Our Clients Say It Best

We have literally hundreds of notes and letters in our files from clients who have written to us over the years to tell us how they feel about us and the services we provide. Here are just a few excerpts for your consideration. (If you spot a few errors in spelling, grammar or punctuation, please remember we have quoted the notes verbatim.)

Delighted to save so much money

I gave you a bid of $700 on a stamp that you got for me at $90. I was delighted to 'save' so much money, especially as the stamp was a major Scott number that had not appeared on the auction market for about 30 years. Now, I know in my heart that had I mailed the bid to the auction house, I would have paid a lot, lot more. I even doubt there's an auction in the world that would have not claimed a much higher realization through manipulation of my mail bid. That's simply a fact of life, at least today.

(Collector/West Coast)

Likes us best

I think you do a great job, better than any other auction agents I have been involved with. Your service, newsletter, market advice -- Everything!

(A 53 year veteran auction buyer - Arkansas)

$50 extra

We have enclosed $50 extra in this payment. We really appreciated Michael viewing the lots at the Kaufmann sale. Michael did us a great favor. Many thanks.

(Dealer/California)

Great Job

Great Job! I bid $325 and you get me the lot for $67.50. First time I ever fell into anything this extreme.

(Collector)

Back to using an agent

It has been awhile since I employed your services, but my recent success as a mail bidder hasn't been too great. Many instances of a floor bidder topping my bid by a single increase--so I am back to using an agent when there are items I particularly want. I enjoy your newsletter and the auction calendars serve as a good check

(Collector)

" . . .only regret is that I did not discover you earlier"

Dear Jeff, Melissa, and Michael,

This is just a short note to express my particular thanks for the effort and interest you have shown in helping me build an award-winning collection of specialized material.

Using your services has greatly facilitated the process of finding and purchasing items I need to enhance my exhibit. You have been helpful not only in my getting these items at reasonable prices, but also in providing assistance in the various bidding strategies which often confront specialists.

The concept that you understand the relative importance of each piece and how it will fit into my collection is very important to me. You don't claim to be experts in my area of interest (few people are), but you have shown time and again that when provided with specific information on what I need and why I need it, you get the job done in expert fashion. It is also significant that when I spot a better variety which is misidentified and want to bid accordingly, I can tell you about it without fear the information will be misused.

My only regret is that I did not discover you earlier. The money you have saved me has been substantially more than your modest commissions and has enabled me to increase the number of lots I buy without increasing my philatelic budget.

Your services were recommended to my by a friend and dealer. His favor in giving me your name has been rewarding to me ever since. Your frankness and sincerity have not gone unnoticed.

Thank you again. I hope we will continue our relationship for a long time in the future.

(Collector and Exhibitor)

Awards us both ears and the tail

. . . you are a voice speaking for the benefit of collectors in a market in which almost all the inertial weight is on the side of the auctioneer. Collectors are unlikely to resist such changes by significant boycotts, and the occasional specific disagreement between collector and auctioneer is almost never publicized. When you thoughtfully and carefully analyze the fine print of auction terms as you have done, you render a service to philately which is invaluable to collectors, and, indeed, in the long run equally invaluable to the entire field, including dealer-auctioneers. Thus I award you both ears and the tail for your essay on the advance notice condition. Keep up the good work.

Collector - Washington, DC

Thank You!

This short note is in way of a simple but honest THANK YOU for the help and service in this past year. I wonder how many of us realize how much work you all put into the Newsletter and auction calendar we receive from your organization?

Clearly I am a small user of your services. There have been times I have given you 20-30 bids for an auction and for one reason or another have won only 1-3 lots (maybe on some occasions, none). Do I ever hear any complaints from your people for wasting your time? NEVER!

Very recently I discovered on a day where there were 3 auctions in New York that I could not get into the 'Big Apple'. Now I suspect you all were as busy as all get out running and doing as the auction hour approched. Yet when I called your office, your people handled my bids like the professionals you have shown the philatelic community you are. Efficiency, courtesy and smiles were the order of the day.

It is nice to know that the stamp world has an organization which acts as agents in a professional way and has the desire and time to care for its clients.

(Dealer/ Connecticut)

Exceptional Good Judgement

Your executing my bid on one lot slightly higher than the amount I gave you shows exceptional good judgement. I wanted that lot and if ~ had bid by mail I'm sure it would have sold to someone else!

Collector/West Coast)

Service is the best

Your service is the best I've ever received from any agent. All I have to do is call you or Melissa and that's that! I don't know how you handle so many different sales but I'm glad you do.

(Collector)

Professional

I'm impressed! I expected excuses and buck-passing when I called your office to tell you about the error you made on one of my bids last week. What I got was courtesy, prompt action and Melissa's apology. She straightened everything out and I now have the right lot. I couldn't be more pleased with the professional way you people handled the whole situation.

(Collector/Northwest)

Appreciates our candor

Just a personal note to let you know that I appreciate your 'Newsletter' efforts. Along with welcomed information, your candor and sometimes humorous comments offer a refreshing pause in this sometimes stodgy business.

(Auction firm employee/NYC)

Inexpensive

Just a word to say how much I appreciate your service. It's inexpensive and very effective in helping me get the covers I need. Thanks a bunch.

(Collector/ Connecticut)

Watch-dog sensibilities

I enjoyed your newsletter and I appreciate your watch-dog sensibilities. I look forward to our next business transaction.

(Collector/California)

An incredible job

I saw Melissa at a sale in New York recently and she did an incredible job. From the P numbers she announced on the floor, it appeared she was handling bids for more than 60 people. I can't imagine how you folks keep track of all that. It must drive you nuts!

(Collector/New Jersey)

Usual good service

Thanks for your usual good service. Enclosed are additional bids for various sales.

(Dealer/London)

Had given up on bidding in auctions

I'd just about given up on bidding in auctions unless I could attend in person. Your service is truly invaluable to me and I appreciate all you've done for me.

(Collector/Mid-Atlantic Area)

Enjoys our newsletter

I enjoy your newsletter and appreciate the stand you are taking on auction prices & activities. The poor collector needs someone to take his side.

(Collector/South)

Auctioneer likes our newsletter

As an auctioneer, I want you to know I think your newsletter makes a real contribution to helping bidders understand how auctions work. You people are real pros!

(Auctioneer/Client)

Minimum fee seems too small

I am very satisfied with your service, but your minimum fee seems too small. You saved me many dollars on this lot and I appreciate it. For sure, you will receive my future business and I do hope you can make a larger commission off of me at a future sale. Keep up the good work.

(Collector/Texas)

Thanks for all the help

Your service is making my life alot simpler. I've always used friends or other dealers to execute my bids for 'free' but I found that some friends weren't friends and free often cost me quite a bit. Thanks for all the help you've been in reminding me about sales--that alone has been worth the commissions I've paid you.

(Dealer/Midwest)

Pleased with results

Thanks for acting on my behalf at the recent Mayflower auction. Your report with the prices realized on the lots not purchased is a big help when going over the catalog to be able to compare my bids with the floor bids.

(Collector/West Coast)

I am very satisfied

The auction lots arrived today and I am very satisfied. One lot has a small fault not described but you purchased everything so much below my limits that I will keep it.

(Dealer/Switzerland)

A new standard of professionalism

Congratulations! You are bringing a new standard of professionalism to the auction agent business. Lou Robbins couldn't have found better people to serve his clients.

(Auctioneer/Client)

Great savings

Please take care of the enclosed and bill me something even if we are unsuccessful. Will always remember my $800.00 bid on a lot you purchased for $27.00! It was needed for a study and we couldn't afford to lose it. As I recall, that same day, at another sale, you purchased a lot for $750.00 against our bid of $2000.00! If I ever questioned that you could do as fine a job as Lou Robbins it was settled that day. Wish I were able to give you more business but it's seldom I see something I want at auction. It's good to know that you are ready when I need help.

(Collector/New York)

Dramatic increase in bidding success

Again, thank you for being my agent. I am very pleasantly surprised by the dramatic increase in my auction bidding success which your representation has made possible.

(Collector/Massachusetts)

Most pleased

I couldn't let this opportunity pass to mention that we are most pleased with the professional, fair and pleasant way that you folks haundled our business at the sale.

(Collector-Pennsylvania)

Best professional judgment

Thanks again for your assistance and best professional judgment. It's nice to have someone you can rely on -- especially in these days when a boy doesn't have to go to Boston to get scrod!

(Collector-Dealer/Connecticut)