I see many auctioneers openly publishing lists of what they “don’t sell” or don’t even accept. I find this interesting in that, for example, that list says we don’t even accept (nor sell) property from a house with a cat. Really? So if the house contains 7,846 firearms, but there’s a cat present, it’s a no-go?
We’ve been involved in running an auction house for over 20 years. Are there things we don’t accept? Sure, and maybe we decline to accept a broken chair from a consignor with only a broken chair and two boxes of distressed toys. However, if that same seller has 7,846 firearms, we’ll gladly take the chair and two boxes.
The issue with your list is there shouldn’t be a list. You are far better off analyzing consignments on a case-by-case basis, where obviously clients have varying circumstances (or other more desirable consignments) that can make the deal more than acceptable. Further, what if that consignor is an attorney who “just needs to drop this off …” but has other — better deals — forthcoming?
I assume you understand? You have a list but likely don’t follow it. In other words, one person can drop off a broken chair and two boxes but another can’t? But you have a list? Both sellers see the list — and one says, “Why did you accept the chair and two boxes from him but not me?” Oh, you have “discretion?” okay, then why do you have a list?
Maybe here’s the confusion? You have the discretion to treat sellers differently depending upon their circumstances, and you should — one with x% commission, and the other with x+10% commission, for example. What you don’t have is the discretion to treat bidders differently for any particular lot. https://mikebrandlyauctioneer.wordpress.com/2022/06/24/auctions-equal-footing-binding-alike/.
Here’s our recommendation. Don’t make a list of what you don’t take or sell. For each seller, discuss their situation and circumstances and look at the entire deal (rather than if they own a cat) and decide then if you can take it all, some of it, or none of it. You may use your discretion and you should. If not, refer this to any number of other auctioneers who would without hesitation take 7,846 firearms, the chair, the boxed lots, and probably even the cat.
Mike Brandly, Auctioneer, CAI, CAS, AARE has been an auctioneer and certified appraiser for over 30 years. His company’s auctions are located at Mike Brandly, Auctioneer, Brandly Real Estate & Auction, and formerly at Goodwill Columbus Car Auction. He serves as Distinguished Faculty at Hondros College, Executive Director of The Ohio Auction School, and an Instructor at the National Auction Association’s Designation Academy and Western College of Auctioneering. He has served as faculty at the Certified Auctioneers Institute held at Indiana University and is approved by The Supreme Court of Ohio for attorney education.
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