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Adams Auction Service
How To Have An Auction

How do I find an auction service that will do the best job for me & where do I start?

The auctioneer meets with the potential seller to discuss when and what to sell. Merchandise is evaluated and can be appraised. The auctioneer proposes an auction date, location, time of auction, a budget for proposed advertising, auction commission, and other matters. When the terms of the proposal are agreed upon, a contract is initiated.

     The auction service then conducts an advertising campaign to ensure good attendance. They place newspaper and shopper ads, distribute handbills, and possibly direct mail or radio/TV ads. In the meantime, the seller cleans, groups, and organizes the items to be auctioned to make them more marketable on auction day.

     Prospective buyers have an opportunity to preview the goods being auctioned prior to the start of the auction and may ask questions about particular items. Previewing enables people to inspect items for quality and decide how much they're prepared to spend.

     When people arrive on auction day, they must first register, giving their name, address, and phone number, which are all computerized. They are then given a number card to use for bidding. An on-site lunch wagon keeps the crowd well-fed and happy. Merchandise judged to be most in demand will usually be auctioned mid-point in the proceedings, with some special items offered toward the very end. This holds the crowd's interest.

     During the auction, the auctioneers use a pickup truck stage where they can be clearly seen and that allows for the use of a public address system. An item is selected, described, and then the auctioneer asks for an opening bid.

     As increasing bids are received, the auctioneer uses a "chant," which is a series of prices with filler words to make the chant rhythmic. You do not have to understand all the words, but you should be able to hear the prices. Ring personnel assist the auctioneers in hearing and acknowledging all bids and in ensuring that bids are accurate. When the final bid has been accepted, the buyer is identified by number, and the clerk records the bid on the computer. When the buyer is ready to leave, the cashier prints out an invoice, receives payment, and releases the merchandise. The seller may expect to receive a complete computerized accounting and generally full payment in less than 24 hours of the auction.

 We believe that Adam's Auction Services is just what you are looking for. Our staff is:
  • Motivated, energetic, and enthusiastic. We have an exceptional ability to generate the same excitement in buyers.
  • Empathetic and involved. Our understanding of sellers' problems enables us to better evaluate their needs.
  • Honest. Our integrity and good reputation have earned us the trust of countless sellers throughout Wisconsin.
  • Adaptable. We quickly respond to needs and situations as they arise.
  • Flexible. We are open to new ideas and techniques.
  • Knowledgeable. Our years of experience auctioning a wide range of objects enables us to be highly successful.
  • Businesslike and professional. We exhibit the best in "good gavel manners."
  • Entertaining and friendly. As a premier auction service, we know these are prerequisites!

Do's and Don'ts

Do.
Talk about the auction to your friends, neighbors, and relatives. Tell them the date and starting time. A large crowd is to everyone's benefit.

Recruit several neighbors, friends, or relatives to assist you and the auction staff during the early morning hours on auction day. They can help carry objects and set up displays. There is no such thing as too much help. Ask them to be there early to work.

Communicate any needs and concerns to the auctioneers as they come up. They may be able to offer you some suggestions to put you at ease. Also, knowing about your preparations helps them ensure that your auction is a great success.

Polish and clean your better furniture pieces as well as your major appliances. An article that looks good sells good-and for higher prices.

Collect an assortment of smaller (11"x16"x2") empty cardboard boxes (beer/pop flats) to pack and move the numerous smaller articles in. (Ask your grocer to save boxes for you.) You can't have too many!

Record the history, background. that you know of, of any objects. For example, "This dresser was given to my great-grandmother at her wedding in 1867." History sells older items at higher prices. Attach your "story" to the item for everyone to read.

Operate all your gasoline-powered equipment (lawn mowers, snowblowers, weed cutters) to make certain they will start and run. Make sure they have enough gas and the oil is ok, however, do not spray the machinery with a water hose because a wet engine will not start, especially when the entire buying crowd is waiting and watching.

Attach all owner's manuals, instruction books, and bills of sale to their respective equipment. Buyers will generally pay more if they get an owner's manual for an item.

Obtain the motor vehicle titles of registration if you are selling any licensed or titled motor vehicle (cars, trucks, motorcycles). Be sure that any liens shown on the title are paid and cleared prior to the day of the auction. To legally sell them, you must have a clear and valid title to all vehicles. Give the titles to the auctioneer's clerk before the auction starts. If you cannot locate the titles, call the auctioneers NOW-they may be able to assist you in obtaining a duplicate from the state.

Safeguard any small, expensive, or easily lost (or shop-lifted) articles (jewelry, watches). Keep them safe until the auctioneer takes them from you and places them under glass in a locked, sales, display case.

Locate a 110-volt electric outlet for the cashier and lunch wagon to use. They have their own drop cords and adaptors, but you must supply the outlet and electricity.

Wipe off your major appliances (washers, dryers, stoves, refrigerators, freezers, television sets). Clean them well-both inside and out. If the appliances look well cared for, they will sell more easily and for a higher price. A bad smell or dirty appearance may cause you to lose several hundred dollars on one item.

Decide early what you want to sell, keep, or give away. Once the auctioneers have listed an item to be sold, it must be offered for sale on the day of the auction. Decide NOW which articles you want to sell.

Clean any items that need it. Concentrate on glassware, dishes, and your better, higher-priced objects. A little sparkle goes a long way. Check dishes for cracks and chips and mark them accordingly.

Count all items that are in sets or duplicates, such as dishes and towels. Tag them by number and description, for example, "Set of 4 dinner plates, 6 bowls, 6 cups." Describe valuable items on a sheet of paper and attach this to the item (example: "Handmade, leaded stained glass window, circa 1920"). Add measurements, especially for bedding, draperies, etc.

Group towel ensembles, sheets, pillowcases, and so on, and display them in clear plastic bags ("baggies"). Tape or tie sets together. Tag them with sizes, condition, etc., for example, "3 face towels, 2 bath towels."

Tell the truth about any object that does not work properly or is stained, soiled, or torn. It may not sell for as much since it is not in perfect shape, but buyers will be happier and will respect you for telling them. In addition, you will avoid possible disputes after the auction.

Box similar articles together (especially smaller and/or less interesting items). The auctioneers may select some of the more valuable items out of the boxes, or they may sell the entire boxful. Use small boxes. "Pop flats" are ideal.

Test all electrical appliances and mechanical devices to determine whether they work. Tag each one with the results of your tests. These will sell regardless of condition, but it is best if everyone knows the working condition before they bid.

Search again for items that you may have overlooked earlier. If you find something of a substantial nature to add, call the auctioneers so that they can include it in the advertising. Remember to look in all your seldom-used storage areas and shelves.

Survey your property (outdoor areas) and remove everything from the yard that is not for sale. Determine whether there are holes that buyers may stumble in or obstacles they may trip on. Fill in all holes and remove all hard-to-see wires, fences, and so on. Take down your clothesline rope to avoid neck injuries. You may be liable for any injuries to buyers; therefore, take the time NOW to eliminate such dangers.

Contact your homeowner's insurance agent. Advise the agent that you are having a public auction sale on your premises and give them the date. Ask them to increase your policy's personal liability coverage limits for the day of the auction only to no less than $500,000+ for bodily injury liability. This may cost you $5 to $10 for the extra coverage, but it could save you thousands if an accident should occur. Ask the agent to issue you a "binder of coverage" for this increased amount immediately.


Don't...
Remove, sell, or withhold any goods from the auction after you have told the auctioneers they were for sale. It may be a violation of the law to advertise an item for sale and then fail to offer it at the auction.

Throw out anything old or unusual. Your trash is someone else's treasure. You can always throw an article out after the auction in the rare event that it does not sell. Ask the auctioneers first!

Spend time or money getting an object repaired. Because buyers prefer to do their own repairs, this will generally not pay off in extra dollars at the auction. Check with the auctioneers first.

Volunteer information in great detail about any items. Tell inquirers just enough to pique their interest. Too many details may scare the interested party away. Tell the auctioneers any information that will help sell an article; they can then answer questions when the object is actually auctioned.

Bother to auction everyday clothing or foodstuffs. However, antique or better quality formal dress clothing as well as canned goods and unopened dry goods can be auctioned. Give the rest to a charitable organization.

Bid on your own items during the auction! This practice simply will not be tolerated and will ruin your otherwise successful auction. If you do have a special situation on a higher value item, discuss your concern with the auctioneers. They can possibly help you on one or two major articles. However, during the actual selling, it is preferable that you remain "invisible" to the crowd. (This does not apply to the heirs of an estate.)

Fail to ask questions ahead of time so the auctioneers and their assistants can help you better. That's what they are there for!

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