Bay Area Online Auctions, Serving SF Bay Area

Bay Area Online Auctions, LLC was a product of my 900 SF thrift store, Picks and Treasures,  which inventory was acquired by entire estate contents buy-outs. We sold the "cool" and "unusual" in the store, and then to assist the community I would sell essentials (clothes, kitchen, and household) during our monthly $1 outside flea market. 

During this time, I was asked by more and more from customers if I did traditional in-house estate sales. I tried one, and realized that I had a profound disagreement with the lack of confidentiality and respect of one's home in the traditional estate sale. I reverted back to my 6-month stint in Texas studying auctions, and remembered one online auction platform and wanted to replicate the business model. This is where I found the current auction platform I use which allowed my own branding of Bay Area Online Auctions versus selling through other auction websites.

Our estate/collectibles sale process first involves the estate where we discuss goals and challenges - we provide 3 services:

1) Buy-Outs: We would offer one amount for all contents (good and bad) and "clear-out" in preparation for the house to be either sold or rented. This allows immediate access of property where there is a time deadline or a greater financial need.

2) On-Site Auctions: We would have a team come in and prepare all items to be sold which involves making auction lots, taking pictures, online auction, and then pick up. This typically runs 2-4 weeks all depending on the size of the estate. Our clients typically request the add-on of a "clear-out" so when we have completed the auction, the property is immediately ready for the realtor. This method, if given the time, allows clients greater monetization of contents. 

On-Site Auctions provides another need to our clients - privacy. We do not disclose the address in any public media, and only winning bidders would get the address for pick up. We do pick ups "by appointment only" so we are given the time to put together one's winnings and have it ready for pick up outside of the estate (i.e., garage). 

This method provides not only the privacy of the estate, but reduces the traffic in the home. 

3) Off-Site Auctions: When there is value in the contents (determined at time of walkthrough) and a deadline to clear the property, we offer to sort-dispose-move contents to one of our two locations where we would conduct the online auction.

Currently, we are turning away customers as word gets out that people can either have their items delivered to our locations or pay us to pick it up. I was aware of this need, but not prepared of the volume of people who would come forward requesting our service. At this time, any funding would be used to add more part-time staff positions of photographers, administration (light bookkeeping, social media marketing), and auction day pick up staff. I have exhausted my own personal savings to expand, and realize that I need to tighten up the reigns as to not lose the fine details that have people attracted to our auctions. At this time, we are primarily composed of 4 part-time staff members who are college students or use this job as a supplement to full-time employment. I currently work full-time to cover all areas of this business, and honestly - I'm exhausted!

At this time, our store locations are located in the Northern San Francisco Bay Area (Novato, CA and Rohnert Park, CA) which we attract estate clients mostly in these areas.  Our auction bidders are comprised of many local residents and about 20% outside of the Bay Area. 

My goal is to pay current expenses and liabilities so I may focus on hiring and training staff for both locations. When I obtain this goal, I would like to expand to the East Bay where I often have to turn down estate inquiries.