Friday, June 1, 2012

TIME FLIES WHEN YOU'RE IN THE AUCTION BUSINESS!


After my bookselling career with Barnes & Noble/B.Dalton, I would never have thought that I would be lucky enough to experience another profession that was so exciting and fast-paced!  I so appreciate everything that my B. Dalton experience gave me in terms of running a successful business...the exposure to the general public....the opportunity to travel.....the awesome educational venues.....
Owning Superior Auction & Appraisal for the last 18 plus years has proven to be just as much fun....just as much success....even more exposure to the general public.......a whole lot more travel.....and a whole lot more of educational opportunities!!  And talk about time flying!!  It's sometimes hard to believe that Gene & I have been enjoying our auction company for so many years!
My travel has been reduced substantially since I have completed my terms as director and officer positions with the Wisconsin Auctioneer's Association, but I still get to get away from the office regularly!  Last week I instructed a class on Ethics and Professional Conduct for the Wisconsin Auction Institute and later that week presented a mini "Antique Road Show & Auction" for a group of 4-H kids in Waupaca.  I believe strongly in 'giving back' and am always happy to help other people learn about how to conduct their business in an ethical manner....encourage the young generation to become interested in auctions....etc.  It just feels good!!
I'm very excited to learn more about selling jewelry in an upcoming specialty school that will require time away from my business, BUT education is what sets us in front of our competitors.  We learn how to protect our sellers, even AFTER the auction, how to honestly represent the merchandise that we’re selling, and so much more!
If you have never experienced the excitement of an auction, I strongly encourage you to attend one of our upcoming events!  The Loretta Price Estate Auction this Sunday, June 3rd, has many quality pieces of furniture including marble top Victorian pieces to modern very functional items...small kitchen appliances that cost a great deal more than you would expect to pay at auction.....a super gas-concious 1997 Buick Park Avenue.....and a whole lot of great home decor and antiques!!
Check out the other great estate auctions we have in June!  Sunday, June 10th is a great "all-around" auction but is heavily weighted in tools - many of them brand new!  Saturday, June 23rd has 200’ of waterfront real estate set on over two acres with a quality-construction  3 bedroom home in the Oconto area AND an entire household of top-end antiques and household items.....lots of Arts & Crafts Era items!  If you know of someone looking for some PRIME hunting acreage - 30 miles from Green Bay and only a couple of miles from Peshtigo - have them look at our online auction ending on June 19th.  There are three food plots, secluded areas that would be great for a country home or camp and an extensive ATV/walking trail system throughout!
We invested in our own company software last fall that enables us to do "Internet-Only" auctions where you do not have to pay a commission to a second party, AND where you can place starting bids.  It has been a HUGE success, especially in selling specialty items or complete collections!  Although we will always do "live" auctions, we recognized the need to give our sellers worldwide exposure for certain merchandise.....call us and we'll be happy to share our results and give references from very satisfied clients!  We currently have a "Bid & Glimmer" jewelry auction going on which is 'Internet-Only.'  Check it out - it's especially fun to watch the last couple of hours....
We truly do work for our sellers, and not for our own 'fame & glory.'  Past successful events for our sellers have included selling a Grueby Art Pottery vase in a 'David Rago' (Antique Road Show Appraiser) auction for over $10,000!  A painting found at an area estate sale for $250  brought over $9,000 at a recent Sotheby's auction and we encouraged the seller to use that venue!  The point is that even though we have the capability to do 'Internet-Only' auctions, there will sometimes be a situation where a buyer from' Australia' will bid substantially higher if buying from the '"world's expert on Grueby Art Pottery" like David Rago, than they will from any other auction company....we go the extra mile for our sellers!
Very soon you will be able to see on our website the properties that will be sold at the Public Land Auction for Menominee County Michigan in July.  What a lot of buyers do not realize is that there is NO redemption period for the owners so if you're the winning bidder on auction day, the property will transfer without a waiting period!
We have several upcoming auctions in the works, so check our website frequently, and if you are thinking about an auction this year, contact us for a preliminary no-obligation visit!  Our reputation is solid, and we appreciate the opportunity to tell you the difference between choosing us and in choosing other auction companies - get the facts first!  Our results, and our list of references from local banks, attorneys, government institutions and the general public will be influential in your decision.  Our goal is to have "happy campers" AFTER the auction is completed…….
Some OUTSTANDING merchandise has been commissioned to our company to sell before the year is done and we are currently researching.....the best I think is a carving by a 'Master Carver' who Sotheby's has expressed an interest in!  We also have five very unusual cameos including a male figure, a mourning cameo and some 'left-facing' shell carvings – watch for more information on this quality merchandise!

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