Do’s and Don’t for Auction Goers
Auction Day Live Bidders
If you were scheduling to go to a live auction think about these helpful things. First remember to bring a tape measure, calculator and a notebook. The tape measure would be for measuring the size of the particular item you are about to bid on. Well it's always better to get to the auction 1 hour before so you can evaluate the items. The size is very important being the removal from the space might become an issue and could be closely after the purchase. Remember you are buying as is where is which means you would buy it with no warranties and no responsibility for removal. Say for argument sake you ended up winning the bid on a particular item that was very large. This would become a challenge and expense to remove it. The only way to remove the item would be to remove part of the storefront or large storefront glass which might only be removing doors. I say if you are planning to purchase a large item at a auction plan it right. You can always call us for advice in which we would be happy to help you. The calculator would be for figuring out the item cost adding the buyers premium and sales tax. This would give you a total cost of the item or items.
Auction Day Internet Bidders
The online bidders don't have the option to measure items or plan the exit of the item. Make it a point to call the auctioneer and ask specific questions such as. If he is too busy ask him for a manager or qualified employee. Let them know you are interested in the particular item that may be large and that you are a serious buyer that needs help on the removal part. Ask him for size and also the size of the doorway or opening. I would recommend a short video from where the item is to the exit. If by any chance it looks like you need removal of storefront or glass, call a local storefront company and get an estimate on cost of removal and also reinstalling. If its a wall in the way you may have to call a local carpenter and also get a estimate for services. This should be preplanned prior the auction day. This would give you an accurate budget for your bid. Always anticipate on extra expenses such as this, trucking or general labor in your removals. Remember not to overpay for an already budgeted price you had in mind.
I Already Purchased It
Mr. Johnson was new at going to auctions and was very anxious to attend one. A posted auction brought attention to Mr. Johnson and he decided to attend the sale looking for restaurant equipment for his new upcoming business. The sale started and he started to bid on many items being he needed everything. As the sale was going on he bided on a very large oven not figuring the removal part. After he paid his bill in full he had additional expenses. Part of the store had to be removed, that was an expense. Now once it was out of the building, the item needed a flatbed truck being it weighed 3,200 lbs. After all said and done Mr. Johnson had an additional of $2,300.00 of expenses. Just remember plan before bidding and make sure you are dealing with legitimate companies that are fully insured.
OverBought
Going to auctions can be a fast pace sometimes you may have bidded on a lot of dishes or chairs whatever it was you overbought. Other bidders were most likely bidding against you. Try to approach them and see if they would be interested in sharing the lot. This would help you with the extra items that you really didn't need and reduce your expense.
I'm Removing The Items Myself
Many auction goers tend to do their own removing and logistics. Our suggestions depending on items is to go prepared. After the sale is over the auctioneer will give instructions for pickup and time frame for removal. A list of of items to bring upon removal of large items would be the following.
1- Wheel dolly (commercial preferably)
2-Moving blankets for protecting furniture
3- Stretch wrap for packaging items together or individually
4- Packing tape
5- Cardboard boxes or plastic bins
6- Screw gun with extra bits & battery charger
7- Manual screwdrivers (Flat & Philips)
8- Hammer, heavy hammer, chisel and crowbar
9-Hack saw with (extra blades)
10- Sawzall
11- Extension cord
12- Racket set
13- Adjustable pliers (2-3 different sizes)
14- Tie down straps (2-4)
15- Hand truck (if necessary)
16- Pallet jack (if necessary)
17- Two by fours in conjunction with the pallet jack
18- Padlock if leaving truck parked overnight
19- Newspaper or bubble wrap for glass items (eliminates breakage)
20- work gloves
These items are very important when thinking about removing large items from an auction. The other option is to hire a trucker and he will do it all. Just make sure he is insured.
Stepping out for a cigarette
When you are involved in an auction, don't miss a trick. Auctioneers are noted to bounce around in an auction. If the auction is running poorly the auctioneer will tend to bounce around to different lots to get the crowd going. If you step out for a phone call, cigarette or even something to drink, you might regret it. While you were outside of the auction, the auctioneer suddenly went from lot 52 to lot 101. Now you return to the auction sale and find out the lot you wanted to bid on was sold. The old story, you snooze you lose. Remember.....don't step out unless someone is there for you to bid.