An auction is one of the most effective ways to sell property, with complete transparency, plain and simple. I set a time, a place, and a starting bid. From there, the crowd takes over. As long as bidders keep raising their paddles, the price climbs. When the bidding stops, the highest bidder owns it. That competitive energy is what makes auctions so powerful.
Why Auctions Work
People often ask why they should choose an auction instead of a traditional sale. The answer is competition. When you gather motivated buyers in one place—whether live or online—you create urgency. Two or more people wanting the same item will almost always push the price higher. Many of the strongest prices I’ve ever seen came from auction settings, not private sales, not with Estate Tag Sales.
Marketing That Makes Sense
Good marketing is essential, but it has to be smart. I tailor advertising to the value of the item. I’m not spending thousands to promote a basic dining table, but I absolutely will for a rare car or a high‑end collectible. Most buyers today find auctions online, so that’s where I focus my efforts. Local marketing works best for everyday items, while specialty pieces attract their own national audience when needed.
Understanding the Risks
Selling at auction isn’t a guarantee, and I never pretend it is. Some sellers overestimate value—especially when sentiment is involved. Buyers don’t pay for memories; they pay for condition, rarity, and usefulness. Clean, working items with documentation always perform better. And no one can force bidding. Shill bidding is illegal, and I run honest auctions where the market decides the price.
Absentee and Online Bidding
If someone can’t attend in person, I accept absentee and online bids. I start the bidding at half of the absentee maximum and work upward only if the crowd pushes it. I never exceed the bidder’s limit.
Choosing the Right Auctioneer
You should always feel confident in the auctioneer you hire. I maintain my license, stay active in professional associations, and work with specialists—like licensed firearms dealers—when needed. Experience matters, and so does reputation.
How Payment Works
I accept cash, credit cards, and bankable checks. For high‑value purchases, I require proof of funds to protect both buyer and seller.
Types of Auctions I Conduct
- Estate Auctions: Selling the belongings and property of someone who has passed away.
- Liquidation Auctions: Selling business assets due to closure, bankruptcy, or relocation.
- Consignment Auctions: Multiple sellers combine items into one sale.
- Absolute Auctions: Everything sells to the highest bidder, no matter the price.
- Reserve Auctions: Items sell only if bidding meets a minimum—though in my experience, reserve auctions rarely produce results.