Have Postal Hikes put the Whammy on Auction Activity?
I’m going to have to say yes, the rising cost of shipping has curtailed the frenzied trading of TV lamps on eBay, at least to an extent. Long-time collectors are accustomed to seeing the holidays slow down activity, but in the past couple of months have shown a similar downturn. I’m always watching the number of listings in eBay’s TV lamp category, a total that was until recently in the 300-350 range. Now it’s wheezing along at closer to 200 (222 as I write this), with no apparent cause. (unless you consider that back-to-school preparations could have people occupied) I’m inclined to believe that the cost of shipping a lamp, perhaps $12 before and now more like $25, to be the culprit. Smart sellers are going to charge the increase, and savvy buyers are going to take it into consideration when bidding.
I don’t believe that buying at auction is doomed, but rather in a period of adjustment, as bidders are still going to throw astronomical bids at Lane & Co. Flamingos and Claes Basset Hounds. What remains to be seen is the activity on “entry level” TV lamps, as buyers now find themselves paying something like $50 for that “bargain” $25 lamp. (an heaven help anyone that pays to ship a table lamp with shade!) Time will tell, but at least in the sort-term I believe antique malls are going to look more and more like an attractive resource for acquisitions.