Buyers
With the exception of charity/benefit auctions Kraft Auctions conducts for private charity groups, all our Auctions are open to the public and free to attend.
Key Terms:
Registration: We require a valid driver’s license or other government issued ID from all buyers at live auctions. For online auctions buyers are required to register with a valid credit card to place bids in the auction.
Buyers Premium: This is a percentage added to the bid price to make the final sale price of an item. Buyer’s premium can vary by auction, and are stated in the terms of each auction.
Sales Tax: Depending on the auction and the location of the buyer, sales tax may need to be charged. In the terms of each auction it will state if and what the sales tax rate will be charged. Due to Nexis laws, out of state buyers may need to pay their local tax when items are being shipped to them.
Payment: We accept payment via cash, check or credit card for all auctions.
What to Bring: Items must be removed at the listed removal times, buyers need to bring vehicles and trailers with enough space to remove all items. Exceptions may be made for sales with exceptionally large/difficult to move items. We provide load-out assistance on a first come, first serve basis. We will attempt to help all customers but you may have to wait until someone is available.
Key Tips for New Buyers:
- Once a buyer has won an item at auction, it belongs to you. To make sure you won what you hoped you did, we recommend all buyers to inspect items prior to bidding. We do our best to describe them and photograph them, but the buyer needs to make all effort to inspect the items so they meet your approval.
- All items sell as is, where is – unless specifically mentioned by the Auctioneer, we do not guarantee anything to work
- Once the auctioneer says sold – it is a binding contract between the auctioneer and buyer!
Terms:
- Terms are listed in each auction listing, and should be read before bidding.
- Everything is sold “As is, Where Is”, with no guarantees of any kind. Buyers shall rely entirely upon their own inspection and information.
- Everything must be paid in full at the conclusion of the auction.
- All sales are final. You are responsible for your own items after purchase.
- For live auctions, please save your bidder number as your purchases are listed in your name on the above number.
Sellers
With over 45 years of experience, Kraft Auction Service has the capability to serve any of your auction needs whether you are a buyer or seller. Kraft Auction Services is fully licensed in Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Michigan, and capable of conducting auctions in any state or around the world. Here are a few advantages to Kraft Auctions that come with any type of service:
- Free Consultations: we can help with appraisals and selecting what type of auction will best serve your needs.
- Clean-Out Services: we have the equipment and team to do full house or business clean-outs, including trash removal.
- Pick-up and Delivery: call us to make arrangements.
- Quick Turn Around: in most cases, the proceeds from your auction are available within 7 banking days.
- Expedience: we can have your auction ready in as little as 4 days.
- Advertising: we take care of all advertising layouts and designs.
- Documentation: you receive a detailed listing of all items sold and the price they sold.
- No Cash: your auction can be performed with no advance fees from you.
- Sales Tax: we take care of collection and payment of all sales taxes associated with your auction.
Monthly 3-Day Online Consignment Sale
Sellers:
- Pick-Up: we can pick up consignments, call us at 219-973-9240 or email info@kraftauctions.com
to discuss your items and schedule a pick up for our next Online Consignment Sales. Commission rates vary by the type of item being consigned and specifics of work required for pick-up. - Clean-Outs: we can do full house clean-outs that are sold as part of one of our Monthly Online Consignment Sales. Clean out services can include dumpster drop-off and trash removal, along with including all sellable items in the auction. Call 219-973-9240 or email info@kraftauctions.com to schedule a free consultation and learn more about our services. Commission rates vary and additional fees may apply.
- Drop-off: we take drop-in consignments for our Monthly Consignment Auctions, but space must be reserved for these sales prior to dropping off. We work on a sliding scale commission rate as follows: $1-$9.99- 50%, $10-$99.99-30%, $100-$499.99-25%, $500-$999.99-15%, $1000-$4999.99-10%, and $5000+- 5%. There is also a $100 no sale fee for any item with a reserve that does not sell.
- Our Online Monthly Consignment Auctions are “No Reserve” with the exception of higher dollar items like equipment and vehicles. This means that general household items and common antiques will sell with no minimum bid.
We are always taking consignments for auctions!
Types of Auctions
Online Only Auctions (OLO) – This is our most common auction format. An online only auction is a timed auction format where all the bidding takes place on our website. There is no live auction or live bidders. Bidders can inspect items at the preview times, place all their bids online, and then pick their items up at the designated removal times. We also offer shipping and delivery options for these sales and all of our other auctions too.
Live Auctions with Simulcast Online Bidding – This type of auction is a live auction with a live crowd, but includes online bidding on one or multiple bidding platforms bringing all bidders to the auction at once. These types of auctions are traditionally used for our largest auctions and lead to the greatest auction results.
Live Auctions – The traditional auction everyone imagines of an auctioneer calling bids in-front of a live auction crowd. Though the history of our company is based on strong live auctions and champion auctioneers, this today is not a type of auction we do often because without the use of the internet at the auction leads to lower returns for our seller. Either a live auction with simulcast bidding or online only auction is our preferred method of sale.
Before the Sale
In preparation for the sale, you can look at our Auction Calendar to see a list and photos of the items being sold that day. The listing will also let you know when there is a preview or open house for the sale.
Day of Sale – Online Only Auctions
When the Auction Begins Closing:
At Kraft we use a “soft close” format for our online only auctions. What this means is auctions items close in time increments until all items are sold, generally in 15 second closing increments. If a bid is placed in the final two minutes, then bidding extends for another two minutes. When no bid is placed in the final two minutes, the item is sold to the high bidder. Each item has a time clock counting down to it closing, and will count down until the time runs out and sold.
Registering for the Auction:
Before you can bid, you must register at the auction. If you are new to our website, you will have created an online profile. Once complete you can register for any of our auctions, though when registering for each sale you will have to have a credit card on file to verify your account. This card on file will be run for payment after the auction is complete.
How to bid on items:
With an online auction, you are just a click away from bidding on any item. Once you have registered for the auction, you can immediately begin to bid within the auction. Then 30 minutes prior to the first lot closing, a “live” catalog is available on the website which shows the lots as they close in order. Bidders can watch each item close in the live catalog and continue to bid as lots close.
Paying for your items:
Payment for online auction wins are simple, because the card on file is run for payment following the auction. There are instances where payment can be made at pick-up in cash or check for larger purchases. Once payment is run after the auction, an invoice is emailed to the buyer.
Picking-up or Shipping your items:
For each online auction, we have scheduled pick-up days for buyer’s to retrieve their items. Please read the listing prior to bidding to understand and know which days you are to pick-up your items.
For all of our auctions we offer worldwide shipping and home delivery services. Bidders can request this service after the auction, and our automated system will process your shipping or delivery request.
Day of Sale – Live Auctions
When to Arrive:
We will always be at the sale at least an hour before the auction start time. You are welcome to come early and check-out items. In fact, this is encouraged because all items are sold “as is where as” which means the buyer has the obligation to investigate the condition of the items being sold. The auctioneer will disclose as much information as possible, but they often don’t know every detail about each item.
Registering for the Auction:
Before you can bid, you must register at the auction office if the sale is at our facility or at the auction trailer for an onsite auction. To register, you need a valid ID with your correct address. The friendly ladies in the office will take all your information and give you a bidder number. Please keep track of your number; it is how we know what items you purchased. We do charge Indiana Sales Tax at many of our sales. If you are tax exempt, bring your tax id number and inform the staff when you register.
How to bid on items:
When the auctioneer gets to an item you want to purchase, just bid card backraise the bidder card you received when you registered. The auctioneer will recognize your bid and then move onto the next increment. Generally, the auctioneer moves in increments of $1, $5, $10, and up depending on the price of the item. Sometimes the auctioneer will have an assistant called a “ring man” who will be signaling bids. If the ring man sees your bid, he will signal it to the auctioneer. Remember, the auctioneer moves fast, so bid quick!
After the auctioneer says sold:
If the auctioneer says sold and you have one the item, you now own it. That means it is your responsibility! We recommend you bring along a box in which you can keep your items so they don’t get stolen. We will write your bidder number on larger items to identify they are yours.
Paying for your items:
You will notice there is a clerk recording the items sold as the auctioneer is selling. That information is given to the cashiers in the auction trailer who will add up all your purchases. Once you have bought everything you want, head over to the trailer (the same place you registered) to check out. You can pay by cash, check, or any major credit card. We do charge a 3% convenience fee on credit card purchases.
Absolute Auction:
All items in the auction will be sold to the highest bidder, regardless of the bid. There is no reserve or minimum on the item for bid.
Auction with Reserve:
Some or all items in the auction have a minimum bid that must be reached by the bidder before the auctioneer can sell the item to the bidder. This type of auction is reserved mainly for property with a high value such as residential homes or commercial real estate.
“As-Is” or “Where-As”:
There is no warranty on the merchandise and the bidder is responsible for removal from the auction location. This means that the bidder must rely on their own information to make bidding decisions. The bidder is responsible to inspect and move the merchandise.
Choice:
Auctioneers use this buying option when more than one product is being offered for sale. The bidder may bid for an individual item, and the winning bidder may take as many of the set as they wish. If the bidder does not want them all, then they are for sale at the same price to any bidder.
All for One Money:
Multiple items are being offered for sale and what you bid is one price for all of the items. Bids for individual items are not accepted.
Times the Money:
Multiple items are being offered for sale and the bidder’s price is per item, however; the bidder must take all the items.
Sold:
When the auctioneer says the word “sold” or the gavel falls after the bidding has ceased, the item is sold as the auctioneer directs to the clerk. The bidding cannot be reopened after the word “sold” is said.
Final Word:
The auctioneer has the final word in all bidding situations. If the ringman took your bid and the auctioneer did not see the bid, the item is sold as the auctioneer directs. The staff at Kraft Auctions is happy to provide you with further information and to answer any of your questions about the auction process.
FAQ’s
What will be sold at the auction?
At Kraft Auction Services, we sell many different times of items. Items may include antiques, new merchandise, collectibles, tools, household goods, historical items, vehicles, heavy equipment, farm equipment, real estate and much much more. Check our Auction Calendar for more detailed lists for each sale!
How are Kraft Auctions different than eBay?
Kraft Auction Service is different from eBay in several different ways. 1) Individuals do not post auctions to our site – we control all the products that we sell as an agent for our selling clients. 2) Our online auctions are “soft close” auctions, which means bidding goes until the highest bid is given. Unlike on eBay where a bidder can get “snipped” at the last second when an item closes.
How do I sell items at the auction?
We are always looking for sellers to consign items of all types to our auctions. With many different auctions, we are sure to have the perfect sale for your items or real estate. Please visit the Contact Us tab to contact us about having an auction for you.
Are there any guarantees on the items sold?
Everything sold by Kraft Auction Service is “As is, Where As”. The responsibility is on you as the buyer to check the condition of items. We are glad to take condition report requests by email or phone. We also encourage you to come early to the auctions to check on the items in which you are interested. However, we do not place guarantees on any items sold
Will I get a title if a buy a car, trailer, boat, truck or other titled item?
Yes, you will get a title for any titled item. If you pay cash or credit card, we will give you your title the day of the sale. If you pay by check, we will send the title to you by registered mail.If there are any problems related to the title, the auctioneer will clearly state it before the sale of the item. Some vehicles sell without title, and they are listed as such and sell with a bill of sale only.
What if I can’t come to the sale?
We are happy to take absentee bids if you can’t come to the sale. Please call us today at 219-973-9240 to place those bids or send an email to info@kraftauctions.com
What do I do if I am the executor of an estate and don’t know what to do with the house and property?
Kraft Auction Services is the perfect solution for you! To set up an appointment and get even more information Email Us at jonathan@kraftauctions.com or call 219-973-9240