Auction Planning Guide

What to Sell?

In all my years in the Auction business, this is a question that comes up often in estate type sales. Either you can't make up your mind if you want to keep the item or there are multiple family members that want the item.

Rule #1: If you have to think about if you want to sell or not, you don't really want it.

Rule #2: When several family members all say they want an item put it in the auction and let them bid on it, chances are if they can't get it for free they don't want it.

When to Sell?

Just about anytime is good for an Auction. One company I know has their biggest sale of the year annually every January 1st.

Some seasonal items are the exception to the rule. Your boat won't bring as much at the beginning of winter, etc.

Finding an Auctioneer? 

Ask someone who attends Auctions. Does the Auctioneer pull anythingon the bidders. If they are a regular Auction goer, they'll know.

You may know someone who has had an Auction. Ask them pertinent questions. Did the Auctioneer have the sellers interest at heart? Did they receive your copy of the sales tickets right after the Auction? How long did it take them to get their check? And probably the most most important question. Did the Auctioneer present the seller with a professional proposal with all the terms, conditions and expenses in writing? If they didn't ... find someone else!

You can check your state Auction association or the National Auctioneers Association to find a list of Auctioneers in your state.

Auctioneer Designations 

You want a professional to do the best job and get you the most money possible. So you would be smart to hire someone who has gone the extra mile to be at the top of their profession.