If you have property you wish to sell, a Wickliff Auctioneers associate can help you through the entire process.

ONLINE ESTIMATE FORM - CLICK HERE

Evaluation

Appraisal or Pre-Sale Estimate

Many individuals believe the terms ‘appraisal’ and ‘auction estimate’ are synonymous, when in fact, the two are entirely different processes.  The largest difference you will find at Wickliff Auctioneers is that an appraisal document will incur a fee, while an auction estimate is provided to our potential clients free of charge.

An appraisal is a written document which conforms to USPAP (Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice) and contains a Letter of Transmittal, Terms and Limiting Conditions and Subject Property data, and may also contain the qualifications of the appraiser, photo exhibits and any supporting documentation.  That type of report is often required for insurance purposes, reflecting the cost of replacing property in today’s retail market. Or, fair market value appraisals are also used for estate planning, estate settlement, various tax situations, trust administration, and family division purposes and reflect prices paid by a willing buyer to a willing seller.

A pre-sale estimate reflects our professional opinion as to what amount an individual item may be expected to sell for in an auction of similar items.  This estimate, expressed in a low/high range of dollar amounts, is reached after the comparison of prices realized for similar items in recent auctions at our auction facility, and from others worldwide. Other factors that may influence estimates include the condition, rarity and provenance of the item. Estimates are not guarantees of proceeds, but are intended to provide general guidelines for buyers and sellers to stimulate competitive bidding.

The first step in the process is to arrange a pre-auction consultation with one of our staff.  Please call 317-844-7253 or email Angela Lawson, Office Administrator, (angela@wickliffauctioneers.com)  to make your appointment.
Depending on your location, you may bring your property directly to our gallery.  If visiting our office is not practical, it is possible to have a basic valuation done by mail or email. To obtain a mail evaluation, fill out an auction estimate request form, including any photos. Due to the high volume of requests we receive for evaluations by mail, we ask that you please be patient. We will respond to your auction estimate request within 5-7 days. It is very important to us that we provide the highest level of service, and therefore, we cannot rush evaluations.
Alternatively, you can submit your digital photos and item details online. Fill out this form and submit. Please limit images to not more than five (5) of each item.

Decision to Sell

When you have made the commitment to sell your item, Wickliff Auctioneers will help determine whether your property is appropriate for sale at one of our auction events. We will also recommend an appropriate venue and possible sale timing. If you decide to proceed, you will sign a contract and receive an inventory detail.  Following the agreement, Wickliff Auctioneers will take the property in for cataloguing and photography.
After scheduling your property in the most appropriate upcoming auction, your objects will then be cataloged as lots for online catalog.  We create an extensive marketing plan for each auction which includes direct mail, regional advertising, online promotion via our website and our partner site, Artfact.com, and a public preview.

Our Auction Events
Wickliff Auctioneers conducts approximately 8-12 auctions each year, typically held on the third Saturday of the month.  Many of our auctions will offer for sale a variety of items, usually featuring fine and estate jewelry, crystal, porcelain, period antique furnishings and decorative arts, and fine art from listed American and European artists.  Our specialties are fine art by listed, Indiana artists, and the sale of fine jewelry from estates, and those categories represent the majority of our gross sales each year.  Additionally, we have conducted auctions of fine quality contemporary-manufactured furnishings including Baker, Kittinger, Henredon, Century, Smith-Watson and many other notable manufacturers, and find a very receptive market for these items in auctions 2-3 times per year.  Please contact darin@wickliffauctioneers.com for information on consigning items of this nature for an upcoming auction.

Insurance/Security
Once an item is consigned for an upcoming auction and has been delivered to our premises, our company’s insurance policy is in effect.  We have specific coverage for objects of art, and our gallery/showrooms are outfitted with 24-hour video security, as well as a building-wide alarm system with motion sensors throughout our facility.  Our 24-hour monitoring service can notify authorities within seconds should any issues arise. 

Shipping
Wickliff Auctioneers receives fine art and objects for auction via shippers from all over the country on a regular basis.  Most consignors have a packing and shipping outlet nearby, and the process is as easy as delivering the item to the shipper, having it packaged, purchasing the proper amount of insurance, and selecting the timing for delivery. As the consignor, you are financially responsible for packing, shipping and insurance charges. 

Due to our busy auction calendar, we request that deliveries be scheduled in advance with the appropriate department. Wickliff Auctioneers does not accept consignment of property which has not been previously evaluated or considered for auction. 

Please contact our office at 317-844-7253 to notify us when to expect your shipment.

Reserve price
A reserve is the minimum selling price to which you and Wickliff Auctioneers agree before the sale, meaning no bid below that minimum will be accepted.  Because of our selective process in determining which items are best marketed via our gallery, most items in a Wickliff auction will sell to the high bidder regardless of price.  Our catalogue is viewed, literally, all over the world, and we are confident in our process which brings buyers and bidders to auction for desirable items with which we have experience and sale history.  However, if reserve protection is desired, a Wickliff representative will advise you of your options and determine if the reserve amount is realistic and attainable.  If bidding on your item fails to reach the reserve, we will not sell the piece and will advise you of your options.  A no-sale fee may apply to items which do not meet the reserve amount.

Seller's commission
Sellers pay a commission that is deducted, along with any agreed-upon expenses, from the hammer price.  The commission is a percentage of the hammer price, and at Wickliff, our graduated commission structure decreases as the price of the item increases, meaning our clients pay less to sell quality items. Should you have any specific questions regarding the selling commission for a specific item, please call or email our office. 

Payment
Wickliff Auctioneers is perhaps the most prompt-paying auction house in the Midwest.  Typically, seller proceeds payments are made within 10 days after an auction event.  Seller statements list the selling price of the item, commission paid and any applicable deductions.