As reported in previous articles – see Auction Events | Julien’s Auctions | Michael Jackson – Michael Jackson’s MJJ Productions filed a lawsuit against Julien’s Auctions for the return of personal property from the Neverland Ranch that was consigned to the auction house with a sale planned this month. These events appeared to have prompted long time auction partner Auction Network to withdraw as the online bidding service provider. In reviewing the JuliensAuctions.com and LiveAuctioneers.com websites today, it appears that Auction Network has been replaced with competitor Live Auctioneers.
Below are links to the two sites as well as archives of screencaptures as they appear today.
Julien’s Auctions – www.juliensauctions.com
Live Auctioneers – www.liveauctioneers.com
Live Auctioneers has been reported on in previous Original Prop Blog articles.
In August of 2008, following eBay’s April 2008 announcement of shutting down their “eBay Live Auctions” service, Live Auctioneers already appeared groomed to absorb as much of that business as they could attract:
In December 2008, as the online bidding service provider for Profiles in History, Live Auctioneers CEO Julian Ellison made several television appearances to promote the auction event, but failed to make any mention of the actual auction company, Profiles in History:
- ABC News Interviews LiveAuctioneers CEO About Profiles in History… With No Mention of Profiles in History
- Fox News Channel Interviews LiveAuctioneers CEO About Profiles in History… Still No Mention of Profiles in History
Conversely, Profiles in History gave Live Auctioneers a strong endorsement:
As noted in the above articles, there appeared to be a conflict in promoting the auction house without directing television viewers to the Profiles website, as Live Auctioneers obtains a percentage of the Buyer’s Premium on those items purchased through the Live Auctioneers.com website. In the Profiles example, the Buyer’s Premium if bidding through Live Auctioneers was 20%, but if bidding direct with Profiles in History (not online but in person as a floor bidder, or via mail, fax, or phone bids), the Buyer’s Premium was 15% (cash) or 18% (credit card).
Should Mr. Ellison appear on television with regards to the Michael Jackson sale, I imagine it would be a challenge to avoid talking about Julien’s Auctions, as the lawsuit has garnered more publicity than the auction itself.
I have also shared in previous articles impressions of the competing online bidding services, including Auction Network, LiveAuctioneers, and iCollector:
- Battlestar Galactica Live Auction Day One: Impressions of The Event, PropWorx, & The Auction Network Service
- “Underworld” Live Auction: Impressions of The Event, Premiere Props, & The iCollector Service
Overall, in my subjective opinion, I felt that Auction Network (Julien’s Auctions frequent partner) offers a far superior service when compared with both Live Auctioneers and iCollector.
Bidder Registration Form
In reviewing the current Julien’s Auctions Bidder Registration Form for the Michael Jackson sale event (now reflecting the Live Auctioneers online bidding option), it appears that bidding online via Live Auctioneers will cost the buyer and additional 3% on top of the hammer price and in addition to the auction house Buyer’s Premium (20%-25%, depending on the hammer price).
Excerpt:
Acknowledgement: I hereby request approval for this registration to bid in this auction sale with Julien’s Auctions (the Auctioneer). I acknowledge that I have read, understood and agreed to the Terms and Conditions of the sale as posted on www.juliensauctions.com and printed in the auction catalogue, applicable to the auction sale for which I now register and request the Auctioneer to approve such registration as an authorized participant as a Floor Bidder (Bidder at live event), Absentee Bidder (Bidder by phone, mail, fax, or online) or Online Bidder. I acknowledge and agree that a 20% Buyer’s Premium will be added to the hammer price on individual lots $50,000 and higher, and a 25% Buyer’s Premium on all individual lots of $0 – $49,000 for which I am the successful bidder. In addition, there will be an additional 3% buyer’s premium charged for any lots won on www.liveauctioneers.com. I further acknowledge that I am responsible to pay Julien’s Auctions the aggregate of the hammer price and the Buyer’s Premium for such lot(s). All invoices must be paid within 10 calendar days after the close of the auction. I authorize Julien’s Auctions to charge my credit card (3% commission will be added) listed on page 1 for all items purchased (including shipping) at this auction, and any future Julien’s Auctions I may participate in, if not otherwise paid in full within 10 calendar days after the close of the auction. In addition, I understand that my credit card will be charged a fee of $25.00 for my bidder registration in advance of the auction. By signing below I confirm that I have read and agree with all the facts stated in this Acknowledgement and verify all information on page one is correct.
Original Prop Blog will continue to provide full coverage reporting on ongoing developments with this auction event.
Previous articles:
- Auction House Controversies In The News: Christie’s & China, Antiquorium & India, Julien’s Auctions & Michael Jackson
- Auction Network Pulls The Plug On Julien’s Auctions Amid Michael Jackson Lawsuit Controversy
- Superior Court Lawsuit Filing: Michael Jackson’s MJJ Productions, Inc. vs Julien’s Auction House, LLC
- Michael Jackson & Julien’s Auctions Lawsuit Update, Claims of Threats: “Lives Are At Stake and There Will Be Bloodshed”
- Michael Jackson & Julien’s Auctions Lawsuit Update: Review of Preliminary Injunction Declarations, Consignment Agreement
- In The News: Colony Capital May “Throw Their Hat Into The Ring” To Stop Julien’s Auctions Sale of Michael Jackson Property
Jason De Bord