Tools to Bring to Your Inspection

To thoroughly inspect items of interest, you need to have some things with you to help determine condition and value.  Reputable Scottsdale auction houses will go to great lengths to accurately describe items.  But, they won’t know, for example, if a table will fit in your home’s space.  Or, what value a certain item will hold for you.

Therefore, you need to bring some tools with you to give you as much information as possible regarding items you’re interested in.  With the auction house’s description and your findings, you should be able to make informed, good decisions about bidding.

Here’s what you need to consider bringing to a Scottsdale auction inspection.

• Measuring Tool.  A tape measure, ruler or other appropriate measure device is important if you need to know if an item will fit in a particular space.  Or, if size determines value, you need to measure the item to arrive at an appropriate figure.

If dimensions are provided by in the Scottsdale auction house description, you need to verify them.  We’re all human and can make mistakes.  Keep in mind you are buying all items as-is, so if something doesn’t fit, you can’t return it.

• Flashlight.  If you’re inspecting items in a dimly lit location, you need to add some light on the subject to make sure you see everything.  You need to look inside, outside, underneath – everywhere — to note any damage.  In the case of antiques especially, you also need to know if an item has been previously repaired.

You may also want to search for special markers.  Manufacturing names, models, dates and more are crucial information when analyzing an item.  You may uncover some interesting and valuable information about an item at a Scottsdale auction.

• Magnifying Glass.  If you’re looking for information as indicated above, it may be too small to read with the naked eye.  Therefore, you need the help of a magnifying glass.  You can also see small cracks or other damage not readily visible.  In many cases, you can only determine the value of an object when you look at it close up.

• References.  If you specialize in certain types of items, like art, antiques or other collectibles, you may have many reference books on hand.  Bringing these guides with you will help if you need answers about a certain item.

Also make sure to make note of all information about an interested item.  If you’re not sure about the maker or artist, for example, you can conduct some research online when you return home.  If you have access to an Internet connection at the auction house, you can always bring your laptop or tablet.

• Digital Camera.  Expanding on the topic above, you should bring a digital camera or a cell phone with an integrated camera.  Then, you can write down the critical information about an object and take various photos of it as well. If you know experts in a particular item, you can always provide a photo to get some input.

Scottsdale auctions are a great place to find unique items at potentially great discounts.  You just need to make sure you inspect interested items thoroughly so you don’t pay more than an item is worth.  Brining along the proper tools for these inspections is critical to smart bidding.

Too often beginners skip the inspection step and see the item for the first time when it’s held up on the auction block.  It’s almost impossible to tell if the item is damaged or determine its true value.  To make an informed decision, you absolutely must inspect the item prior to bidding at a Scottsdale auction.  Only then can you determine an appropriate value for the item’s condition.

For the purposes of this discussion, we’ll assume the Scottsdale auction involves merchandise brought to an auction house.  Because so many types of auctions exist, we’ll cover general good practices for this type of auction.  We won’t attempt to provide inspection advice for a livestock or home auction!

Preparing for Item Inspection

The first step in your inspection process is to find out the scheduled times and places.  The auction house will often have this information available well in advance of auction day.  Special times will be set aside for interested bidders to inspect each item up for auction.  In larger Scottsdale auctions, you’ll have an opportunity to inspect items one or two days prior to the auction, as well as before bidding begins on the auction day.

To make the most of your inspection, you’ll need to bring some tools along.  A complete evaluation using your tools will help you decide if you want to bid on an item and the maximum amount you should be willing to pay.

In part two we will list what tools to bring to your auction inspection.

Check our our upcoming Scottsdale auctions or contact Auction Systems today for more information.

Some police auctions are conducted to get rid of unused inventory.  Anything that has outlived its usefulness for the department is fair game to be sold at auction.  In this case, you can bid on office equipment, computers or even a police car beyond its useful service life.

In other types of police auctions, buyers can bid on seized property used during a crime.  Anything used in conjunction of a crime can be confiscated by a police department.  Or, anything a criminal bought with money gained from a crime is fair game for confiscation.

So, you can see how wide a variety of items can become available at an auction for seized property.  Anything goes really.  You can find unique collectibles, antiques, jewelry, household items, and yes, even high-end vehicles.

In fact, buyers often attend police auctions not knowing what they want to purchase ahead of time.  Part of the fun is seeing what’s available at a good price.  You never know what you’ll find.  And, you’re likely to get some great deals.

What You Need to Know Before Attending a Police Auction

The first step in getting a good deal at a police auction is doing some homework before you start to bid.  Make a point of understanding how these auctions are conducted in your area.  What are the rules and regulations for bidding?  What requirements exist to participate?

Visiting the auctioneer’s website should give you some very useful information.  Not only do reputable auction houses give very detailed information about upcoming auctions, but they might have some great resources for you to learn more about the whole police auction process.

Then, you should attend one or two auctions to get the hang of what happens.  Most auctions are free to the public, so all you have to do is show up. If you feel you know enough to start bidding, then jump in!  Just be sure you know the auction house’s requirements for bidding.  You may have to pre-register.

All auctions are exciting.  And it’s possible to get caught up in this excitement and bid too much for an item.  You want to be careful to know the value of items and the maximum you should spend.

Keep in mind you’ll likely have to pay for your winning bids after the auction ends.  Be careful not to bid too high and too much that you can’t afford your purchases.

Police auctions offer a great venue for getting all kinds of items at reduced prices.  Since you never know what you’ll find, they’re fun and exciting activities.  With anything new you undertake, make sure you learn as much as possible about how the auction process works.

Then, preview the items you’re interested in and know they’re current value as much as you can.  Taking these steps will help ensure you have a great time and still get some good deals.

For upcoming police auctions, visit our auction schedule or contact Auction Systems today for more information.

Given the two examples above, the term liquidation auction implies “everything must go.”  Clearing inventory doesn’t necessarily mean the business is closing.  Typically, an auction helps companies maximize the amount of money they get for the products they remove from inventory.

Businesses will usually hire a professional auction company to handle the liquidation sale.  The auction house provides a wide variety of services including taking a complete inventory of assets, advertising for the auction and managing the event from start to finish.  To find the best auction service for your liquidation auction, you should focus on experience, reputation, services, pricing, schedules and references.  Thorough evaluation in these areas will help determine the right auction service provider for your business.

Closing a Business

Conducting a liquidation auction may be voluntary or forced by the courts.  In many cases, it’s a step that must be taken before a business closes. In this scenario, the funds generated from the sale of goods typically go to the creditors first.   Next, the shareholders of the business benefit from any remaining funds.

A liquidation auction for a closing business not only includes the stock of the company, but every other asset used by the company.  For example, if the company produces a product or sells products, these items are auctioned.  In addition, other items the company owns, like office equipment, computers, supplies, furniture, artwork and anything of value will be auctioned to the highest bidder.

An Alternative to Bankruptcy

Sometimes financial difficulties are short-term events for businesses.  If your company is experiencing some cash-flow issues or other financial problems that you think are short-term, you may consider a liquidation auction instead of filing for bankruptcy.  By liquidating some assets, you may be able to bridge the gap in negative cash flow situations.

This is an especially good strategy if you have inventory you can’t resell.  For example, customer returns, damaged goods and surpluses may be prime asset candidates to bring in some extra needed cash.  Because of the recent economic challenges many businesses have faced, reputable and experienced auction houses are specializing in liquidation auctions to help businesses get the most money from their inventory.

Improving the Bottom Line by Selling Unneeded Assets

Liquidation auctions are a great way for your business to earn extra profit.  Targeting inventory you can’t sell as indicated above, or just have too much of, can help you pad your finances.  You can also auction other assets used in your business that you no longer need.  Old office equipment and furniture are prime examples.

Whatever your reason for conducting an auction, make sure you understand how to achieve the best results.  Finding the right auction service is an important step.  But, you also have to look at your particular situation and evaluate your financial statements.  You have to know what you paid for these items so you can make sure they don’t sell for less at auction.  In most cases, it wouldn’t make sense to lose money.

Liquidation auctions are great opportunities for both sellers and buyers.  Businesses can earn extra cash, stay out of bankruptcy or satisfy creditors before a closure.  Buyers can often get a wide variety of merchandise at below retail prices.  And, there’s nothing better than a win-win situation!

Take a look at our auction schedule for upcoming liquidation auctions in Arizona, or contact Auction Systems today.

An Arizona coin auction gives you the opportunity to get some great deals on new coins for your collection.  These auctions pop up fairly regularly and are usually advertised by the auctioneer well in advance.  If you’re interested in attending a coin auction and you’re not an experienced collector, you need to understand a few basics.

Know How to Grade Coins

The first thing you need to learn when attending an Arizona coin auction is how to grade coins.  If you don’t know the basics, you can’t expect to get good deals and could potentially waste your money.  Becoming an expert takes a lot of time and effort.  However, the good news is you don’t need to be an authority to achieve success in a numismatic hobby.

Basically, you need to be able to tell a good coin from a very good coin.  Unfortunately, some coin sellers “over grade” coins and the uninformed buyer ends up paying too much.  This practice may happen more when buying from unknown sources.  Therefore, attending an Arizona coin auction run by a reputable auction house ups your chances of getting accurately graded coins.

Adopt a Long-Term Perspective

Flipping coins isn’t a profitable practice.  Rarely can you buy a coin and sell it a few months later at a significant profit.  Coin collecting is for those hobbyists with a long term focus.  Fortunately, an Arizona coin auction may give you the best option of breaking even on your investment in a shorter time period.  In other words, you may not be paying retail prices like you would from a dealer.

To enhance your collection and give you the greatest chance to profit, you should focus on buying the best coins you can afford.  The old adage of one good coin is better than a dozen mediocre ones holds true.  Take the time to learn what’s in high demand and you’ll likely be able to sell your investment for a profit down the road.

Take Your Time

The great thing about starting a coin collecting hobby is you don’t have to rush into anything.  Don’t feel pressured to buy just for the sake of buying.  You can attend an Arizona coin auction just to get a feel for how things operate and the kind of merchandise offered.  When you think you’re well informed, you can start bidding and building your collection.

Becoming a smart and profitable collector requires a lot of know-how.  Make sure you invest the time and energy to make the best investments.  Keep good records of what you buy so you can transfer this information to a buyer of your coins in the future.  You also need to know the specifics of your purchases and sales for tax filings.

If you follow these basic guidelines, chances are you’ll profit from your coin collecting hobby — and have fun doing it!

For more info on Arizona coin auctions, check our auction schedule or contact Auction Systems today.

So, if you’re interested in attending an Arizona coin auction and you’re not an experienced collector, you need to understand a few basics:

Become Informed

If you’re just starting out with a coin collecting hobby, you need to immerse yourself in knowledge and news before you make your first investment.  Coin collecting is enjoyed by millions around the world.  So, you’ll find tons of resources about the subject.

Most importantly, you need to keep abreast of what’s going on.  What’s going on at Arizona coin auctions?  What big sales have taken place?  What are collectors interested in and where’s the market trending?

You also want to keep posted on counterfeits and forgeries.  Following current events will help you get the best deals and not get ripped off.  Attending a reputable Arizona coin auction can help assure you of bidding on quality items.

Anyone beginning a coin collecting hobby needs to gain facts and not just accumulate coins.  Intimate knowledge of coins includes their history, symbolism, dates and other distinguishing factors.  When you thoroughly understand things like these you’ll know when you’re getting a good deal at an Arizona coin auction.

In part two we will discuss how to grade coins and start a coin collecting hobby. For more info on Arizona coin auctions, contact Auction Systems today.

This upcoming absolute property auction involves a luxury property located on a private air park near Lake Geneva, Wisconsin in Lake Aire Estates.  The residence is situated approximately 80 miles northwest of Chicago and 55 miles southwest of Milwaukee.

Known as the “Hamptons of the Midwest,” Lake Geneva offers beaches, specialty shops, galleries, golfing, boating, festivals, lake cruises and many restaurants.  Rich in history, beauty and nature, Lake Geneva has been named one of the “Best Small Towns in America” on numerous lists over the last 50 years.

The residence to be auctioned was inspired by French Chateau architecture.  At approximately 8,500 square feet, the property includes six bedrooms, six bathrooms, home theater, weight room, guest quarters with separate kitchen, an airplane hangar and a 2400’ x 75’ paved and lit runway.

“This absolute property auction is truly unique and would be a perfect residence for families wanting a luxury estate in a small city atmosphere.” said Deb Weidenhamer, CEO of Auction Systems.  “In addition to numerous opulent features, this property also boasts a 1,800 square foot airplane hangar for easy aircraft storage.”

The absolute property auction will take place on April 28, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. (CDT).  Live, on-site bidding will be held at N2205 Lynn Lane, Lake Geneva, WI 53147.  The property will sell with no minimum and no reserve.  Absentee bidding arrangements will be made, if necessary, for those unable to attend the auction event.  This is a private auction for registered bidders only.  Interested parties can pre-register up to 48 hours prior to the auction.

The property may be viewed on Saturday April 21 and Sunday April 22.  Viewing times on both days will be from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (CDT).

The Broker of Record for this property auction is Mike Coke – WI #BR 936638-091, Terra Firma TFM Wisconsin Inc.  To download a brochure, visit http://www.auctionsystemsselect.com/download-property-auction-brochures.html.  For more information, call Teresa Klein at 800-801-8880 or 602-565-9034.

Items of interest for this Phoenix marathon auction include:  ‘36 Ford Phaeton, ‘39 Cadillac, ‘07 GMC Sierra 1/2 ton extended cab, ‘06 Chrysler Town & Country, ‘03 Chevrolet K1500, ‘02 Ford Mustang convertible, Jennings pistol, Mauser 1944 bolt action rifle, Iver Johnson .32 revolver, Apple external hard drive, arcade games featuring Skee Ball, Cruisin’ World, Crazy Taxi and slot machines, Von Zipper sunglasses, “Moonlight Dreaming” by Robert Lynn Nelson, “Valley Of Peace” by Thomas Kincaid, Louis Vuitton wallet, True restaurant refrigerator, Milwaukee power tools, Bontrager, Giant and Specialized mountain bikes, plus much more.

“Nothing compares with the exciting atmosphere of an auction,” said Deb Weidenhamer, CEO of Auction Systems Auctioneers & Appraisers Inc.  “The competitive bidding process creates a win-win scenario for buyers and sellers.  Both parties know they’re more likely to reach fair market value at auction.”

The marathon auction will be held on Saturday, April 21, 2012 at 9:00 a.m. at Auction Systems located at 951 W. Watkins in Phoenix, AZ.  All of the items listed in the auction may be previewed and inspected by interested bidders on Thursday, April 19, 2012 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Friday, April 20, 2012 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., and Saturday, April 21, 2012 from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. one hour prior to auction.

Items will also be available for preview and online bidding beginning Saturday, April 14, 2012. Interested parties can visit Auction Systems’ Phoenix auction schedule, to preview and sign up for online bidding.

One of the major benefits of Arizona property auctions is arriving at the fair market value for real estate.  According to industry experts, property auctions outshine other marketing strategies because of the competition created among buyers.  This competition almost always will establish the current market value.

After all the terms are established and agreed upon, the auctioneer will develop an Arizona property auctions contract.  When both parties sign the contract, auction preparations begin.

Depending on the type of auction to be held, the auctioneer will ensure the upcoming auction complies with all regulations.  For example, some states require property auctions to conform to the Uniform Commercial Code, as well as local, county and state licensing requirements.

Before the auction begins, the title to the property must be verified and creditors notified.  Given these critical steps, it’s critical you work with an experienced and knowledgeable team who knows how to conduct property auctions.

Once the regulation issues are out of the way, the auctioneer will start the advertising campaign.  Based on their experience, auctioneers will use the most effective media to get the word out.  Some examples include newspaper ads, online advertising, posters, direct mail, radio ads, television ads, e-mails and more.

Depending on what arrangements were made in the contract phase, the auctioneer may prepare the property for auction.  This preparation might include cleaning, organizing, repairing and other tasks to make the property as appealing as possible come auction day.

Attending Arizona property auctions is a great way to buyers to shop for real estate.  If you’re in the market for property, you need to include auctions in your search.  You don’t have to have experience bidding at auction.  With a little knowledge up front, you can take advantage of a great opportunity to get good real estate values.

Thanks for reading this post on Arizona Property Auctions. For additional info, contact us today or take a look at our Arizona Auctions Page.

And Arizona property auctions provide the highest level of flexibility since the customer can decide all the parameters of the sale.  You’re free to determine what you will sell and when you sell it.  With the guidance of the auction house, you can establish how your property will be sold as well.

Auctioneers conducting Arizona property auctions are highly skilled professionals.  They know the best way to conduct an auction and have proven procedures in place to ensure both buyers and sellers get the most from the experience.

They are uniquely qualified because they bring you the best of both worlds.  They understand how auctions work.  And, they have ample experience conducting auctions and running an auction business.

In addition, they’re experts in real estate sales.  They know how to market real estate using Arizona property auctions as the vehicle to closing a sale.  Most importantly, property auctioneers are well versed in legal matters involving auctions and the sale of real estate.  With an experienced auction house, you can be assured Arizona property auctions conform to all regulatory requirements.

What’s the Typical Process for Arizona Property Auctions?

Long before the auction is held, the auctioneer and the seller meet to discuss the property sale.  At the very start of the process, the auctioneer expects to fully understand the seller’s expectations for the auction.  By both parties coming together early, they can iron-out services, desires, issues and determine the type of auction to be conducted.

After the initial client meeting, the auctioneer might submit written proposals for Arizona property auctions.  Everything discussed during the meeting should be detailed in a written document.  Some important things to include in the proposal are the auction date, location, time, commissions, advertising media and costs and all other details of the transaction.

In part two of this series we will continue to look into the typical process for an Arizona Property Auction. In the mean time, visit our Auctions Page or contact us today for more info.