HOUSEHOLD & ESTATE AUCTIONS

1.) Why should I have an Auction?

When looking at the the bigger picture, auctions bring in the most money. It is a proven fact.

Only at auction will you hear, “SOLD TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER!”

When selling a complete household through our service, you will receive the “HIGHEST NET RETURN”. Additionally, an on-site auction offers the convenience of not having to pack and move the sale items to another location.

2.) Why should I hire an Auctioneer?

A good Auctioneer is always worth more than his or her fee. The Auctioneer will serve as an overseer of the liquidation of all the items to be sold and will bring in the general public, collectors, dealers, and the right special interest buyers to receive the best prices for your special treasures.

Identification of the value of antiques, collectibles, and other desirable household items and knowledge of the best selling strategy for their auction, takes years of study and on-the job experience. It involves continual research, updating, and networking. In short, it takes a full-time professional who specializes in estate liquidation at auction, to fully realize true compensation for the variety of contents being sold. The extra money that an experienced auctioneer can realize for you on just a few items can easily pay the commission for the entire auction.

3.) What items may be sold at an Auction Sale?

Any condition antique furniture, antiques, art, bric-a-brac, china, collections, silver & gold US. coins, pre-1935 US. paper currency, pocket watches, advertising signs & items, clocks, metal toys and banks, farm toy tractors, railroad items; fine furniture, glassware, pottery, jewelry, kitchenware, cookie jars, hunting & fishing related items, duck decoys, sportsman items, military items, oriental rugs, paintings, porcelain, prints, oil paintings, toy trains, railroad items, wicker furniture, silver, crocks and stoneware, tools, office equipment and most used household items. Additionally, tools, power tools, small and major appliances, yard equipment, automobiles, trucks, ATV’s, machinery, vintage clothing, books and various everyday items make for fantastic sale items. There are no limits to the various kinds of items which you may sell. Our suggestion is to allow the auctioneer to consult with you prior to throwing away, selling on your own or donating any items, to ensure enough quantity still remains to qualify for a successful auction.

4.) What advertising will be done?

Ads are written uniquely for each auction to attract the appropriate clientele. Our service will place creative advertisements in the proper local, regional and national advertising mediums. A Plus Auctions will also include listing your auction on our internet website auction calendar page, which is checked regularly by hundreds of buyers. We utilize our large exclusive, email notification database of special interest buyers. We also send out mail fliers to notify prospective buyers of your auction. When available, interactive internet location maps are provide from our website directing buyers to your location. Day of auction where permitted, we will place road/curbside signs also directing buyers to your location.

5.) How much lead time does an Auctioneer need to prepare and conduct a sale?

The more time an Auctioneer has to prepare the sale, the higher the proceeds will be. Top prices come from the proper marketing. Sorting, arranging and cleaning greatly increases household items salability, and this can take time. Generally, (4-5) weeks from a completed service agreement are sufficient in preparing an average auction. While specialty sales may require as much as 2-months to be properly promoted in the right trade publications. The actual auction is generally conducted in one (1) day.

6.) What is done to protect my property?

Small valuable items are arranged in jewelry display cases, with a staff member assigned to watch the items and assist in customer viewing. Normally a plain clothes security person is in the crowd watching.

7.) When are Auctions usually conducted?

In this area, on-site auctions are normally conducted on Saturday’s or Sunday’s, Spring through Fall. Thursday evenings work well for smaller auctions in the Summer months. The day of, and hours are determined in accordance with the uniqueness of each individual auction and time of year.

8.) What do you do with items that do not sell?

We take great pride in being able to sell to the walls… at very good prices and with little remaining. On average, when selling a complete household, the remaining non-salable items will fill two (2) bushel baskets.

9.) Do you negotiate prices?

At an Auction the prices per item (s) being sold are negotiated higher rather than being reduced.

10.) How much will it cost to have an Auction service arrange and manage an auction?

Auction services usually receive a percentage of the gross proceeds of the sale. The commission rate varies with the size, the total estimated value and the what is required to prepare for your auctions success. The expenses that are associated with an auction should be viewed as an investment… and not as a cost. The seller is normally paid within (5) business days following the sale.

11.) Do I need to be present during the sale?

This can go either way. Some owners stay and watch their belongings sell while visiting with friends and neighbors. Other sellers want to take off for the day once the auction is set up, then come back afterwards. We will take all the help we can get in carrying merchandise out to be displayed for auction. The owner, or Personal Representative does not need to be present during the actual auction as long as we have access to the premises.

12.) What do you do to maintain safe conditions during the sale?

Every effort is made to identify potential hazards. Safety measures and necessary precautions are verbally implemented, minimizing potential liabilities.

13.) Do we sign a service contract?

A service contract is required by the State of Wisconsin Regulations for Auctioneers. I feel it is best to state in simple language just what will be done, and to have this understood and agreed to in writing before any work is started. The Auctioneer will go over the contract with you, explaining clearly the terms and conditions within it and answering any questions you may have. This is a reassuring process, as we wish for you to be completely comfortable and pleased with our service. A contract will eliminate any future doubts.

14.) All right! I will have an auction. Now what do I do?

• Call A+ Plus Auctions for an auction evaluation. Prior to the evaluation appointment, pre-decide which items will be excluded from the auction. If possible, remove the items from the premises, or secure in one lockable area.
• Keep the telephone and utilities connected. These are needed before, during, and sometimes after the sale.
• Have a good overview of all the items for auction. The Auctioneer will need to make a listing for proper marketing.
• Secure all extra keys, and or have the door locks changed.
• Schedule enough time before and after the sale for preparation and cleanup.