SELL WITH US
For those that are new to selling at auction, below is a simple, step-by-step guide to lead you through the process of selling your items at auction.
For starters, we need to know what it is that you are selling.
There are several methods by which we might evaluate the items in your collection: by photos, in person at your location, or in person at our gallery. In order to decide what will work best, it’s helpful to get some general pictures of the items and also to have a conversation – either on the phone or by email.
In Person Visit at Your Location
If there is a large assortment of property, or if there are items you cannot bring to us, we will come to you to view your items. At the visit, we will physically inspect your property and discuss the specific needs for your situation. This complimentary service is performed as a verbal or written evaluation for the purposes of selling property through us at auction.
In Person at Our Gallery
You can also schedule an appointment with one of our specialists to view your property at our gallery; this method is usually best for a limited number of items, or small items that are more easily movable. Please contact us to initiate a discussion about the kind of items you have to sell. We will meet with you and evaluate your property and discuss various sales options. This complimentary service is performed as a verbal evaluation for the purposes of selling property through us at auction.
Every situation is different and involves a number of factors. The more we know, the more helpful we can be.
- What is the time frame in which you would like to sell your items?
- Is there a closing date on the property? Are you moving to a new home? Is there an estate settlement date approaching?
- Is this an estate situation? Are you the executor? Has the collection been previously appraised? What is the relationship between the owners – is there general agreement? Who is the ultimate decision maker regarding the property? Is the property easy to access?
- What are the highlights of the collection? In most cases, highlights will be fine art– paintings & sculpture, fine jewelry, watches & designer handbags, rare and antique Asian Arts, certain examples of books, prints, maps & ephemera, 20th century design, silver, coins, porcelain and glass, carpets, certain clocks, and good antique furniture; pop-culture collectibles are currently trending up in the marketplace
- What are the challenges of the collection? Typically, most antique furniture, silver-plate, pewter, books, clocks and kitchenware are hard to sell at auction.
- Common mistakes to avoid: While getting several opinions and engaging various knowledgeable advisors is highly recommended, there can be a case of ‘too many cooks in the kitchen.’ You could wind up paying several advisors, rather than just having us come over and give you our thoughts at no charge. Also, we are often able to help with a large amount of the process, if we are brought in early. Many times, we have visited estates which had a few valuable items– jewelry, paintings, coins or silver– for example, which the heirs decided to sell first, leaving them with a large group of items, but less incentive for us to help. Litchfield is one of the few auction houses that handles antique furniture and decorations well, and yet, without the other, more desirable items, we often are not able to absorb all of the costs of selling just those items.
The list above is a partial list of things that often come up in an initial conversation, but there are other highlights and challenges that certain estates and collections will have. All can be dealt with, but the more we know, the better we can be at helping achieve your goals.
As with most things in life, the selling process always seems to take longer than one would think– the sooner you contact us the better! It’s never too early to reach out.
Appraisals
For a more in-depth evaluation of your property, Litchfield Auctions also provides written appraisals for the purposes of Insurance, Estate, or Equitable Distribution. As a past president of the Appraisers Association of America and a member for over 30 years, our founder, Weston Thorn, began performing appraisals in the 1960’s. While he is no longer a lead appraiser, the methods and practices that he established are performed by our current team of appraisers, and he remains available to consult on any tricky issues or items. Appraisals of this nature are billed on an hourly basis. Please contact us for more information about this service.
Every estate situation is unique. Please call (860) 567-4661 to discuss your specific appraisal needs.