FAQ- frequently asked questions
Where can I sell antiques in West Palm Beach?
Elite Auctioneers is a full service estate auction house in West Palm Beach that has bought and sold antiques across South Florida for over 40 years. Selling starts with a free evaluation at your home, with no obligation. We then catalogue, photograph and sell your items to bidders worldwide through live and online auctions. We cover Palm Beach through Miami, and travel nationwide for significant estates.
Do you buy Chinese antiques in Florida?
Yes. Chinese antiques are one of our strongest categories, and we regularly sell jade and jadeite carvings, blue and white porcelain, famille rose, scrolls, bronzes, snuff bottles and Republic period works. Marks and seals matter enormously to value, and reproductions are common, so send clear photos of the base and any seal before assuming what you have. Elite Auctioneers gives a free opinion either way.
How do I find out what my antiques are worth?
The value of an antique depends on maker, age, condition, rarity and what similar pieces have actually sold for recently, not on catalogue or insurance figures. The fastest way to find out is to have a specialist look at it. Elite Auctioneers gives free verbal estimates based on real auction results. Send clear photos, including any signature, stamp or hallmark, and we will tell you what to expect.
How long does it take to sell my items at auction?
Most consignments sell within four to eight weeks of collection. The evaluation happens within days of your call. After that we photograph, research and catalogue your items, then the catalogue goes online roughly two weeks before the sale so bidders can view and leave advance bids. Payment follows the auction. If you are working to a probate or closing deadline, tell us at the evaluation and we will fit the schedule around it.
Do you offer free antique appraisals?
Yes. Elite Auctioneers appraises estate contents free of charge, with no obligation to consign. We come to your home anywhere in South Florida, and we will fly nationwide for major estates. Call 561-301-9421 or email info@eliteauction.com to book a visit. Written appraisals for insurance, probate or tax purposes are a separate paid service.
What happens if my item does not sell?
If a lot does not reach its reserve, it goes unsold and you owe no commission on it. A reserve is the confidential minimum you agree to accept, set with your specialist before the sale. Unsold items can be re-offered in a later auction, often with an adjusted estimate, or returned to you. We will tell you honestly at the evaluation which pieces are likely to need a reserve and which will sell on their own.
What kind of items do you buy?
We buy and consign antiques, fine art, estate and designer jewelry, diamonds, Chinese antiques, jade and porcelain, mid century modern furniture, art glass, sculpture, coins and precious metals, and full estate contents. Makers we sell regularly include Cartier, Tiffany and Co, Rolex, Patek Philippe, Paul Evans, Karl Springer, Andy Warhol, Peter Max, Lalique and Picasso pottery. Unsure what you have? Send photos.
Is it better to sell antiques to a dealer or at auction?
A dealer pays a wholesale price immediately, because they need room to resell at a profit. An auction puts your item in front of competing bidders worldwide, and that competition is what drives the price up. Auction takes a few weeks and you pay commission on the sale. For antiques, fine art, jewelry and designer furniture, auction usually nets more.
What is a buyer's premium and how much is it?
A buyer's premium is a percentage added on top of the winning bid, and it is how the auction house is paid by the buyer. Elite Auctioneers charges 28% for internet bidding and 23% for phone bidding. Florida residents also pay 7% sales tax unless tax exempt or bidding from out of state. Work the premium into your maximum bid.
How do I bid in an Elite Auctioneers auction?
There are four ways to bid at Elite Auctioneers: online through LiveAuctioneers or Invaluable, live in the room, by telephone with a staff member calling you just before your lot, or by leaving an absentee bid. Phone and absentee bidders pay 23% instead of 28%, so bidding by phone costs less. Register using our phone and absentee bid form before the sale.
How much does it cost to sell at auction?
Sellers pay a commission, which is a percentage of the hammer price, and the rate usually depends on the value and volume of what you consign. Elite Auctioneers charges [INSERT RATE], with better rates on higher value property. The evaluation costs nothing. Any transport, photography or storage charges are agreed in writing before you sign, so nothing is deducted that you did not approve.
Do you handle full estates, downsizing and probate?
Yes. Elite Auctioneers handles complete estate liquidations for families, executors, attorneys and trust officers, and can clear an entire property from start to finish. We also take single items, so one important painting is as welcome as a house full of contents. We work to probate deadlines, and we handle business liquidations and charity fundraising auctions as well.
Still got a question?
Call: 561-301-9421 Or Email: Info@Eliteauction.com