Category: Auction News

It Starts With an Evaluation

Before recommending an auction, Asset Marketing Pros evaluates the assets and the circumstances surrounding the liquidation. We look at the type and quantity of property, condition, potential buyer demand, timing, location and the seller’s goals.

Our job is not simply to put everything into an auction. Our job is to help determine a practical way to liquidate the assets. Sometimes an online auction is an excellent solution. In other situations, certain items may be better handled differently—or may not have enough market demand to justify selling them individually.

Auctioneers Are Problem Solvers

People rarely call an auctioneer because everything is simple. They call because a home needs to be cleared, an estate must be settled, a collection has grown too large, a business has assets to liquidate, or a family has inherited property and does not know what should be sold, kept, donated or discarded.

That is where an experienced auctioneer can add value. We look at the entire situation, identify what may have a market, organize the property into a workable plan and explain the options available to the seller.

At AMP, auctioneering is not just calling bids. It involves evaluation, research, marketing, cataloging, photography, buyer communication, payment collection and coordinating what happens after the sale.

When Does an Online Auction Make Sense?

An online auction can be especially useful when there is enough desirable property to attract competitive buyer interest and the seller wants a defined process for moving the assets into the marketplace.

• Estates and inherited property with many different types of personal property.
• Collections such as coins, firearms, jewelry, sporting goods or other specialty items.
• Vehicles, equipment and business assets that can benefit from exposure to interested buyers.
• Downsizing and relocation when a seller needs to reduce a substantial amount of personal property.
• Multiple consignments or groups of assets that can be marketed together in an organized online sale.

Why Sellers Choose the Auction Method

What Kinds of Assets Can Be Good Auction Candidates?

Every situation is evaluated individually, but AMP regularly works with property such as:

• Coins, currency, silver, gold and bullion
• Jewelry and collectible watches
• Firearms and sporting goods
• Vehicles, trailers and equipment
• Collectibles and specialty collections
• Business assets and inventory
• Estate and household contents with marketable items

The important point is not the category alone. Condition, quantity, buyer demand and how the assets fit together can all influence the recommended liquidation plan.

What If Auction Is Not the Best Fit?

That is exactly why the evaluation matters. Some property may be better sold another way, grouped differently, donated, retained by the family or handled outside the auction process. A professional liquidation plan should be based on the assets and the seller’s priorities—not on forcing every item into one method.

If AMP believes another approach makes more sense for part of the property, we can explain why and help the seller understand the options.

Seller FAQ

Do I need to know exactly what my items are worth before I call?

No. Part of the evaluation is identifying the property, looking at condition and marketability, and determining what may deserve additional research before a sale plan is recommended.

Does everything in an estate have to be sold at auction?

No. The goal is to determine the best solution for the assets as a whole. Some items may be auctioned, while others may be handled differently depending on value, demand and the seller’s needs.

Why use an auction company instead of selling everything myself?

Many sellers prefer having one professional process for evaluation, cataloging, marketing, bidder communication, invoicing, payment and pickup or shipping coordination instead of managing dozens of individual transactions themselves.

Can I see what similar items have sold for?

Yes. AMP’s past online auction catalogs can be useful for seeing actual results on items we have previously sold, although condition, timing and buyer demand can make one sale different from another.