| There are many types of auction houses in business | | | | Rugs, light fixtures, chandeliers, mirrors, small |
| today. There are auctions that specialize in | | | | appliances, large appliances to include washers and |
| automobiles, livestock, government surplus, real | | | | dryers, musical instruments from pianos to guitars, |
| estate, fine art, antiques and collectibles, imports and | | | | sports equipment, fishing rods, old books, furs, |
| decorative arts. The most common are the personal | | | | jewelry, dolls, bicycles and even an automobile will |
| property estate auctions. | | | | come across the auction block at one time or |
| The owners, auctioneers and employees of most | | | | another. |
| local estate auctions not only work very hard but | | | | You will see inexpensively framed prints all over the |
| they work long hours as well. They provide a | | | | place but don't be too shocked when you notice an |
| much-needed service within their community by | | | | old painting by a listed artist and that painting ends up |
| offering a venue where customers can buy and sell | | | | selling for $5000. An endless array of the very old |
| household items and furniture. | | | | and the very new awaits everyone at a local estate |
| People who are moving but cannot take everything | | | | auction. |
| with them or people who have to sell a few items | | | | These estate auctions usually attract a lot of return |
| because they are in need of money can consign | | | | business. There are many people who are quite |
| them to the auction. In turn those who cannot afford | | | | friendly with each other, except when they are |
| to buy new have a viable alternative. They can pick | | | | bidding. You will usually find a canteen truck on the |
| up some great deals at an estate auction for very | | | | premises where people can get something to eat |
| reasonable prices. | | | | along with an endless supply of coffee, soda, bottled |
| The quality of merchandise at local estate auctions | | | | water and chitchat. |
| can be inconsistent auction to auction. One week the | | | | Don't be fooled by the people who attend these |
| auction house could have an estate that contains | | | | auctions. Jumping to conclusions on your part would |
| some unique collectibles - even some valuable ones. | | | | be a mistake. There will be many people dressed in |
| The estates they secure for their next auction could | | | | work clothes or even farm clothes. Any number of |
| be of much lesser quality. You never know what you | | | | these people will be driving old cars and counting out |
| will find at these auctions. | | | | loose change to pay for their sandwich. They will also |
| Since estate auctions do not cater to a certain type | | | | write a personal check for $30,000 if the auction |
| of consignor, you will find every style and form of | | | | house has two or three pieces of real period |
| furniture in just about every price range. You will | | | | furniture from the late 1700s. |
| come across china sets that are low in quality or of | | | | Never judge a book by its cover - there is a lot of |
| exceptional quality, from a set of expensive | | | | money sitting in the audience of any auction. You |
| Wedgwood Queensware made in England to an | | | | just don't know it unless the auction has something |
| inexpensive set from Pier 1 Imports. You will | | | | expensive they want. There is no way to tell who is |
| surprisingly see a set of common stainless steel | | | | there because they can't afford to pay retail and |
| flatware sitting next to a very expensive set of | | | | who is there to score the costly items that are |
| Gorham sterling silver flatware. | | | | mixed in with the not so costly. |