Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Below are some frequent questions we receive. Feel free to call us at 585-343-4529 or email [email protected] if you have additional questions.

How do I sell my items at your auction?

Are you looking to liquidate or sell?

At Bontrager Real Estate & Auction Service, we successfully sell a variety of merchandise through our online auctions, such as coins, real estate, antiques & collectibles, vehicles, machinery, equipment, firearms, jewelry- and much more!  While circumstances created by the Covid pandemic have resulted in longer wait times to get your items into our auctions, we have also found that the online auction format has optimized profits for sellers with quality consignments.

There are four ways to sell your merchandise through our auction, described below:

  1.  Bring your consignments to us: Consignments can be brought to us by appointment only.  In this case, you will be charged a sliding scale commission that covers our labor, software, and administrative costs.  Commissions are quoted only after we see your items because they vary depending on the value, condition, and quality of your consignment.  If you’re interested in learning more about this process, click the link: How To Bring My Consignment To Bontrager’s.
  2. Schedule an on-site online auction: In some cases, it makes sense to leave a large consignment where it is and let our staff catalog, photograph, and video the item for an online auction.  This can apply to estates, large machinery, etc.  Our staff is able handle the dispersal of items to successful bidders after the auction takes place.  The seller would be charged a sliding scale commission that covers our labor, software, and administrative costs.
  3. Schedule a pick up for larger consignments such as business, estate, or household liquidations.  We have a skilled team that can professionally pack and move your large consignments to our auction facility to be prepared for an online auction.  In addition to commission (which covers the costs associated with selling your item at auction), you will be charged a truck & trailer fee, as well as a rate per man hour to cover our labor.  Rates may vary based on the job, but our auctioneer can provide specific rate information once the job has been viewed.  Click here to request a review of your large consignment by our auction staff:
  4. Schedule an appointment with our staff to view your real estate for sale:  We have a NY state Licensed Real Estate Broker and Associate Broker who can meet with you to discuss selling your real estate either through the Multiple Listing Service, or at auction.  Call our office at 585-343-4529 or email [email protected] to schedule an appointment with our professional staff.

Please note there are items we will not sell through our auctions.  

If you would like to consign with us, please complete the following:

Auction Consignment Request

Provide information about merchandise to be sold at auction.

"*" indicates required fields

Name*
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Tell us about where the items came from:*
Have the items been exposed to something that would leave an odor, such as pets, cigarette/marijuana smoke, mildew, smoke from a house fire?*
Have you tried to sell your items elsewhere?*

How would the consigned items be brought to our auction facility?*
Approximately what size vehicle would be needed to transport your consignment?*
Drop files here or
Accepted file types: jpg, png, gif, heic, heif, jpeg, webp, Max. file size: 40 MB, Max. files: 10.
    This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

    Will Bontrager’s buy my items outright or do they sell on consignment?

    Consignment: Consignment means that we sell your merchandise, then pay you the final bid price of your items minus the commission we charge.  Our commission rates vary based on the auction and items consigned.  The more your item makes at auction, the lower our commission rate.

    Buying your items outright: In some situations, it may be most beneficial for you to sell your items outright to the auction company.  In these cases, Bontrager’s Auction Service can purchase your items immediately.  The auctioneer will make this determination based on a case-by-case basis.

    What if I need an entire estate cleaned out?

    Anyone who has cleaned out an estate, household, or barn can testify that it can be a time-consuming and overwhelming process!  Our professional auction team does many estate clean-outs throughout the year, efficiently sorting and transporting items. We can handle trucking the saleable items and donating/disposing of non-saleable pieces.  When you call our office, our auctioneer will arrange a convenient time to view the merchandise, and can give you an idea of what to expect in terms of time required time and cost.  Because we provide this service on a first come first serve basis, we recommend that you schedule your clean-out well in advance.  Additionally, it is best to distribute any estate contents or family heirlooms to beneficiaries prior to the auctioneer’s visit.  Trucking and labor fees apply to this service and the auctioneer can discuss them with you at that time.  To get the process started, complete the form below:

    Auction Consignment Request

    Provide information about merchandise to be sold at auction.

    "*" indicates required fields

    Name*
    MM slash DD slash YYYY
    Tell us about where the items came from:*
    Have the items been exposed to something that would leave an odor, such as pets, cigarette/marijuana smoke, mildew, smoke from a house fire?*
    Have you tried to sell your items elsewhere?*

    How would the consigned items be brought to our auction facility?*
    Approximately what size vehicle would be needed to transport your consignment?*
    Drop files here or
    Accepted file types: jpg, png, gif, heic, heif, jpeg, webp, Max. file size: 40 MB, Max. files: 10.
      This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

      How soon can my items be sold?

      We ask that you schedule as far in advance as possible to allow us the most advertising time for your pieces and to arrange a convenient time for them to be auctioned off.  Once you make contact with us, we will begin the process of placing your items in the most appropriate auction, but time frames do vary. All consignments are done by appointment only.  While circumstances created by the Covid pandemic have resulted in longer wait times to get your items into our auctions, we have also found that the online auction format has optimized profits for sellers with quality consignments. 

      How soon can my items be sold?

      We ask that you schedule as far in advance as possible to allow us the most advertising time for your pieces and to arrange a convenient time for them to be auctioned off.  Once you make contact with us, we will begin the process of placing your items in the most appropriate auction, but time frames do vary. All consignments are done by appointment only.  While circumstances created by the Covid pandemic have resulted in longer wait times to get your items into our auctions, we have also found that the online auction format has optimized profits for sellers with quality consignments. 

      How will my auction merchandise be advertised?

      There are multiple avenues for advertising auction items.  Our websites (bontragerauction.com and bontragerauction.hibid.com), and GotoAuction.com are major ways for us to advertise the details and pictures of auction merchandise.  Hibid.com enables us to reach online bidders nationwide, by interest.  We also utilize social media such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest, where we can easily reach thousands of people by interest and location.  We send out emails to a growing subscriber list of over 6000 people.  We utilize eye-catching graphic designs and videos on social media and the internet.   Additionally, we are able to place advertisements in online and print media.  Flyers, brochures, and signs can be created quickly and professionally to advertise your auction.  

      How much will you charge to sell my items?

      For items that are sold on consignment, we charge a sliding scale commission for our service, which means that the more your items make at auction, the lower the commission.  Commission rates also vary depending on the quality and quantity of merchandise. Large consignments of high-quality, in-demand pieces such as firearms, newer machinery, etc. will be subject to lower commission rates. Keep in mind that clean-outs are subject to trucking and labor costs, which are usually subtracted from your consignment, rather than being an up-front payment.  The best way to optimize your profit is to eliminate low-end or poor condition pieces from your consignment.  

      When and how will I get paid?

      It typically takes 7 – 14 days after the auction to get a check to you for your consignment.

      What kind of items CANNOT be sold?

      Unfortunately there are many everyday items that simply do not sell or will sell for very little at auction. In some situations, such as an estate clean out, Bontrager’s Auction Service will handle such items but it is not profitable for you, as a seller, to place those items in an auction.  Please download and read the list of items below: ITEMS WE MAY TURN AWAY