No matter what you have to sell at auction, you’ll generate the most interest – and potentially a higher selling price – by taking the time to prepare and organize your items. From giving your pieces a thorough cleaning to providing as much information about big ticket items as possible, these ideas will help you maximize your selling price and have a successful auction.
Before a car dealer places a new car on the lot, they thoroughly detail it and make sure that it is in pristine condition; taking the time to do this ensures that it is truly valued by the prospective buyer and is more likely to attract a premium price. Prepare your car for sale by cleaning both the interior and exterior; depending on the vehicle, it might be worth paying for a professional detailing. Buyers will view your car inside and out, and both the look and smell of the interior matter.
Like automobiles, clean up your equipment before sending it to auction. Your heavy pieces will be valued based on a variety of factors, including the brand name, year, and number of work hours, but the surface appearance matters as well. Consider painting your heavy pieces if needed. You can maximize your returns on trucks and heavy equipment by providing maintenance records, repair logs, user logs and other documents. Heavy equipment that looks ready to roll away from an auction and be put into service immediately will be highly valued by buyers and naturally offer a better return at the auction.
Decide which pieces you are ready to part with – and consign them as early as possible. Business owners looking for a bargain might want to check out the fixtures, appliances and other items you are selling. You’ll generate more interest and the highest possible returns by making your pieces available for inspection as soon as you decide to list them. A professional auction house like Dakil with experience in business and restaurant equipment can give you an idea of the ideal time frame for your particular pieces.
A real estate auction is still a sale of the home, so do your best to prepare the home by cleaning it out and performing any obvious repairs and maintenance. By removing clutter and fixing up any issues, you can maximize your selling cost without making a huge investment. Minor cosmetic issues aren’t as big of a deal when auctioning real estate, but a gaping hole in the wall or an overgrown jungle of a yard should be addressed before you auction off the home.
The sheer number of items included in an estate sale can be overwhelming for sellers, but taking the time to group items into lots in an organized way can help you sell your pieces for a premium price. A professional auctioneer can help you determine how to organize your pieces. If the estate includes jewelry, fine art, collectibles or other items with high value, an appraisal can help ensure you get the best possible price. If the estate includes plenty of vintage china, quilts or pottery, grouping these items together as a collection could help draw in buyers; a professional auctioneer can help you determine the best way to showcase estate sale items.
No matter what items you are selling, thoroughly cleaning your pieces and doing your best to make them look new can maximize your returns at auction. Providing extra information about the pieces you are selling – such as a provenance for fine art or collectibles or work hours and maintenance records for vehicles – can also boost the final sales price and your profits.
To learn more about making the most from your particular items, contact Dakil. We’re here to help ensure that you get the maximum value for your pieces – and to make the process as simple and stress-free as possible.
