Question about the Mastro Auctions registration

Simple question.

Do I have to pay the $75 registration fee if I don't want to receive the catalogs and I just want to bid in the upcoming auction?

Thanks in advance.

they charge $75 to sign up, you can't bid unless you pay that...i guess that covers the cost of the catalog for life. Funny thing is, REA charges nothing.

Mark

Thanks Mark.

That's the only auction house that charges a registration fee.

I guess the 20% buyers premium is not enough?

Kind of a joke, IMO

Mastro seems to try and bleed every cent from collectors. They charge $75 to register, the shipping fees, if you win, are double and sometimes 3X what they should be. Mastro really needs to get with the times. The 20% BP is way too high.


Mark

This is off topic but do they charge for REA catalouges?

Yes, I do agree mastro will not do good if they do not lower these prices.

Yeah, they have some really nice cards, but I just can't get over those two things.

Why do I need to pay $75 to spend my money there? Well, I guess I'll spend it elsewhere.

Or maybe I'll go in on a lot with someone?????

I know the E94 lot is spoken for by a group.

arandy wrote:This is off topic but do they charge for REA catalouges?

Yes, I do agree mastro will not do good if they do not lower these prices.

REA doesn't charge for registration or the catalouges.

7% tax for me though being that I'm in Jersey (they are actually one town over from me, which I just found out).

Buyers premium is 17.5%

for REA cat. you just need to sign up and put your Credit Card info in. Its just to confirm its you that may bid on a card. I think they ask for 2 references but thats no problem....put me down.

Mark

I feel REA deserves a pat on the back.

arandy wrote:I feel REA deserves a pat on the back.

They are good people too. Very friendly on the phone and willing to answer any questions you have. They are a great help.

It doesn't get any better than Rob Lifson and REA. The other auctions houses could learn a lot from Rob and the way he conducts his business.

Jay

arandy wrote:I feel REA deserves a pat on the back.

I have always been pleased with REA in every respect. From the free catalogs to good discriptions to great customer service... they've got it down. As others have said, Rob does it right.

Shame that Mastro finds it necessary to charge $75, but that said, I've only had good experiences with them as well.

if you email doug or pete whatever and say you're an n54 member i'm pretty sure they would waive the $75 fee....this was after a big thread about the fee a couple years back. i had to cough up the $75 6-7 years back also.

Quan, I wouldn't count on it. When Lee, Dan Barretta and I went to the Masto offices to view the DiMaggio streak bat evidence, I tried to get them to put me on the catalogue list with having to fork over $75 and had no luck. This was at a time when I still thought Mastro was reputable. No way they would give me a freebie now, lol.

Jay

Just for the record Mastro wiaved the fee for me since I was a regular bidder in their classic collector auctions and a member of the Net54. I've given Mastro some criticism here and there where I thought they deserved it and they still waived the fee for me.

Dan

Anything is possible. I got my fee waived when I was writing articles for PSA and GAI classified me as their editorialist...which never really materialized. I did write the press release when they graded the 3.5 Wagner. Mastro waived the fee's for being a hobby editor.

I think as long as you bid on something at every auction your membership is always renewed.