I’m an auctioneer, AMA 🙂

[Gavelicious]

Ever wanted to know anything about the auction world? AMA 🙂

I once left a bid for a stuffed lion - I didn't get it btw. What's the weirdest thing you have sold?

I have a large quantity of crockery in matching tea/dinner services after clearing out an in-laws
house. I have sold a few items to Chinasearch, but not much. They are Wedgwood and similar. I know that China like this is not selling well, but what options do I have?I have listed a few bits on eBay, but before I spend hours loading them
all up, are they realistically going to sell? Is it best to just donate to charity, or are there auction houses that might be with trying (local not high end obviously)? There is just far too much to keep.

Lots of weird things, including a real human skeleton (medical specimen) and an embalming machine, not from the same person!!

We can’t see what the easylive bids are, we can see there’s an Autobid but not what the amount is, so it wouldn’t impact where we start. If someone leaves a commission bid with us, obviously that’s different and we know what that is but I would still start at the lowest point and then ‘bid’ on behalf of the commission bidder. The only reason I would ever go straight in at the top commission bid would be if it was the same at the reserve.

A general auction should certainly consider all of those items but might reject some that are of very low value. If you let me know your location, I might be able to recommend an auction in the area if I know of a good one.

What items are worth is a tricky one. In general, you will get more money selling items on eBay than at auction. Remember, a lot of eBay sellers are buying at auctions! The difference is it will (hopefully) sell straight away whereas it could take a long time for something to sell on eBay.
The auction will take a cut, usually anywhere between 15-30%, usually with VAT on top. Also check for additional costs such as lotting, storage or photography fees. Most smaller auctions will have lower fees.

It’s worth dropping them an email first outlining what you have.

What happens when the winning bidder doesn't pay?

Tea sets are pretty unpopular at the moment I’m general, but it worth giving a small location auction house a call or dropping them an email with the details, maybe some photos.

It differs by auction house. Some auction will not pay the Vendor until the buyer has paid. In general, the auction I usually works for pays out the Vendor and the owns the item, which will be resold.
The non-payer will likely get a ban from that auction on the online auction site, which will then be flagged up to other auctions when they try and register, so it will likely impact them buying online at auctions in the future.
Some auctions will take legal auction for payment and pursue it through the courts as bidding at auction is a legally binding contract. In these cases, it will most likely be ruled in the Auction’s favour so the person would be liable for additional costs and may get a CCJ.

Do you ever sell property, or is that a specialist auction?

Have you ever dropped or broken anything you're auctioning? I cringe sometimes watching Antiques Roadshow when they pick up someone's precious (even if not necessarily valuable) family heirloom to look for the maker's mark underneath.

Amazing thread OP. I think I'm too scared to attend an auction (heart rules head), but they look a whole lot of fun.

To me, the buyers' gestures look so subtle - like a faint quiver of an eyelash - that I wonder how on earth you spot everyone's intentions? Does anyone ever rage at you later that you missed them???

Great thread! I used to bid in person back in the 1970s but now exclusively online because of mobility issues.

Following from the remark OP made about buyers who dont pay. If you bid online and use a bidding platrofm like Saleroom.com or LIveauctioneers you can get banned not only by the particular auctioneer but also by the platform itself. That would not stop you bidding in person at other auction houses but could limit online bidding activities. About 80% of antiques/vintage are now sold online in some auction houses.

And yes the American auctions can be very fast.

@Gavelicious I've heard that stamp collecting isn't as popular as it was, that collections have dropped in value and stamp collections aren't as sought after as they used to be. Has that been your experience, or are they increasing in value again? I'm not talking your rare high-end stuff, just regular old albums.

No, that’s very specialist, I’m what’s known as a ‘Chattels’ auctioneer which is pretty much everything apart from property or livestock

Yes 😳
I once knocked a clock off a chair brushing past it with my not inconsiderable bottom…

These things do happen and we always speak to the vendor and compensate them.
There was one occasion…..I can’t believe I’m admitting to this…..when the (very common, not very valuable) item belonged to a rather severe lady who said it was precious to her. This is only time I haven’t fessed up. I bought a replacement from eBay and hoped she didn’t come in on sale day (she didn’t!) as the replacement was in much better condition and clearly not hers!!

Did you ever watch Kevin Eldon in The Detectorists and have a giggle?

Edited to say - I think your username is great by the way!

Also an old family china question. Do you often have to tell people their sentimental stuff is worth 50p?

Dh got very upset clearing his parents' house when all the Royal Doulton ladies and matching dinner sets his mum had saved up for and was super proud of were worth hardly anything.

I’m cheerfully addicted to our local auction houses, much to DH’s despair, but my heart always sinks/breaks when I see the ‘75x Lilliput Lane cottages’ or ‘20x Royal Doulton ladies’ lots - obviously someone’s expensive pride and joy, now worth a fraction of what it cost to amass. It’s put me right off collecting anything.

You should go, they’re great fun! YouTube really can’t scratch your nose and accidentally buy a wardrobe, I promise! 😂

Unfortunately stamp collections are not selling well at the moment unless you have something very rare. It’s just not something you get generations are interested in and a lot of collections are being sold as the generations that did collection then are passing them on.

Well….I’m also a metal detectorist, so I adore The Detectorists including the auction scene!

Yes, and this can be tricky, but we will often find so thing else valuable that they weren’t expecting! It’s surprising what people will buy sometimes, and what they won’t. We always tell people to show us everything as the value may not be where they think it is.

Yes, this can be tough. Collections can be worth very little when things aren’t currently in fashion, but auctions are often the cheapest place to buy things. Prices online (eBay, Etsy), in antique shops, at antique fairs are even at Car Boot sales can be much higher (auctions are often where their stock comes from!)

I have my late father's collection, and my own childhood one, and have taken the hobby up again recently. So your information is very helpful, thank you.

Has anyone ever sneezed and accidentally bought an expensive item?

I was led to believe this was a common problem by cartoons in the 80s.