5931 4th Ave South Seattle, Washington 98108
Phone 206-764-4444/Fax 206-764-0556
Copyright 2008 Seattle Auction House
Frequently Asked Questions

Q: So how does this work?
A: Everything here is consigned, and everything here is auctioned. You
bring your items to us, we give you a receipt, then in about four weeks
your items are sold at auction and a check is mailed to you.

Q: How do I get my items to the auction house?
A: You can bring them yourself, or we can give you the phone number of a
moving service that we recommend.

Q: How long before my items are sold?
A: Consignments are sold on a first-in, first-out basis. So it depends on
how much inventory we have on hand, but usually about four weeks.

Q: Do I need to write a detailed inventory?
A: Only if you need it for your records. When you receive payment, a list of
lots with descriptions will accompany it.

Q: How do you keep track of my items?
A: Each lot from your consignment is tagged with a number that
corresponds with your consignment order. Then when it is cataloged, that
number is recorded and attributed to your consignment.

Q: Do I need to label everything?
A: No, we use a label gun to affix tags to all of your lots.

Q: Where are the auctions held?
A: Right here at the auction house. We set up our weekly auction on our
showroom floor. Buyers are able to preview our auction lots on Fridays
and Mondays. Weekly auctions are held on Tuesdays starting at ten in the
morning.

Q: What do you do with things that don’t sell?
A: We try to sell everything if possible; however, there just isn’t a market
for some things. Clients with items that do not sell are notified by phone
and are given the option to pick up unsold items or have them sent to
charity. Also, you can tell us at the time of consignment that you prefer
unsold lots to go to charity.

Q: Can you buy lots outright?
A: No. Everything that is sold here is consigned and auctioned.

Q: How often do you hold your premier auction?
A: It depends on our inventory, but usually about monthly.

Q: Do you accept reserves on consignments?
A: On lots to be auctioned at our weekly session there are no reserves.
Lots sell to the highest bidder. We do accept reserves on items for our
premier auction, but we can only accommodate about fifteen reserves (ten
percent of the lots to be auctioned) per sale. Lots that do not meet reserve
are subject to our ten percent (of reserve) buyback policy. This is to cover
the handling and promoting of your item(s).

Q: How to you promote your auctions?
A:  First of all, we have a very large client base already established who
visit our website and attend both the previews and auctions on a weekly
basis.  We also promote through our website with a full catalog and photo
galleries.  We advertise in local, regional and national publications.  It is
not surprising to us to be contacted by clients from Asia and Europe, so
our advertising campaign is far reaching.