So Stacks and Bowers and Merena are joining forces? What will this do to the coin industry? Will they become a super giant similar to Heritage? What are their plans? Does anyone know the low down or have thoughts?
I see the combination not really adding value. I would bet that their combined market share will shrink from what it was before the merger. This happens in industry a lot, people think it adds value but it doesn't since the market wants more competition, not less. I would view this as good news if I were a mid-tier competitor, since I would view it as an opportunity. For collectors, yes I think this will place Stacks-Bowers in the same league as Heritage. I am just not sure there is enough material to sell for two firms to be so large. Just my guess. Chris
What I wonder is whether B&M will consume Stackss or if Stacks' (ANR) will consume B&M. When ANR "merged" with Stack's it wasn't long before all of the Stacks' family were out of the business and the only thing let was the name. (ANR personel with the Stacks' name.)
Well, as a friend said: " There's no more Bowers at B&W and no more Stacks at Stack's, now its Bowers at Stacks!"
The press release said that it is owned 51% by B&M. B&M president will run it. http://www.businesswire.com/news/ho...p-International’s-Bowers-Merena-Auctions-Join
I applaud this merger and eagerly await their first Auction under the new entity. For many many years I have been a faithful customer of Heritage Auction's . Having recently severed that relationship , the major part of my future purchases will be with Stacks. I think it's terrific news for us.
Legend Numismatic's Laura Sperber just posted a 'Hot Topics' article about this, providing some additional perspective; available here.
I think it will be a wait and see if the merger was successful at least from a financial stand point If the same amount of clients come back sharing overall expenses may turn out to be a good Idea!
Heritage, is becoming an upscale of EBAY . I would have preferred they stay focussed on Coins . Now that aspect of their business plan has taken somewhat of a backseat as they continue to seek to grow the auction business. I remember when sales were done over the counter with Jim at his Highland Park offices. I think Stack's-Bowers will stay primarily focussed on the Numismatic Auction Market and be very successful in those endeavors .
In the article from Legend it seem there was a little discontent on behalf of Mr. Roberts that they weren't able to acquire Stacks. Or was it just the way I read it?
It does come off as being a tad bit resentful . I wish the Stacks-Bowers team all the best , and the Coin Collecting Community I believe , will be better for it. Now, only time will tell.
Further thoughts from another well-known dealer: John Feigenbaum of David Lawrence Rare Coins calls it a 'win-win' for DLRC.
