rumsey Philatelic Auctions and everything is fine, as Laeding says, you have to see the rules of the auction house, in Schuyler they include live mail offers that arrived prior to the mailbox (snail mail ), via telephone, "floor" and online SAN, other philatelic houses do not include everything and reserve the right to give the winning auction after checking offers received in telephone calls.
The London Bus thing seems strange to me, normally with credit references and/or mentioning an auction house in which you have participated are usually enough.
re: Very disappointed with bidding on SAN
I've only used SAN to bid in the Daniel F. Kelleher live auctions, and the only problem I have is that most of the bidders want to pay more for the lots than I do! Seriously, I've never had any issues and have participated in three of the auctions. If the auction you were participating in wasn't live, I don't have any experience with those.
Just checked that last Eastern auction - interestingly the only thing in the terms I found related to SAN suggests that the opposite can occur as well:
"It is possible that Stamp Auction Network (SAN) underbids may become the winning bid at auction close. This is due to the implications of “Limit” and “or” bids."
There is a direct link to their website from SAN and from what I can tell, even if you bid in the mail auction using their site, the same thing could occur.... looks like any bids received by the deadline, no matter how they get them, email, phone, online, regular mail..... can qualify and it makes sense the online site couldn't reflect any late bids. So I think it's just the nature of the beast, and not an SAN issue.
re: Very disappointed with bidding on SAN
I have heard reports of this elsewhere. I guess you need to bid directly.
re: Very disappointed with bidding on SAN
@bigcreekdad, I'll post regarding the auction after I get "through this weekend," daughter has a big volleyball tournament. Son's college applications went out this week, too! Hoping the shipment of my items comes in soon!
re: Very disappointed with bidding on SAN
Regarding SAN: Yesterday I participated in the Sparks Auctions live auctions through SAN and won what I needed without problems, in this auction house the offers of "snail mail, telephone, floor and Network are mentioned; it is definitely a matter of the good organization of who sells.
re: Very disappointed with bidding on SAN
This was a first for me. I've previously won 5 or so Vance auctions, and one Eastern, through Vance with no problems. Live and learn I guess.
Botton line is, why use SAN if you can go directly to auction house? Serious question...anyone have thoughts?
re: Very disappointed with bidding on SAN
If you mean going physically, well I live in Mexico and I wouldn't spend on a plane, lodging, etc., to buy a $600.00 dollar stamp and if you mean the auction house page, at least where I participate; They say you that to see and/or participate live/real time, you have to go to SAN
re: Very disappointed with bidding on SAN
No, No, No....not physically. I mean directly contact....phone, email etc. Sorry for the confusion.
re: Very disappointed with bidding on SAN
I participated in one live bidding auction there where the Auction House was only offering the live bidding through SAN. I won the lot I wanted. I think it's up to the individual auction house to properly manage their incoming bids, and keep sites updated. Since it appears this is not being done consistently, probably best to bid with individual locations directly unless there is a live bid on SAN.
re: Very disappointed with bidding on SAN
I've had pretty good luck with SAN....probably too good as I hate to think how much I've spent over there!
I'd say I've won about 99.9% of the stuff that I ended up high bidder on at the end of the auction that did NOT get trumped by a late arriving mail bid.
I've bid both at SAN and through dealers that advertise on SAN but bid at the auction house on-line. I just did that Saturday with the Rasdale auction out of Chicago.
Overall I'd say I've had quite a pleasent experience. I ended up with 36,000 FDC after one bid Acutally two...two separate lots thousands in each lot.
Mike