"Christie's Desperate for Buyers, Hosts "Fire Sale" in Long Island City Warehouse"

It's not easy to sell off a nine-foot-tall, seven-foot-wide 18th-century Dutch cabinet to New Yorkers, who are notoriously stingy about square footage. But auction house Christie's is determined to make a sale, and they're taking a bold approach. In a warehouse in Long Island City, the antiques dealer Jonathan Burden is pitching the massive piece to potential buyers. "It comes apart into ten sections," he says, weaving between expensive chairs. "Perfect for squeezing into an elevator." The cabinet is just one of many pieces being sold in what Christie's is calling a "fire sale." The auction house is trying a new format in hopes of finding willing buyers for their high-end antiques. But some are questioning the tactics being used. "What's really going on here is a scramble for buyers," says real estate expert and former city official Mitchell Moss. "Christie's is clearly feeling the pressure to make sales, and they're trying to entice buyers with the promise of bargains." Others are skeptical of the authenticity of the pieces being sold. "There are a lot of fakes in the antiques market, and Christie's has been known to sell them," says art critic Jerry Saltz. "I wouldn't be surprised if some of these pieces turn out to be replicas." As for the location of the sale, Long Island City is a popular spot for developers and real estate investors looking to capitalize on the neighborhood's growing popularity. It's no surprise that Christie's would choose this location for their fire sale, as it's likely they'll attract buyers with deep pockets. But as the event continues, it remains to be seen if Christie's will be successful in their efforts. As one potential buyer remarked