Selling at Auction

SELLERS FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT IS A RESERVE?
A reserve is the minimum price the consignor is willing to allow the property to sell for. Reserves will be allowed on selected items only. The reserve price is set by mutual agreement between the consignor and Sunset Auction. Typically, reserve prices shouldn't exceed the low auction estimate of the item. If a reserved item remains unsold, Sunset Auction will advise you on whether to offer your items in future auctions or to arrange for return of your items.

WHEN CAN I EXPECT PAYMENT?
Approximately 15 days after the sale assuming that purchasers have paid for and taken delivery of the property. Included with your checks will be a statement listing the lot(s) selling price and auction charges

HOW MUCH IS THE CHARGE FOR SELLING?
Seller's fees are charged on a sliding scale(shown at the bottom of this page on the property receipt). The more expensive an item is, the lower percentage the auction house takes. There could also be charges for pick up, and other services such as repairs or appraisals when necessary. Fees are deducted from sales proceeds, thus no out of pocket expense for you. Commissions can be negotiated for special situations. Our fee structure includes storage, research, shipping, photography, advertising, cataloging and handling of your items

WHAT MIGHT MY ITEM SELL FOR?
Some of the most expensive items in the world are typically sold at auction. Rare and unusual items generate top dollar through the auction process of competitive bidding. More common items have a wide variety of results depending on the desirability of the object, and auction attendance. The results for common items are likely to be lower than your expectations. Supply and demand plays a strong role in auction prices. The vast quantities of items available on the internet (ebay, craigslist, offerup etc) have increased the supply of most things to a saturation level causing auction prices of common items to be low. We accept "common" items offer them for auction, but they will seldom perform well. Common items are better sold at a tag sale as described above under the estate sale description.

WHAT ARE SOME ITEMS NOT ACCEPTED FOR CONSIGNMENT?
Here are some items that won't sell - hide-a-beds, organs, ordinary sets of dishes, clear newer glass, most particle board furniture, mattress, entertainment cabinets, common prints, newer housewares, upright pianos, newer books and magazines, sofas, newer lamps, post 1930's encyclopedias, ordinary furniture.......

WHAT IS AN AUCTION ESTIMATE?
An estimated range of what an item might sell for based on experience and past auction results. This not a guarantee and should not be confused with an appraisal. Most of the time, auction estimates will be adequate for estate liquidation purposes. However some estates require written appraisals depending on the situation.

MAY I SEE SOME AUCTION HAMMER PRICES?
Yes click here to view past auction on invaluable online bidding platform?

WHAT IS AN AUCTION LOT?
A lot is an item or group of items being put on the auction block for sale as one unit. A lot may consist of one item, a collection, a pair or an entire box or pallet full of items. Lots are assembled by experienced auction staff and are based on the expected value of the items. In other words, Your diamond ring will be one lot and your collection of bottles will be one lot?

WHAT IS A TAG SALE?
An estate sale we run for you at your property. We'll price items, advertise, and run the sale for you. This method generates more money for you because entire household contents are tagged and offered to the public over several days. Some sales are attend by as many as 400-1000 visitors. If your real estate is for sale, frequently your buyer comes from this event.?

HOW DO YOU ADVERTISE?
All sale events are published on estatesales.net, and on our own website. We also conduct an email blast before each event to our email list of over 2000 members. Despite online efforts, the best advertising for on location estate sales is sandwich boards placed in the neighborhood.

CAN I SELL MY ITEMS TO THE YOU FOR IMMEDIATE CASH?
No. As a matter of policy, we don't buy items from the public. We would consider that to be a conflict of interest. The majority of our inventory comes from estate companies, consignors, estates, and various agents.