Consider the following when choosing an auction firm.

· Is the auction firm experienced?

· Are they professional & ethical?

· Are they well respected and recognized in their profession?

· Have they established a large clientele of satisfied customers?

· Do they have an adequate staff of full-time professionals?

· Have they got a spacious live auction facility?

· Can they work closely and understand you better or have clear understanding of your business processes.

· Have they got a buyer database (with the potential to find serious buyers for every item), contacts with local businesses make for excellent word-of-mouth publicity?

· Do they provide consistent, superior service to both buyer & seller?

· Can they easily conduct an on-site auction and still offer the latest in technology?

· Do they use every possible communication technology like radio, the Internet, direct mail, newspapers, and effectively use other print media to generate your auctions.

· Do they attend continuing education class to better serve you and to keep up dated with what is happing in the auction industry?

· Can they produce record-breaking results and obtain top dollar for your items?

· To the very small details of who will haul away the trash after the auction?

What to do prior to auction day.

· When you consign your items ask for a copy of the Conditions of Sale and thoroughly inspect them.

· Ask the auctioneer or the Auction Alliance team any relevant questions before the sale.

· Ask relevant questions at the designated question time.

· Watch, listen, ask and sign the auction contract only when you feel comfortable to do so.

· Some auction houses are notorious for their complicated fee schedules, which make it easy to tack on hidden charges later. So discuss everything openly before hiring an auction firm.