The decision follows a disappointing year for the eBay-owned company, according to chief executive Geoff Iddison, who announced that 29 employees from the LA office would go. These redundancies are in addition to the 17 employees (eight from Los Angeles) laid off in December.
The increased use of eBay Premier as an outlet for consigned merchandise, rather than a bricks-and-mortar auction house, is also given as one of the primary reasons for the decisions.
The lay-offs will primarily affect administrative and operations staff rather than department specialists.
Sizeable savings are expected with the ending of simulcast auctions held by both the LA and San Francisco galleries, which required the pricey transport of goods up and down the coast between galleries.
Butterfields directors believe that the eBay Premier Website now effectively provides this service.
Butterfields cut back staff to concentrate on eBay Premier
USA: Butterfields Auctioneers are cutting their Los Angeles staff by more than half as part of a major restructuring programme that will lead to a greater focus on San Francisco.
