Getting The Best Out Of Your Club Auction

Will_Heath

Thanks Joanie, I am thinking "forest" for those Yews...we'll see.

Will

Advertisement

RonMartin(deceased)

I for one would love to see the forest that you create out of them. Could be interesting.

Will_Heath

No problem Ron, check this thread in a couple years.


Will

Joanie

Will, could you please do an article on it? That would be so nice! And pictures, lots of pictures.

Joanie

Will_Heath

So you have a few items laying around that you have no need for or your better half has been begging you to clear out enough room in the yard so they can at least see the grass in spots. Maybe you have a few trees that you can not see a future for or more cuttings and young stock than an Arbor Day rally.

Your club auction is a excellent place to sell these items while spending some time with local bonsaist as well as helping out your club by donating a percentage of your proceeds to it.

Some tips for you from my personal experiences at auctions.

1) Wash and oil your pots, the better they look on the block, the more people will bid for them.

2) Give your trees a light trimming. This is not the time to hard prune but taking the long shoots off to refine the silhouette will make the tree more attractive.

3) Weed your soil and put a fresh topping of soil on top of the old crusty stuff.

4) Place a label in the pot listing species and common name as well as the last date it was potted. Any history of the tree will also be appreciated by the new owner.

5) Place a label inside of empty pots naming the maker and history if known.

6) Stay away from grouping items together unless they are a match set usually sold together. Group items tend to bring lower prices for each item than if sold separately.

7) Talk to the buyers and let them know all you know about the item they bought, congratulate them and thank them.

Following the above guidelines will not only bring in greater bids for your items but also give you a reputation as a neat, organized bonsaist who takes great care of his trees and stuff. This will automatically raise the value in the future of anything you sell.

Enjoy.


Will Heath

Will_Heath

Certainly Joanie, I have already started an article on forests and I will include this one as well when the time is right. Okay, lots of pictures, lol.


Will

Will_Heath

One other tip...

Get on the mailing lists and join other clubs in your area if you can. This can increase the number of auctions you can shop or sell at.


Will

JTriptow

I resemble that remark! This I-Talian girl wears the pants, too. 'Course the hubby has a pick-up truck. In Texas it's the one with the pick-up that rules the homestead! (I need to move back to Chicago!!!)

Jennifer

__________________
Who knew trees could become an obsession?

Will_Heath

Funny, I got the wrath at first for pronouncing I-Talian, lol, she use to always ask me if I thought she was from I-Taly.

On the other hand, starting and ending each day with a little Italian Whine grows on a person.



Will