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Auctioneering

Understanding Your Cost Per Auction

Understanding Your Cost Per Auction

Learn how to calculate true cost per auction (CPA), allocate overhead, and use data-driven benchmarks to protect margins and grow your auction business.

April 20, 2026

Common Legal Pitfalls in Estate Auctions

Common Legal Pitfalls in Estate Auctions

Learn the most common legal pitfalls in estate auctions—contracts, title, and ownership—and get practical steps to reduce liability for all parties.

April 17, 2026

Contracts Every Auctioneer Should Use

Contracts Every Auctioneer Should Use

Discover the essential contracts and key clauses every auctioneer needs to protect revenue, reduce legal risk, and safeguard reputation in today’s market.

April 13, 2026

Setting Your Reserve Price Strategy: A Beginner Auctioneer’s Guide

Setting Your Reserve Price Strategy: A Beginner Auctioneer’s Guide

Reserve pricing isn’t just a number you plug into your catalog—it’s one of the most powerful levers you have as a beginner auctioneer. Set it right and you protect your consignor, energize bidders, and build a reputation for strong sell-through. Set it wrong and you pay twice: once in platform fees and once in unsold […]

March 4, 2026

The Essential Audio Equipment Setup for Small-Venue Auctions

The Essential Audio Equipment Setup for Small-Venue Auctions

In a small-venue auction, your sound system is either your best salesperson or your worst enemy. Whether you’re in a hotel ballroom, a church gym, a community hall, or a drafty barn, one rule drives how much money you make: Every word must be heard. This guide distills current best practices, gear options, placement rules, […]

March 2, 2026

Sourcing Quality Lots: 7 Creative Strategies to Attract Consignors When You Have No Track Record

Sourcing Quality Lots: 7 Creative Strategies to Attract Consignors When You Have No Track Record

Launching an auction house, estate-sale company, or online consignment platform without a track record is a classic chicken-and-egg problem. You need compelling, high-value lots to build your reputation—but without that reputation, why would anyone trust you with their best pieces? You solve this by engineering credibility instead of waiting for it. The seven strategies below […]

February 24, 2026

Setting Your Auction Fee Structure: Proven Pricing Models That Win Clients Without Undervaluing Your Skills

Setting Your Auction Fee Structure: Proven Pricing Models That Win Clients Without Undervaluing Your Skills

How you structure your fees is one of the most powerful levers you have as an auction professional. Your pricing model shapes profitability, signals professionalism, and determines how much you can reinvest in marketing, staff, and technology. Industry data underscores how high the stakes are: Profit driver: The National Auctioneers Association (NAA) 2023 benchmarking survey […]

February 18, 2026

The 24-Hour Sorting Rule: How to Triage an Entire Household of Assets in a Single Day

The 24-Hour Sorting Rule: How to Triage an Entire Household of Assets in a Single Day

If you handle auctions, estate sales, or emergency clean-outs, you’ve likely lived this scenario: the executor calls in a panic, the probate inventory is due in 10 days, and the house is still packed to the rafters. Every day of delay is burning $130–$420 in carrying costs, and the family is overwhelmed, scattered, and emotional. […]

February 16, 2026

Should You Publish Final Sale Prices?

Should You Publish Final Sale Prices?

Publish final sale prices with confidence: learn the benefits and risks of transparency, SEO gains, and compliance in today’s auction market.

September 12, 2025

Collectible Grading Systems: A Guide for Auctioneers

Collectible Grading Systems: A Guide for Auctioneers

Whether you’re auctioning sports cards, coins, comic books, or trading card games, having a clear understanding of popular grading systems is essential to earning bidder trust and achieving top dollar for your listings.

May 9, 2025

Absolute Auction vs. Auction with Reserve: Which Should You Use?

Absolute Auction vs. Auction with Reserve: Which Should You Use?

Deciding between an absolute auction and an auction with reserve is a critical choice for auctioneers. Absolute auctions generate excitement and quick sales, while auctions with reserve provide control and protect value. This guide explores the pros and cons of each format, factors to consider, and how tools like AuctionWriter can enhance cataloging and marketing for both approaches.

April 27, 2025

Best Online Bidding Platforms: Which Should Your Auction House Use?

Best Online Bidding Platforms: Which Should Your Auction House Use?

Whether you’re a new auctioneer setting up your first online sale or an established auction house looking to expand and grow, choosing the right auction platform is one of the most critical business decisions you’ll make. We’ve gathered insights from the industry’s leading platforms to help you make an informed choice.

April 16, 2025

The words "As-is what does it mean?" over photo of a thrift store with shoppers

What Does “As-Is” Mean in Auctioneering? A Guide for Auctioneers

In auctioneering, the term “as-is” plays a crucial role in setting buyer expectations and protecting sellers. This guide explains what “as-is” means, its importance in auctions, and best practices for auctioneers to manage these sales effectively. Learn how tools like AuctionWriter can enhance transparency and build trust with bidders, even when selling items in their current condition.

April 4, 2025

What Makes an Item Vintage or Antique? Why Auctioneers Should Avoid Using These Terms

What Makes an Item Vintage or Antique? Why Auctioneers Should Avoid Using These Terms

The terms “vintage” and “antique” are frequently used in auctions, but they often lead to confusion and disputes. This guide explains the true definitions of these terms, why they can be problematic, and how auctioneers can focus on clear, accurate descriptions instead. Learn how tools like AuctionWriter help create precise and compelling catalog entries to build bidder trust and drive successful sales.

March 28, 2025

What is a Buyer’s Premium? A Guide for Auctioneers

What is a Buyer’s Premium? A Guide for Auctioneers

A buyer’s premium is a common practice in the auction industry, but what does it mean for auctioneers and bidders? This guide explores the benefits and challenges of implementing a buyer’s premium, when to consider using one, and how it impacts tools like AuctionWriter for cataloging and transparency. Learn how to maximize auction success while maintaining bidder trust.

March 20, 2025