FEELING GRATEFUL!

THANK YOU to our buyers, sellers, my 'retired' husband, our staff, professional service providers, food service providers, and other top-notch auctioneers that worked with us last year! It was a fantastic and very successful year for our company and we are very grateful for the solid people that we were surrounded with!!

All indications are that 2014 will be another busy year!  We have four 'live' auctions and one 'Internet-Only' auction scheduled for February, and several other auctions already contracted for in later months.

It felt good to take the month of January off and Gene and I are looking forward to a little more 'R & R' time in March also, although I'm sure we will schedule a couple of auctions that month also.

Some of the exciting merchandise in upcoming auctions include prime real estate, vehicles, antique furniture, several estates, and an excellent fishing lure collection from one owner!

If you have never attended a Superior Auction, we encourage you to give us a try!  We're known as the 'friendly' auction company and also as a pretty fun group of people to enjoy the day with!  We definitely have some fun-loving people on staff that are also very knowledgeable about the merchandise that we sell!

I am sincerely grateful to be a part of the auction industry and for all of our buyers, sellers, and co-workers!

INTERNET ONLY AUCTIONS

Internet auctions are working!!  Superior Auction is still dedicated to conducting live auctions (because they are a lot more funJ) but it is obvious to us that the future of auctions is going to be in an ‘online’ format. 

We have kept pace with the auction industry in learning about the best venues to sell our client’s merchandise, and often that venue is selling on the Internet.  This is especially true when selling real estate and we have had several bidders successfully close on real estate offered by online bidding only.  In fact, in two instances, the buyers bid AND CLOSED on property that they only viewed on the Internet!

Our most recent success was in selling 4 out of 5 parcels on Big Manistique Lake in Upper Michigan!  Another great opportunity in the Upper Peninsula is a stick-built (I should say log and stone built) year round residence in Arnold, Michigan.  This has been a year-round residence for the Christnagel family since Mr. Christnagel built it in 1988.  The outbuildings are all field stone and include a garage/workshop AND an outstanding stone building that could be a great hunting lodge – fireplace included!

The main log cabin has two bedrooms and a 20x20 sleeping loft, as well as an‘open-concept’ living and kitchen area.  The full bath on the first floor also has room for the washer and dryer.  AND, the home comes totally furnished – appliances, furniture, riding lawn tractor, golf cart, tools, and MORE!!  This property is ready for your family, OR for your hunting buddies!!

You can view many photos on our website at www.superiorauction.net and feel free to call our office for a private showing!  Remember that this Internet Only Auction ends SOON- Tuesday, September 10^th! 

Other Internet-Only Auctions through Superior Auction include a great ‘country living’ opportunity which is only a few miles north of the Menominee city limits on Elmwood Road.  The ranch-style home features three bedrooms, new flooring, updated kitchen with new cabinets, attached garage, apple orchard, and a full basement!  The starting bid on this property is an extremely low $45,000 bid!  (This is an estate situation and the family just wants to move on).  Call us if you would like to view this prior to

September 24^th!

We also just contracted for a very nice single residence home at the corner of Currie and Dakota Streets in Marinette.  This is another great buying opportunity as the seller would just like to satisfy the mortgage!  Opening bid on this property will be only $49,000!

Information and photos on this property will be available soon – the Open House will be held on Thursday, September 19^th from 4 to 6 pm.

Check our website as we also have ‘Antique Toy’, and ‘Elvis Memorabilia’ Internet-Only Auctions scheduled!

You can view our LIVE and INTERNET-ONLY Auction schedule on our website – check back frequently as we still have many 2013 auctions that are not posted as of this date!!

Looking Forward!

WOW!!!  Check our website frequently as we have some really GREAT AUCTIONS for 2013 contracted for that are not posted yet on our website!

This is a GREAT YEAR for auctions - AND a great buying opportunity for our customers!!

SURROUND YOURSELF WITH GOOD PEOPLE

After a very long stretch of auction preparation, auction appointments, auctions both near and far, appraisals, and office work, I am looking forward to A DAY OFF - YAHOO!

But as I am anticipating spending the day at home with a pot of coffee and a book, I would like to share my thanks and appreciation!

Our company would not have had almost 20 successful years in the auction industry without the 'good people' that work with us!  Our staff ranges in age from 16 to 81 - isn't that amazing??  Most of the 'young ones' come from St. Thomas Aquinas Academy in Marinette, where we have a few connections and former staff that are currently in college and recommend their younger siblings....

Most of our other co-workers have been with our company for years, and some have worked with me in former businesses.  Many have full-time jobs elsewhere, but work with us on a part-time or occasional basis.  They include teachers, trucking company owners, insurance company specialists,  information technology specialists, artists, retail workers, title company employees, farmers, antique dealers, mechanics, newspaper editors, administrative assistant professionals, social workers, and several retired people.  Their expertise is vast and includes everything from coins to jewelry to industrial and commercial equipment to antique/classic automobiles to Internet marketing to Native American artifacts to real estate and MORE! We are so grateful...

Thanks is especially due to Jennifer, our office manage of almost 10 years!  She 'tells me where I am going,' pays the bills, places our advertising, spends hours doing Internet Marketing, schedules our staff, and has wonderful customer service skills!  Our regular contract auctioneers, Larry (Bucky) Schultz, and Joe Cicero, are a LOT of fun and are very skilled auctioneers!  We are also very appreciative of Auctioneer Carol Miller, who we love to 'surround ourselves with' whenever we can get her away from her own auction business!

And by far, the best person that I 'surround myself with' is my husband Gene...I'm pretty sure that he is much busier working for Superior Auction than he ever was in his 40 plus years at Enstrom Helicopter BUT I am also pretty sure that he's having a LOT more fun!  

Thank you Gene, and to all of the 'Good People That We Surround Ourselves With'!  You are all much appreciated!!

(It will be interesting to see by the comments how many of our staff read our blogs)....
Does ANYBODY read these???  

2013 SUPERIOR AUCTION SCHEDULE!!

Our 19th year in the auction industry started out with a BANG!!  The Hamilton Scientific Auction in Two Rivers was incredible!!  Read the previous post for more information!

Our first live, 'on-site' auction for the Medina's attracted well over 200 bidders, and we had a very eclectic array of merchandise to offer!  The 'weather gods' were in our favor, and it turned out to be a beautiful day in a very beautiful setting, at one of Marinette's largest historical homes!  Major attractions were the Ford Model A, a vintage 1974 Volkswagon Beetle, military collectibles, and a hanglider....but there were some really special architectural items sold also!

Check our website often, as we have some very desirable real estate already contracted for...and in the works...as well as contracted auctions for Estates, 'Internet-Only Auctions' of special collections, and coin and antique jewelry auctions.   Check back for more information as we begin work on a very special project!

If you are considering an auction this year, please contact us soon!  We are great organizers and planners, and we will make sure that we have the time and dedication to conduct your auction!  Our office is open every weekday except Thursdays from 8:00 until 4:00 and if we miss your call, we will be sure to call you back quickly!  Our toll-free number is 877-864-2942.

SUPERIOR AUCTION SELLS FIVE STORIES FOR HAMILTON SCIENTIFIC

SUPERIOR AUCTION SELLS FIVE STORIES FOR 

HAMILTON SCIENTIFIC

 The Hamilton Scientific Public Auction, which was held in Two Rivers, WI on April 13th, was a huge success!  Over 450 people attended and came from multiple states.

Bidding was fast and furious in the multiple auctions rings.  For the majority of the day, there were two auction rings, with an occassional third ring for various areas of the gigantic, 100,000 sq ft. plus building.

Auctioneers Larry Schultz and Carol Miller sold three floors of merchandise, including the furniture and equipment from two floors of corporate offices, print rooms, warehouse areas and the executive parking garage.  Their energy level was high, and they were also quite entertaining!  It was amazing to watch this dynamic duo keep the pace after several hours of selling, and to watch the still sizable crowd laughing and still spending money!

Auctioneer Nellie Beland, who owns Superior Auction & Appraisal with her husband Gene, sold on two floors, including the third floor laboratory showrooms, Information Technology areas, and the antique furniture from the executive level. 

Hamilton Scientific manufactures laboratory furniture and fume hoods for schools, forensics labs, hospitals, and others.  Their showrooms were outstanding and included over 20 science labs and laboratory workstations, as well as a large quantity of fume hoods.  Hamilton Scientific is a world-reknowned company in the science industry and their product is known for quality and endurance.  Their corporate office has relocated to a state-of-the-art facility in DePere, WI after operating from the Two Rivers location for the past several decades.

This commercial auction, due to its size, both in square feet and amount of merchandise, required a huge amount of planning, marketing, and physical  labor.  Gene and Nellie made a second home in Two Rivers for several weeks!  Several prep days included many of Superior Auction's staff members, who worked hard tearing offices apart, cleaning merchandise, and staging five floors of merchandise!

The auction attracted a variety of buyers including previous and current employees of Fisher Hamilton, Hamilton Scientific, & Thermo Scientific,  bio-chemical companies, schools, laboratory furniture dealers, and the general public.  We were very excited that several schools were able to upgrade their science labs, purchase additional school-related fixtures, etc.  The showroom labs and fume hoods were like new, so it was a wonderful opportunity for everyone!

Superior Auction held three 'open houses' for schools and businesses and the people who attended were very grateful for having the opportunity to buy quality merchandise with no reserve bids!   St. Thomas Aquinas Academy from Marinette, WI upgraded all of their laboratory furniture, which had been in place since the 1930's.  Starting with the next school year, there will probably not be a more state-of-the-art science lab in any school for miles around!  The Manitowoc Public School System, as well as a new charter school from Oconto also benefited greatly.

The doors opened at 8am on the day of the auction, and there was a long line ready to start their preview.  Our office manager Jennifer, and her daughter Hannah, processed the computerized registration very fast and efficiently.  Hannah is a business major in college and a very sharp young lady that we were happy to have onboard.

For this size of an auction, security was a major concern and we positioned personnel at each exit who checked invoices against the merchandise being removed.  We would probably say that the security staff had the most stressful day, as they not only checked invoices, but directed the customers who had their purchases staged for use of the freight elevators and using the underground executive garage.  GREAT job, Jenn, Jackie and Susan! 

We are EXTREMELY grateful for our ENTIRE staff, who helped with prep work, spent an extremely long day on site the day of the auction,  and provided exemplary customer service skills!  Each person was a part of making this auction a success!  

When we first started working at the Hamilton site, their corporate employees were still functioning from the Two Rivers site and offered help in many ways.  Rick Johnson had the expertise and experience for all of the showroom merchandise, and shared his knowledge during the preparation and also on auction day.  He was very helpful as he knew each lab workstation and fume hood inside and out!  We were so impressed with the Hamilton Scientific employees overall, and they are a very hard-working group of people.  We noticed right away that they always took the stairs throughout the five story building and did not use the passenger elevator so we were compelled to do the same - it's a very easy way to lose weight!

Gene only 'thought' he was retiring last year when he left Enstrom Helicopter after 42 years - he probably works more hours now for our company but I'm pretty sure that he is enjoying the auction work a bit more:)  Thanks Gene for all that you did (and do), especially the time spent researching.  Auctioneers Carol Miller and Larry (Bucky) Schultz also put a lot of hours and enthusiasm into this auction.  They are a great 'tag team' and both have boundless energy and knowledge!  I promised I would not share some of the 'after' photos but darn! - that would have been fun!  I didn't get back to the hotel until 11:30 that night and by then, everyone was pretty whipped (except Bucky:)  I know we all slept well that night.

We give a lot of credit to our office manager, Jennifer Nowack, for the huge 450 people-plus in attendance!  Jennifer works for us full-time (the Buyer's Fee enables us to do that and other things like carry Workmen's Comp, etc) and is an expert at Internet Marketing!  

It was interesting to see the eclectic group of bidders at this auction - some bidders wanted to buy the stainless steel base and upper cabinets for their kitchen, another wanted it for camp to clean their fish, a re-seller wanted it to make a profit, and several schools thought it would be a great addition to their high school science labs!  That's a great testimonial to the auction method of competitive bidding!

Several of the science labs sold in the three to four thousand dollar range, as well as a few fume hoods.  The MAX adjustable office systems were a steal as there were so many of them!  The industrial equipment sold for good dollars, especially given the fact that most of it was outdated.  Warehouse racking was a hot item and we had a lot of it!  AND, if you were in need of binders, you could have bought a 'whole bag full' for as little as three dollars!  Antique furniture prices from the executive level were quite strong, but the buyers got some pretty amazing pieces!

And speaking of 'eclectic,' that would be a good way to describe our company.  Because of our rural location, we are often asked to conduct a variety of auctions, including estates, antiques, commercial equipment, real estate, and more!  We learned many (19) years ago that it's important to fulfill the needs of our clients and we do that by surrounding ourselves with a group of good people with a variety of experience!  AND, if we don't think we have an expert on board, we will refer you to another professional auction company.

Check out Superior Auction Company's upcoming auctions on our website at www.superiorauction.net.  And check back frequently as we have quite a few interesting auctions - both estate, commercial, and real estate on the backburner!!

HAMILTON SCIENTIFIC PUBLIC AUCTION

HAMILTON SCIENTIFIC AUCTION

Hamilton Scientific has relocated and has a HUGE building FULL of merchandise that will interest a large variety of buyers!  This large commercial auction will be attractive to schools, business owners, restaurant owners, antique collectors, AND the general public!!  Take a look at the listing and photos to see what great offerings and useful items will be available to the general public – with no reserve bids!!

 The ‘Showrooms’ on the third floor are our main focus, and they display a variety of Science Labs, Fume Hoods, Biological/Safety Cabinets and related items.  Hamilton Scientifics’ new facilities do not allow for a showroom facility, so all of the ‘virtually unused’ laboratory stations and fume hoods, including those used only at trade shows, will be sold on April 13^th. Tell your schools to look on our website!! There are several other school-related items being sold also!

Hamilton’s product, which was known in prior years as ‘Thermo-Fisher’ and ‘Fisher-Hamilton’, is one of the world’s leaders in laboratory grade science labs and furniture.

Recent additions to the auction have left us working very hard to market in ALL of the ‘right’ directions!  The IT department is offering several network server cabinets, which are extremely expensive if you have to buy new.  We now have an ENTIRE room of IT merchandise that Bucky (our own IT guy), will look at this Wednesday.

If you know of someone furnishing an office, send them to the auction!  There are over 100 office suites, many of which are the Hamilton MAX adjustable systems.  Conference room sets, media carts, hardwood cabinets and bookshelves, are just a few of the other categories that we have in abundance!

The company formerly had an employee cafeteria so there are some nice pieces of stainless steel restaurant equipment, as well as dining tables and chairs.

The warehouse racking in the lowest level has recently been added to the auction and there is a LOT of it!  Bring your toolbox and come prepared to dismantle it!  You will also find some industrial equipment in that same area.

The top floor of the building is the ‘Executive Level’ and we have some antique treasures to offer at auction from that level, including a wonderful 4-section oak ‘flat-file’ cabinet!

I have FINALLY been able to get around the 5 story building without getting too lostJ and have been following their employee’s lead in taking the steps most of the time vs. the elevators.  I am very appreciative of the help and cooperation that I have received from Hamilton’s very fast-paced staff! 

I hope you can join us for a wonderful opportunity to purchase some quality merchandise!  The doors will be open on auction day at 8:00am for a general preview. Please contact our office if you need lodging information!