I consigned antique items to Dave Abdou Auctions for years. He and his wife were totally honest and transparent. Every item would sell for a different amount, and remarkably, I'd receive a check two days later. I'd generally consign half a dozen lots at their bi-weekly auctions. David Abdou passed away in November of 2016. His wife Lois is no longer involved in the business. I've spoken with her since. I miss Dave as a person, and I miss Dave Abdou Auctions as I knew them.
A couple of years ago, when the new Abdou Auction Co. had begun (which does not involve David Abdou's family) I consigned 6 lots to the new Abdou Auction Co.. It may have been their very first auction. Every lot sold for exactly $25. It's inconceivable that that would happen. Typically there'd be a spread: Dave would tell me an item didn't sell; one lot sold for the minimum of $20 and the other lots sold for $35, $75, $120 & $190. Among the lots I had placed at the new Abdou Auction Co. was a lot of 280 (yes, I counted them) large format mostly 19th century photographs. I just wanted to get rid of them and realized that if they sold for $200 (which would have been a typical Dave Abdou Auction Co. result) I'd be losing money, but I wanted to move on. I figured it would make some dealer happy.
Even giving them the benefit of the doubt since they were new, maybe none of my items sold, and they were simply trying to save 'face.' But I then wrote them a letter about this, and called them about it. No response. I even mentioned it when I saw one of the principals in person at a show where I was set up at. Just talk to me and explain what happened. I'm generally easy-going but I can't let this go. It's not the way Dave Abdou Auctions did business. read more