Record-Setting Auction Win is Great News for TarotTools.com Readers!
Recently, Tarot collectors watched breathlessly as a record-setting auction of more than 200 Tarot decks closed for $3555.00. I'm delighted to announce that my partner, Clyde, and I were the winners!
So ... what do you do with more than 200 decks, some of which are extremely rare? I'm adding five of them to my personal collection ... but I'm also happy to announce that Clyde and I will sell the rest at Amazon.com (for fixed prices) and eBay (via auctions).
Soon, I'll post a comprehensive list of the decks -- and where you can go to browse and buy them -- right here on TarotTools.com. Until then, I invite you to read the "Big Pile o Decks" FAQ, provided, for your convenience, at the end of this post. Enjoy!
THE BIG PILE O' DECKS FAQ
Q: What was the winning bid?
A: $3,555.00. We cast the winning bid at the very last second!
Q: You twits! Why did you cast such large bids early on? Everyone knows you wait until the last minute to bid.
A: We were probing to see what the reserve price was, of course. Who wants to put in a last minute bid, only to see "Reserve Not Met?"
Early on, we computed a maximum we were willing to pay, planning to place that bid in the final seconds of the auction. Prior to the end of the auction, we placed lower bids in an effort to establish the reserve price. Had the reserve outstripped our maximum bid, we would have stopped bidding.
Q: What did you do when you won?
A: Ran around the room in circles, screaming like a little girl.
Q: What will you do with all those decks?
A: Put them all in a pile and squirm around in them, squealing, "Mine! All mine!"
Just joking! Five of the decks will be added to my personal collection. All the others will be sold.
Q: How will you sell them?
A: Many will be offered on Amazon.com as "set-price" purchases. Others will be auctioned on eBay.
Q: Will you put them all on eBay and Amazon.com at once?
A: We think it would be better to list them slowly -- a deck a day, or five decks a week.
Q: Where are the decks now?
A: On a UPS truck in Illinois. They are scheduled to arrive at our house on Wednesday of this week.
Q: Can you save deck XYZ for me? Can I make an offer on deck XYZ now? Since I'm a pal of yours, will you give me dibs on deck XYZ? Were you aware that God told me in a dream that deck XYZ was meant to come to me?
A: Since we won the auction, we've already received dozens of emails from other bidders and clever Googlestalkers. Everyone, it seems, wants us to reserve or pre-sell the decks! It's overwhelming.
Some things to remember:
1) At this point, we haven't even seen the decks. Before we can auction or sell them, we must verify that the decks in the shipment are, in fact, the decks we were promised. In addition, I have to go through each deck, check its condition, and verify that it contains all its cards. To sell or promise anyone anything before taking this step would be irresponsible, yes?
2) We don't have the resources to deal with individual requests for decks. Managing all those requests and offers would become a full-time job. What's more, despite our best efforts, it's also absolutely certain that someone would get angry at us, claiming that we sold deck XYZ after promising it to them. Who needs that kind of stress?
So: rather than reserve decks, pre-sell decks, or make individual deals, we will verify the condition of each deck we receive, then offer the decks exclusively through Amazon.com and eBay. This strikes us as the only solution that is responsible ... fair ... and manageable.
Q: When will you start listing them?
A: As early as next week, if all goes well.
Q: Will you let us know which decks will be available, and when?
A: Once I go through the five boxes of decks (whew!), check them against the list we've been given by the seller, and verify the condition of each deck, I'll create a list called "Decks We Will Sell."
I'll make that list into a webpage hosted here on TarotTools.com. From there, you'll be able to see when each deck goes on sale, and where it can be found: Amazon.com or Ebay.
Q: What is the meaning of life?
A: See Major Arcana cards 0-21.
More updates as soon as the boxes of decks arrive! I'll also have photos of the unpacking, just for kicks.
Go you two guys, I would feel that way after getting a deal on my gemstones and crystals (that I am still too lazy/busy to list on site). I would not be in your category on bidding on ebay (though I sell there too sometimes). Hope the cards are all there for you. What are the five decks your keeping? Why not give us putzes the first go on your site, your set up for paypal right? Then list to ebay and amazon, come on give us first draw. Trice
Posted by: Patrice Stamper | June 14, 2006 at 12:33 PM
Hi! Wow! What a blast for you, I am totally delighted on your behalf!
I too am very curious about the five decks and appreciate your letting us all in on your fun.
I could CLEARLY see you running around screaming like a little girl, and that is exactly what I would have been doing myself, as well as on the floor squirming around yelling, mine, all mine.
Too funny. Way to go, boys!
Ferol
Posted by: Ferol Humphrey | July 01, 2006 at 12:42 AM
Ha! In the end, I decided to keep five surprising choices:
- The Radiant Sun Oracle, a mass-market astrology-centered deck with amazing art and a solid companion book.
- A cards-only copy of the deck included with the Ancient Prophecy Tarot game kit. These are RWS in a friendly, almost cartoony style.
- The Rider Tarot Deluxe, with gold edges and cool, green-patterned backs. Lovely!
- The Knapp-Hall reprint. I'd rather have a 1929 copy, but for now, this US Games vintage copy will do!
- The Tarot of Napoleon. I love the big, bold plain pips -- I can see them without holding them at arm's length! (Ha!)
Mark
Posted by: Mark | July 01, 2006 at 08:18 AM
Oh -- and don't forget, you can see the list of all decks being auctioned (and dates your favorites will go on sale) here:
http://www.tarottools.com/auction
Posted by: Mark | July 01, 2006 at 08:19 AM