Newsletter Sunday Feb 7,2010

I’m seeing more merchandise come on the market than ever before.

 

 

Maybe it’s a sign of the times, maybe it’s because I’ve been in the biz a while and I’m getting more calls, or maybe it’s a combination of both of those, but I am seeing more merchandise than ever before. A lot more.

 

I always chuckle when I hear someone say, “the stuff just isn’t out there anymore.” Are you kidding me?  Last week at my local Barre MA auction we ran a complete woodworking shop which we had bought out.

 

During the same week, we also purchased the contents of mega collection of art, jewelry, books and other antiques from a retired antiques dealer. This is a collection that will put our small local auction on the map for good antique merchandise. There may not be any original Van Gogh paintings, but there are over 1000 pieces of art that should sell in the range of $5-$500 each. In this lot were also about 10,000 first day cover and other stamps, pottery, glass and much more. With this one purchase we will probably fill about 3 sales!

 

If that’s not enough, we have about 4 more calls that we are waiting to get to that sound very promising.

 

Details will begin coming soon to Auctionzip and will be updated just about daily.

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5 tips for getting estate lots

As I said earlier, I’m getting a lot of merchandise these days and you can too. Here are some tips that deal specifically with purchasing ESTATE LOTS.

 

1) Wipe your feet when you walk into the home. This simple courtesy establishes respect for the client. Don’t forget, this is an ESTATE purchase I’m talking about, someone has died here, the family may still be grieving. Show respect. It’s a good idea to take your hat off too, if you have one on.

2) Ask what the goals are as far as when they’d like the contents removed, or if they want an on-site sale etc. Listen twice as much as you talk.

3) Avoid talking prices on individual items. You are after a large amount of merchandise here, to discuss prices on single items is risky at this point.

4) Determine if you can realistically handle the job. If you can’t, say so, and refer an auctioneer or an antiques dealer that can. An auctioneer will usually pay a fair finders fee for good estate acquisitions. Work with auctioneers that do pay finder’s fees.

5) Make your bid. Decide whether it’s firm or not and whether or not you’ll honor this deal if it’s a call-back situation. Sometimes you’ll be in competition with others for the job. Don’t take offense at this, it’s part of the process. In many states, attorneys and executors are required to get at least 2 bids on an estate.

 

As you’d imagine, the other things I have going on don’t stop just because my live auction is full right now. I’m begun working with Dealitlive.com again and am very excited about that.

 

I hope you’ll attend my DealitLive.com video auction tonight at 9pm Eastern Time.

 

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My NEW live video auction (5 People in the chat room)

 

 

I’m very excited about this prospect. This is a new live video auction that I’ll be doing on uStream.com. It’s called the 5 people in a chat room auction and that simply means, if I have 5 people that show up, I’ll start auctioning items.

 

Sometimes these auctions will be scheduled, sometimes they won’t. Sometimes the lots will be posted in advance, with pictures and details, sometimes they won’t. Sometimes, I may be at that URL and we’ll just talk shop.

 

The basic tenet of the auction is that if at least 5 people show up, we’ll have an auction!

 

The first one will take place tomorrow evening at 9pm Eastern Time, (Monday February 8)

And for this one, I do have plans to post details and pictures. They’re not up yet, but will be soon.

See details at: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/auctionwally

Some of these auctions may pop up at anytime. If you want to be in the know on them, please follow me on UStream and you’ll get a reminder whenever I have one.

• There is a chatroom there where buyers can ask questions.
• I’ll be calling the bids live.
• I have the ability to ad lots and even take requests
• These auctions can be posted on Twitter.com and elsewhere.

Please help pass the word…

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                                        The Prices Realized Directory

 

 

At  www.AuctionWally.com/prices-realized you’ll find a 100% free prices realized directory, no registration required.

Prices-Realized Directory.
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                              Auction in Barre, Thursday- February 8th, 2010

 

This week we’ll feature art, costume jewelry, books and ephemera, but it will be mixed in with plenty of other goodies. It will be a PACKED auction, you may want to get there early to assure a seat.

See more details on upcoming Thursday night auctions in Barre. 

 

 We are always looking to buy and consign good quality items for these sales. If you have something to sell, give me a call at 978-636-3101 or send an email to:

wkolenda@gmail.com

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                                           Looking for work?

  If you can answer “yes” to a few simple questions, you may be able to start making good money as an antiques appraiser. I have a one day seminar that will help qualified candidates start earning between $75 and $150 per hour as a Professional Personal Property Appraiser. Find out more here.

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                                               Ask an Auctioneer

If you have a question about antiques, collectibles or auctions,  email me at ask@auctionwally.com (a few good .jpg pics of any items is essential.)

 

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Do you or need the services of a Massachusetts Auctioneer?  Want to find out how auctions work, or need help with your auction business? If so, check out http://massauctioneer.info

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MarketMeTweet 

 

I know many of you are using Twitter to get the word out about your business as well as for social purposes. I’m involved with a set of tools that are available at MarketMeTweet.com that are phenomenal.

 

The one I use most is Tweetbrand which links back to your site with every Tweet you post, in a VERY, non-intrusive way. Are you aware, that Google is giving search value to Tweets?  It’s true. Tweets are now showing up in Google’s search, and when you use MarketMeTweet.com to help you with your Tweets, it’s like putting them on steroids!

                                                 The weekly contest:

  

This week’s contest questions are: Where on my uStream page is the “Follow” button, and what is the code-phrase I’ve posted in the chat room for this contest?

The first person to email me at wkolenda@gmail.com with the correct answer is the winner, it’s that easy. Now of course, I’ll need a way to get that package to the winner, so send your snail mail address along with your contest answers. The prize is a neat collectibles surprise envelope which includes things found in a recent estate purchase I made. Things likely to be in said envelope are vintage postcards, ephemera and who knows what?

There are a LOT of live auctions out there.

The best way I know of to search them is to use Auctionzip.com the largest live auction locator.

 

I’ve been using AuctionZip.com for years now, and I’m proud to have them as a sponsor.

 

In short, if you want to find auctions anywhere in the US, AuctionZip is an easy way to search online by zip code, the site is free to search and has a million uses within the auction business, such as:

 

• Find auctioneers
• See the prices realized section to find out the current value of items.
• Search for items coming up for sale
• Track which auctions specialize in specific genres
• Learn how to consign to auction houses

 

If you have an ecommerce business, in the antiques and collectibles genre, your link may be a perfect sponsor fit in this newsletter:

If’ you’d like to know more, please contact me at: wkolenda@gmail.com

 

                   

 

See the best collectibles video podcast at http://Collectiblescornertv.com
Tammy Kahn Fennell provides tips, interviews and news with a lot of fun.

 

 

Winter is here, and travel can be difficult. But that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on great auctions! Did you know that iCollector.com is an online portal into hundreds of auctions from live venues?

You can bid live and even contact the auction houses to see if you can send your quality consignment to be featured in an upcoming auction!

 

 

Please forward this to friends.

 

 

 

Until next time, 

thanks for reading, and remember, it’s not spam if your requested the content ;)