Hello! Detailed below are answers to our most frequently asked questions.

Unlike traditional auctions or eBay, Auction America is a completely different type of online-auction site. We are a little bit traditional (with previews, pickups and simultaneous live/online bidding), a little bit eBay (online bidding), and something altogether different (event based, photo catalogs and credit card only payments).

Even if you're familiar with our auctions, take a look around, you will likely find information about our process, policies or techniques which will help you better navigate the site and have the best bidding experience possible.

REFERRALS

Did you know that we routinely pay referrals to individuals who provide leads or introductions to new Sellers?

Perhaps you know that a business is getting ready to relocate or close, is downsizing or about to relocate. We have great success in converting referrals into online sales! Our referrals fees are based on a percentage of our fee from the Seller and can earn you from several hundred to tens of thousands of dollars! We are discreet and professional in all of our inquiries.

Please contact our customer service team to discuss how we can work together to turn your referral information into cash!

PROGRAMS

Liquidations are special events; with unique methods of merchandising and marketing which have been refined by liquidators and auctioneers for thousand of years. Our methods create a competitive bidding environment that pits the bidders against each other rather than the Seller.

The key to maximizing the success of any personal property liquidation is to provide the purchaser with complete product information and to conduct the sale in a manner, which promotes comfort, flexibility and confidence with the purchase decision.

Many of the innovative marketing and merchandising techniques we employ have been developed by Auction America. Our pioneering use of online marketing, online presentation and online sales allows Auction America to provide solutions with unprecedented speed. Your project can benefit from our ability to quickly prepare and present your assets for sale in record time.

• Event Based Sales
  Unlike eBay or craigslist, which sell a single item to a single buyer, auctionamericanow.com is an event based liquidation site. Each event has a location, scheduled preview, closing and removal. Each event sells many assets to many buyers.
  
  
• Auction America Supervised Events
  From the time you decide to liquidate your excess assets, until you turn the empty space over, Auction America provides the evaluation, identification, marketing, sales, transaction and site management to assure a turn-key, low impact success. Sellers only need to identify items to be liquidated (or not), then Auction America can independently manage every aspect of the liquidation process.
  
  
• Self-Supervised Events
  Clients with fewer assets, appreciate the flexibility to prepare their own inventories (utilizing Auction America labels and spreadsheet), then manage their own inspection and/or removal.
  The self-supervised event benefits from all the marketing and sales resources of auctionamericanow.com, while reducing the cost to the client. An added benefit of the self-supervised event is that the seller maintains control of the production, sale and removal schedule.
  
  
• Employee Sales
  Many times, organizations want employees, sub-tenants or associates to have the exclusive opportunity to purchase assets. Auction America provides multiple solutions to assure the buying experience is fun, fair, efficient and appreciated.
  
  
• Bulk Sales
  In some circumstances, assets are best suited for bulk sale, in their entirety to a single purchaser. Auction America can provide a sales solution that assures the Seller achieves the most commercially reasonable sale within the framework of the schedule and removal requirements.
  
  
• Online Inventories & Valuations
  The relocation, redeployment and liquidation process depends upon having accurate information to make good decisions. Auction America can quickly prepare detailed asset inventories complete with barcodes, digital photos, description, manufacturer, model, serial numbers and location codes. Reports are available in both spreadsheet and fully searchable online form, allowing clients from across the country to collaborate in real time to refine inventory allocation decisions. The low impact and flexibility of the internet only sale, affords Auction America the ability to provide an infinite number of solutions customized to the unique requirement of our clients.

SELLER FAQs

EVALUATIONS

Does Auction America provide free evaluations of assets for sale?
Yes, Auction America provides project evaluations free of charge.

How long does it take to evaluate my project?
Most projects can be evaluated with a single telephone interview. Onsite visits, where required, can usually be scheduled within a day or two.

How can I send a spreadsheet and photos to Auction America for evaluation?
After our initial conversation, you are welcome to forward photos and spreadsheets by email. Auction America also has a public FTP (file transfer protocol) site which allows seller to transfer large files with ease and efficiency.

Does Auction America provide a written appraisal for my assets?
No, project evaluations do not require written, line item appraisal reports. One of the many consulting services we provide are formal written appraisals, less formal letters of opinion and complete bar coded and photographed asset inventories. If you have a valuation project which requires detailed identification, valuation, strategizing and testimony, Auction America can provide detailed appraisal reports in as little as 7-10 business days.

Can I sell just one, or a few items?
Yes: Certain assets are well suited for individual sale. Value is the primary factor in determining the viability of a project. Examples of individual items suitable for sale include telephone systems, large generators, trucks and vehicles.

Can I sell assets from multiple locations?
Yes; Many of our Fortune 1000 clients liquidate assets from multiple locations simultaneously. The online sale provides complete flexibility to sell assets on different floors, in different building or in different parts of the country.

Does Auction America operate nationally?
Yes, in the past year we have conducted online events from coast to coast.

FEES

How much does Auction America charge for online sales?
Our fees are flexible, and scaled to match the needs and resources of our clients.

Fees are a function of many factors including:

• The total value of your assets
• The number of items to be sold
• The quality and condition of items
• The marketing time available for sale and removal
• The location of the assets

The removal requirements dictated by the landlord or clients schedule. We have an infinitely number of solutions from extremely affordable self-supervised sales to full service turn-key liquidations. Our initial call or visit will allow us to summarize your requirements and provide you with an immediate quote.

SCHEDULING

How much time do I need to have a successful sale?
The entire sales process from start to finish averages 10-14 days. We routinely complete sales within one week. The highest return is generated from projects which provide 20 or more days.

Do I need to stop operations?
No, because assets are presented and transacted online, the process is extremely low impact. Most clients continue to operate right up until scheduled day for removal.

How does the process work?
The entire process is low impact. Essentially we identify post, inspect, sell and supervise removal of your assets.

Whether Auction America supervises or self-supervises, the process is the same:

1. Evaluation
   Auction America will interview you regarding the specifics of your project, prepare a schedule and tailored sales solution.
2. Engagement
   Auction America will forward a letter of agreement outlining the details of sale.
3. Identification
   Auction America will provide staff and/or materials necessary to prepare a detailed inventory. The identification process can be completed by either Auction America staff or the seller. Identification consists of applying a barcode label, preparing a detailed description with dimensions, manufacturer and model number, taking a digital photo and assigning a location code. The identification process normally takes between 2-8 hours to complete.
4. Web Posting
   Auction America prepares the event details and inventory for posting to the web. Each event is featured by closing sale date and has unique terms of sale, inspection, closing and removal times. Most events are posted with 1-3 days of the identification process.
5. Online Preview & Bidding
   Once the event and assets are posted to the web, the inventory is fully searchable for preview and immediate bidding. While the bidding phase can be as short as a few hours, we recommend a preview/bidding period of 10-14 days. Projects which are prepared well in advance of the closing date can substantially benefit from prolonged exposure, marketing time and extended bidding.
6. Marketing
   Once an event is posted the marketing plan begins utilizing a combination of direct mail, newspaper, online newsletters, telemarketing, web promotion, online advertising and press releases.
7. Inspection/Open House
   While not strictly required, most events include a one day presale inspection or open house, staffed either by Auction America or the seller. The inspection is usually conducted one or two days prior to the event closing.
   
8. Event Closing
   The event will begin closing online starting with the first catalog item and cntinues 3-10 items per minute until all items have been sold. Auction America utilizes a "dynamic" closing system which automatically extends the closing time on any item which is being actively bid upon. Most events conclude within 2-6 hours.
   
9. Transaction Processing
   At the conclusion of the sale, all bidder transaction are automatically processed for payment and delivery of e-mail delivery of sales receipts.
   
10. Removal
    The removal is supervised by either Auction America staff or the seller. Buyers come prepared to disconnect and remove assets. Most purchasers use professional movers. Removals can be scheduled during the day, evenings and/or weekends. Auction America can coordinate and supervise all aspects of the removal with building management. Most removals require 1 or 2 days, either from 9-5 or 6-11 PM.
    
11. Reconciliation
    With the conclusion of the removal Auction America prepares a detailed reconciliation with complete inventory, bidding history, revenue, costs of sale and proceeds disbursement.
    
12. Landing
    After delivery of the reconciliation report and sale proceeds, Auction America will conduct a concluding interview.

ACCOUNTING

How does Auction America keep track of my assets?
Auction America lives in a world of inventory. Every item sold receives a unique inventory number, bar code label, complete description, location code and digital photograph. All information is posted online and can be viewed 24/7. Inventory items are added, edited, removed, sold, delivered and reconciled based upon the inventory control number and detailed item description.

How will I know what an item sold for?
Buyers and sellers watch the entire sales process unfold online. In addition to the photo catalog, the sales inventory shows the current number of bids on each item, the bid history, the current bidder number, current bid and next required bid in real time. At the conclusion of the sale, the sales results are left online for a period of 6-12 months.

What type of reconciliation will I receive?
The final reconciliation report is forwarded by email and includes an auction summary of activities, a detailed inventory report with control number, full description, bidder number, qty and cost, plus a full accounting of the revenue, cost of sale and net proceeds.

How long does it take to get paid?
At the completion of the removal process, the final reconciliation and distribution of proceeds is generally completed within 7-10 business days.

How does Auction America hold and deliver my proceeds?
Auction America holds all proceeds in an escrow account. Final disbursement is made either by FedEx company check or direct wire transfer.

SCHEDULE AN EVALUATION

How do I get started with a sale?
It's easy; just contact our customer service team with your contact information, and a brief description of your project. We will contact you promptly to discuss how our unique methods of sale can assist you with a fair and efficient sale of your excess assets!

"Advertising and promotion which generates results, merchandising which creates desire and proven sales techniques which consistently achieve top dollar for our clients time after time"