Hey MissVic, first off thanks for joining the forum and welcome. I'll share what I know about auctions and the rules.There are some good auctioneers and great auctions but there are some not too good as you found out. I'm sorry you had this kind of experience with this auctioneer-they can mess it up for everyone.
You mentioned only getting half of what it sold for. That should have been in a contract before anything was done-most auctions charge from 5% to over 25% but never heard of 50%. Thats seems way out of line.BUT...
I have heard from a dealer up east that auctioneers up there are doing the same thing-if it doesn't bring a certain amount they charge 50% and as the selling price goes up they charge less.
Sometimes also certain items just aren't selling well-most auctioneers know what items are bringing as a rule and should be able to give you a guesstimate on rarer items. But it just an estimate.
In some area's auctions are not doing very well because of the economy.
You can also on more valuable pieces ask to have a reserve placed on the pieces.I don't really thinks thats best- but it will protect the seller. It would need to be written into a contract also and the auctioneer must announce it at the auction.
The auctioneers loyality is too the seller, so he is so supposed to work first and always for the sellers-honesty and ethics is #1 with everyone he deals with.
Check around your area and ask around folks normally are glad to share about good auctioneers and bad ones too.
I don't sell tons on the internet or ebay but with better items it can work great-the fees will probably end up being about 10% to 15% so that not much different than a good auction company.Just sold a Zippo cigarette lighter on ebay and got $27 for it-I would have probably not got that price at a regular auction.
I'm going thru a period that auctioneers are not high on my list of the most ethical folks but thats just me.
Talk to local dealers find out ALL you can - get a contract and make sure you understand every aspect of it.
What area of the country are you from? Maybe we can do some research. Heres a link to the national auctioneering association and they may help also
http://www.auctioneers.org/
PS:I've also noticed that it seems like auction companies-ebay included are finda trying to weed out the lower end merchandise in favor of higher volume and or higher price. So it seems like its getting harder to sell certain things unless it high volume.
Its just strange times-auctions included. I have an antique dealer friend from Maine who brings a huge load to Tennesse every year and he's nervous about the upcoming trip and is looking at ways to reduce his costs-he's wondering how things will sell.He said "dark color" wood is not selling well.
Thanks for writing and I sure hope I helped just a little-feel free to contact me with any other questions.Thanks for looking and joining.
Merry Christmas
Larry Singleton
