Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Non-Tech : Sotheby's (BID) Auction House -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Steve Andrew who wrote (119)	1/20/1999 11:59:00 AM
From: John	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 236

Steve, I think you make some reasonable points, but I think you're underestimating the value of the name in an internet context, and more importantly the value of Sotheby's authenticity guarantee. It's true that eBay's commission structure is lower, but you get what you pay for. Lots of non-authentic merchandise is being peddled on eBay to the unsuspecting. Is it worth more to go to a site where you might pay more but you know you're getting authentic merchandise and a solid company to back it up? I think so. As to Sotheby's staff, they'll get used to it. Moreover, Sotheby's receives a multitude of items that they cannot sell cost-effectively in their live auctions and they have to refer to others. Now they will be able to sell many of those items profitably themselves, without any additional effort to "go out and find them." Bottom line: Sotheby's is worth a lot more than 20% of eBay's market cap, IMO. John

To: Steve Andrew who wrote (119)	1/21/1999 5:13:00 AM
From: Iceberg	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 236

>Most good dealers are loathe to trust Sothebys >They also do not plan ANY migration of their higher end auctions to the internet >The existing staff is also quite annoyed with the company's edict >Their strategy of signing up art dealers and galleries is best described as a "strong-arm tactic" >There will be some backlash within the fine art world >that will not help Sothebys expand as significantly as they would otherwise like the investing public to believe. Steve, It seems to me you just made 6 amazing assertions about Sotheby's. Your assertions involve trust [or the lack of it], Sotheby's corporate short-term plans, Sotheby's long-term strategic plans, the attitudes of Sotheby's staff, how the "fine art world" will react, and corporate deception. Are you suggesting that you 1.) know Sotheby's can't be trusted? 2.) know what Sotheby's will and won't put on the Internet? 3.) are knowledgeable about the current attitudes of Sotheby's staff? 4.) are aware of some specific information as to Sotheby's use of "strong-arm" tactics? 5.) have specific reasons for predicting some sort of "backlash" in the fine art world to [I presume] Sotheby's decision to auction on the Internet? And 6.) have reason to believe Sotheby's is intentionally trying to deceive the public? Where is the support for such assertions? You go on to say.... >I am not suggesting anyone go short or boot their longs(although I have) For some reason, I get the distinct impression that your post is not credible. That you are trying to blow smoke up everyone's ass. Ice