Bad Idea: Sellers BOYCOTT Heritage Auction Pia Talja Crypto Department

[2stout]

Just like I thought, my comment would get deleted because it didn't fit the echo chamber narrative- censorship at its finest but what's good for the goose is good for the gander.  It calls things out and states why it's a bad idea.


"I'm pretty sure this will get deleted because it doesn't fit the narrative, but here we go.

If your goal was to inform sellers and offer options, then the title should have been different and you could have left post as 'Try to keep seller's fee between 0-10% when dealing with the auction houses."

Also, everyone's mileage may vary with the different auction houses.  For example, you and Kialara seem to have different experiences with Pia.  However, one can attract more bees with honey as opposed to vinegar.  I hope you didn't/don't approach her like you do thing around here- dogmatic and demanding.  If so, this could explain things and it may be time to take a look in the mirror because everyone else can't be the problem every time.  At the end of the day, it's similar to retaining a lawyer in that a consignor is a client, meaning the Pia, James, and/or Andy will work with you but they don't work for you.  They work for their respective auction houses as that's who signs their checks.

A boycott is a bad idea just because of your experience, as it doesn't seem a majority share your experience and if they did, this would have been brought up before.  In addition, we are trying to grow and expand the space, not cut our noses to spite our faces.  If HA was/is that bad or if folks weren't making money, guess what- folks would deal elsewhere.  Also, if someone feels or knows can make more money with HA taking 20% or the split over spot vs other auction houses, then guess what, they are going to roll with HA.  If they feel or know it would mean a haircut, they will deal elsewhere."

[Kazkaz27]

I think your comment should not have been deleted but I spoke with Howard. I know the situation, I think it wasn’t right and I can even agree with you 2stout to a fair extent. I can’t say much more than that.

[hybridsole]

If I ever consign with Heritage, I’m asking for Pia Talja. Anyone who had to deal with Howard and realized he’s a total moron is worthy of my business.

[Kazkaz27]

If I ever consign with Heritage, I’m asking for Pia Talja. Anyone who had to deal with Howard and realized he’s a total moron is worthy of my business.

Ultimately, you have not sold with Heritage, but however, Howard has for 20 years. I would call that experience. Sharing opinions upon something you have no knowledge is moronic. Although, I’d encourage you to simply ignore Howard and use Pia Talja.

[Rymaster]

Below are the current standard auction premiums for each of these auction houses, on Physical Bitcoin/Crypto pieces.
Please anyone feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.

GreatCollections
Seller: <$1,000 = 5%, >$1,000 = 0%
Buyer: 12.5% or 10% if paid by Check/Wire ($5 min)
Total: 10-17.5% of hammer price

Stack's Bowers
Seller: 10%
Buyer: 22% ($29 min)
Total: 32% of hammer price

Heritage Auctions
Seller: 15%
Buyer: 20% ($29 min)
Total: 35% of hammer price

Fee wise, there is a clear winner here. Funny enough though, based on their current volumes, the order is actually flipped for who is getting the most lots of these items.

[hybridsole]

If I ever consign with Heritage, I’m asking for Pia Talja. Anyone who had to deal with Howard and realized he’s a total moron is worthy of my business.

Ultimately, you have not sold with Heritage, but however, Howard has for 20 years. I would call that experience.

I have purchased through Heritage, and spoke with them personally at conferences.  I've also seen how they have handled Otoh's collections and that he very much preferred them after using Stacks, etc..  I think they are very worthy of doing business with. 

Also I will post this comment which Howard (Mr. Safe Space) just deleted:

Quote from: howardsentell on May 16, 2026, 05:42:11 PM
While she charged me a 0% sellers commission fee I believe she charges others up to 50%

Are you just speculating on this, or what is it based on?  They offered you 0% but you think they are ripping off people that aren't you, because you're a genius negotiator and everyone else is a sucker?

Also it seems wrong to call out someone by name, when they are working within the rules set forth by their employer, Heritage.  It's a jackass move to call them out specifically, when they are just doing their job which is to deal with morons like you on a daily basis.

[MoparMiningLLC]

I have sent several hundred coins to Pia due to dealings here on the forums and also from work off of the forums. Have had zero issues. Yes, the fees suck - they suck everywhere though and the fees are relatively the same as the ones I have paid thru Stacks - the lowest fees are with Great Collections iirc. And they do break open slabbed coins to reslab with NGC. So if coins are slabbed with any other grader than NGC and you don't want to incur cost to reslab - don’t send them to heritage. That said, if one is aware (easily done thru a 10 min discussion with Pia) then there should be no issues.

[Kialara]

he deleted my comments also so I will paste them back here.

I've never sold through Heritage, Stacks, or GreatCollections, so I can't speak on anyone's contracts. But I have met Pia and worked with her a bit while she was cataloging my own work for my collectors, and she's always seemed kind, professional, and genuinely supportive of the space.

Also, "up to 50% over spot" is very different from a 50% seller commission.and you say "up to" and "not for you"  That could mean $1k commission on a $50k+ sale for them depending on the outcome and they are assuming risk also, no? Anyone can just kindly choose to sell elsewhere without trying to promote a boycott.

Heritage brings a level of reach and legitimacy that most niche platforms simply don't have, especially for something as small as physical Bitcoin collectibles. Constructive criticism is fair, but also be careful about attacking one of the few major auction houses willing to champion this category at all.

Why do you keep deleting my comment:
Honestly man, I just think this is getting a little overly personal toward Pia specifically. She's an employee doing her job and seems genuinely passionate about the category. I'd hate for someone googling her for whatever reason years from now to find a thread attacking her over policies she likely doesn't even control.

[anonymousminer]

Pia is wonderful and I always make sure to stop by and say hi when they are at a conference I attend.  She has dug in and learned so much about collectibles to make sure that when she is talking to people about the items people consign/buy with/from... she's knowledgeable.  WTF... putting that kind woman on blast based for nothing.  GFY howie!

Threads like this show exactly what kind of scumbag howard sentell is hiding behind his fake ass "have a blessed day" bullshit.  


p.s.  I have reported several more unsolicited PMs from howie... even asking for my real name and phone number... wanting to discuss a "business deal."  It seems he didn't learn from his last ban... I hope this next one is permanent.  If you have received unsolicited PMs as I have, please report them as well.  It's time this stain is removed.

[howardsentell]

Thank you for sharing my post. Your support raises awareness of this issue and will help collectors protect their investments.

[EYEOS]

Pia has always been a pleasure to deal with. The level of work that goes into managing the coins and producing the catalogs is very impressive, and it really adds a lot of exposure and professionalism to the hobby as a whole. The catalogs in particular are beautifully done and clearly take a tremendous amount of effort and attention to detail. When it comes time to consign, it will undoubtedly be with her and HA.