New regular auctions of Mechanical Music incl. vintage slot machines

[cheeky]

Great to hear from you Laurence. I did so enjoy those auctions so I will be supporting your new venture. A little birdie tells me that there is quite a large haul of machines not a million miles from where you are so no doubt those machines may well begin to appear as I seem to recall you are quite gifted in finding 'secret' collections.

[laurence]

Hiya Cheeky,

Thanks for your kind words - I'll help where I can, but a sale is only as good as the pull of consignments. For the first time, I will have lots from £20 upwards with no ceiling, so a great selection of useful, bad, ugly, superb and hopefully amazing gear for it. As for getting the gear in, I use a very special blend of psychology and extreme violence.
It appears to work wonders!
We'll see what happens...
LF

[cheeky]

Well it seems to work for the existing auctions so why not!

[jingle]

Hi Laurence
What kind of commission will you be charging
At your auctions
Thanks
Jingle

[laurence]

Hi Jingle,

Although C & T Auctioneers are a small house, we handle only specialist subjects - (Arms & Armour, Toys, Trains, Dolls, Lead Soldiers and Mech Mus & Sci). It is a house run by specialists for specialists and the team have worked for at least 2 of the big 3. We all hate modern art and accountants telling us what min lot value to adhere to etc, etc.
We are on Saleroom.com, commission bids, tele bids, in person. No storage charges and no other additional fees whatsoever to either buyer/seller.
We do all the press, collect the goods, photograph, insure, catalogue and try our best to sell well for the vendor. I have all back-contacts of all buyers of slots from when I started in 2003.
We therefore have a very simple all-in commission for buyers and sellers -
It's 15% + vat to sell, 18% + vat to buy. Hopefully, the selection you are all used to seeing me do in London, at a bit less than London prices. The venue (Spa hotel) although it costs to hire is a splendid venue; parking, bar, free refreshments on sale day, evening view before sale as well as morning view - lots of details which I'll go into when cat is up. I'm seeing a couple of pieces in Sept., so more obviously welcome. I have an unlimited storage space facility.
LF

[clubconsoles]

Hi Laurence
I expect you will get a few groans about the commission but I, for one, didn't expect anything different.
I remember you from the Christies auctions of 10 - 15 years ago, there were some super pieces that went through your hands back then!
I loved viewing those old spools of movies filmed in the Mills factory in Chicago, i didn't win it, but many thanks for giving me a preview!
If you can get the quality stuff out of the woodwork, it can only be a good thing.
The best of luck to you with this new venture!

Nigel

[laurence]

Many thanks Nigel, I remember you having a film peek in my office of the Mills reels - really wished you got them, but at least you had a chance to view a few frames.
Commission is an easy argument-able subject I agree. But then when you look at what Christies are now charging (up to 25% for vendor and up to 30% for buyer) + vat, then most provincial houses which sell everything and anything are anywhere between 15 and 25%. The big difference here is that C&T are a growing house. A house which will need to grow and live.
The easy way to do it is work backwards with all auctions regardless what they charge, 5% or 30%. Most you want to spend, minus their fee and vat is the hammer you go up to. Easy said I know, but it keeps you safe. Regardless of where I work out from, I keep the sales as friendly as possible.
LF

[badpenny]

Taken direct from The Coventry Auction Website ............
Our commision rates are: Sellers 5%, Buyers 10%. No VAT.

And to keep the perspective This link shows you what a 200+ lots auction, purely dedicated to slots (as opposed to an auction with some slots in it) looks like

Good luck to all say I

BP

[laurence]

Exactly why Coventry is and should be right out there in front - it is purely slots, it is run by slotties for slotties and for various reasons, overheads will be a great deal less. Don't forget folks that my main line is Mech Mus and Sci with slots as (pardon the pun) the sideshow.
BP and JC do an incredible job there.
I might come up to the next Coventry auction - I've always fancied a Bryans Bullion on 1d.
LF

[badpenny]

I'm merely keeping the balance Laurence.
We've had a few new members this year, whom have probably never heard of any of the live auctions. Let alone be aware of the past and its issues. Time to move on!

I'm not opposed to competition, in fact I welcome it (I too would enjoy visiting others' events) JC and I started these umpty years ago and chose November when there were no others, then EH chose November (now it's November as well as any old month which equals less lots every time). Now I know everybody got to be somewhere (Quote Bluebottle~The Goons) but as you yourself said it stands or falls by the number of lots submitted and when.

We used to do two a year, no longer, there simply aren't the machines.
If you have access to complete collections or a hoard I envy you, we are (as you said) reliant upon the collectors and enthusiasts and do our damnedest to give everybody involved a great day out.
However I know I'm preaching to the converted with you.
You supported us from the very beginning, and I sincerely do wish you every success, as much as I'd be delighted to see you at Coventry this November.

BP

[laurence]

There is a focus with Coventry which makes it unique, plus you have a full year of consignment programme.
I chose May and Nov for sales just because there was an even break between each and it misses the summer break and the penny-short Christmas run-up.
I haven't got access to a collection as yet - nothing on horizon, just the four bits in my first post for now. I learnt so much from the slot community over the years. If I was stuck on a maker name, you guys had the answer, if I was unsure of any other detail, someone was keen to call me with the facts. Not many subjects in the line of what I handle would have that kind of attention and I was and still am, very grateful.
Very best with Coventry, it'll be super.
LF

[pennymachines]

Hi again Laurence,
Refreshed from my hols I dared have another go...
I've restored your old posts and (to avoid the confusion BP mentioned) your original username, which was, and is now once more (by strange coincidence) "Laurence."

[laurence]

Hi I,
Well fancy me forgetting that as my user name - old age and madness creeping in I fear!
Hope you had a great holiday, welcome back to 1d land.
L

[laurence]

The auction catalogue is now live online, with the paperback out on Monday. Not a huge amount, but its a start - only had 10 weeks to get this sale together. Four slot machines, and good ones at that. Here is the link to take you to the online version of the sale through Saleroom.com
https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/auct ... -srct10040

Section with machines is lot 103-115. Pretty much all Mech Mus sub-categories are represented as well, so if you want or need a musical box, phonograph, wireless, microscope or automaton, this is the sale for you.

Enjoy and if you have any questions, ring me.
Many thanks and hopefully see some of you at the sale in Tunbridge Wells on 1st/2nd Nov. I'm already building up for the May '17 sale.
Laurence

[jingle]

Some nice machines there
Is it right 3 percent buyers premium
And no vat
That's what it says under the machines bit
But at the top of page it mentions 21%
And no vat

[laurence]

The Saleroom is a very handy tool/site, but our only moan is the info shown which can make it confusing. The Saleroom take 3% as their payment to bid if using them to live-bid.
Our buyers prem is 18% plus vat making 21% total. If you decide to bid via Saleroom, there is 3% extra so its 24%.
If you go for a telephone bid through C&T, there is no 3% extra - likewise if you leave a bid or bid in room.
Most people use Saleroom to browse the catalogue then either attend/send someone to bid. If you have more than one lot to buy, or if you are on the other side of the world, bidding through them is very handy - just remember their little extra charge for the privilege.

[pennymachines]

And the pictures...

[laurence]

Nicely expanded, thank you!
We have the legs for both Star Trek and Bertha, but for photo purposes, found it easier to rest on floor so you get the playing field all in. The legs for Betha are not wood but metal, although of some age (lost early in life?).