Frequently Asked Questions

Below are a few of the questions we are asked most often. If you do not see your question answered below, please contact us.

Questions on Consigning Items for Auction

  1. What items do you take on consignment for your auctions?

    2. Because we divide our auctions into multiple galleries, we are able to handle items ranging from fine antiques to general household items.

  2. What are examples of the types of items sold in each Gallery?

    3. Gallery #2 begins at 12:00 p.m., usually finishes around 6:30 to 7:00 p.m., and starts off with hundreds of box lots of glassware, knick knacks, pots/pans, etc. and is followed by estate artwork, books and ephemera, antique toys and dolls, collectibles, quality household items, etc.

    A second auctioneer begins selling in Gallery #3 at 1:30 p.m., and begins by selling basement and outbuilding contents, and features hand and power tools plus garden accessories and works into a good selection of used furniture. Gallery #3 finishes around 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. on a selection of as-found and primitive furniture and accessories.

    Gallery #1 is our "sit-down" session and starts at 7:00 p.m. Gallery #1 features antique furniture, fine furnishings (Henkel Harris, Suters, VA Craftsman, etc.), quality used furniture, large appliances, good glass/china, art pottery, P. Buckley Moss originals and prints, silver, jewelry, etc., and normally finishes around 9:30 to 10:30 p.m.

  3. Do you accept one or two items for consignment or do I need to have an entire house full?

    4. We are a full-service auction house and can handle full and partial estates, plus downsizings, basement and attic clean-outs, etc. We gladly accept small and large consignments, and will build an auction that combines several consignors and estates to appeal to bidders.

  4. When do you accept Bring-In consignments?

    5. Normally, consignments for auction are taken in on Mondays. Due to limited storage space, you will need to e-mail us or call us at (540) 434-4260 to arrange a specific date.

  5. How do you keep consignments from different people separate?

    6. Every consignor is given a code letter(s) and their items are tagged. An inventory is made and updated as the items are sorted. All items are entered into the computer as they are sold. After the sale the computer report is matched to the inventory.


Questions on Bids & Bidding

  1. What is an absentee bid?

    2. An absentee bid is a bid that is placed by an individual who is unable to be present at the auction at sale time. The individual leaves the maximum amount they are willing to pay for an item, and the auctioneer executes the bidding on their behalf.

  2. How do you handle absentee bids?

    3. All absentee bids are bid competitively. This means that if you leave a $500 bid on an item we will bid on your behalf up to that amount. Absentee bidders often win their items at a lower price than what they bid. All absentee bids are confidential.

    If your bid is successful we will notify you the week following the auction. Notification of all successful bidders is usually completed within two to three business days after the auction.

  3. What are the requirements for leaving an absentee bid?

    4. We gladly accept absentee bids. You must either personally examine the item or speak with a member of the Auction staff about the item before placing an absentee bid.


Questions on Registration & Payment

  1. When I attend an auction, what information do I need to bring to register to bid?

    2. Always bring your driver's license with you. This will be needed to register you for the auction, and will also approve your check. Please note that all bidders will photographed upon registration.

  2. Do you accept out-of-state checks?

    3. Yes, you just need to bring a valid driver's license with you to get your bidder number.

  3. Do you charge a Buyer's Premium?

    4. A 3% Buyer's Premium is charged. The Buyer's Premium is waived on cash/check purchases. The credit cards we accept are Visa, MasterCard and Discover.

  4. Do you charge sales tax on items?

    5. The state of Virginia requires that we charge 5 percent sales tax on items sold unless you present us with a valid tax exemption number. If you have a tax exemption number from a state other than Virginia you will need to bring a copy of the Sales Tax certificate issued to you by your state that contains your sales tax number.


Questions on Miscellaneous Topics

  1. When are your auctions held?

    2. Our auctions are typically held every two weeks on Fridays beginning at 12:00 p.m.

  2. Where are the auctions held?

    3. The auctions are held in our multi-gallery complex located 1 1/2 miles east of Mt. Crawford, Virginia in the heart of the beautiful Shenandoah Valley. Use Exit 240 off I-81 and turn east. Click here for directions.

  3. What is your average number of attending bidders at your auctions?

    4. At an average auction the number of attending bidders ranges from 300 to 600.

  4. Do you sell food at your auctions?

    5. Our Daily Bread Catering provides a delicious menu of homemade soups, sandwiches and specials for our auctions.