Auction Services: Expose Your Merchandise to Competitive Bidding

Our Commitment to Our Clients

As a full service auction company, we are committed to working for you. We are not looking to purchase your items. We operate strictly on a commission basis to market your quality merchandise to willing buyers across the United States through the process of competitive bidding, thereby achieving the highest prices possible for you.

Choosing the Savo Auctioneers guarantees that you are hiring a dedicated family team of professionals, who apply all of our knowledge, marketing skills, and zeal to ensure that your quality merchandise achieves its fullest potential.

Whether you’re looking to sell an entire estate, a single item, or any number of pieces in between, we will travel to your location to evaluate your merchandise at no cost or obligation. When you’re ready to send it to auction, we will pack it up, pick it up, and bring it to our auction gallery. You don’t have to touch a thing. It’s hassle free and labor free for you.

Call (570) 876-8100 or email Questions@SavoAuctioneers.com for a free consultation and evaluation.

Selling at Auction FAQs

Why sell at auction?

Because no other method is better for selling your goods. Auctions are designed to present quality merchandise to the public and generate the highest prices possible for it through the process of competitive bidding. With the Internet and sites such as AuctionZIP, auctions have the power to generate buyers from across the United States and even from around the world. The more rare, the more valuable, and the more desirable an item, the more reason it should be sold at auction.

What should I expect from an auction company when selling my goods?

An auction company should work for you, not against you. An auction company should be willing to sell your merchandise for you on a commission basis, not offer to buy it from you for cash. When consigning your goods to an auction company, there are certain things you should expect from its agents:

• You should expect to be treated courteously and not bullied into doing business.
• You should expect all your questions to be answered directly and not artfully dodged.
• You should expect the auctioneers to be knowledgeable and honest.
• You should expect an auction company to treat you and your goods with respect.
• You should expect an auction company and its agents to conduct themselves and their auctions in an organized and professional manner.
• You should expect to enter into a written contract with the auctioneers in which are listed the items consigned to be sold at auction as well as a clear explanation of all terms, commissions, and fees regarding the sale of your items.
• You should expect to be paid your share within 30 days of your items being sold.
• You should expect an auction company to be in compliance with any state or local licensure requirements.
• Finally, you should feel comfortable doing business with an auction company and trust that it and all its agent will work for you to achieve the highest possible prices for your merchandise.

If the auction company with which you are considering doing business does not meet all the aforementioned criteria, then you should look elsewhere. You should never feel pressure, apprehension, or confusion when entering into a contract with an auction company.

How much commission should I expect to pay?

This varies between auction companies and could depend upon the amount or the quality of the merchandise you are looking to sell. It is best to contact an auction company directly to inquire about commission rates. Just remember that when comparing auction companies, paying a lower commission does not guarantee that you will have more money in your pocket when all is said and done.  An auction company’s reputation and its ability to market goods means more than percentages. When inquiring about commission rates, you should also ask an auction company how it plans to market your goods and the about extent of its buyer base.

Why should I give my merchandise to an auction company?  Why shouldn’t I just sell it myself?

Fair enough, but consider this: An auction company and its agents specialize in uncovering all those hidden treasures in an estate that are worth money, but not obvious to those who don’t have the experience to recognize them. In today’s market, many strange, impractical, and even absurd items (some of which look like trash) can command substantial prices at auction. Why take the chance of throwing them away?

An auction company and its agents also specialize in marketing these items. Important and expensive merchandise means nothing if no one knows it’s for sale. Auction companies spend years building a reputation and a clientele, both of which are necessary if you want your quality merchandise to achieve its fullest potential.

Certified Appraisals for All Your Estate and Commercial Needs

John C. Savo, Certified Appraiser

Since 1905, the Missouri Auction School has trained and certified auctioneers in the principals and standards of conducting personal property appraisals through the Certified Appraisers Guild of America, recognized world wide for its laudable curriculum and practices by organizations such as Newsweek, The Wall Street Journal, The Smithsonian Magazine, ABC, CBS, NBC, and CNN.

CAGA members attend professional training and pass a comprehensive exam before becoming certified. The training each member completes includes the Uniform Standards of Personal Property Appraisal Practice and appraisal report writing with emphasis on IRS appraisal requirements, estate and gift appraisals, charitable donation appraisals, bankruptcy appraisals, insurance appraisals, appraisals for divorce, and casualty loss appraisals. In addition, each member is required to attend a courtroom expert witness seminar with special emphasis on appraisals for the courts and testifying in court.

CAGA members are professionals who have completed the certification process and who have made a commitment to the CAGA’s Code of Professional Ethics. John C. Savo is the Senior Auctioneer and Appraiser of the Savo Auctioneers and a current member of the Certified Appraisers Guild of America. Combining over 30 years of experience with his CAGA training, he is qualified to handle all your appraisal needs.

Get peace of mind with a certified appraisal. Protect your personal or commercial assets against theft, fire, floods, and many other unforeseen casualty losses. Meet your legal requirements for the IRS, estate settlements, bankruptcy courts, divorce proceedings, insurance companies, and more.

Call (570) 876-8100 or email Questions@SavoAuctioneers.com for a free appraisal consultation.

Appraisal FAQs

What is an appraisal?

An appraisal is an educated monetary evaluation of an item or items by a professional who has experience selling, handling, and/or brokering the items that are being examined.

The are several different types of appraisals. The two most common are fair market and replacement. A fair market appraisal places a value on an item that is to be offered at public auction, the value being determined by the condition of the item, the strength of the market, and the desire for the item by a willing buyer who has reasonable knowledge regarding the current market. A replacement value is derived by calculating the cost of replacing an item should it be lost, stolen, or damaged.

Other appraisal types may be employed depending upon the circumstances. A knowledgeable and well trained appraiser will know which type of appraisal is needed for any given situation.

When do I need an appraisal?

You could need an appraisal for the IRS if you inherit an estate or receive a gift, if you are donating an item to charity, if you or your business is filing for bankruptcy, if you are looking to insure your valuables, if you are going through a divorce, if you are applying for a loan, or if you have lost or damaged goods due to a natural catastrophe or some other casualty occurrence.

What should I expect from an appraiser?

Someone who is going to appraise your goods should be well qualified and experienced. Many appraisers have taken educational courses and are certified in conducting valuations. Equally important to certification is experience. An appraiser should have experience buying and/or selling goods in the current market, so as to better place a realistic value on the items being examined.

What should an appraisal report look like?

A comprehensive appraisal report should include the following:

• A cover sheet that includes the name of the appraiser and the name of the person or entity for whom the appraisal is being conducted.
• A list of the appraiser’s qualifications, experience, and/or certifications.
• A definition of the type of appraisal given and an explanation of any circumstances or conditions that affect the values of the items appraised.
• A list of the items examined with clear descriptions and values placed on each of the said items.
• Pictures of the items examined.
• A conclusion that states the total value of all the items appraised.

An appraisal report should always be easy to understand, logical, and concise. You should never feel confused or unclear when reading an appraisal report.

What if an appraisal report is disputed by another party?

Sometimes disagreements arise regarding an appraiser’s valuations. Should this occur, the appraiser should be able and willing to back up the appraisal report with information as to how values were determined. When called upon, an appraiser should also be able and willing to testify in a court of law.

How much should I expect to pay for an appraisal?

Rates vary between appraisers. Some charge by the hour, some charge per item appraised, and some charge a flat fee.

Fundraising Services: Spice Up Your Charity Event

Are you a member of a church, social organization, or arts group?  Do you need to raise some cash?  Perhaps you’re at a loss as to how to do it, or maybe you already have an event planned, but you’re looking to spice it up.  We can help by offering fundraising services in two forms:

Call (570) 876-8100 or email Questions@SavoAuctioneers.com for more details.