Since 1974 we have been conducting auctions of all types, for all kinds of clients and we’re still going strong.
Estates
Navigating your way through the process of liquidating an estate
Set-up of the Lawrence Quirk Estate auction in Caledonia Michigan
can be daunting. This is our business. Our auctioneers and staff have been here before and effectively and efficiently aid you in settling your estate.
Farms and Farm Equipment
We are auctioneers, but we are also farmers. We know farm
This John Deere 6130D sold at auction by our auctioneers in March of 2015
equipment, livestock and how to maximize the value of your agricultural items. From set-up to clean-up we’ll guide you through the process.
Real Estate
This home was sold at auction by Vander Kolk Auction May 2015 in Grand Rapids, Michigan
Selling real estate at auction has major advantages. See our Real Estate at Auction page to learn more about real estate auctions.
Business
Liquidating your business is hard work and most times not that
Kalamazoo Choppers motorcycle shop at auction in Kalamazoo Michigan 2016
much fun. Our auctioneers and staff are well versed in business auction and marketing businesses. From restaurants to construction companies to hair salons we can help.
Antiques
We can help you properly market and sell your antiques at auction. See our antiques page for more information or contact us for a personal consultation.
We sell EVERYTHING!
Contact us for information regarding our auction or appraisal services. We can help you with your auction needs.
Antiques and collectibles are a staple in the auction world and have been traded by auction for decades. We are knowledgeable in Antiques and collectibles and have been selling them regularly since 1974. (above: Vintage sign collection at McGraw tire in Grand Rapids, Michigan)
We love to sell antiques of shapes, sizes and categories.
Automobiles
Who doesn’t love classic cars? Classic automobiles sell very well at auction. They are easy to market due to high desire and available marketing channels.
Believe it or not underneath that crowd is several vintage motorcycles and antiques cars
Guns & Military antiques
Military items are in high demand and have been for quite some
This WWI vintage German helmet sold at auction for $450.00
time.
Furniture
Antique furniture has been a staple in the antiques business for a long, long time now. Many people believe antique furniture that they own is a large part of their personal wealth. Unfortunately outside of super high end antique furniture…the market is very fickle. The value of everyday antique furniture is severely affected by current styles and taste. Values on antique furniture change constantly, contact us to find out what your furniture may be worth.
Advertising, Toys and other Collectibles
Signs and toys may be two of the most fun and satisfying antique items to sell at auction. While rarity and condition make a base for the value of the item, emotion and personal attachment really drive it home.
Definition of Antiques
The Michigan Secretary of State defines you automobile as antique after 26 or more years!
That makes a 1990 Chevy Lumina a qualifier for historic plates!
Wikipedia defines “Antique” as
An antique (Latin: antiquus; “old”, “ancient”) is an old collectable
This Montgomery Wards bicycle sold at auction in Grand Rapids, Michigan for $475
item. It is collected or desirable because of its age, beauty, rarity, condition, utility, personal emotional connection, and/or other unique features. It is an object that represents a previous era or time period in human society.
While age does play a factor in the value of antiques…it is not the deciding factor. In regards to value more emphasis is placed on rarity, condition and utility. To paraphrase a quote from TV’s Pawn Stars “I have rocks in my backyard that are Millions of years old, and they’re not really worth anything.”
Personal Emotional Connection is where it’s at.
Nostalgia is a powerful emotion and one that drives the so-called antiques market. Reliving your youth is the number one reason things become collectible. Bringing back feelings you once thought were long gone pushes people to seek out things they remember fondly or always wished they had but could not afford.
The most classic examples of this are automobiles and toys. People who grew up in the 50’s did not play with the same toys or fantasize about the same cars as a kid a decade later in the 60’s. Disposable income then becomes the price driver. Typically people do not reach the “disposable income” phase of their lives until at least their 40’s. As they begin to seek out these items, the generation before them has already purchased the items they desire. One generation of items rises in value, while the one previous declines.
Vintage and antique automobiles ready for auction for the T Bird Ted auto auction in Grand Rapids, Michigan
Are your barns, house and buildings full? Don’t know which way to turn? Call us today (616) 437-1047, help is just around the corner! We are your West Michigan Estate sales Auction experts.
We conduct numerous estate sales each year by auction.
We specialize in the estate sale business. Settling an estate can be hard work. Let us help you in that process. We are highly skilled in managing and liquidating assets with estate sales, mostly using the auction method.
Evaluation is job one.
Knowing what to do and which way to turn first is usually the biggest problem when dealing with an estate. We’ve been there…a lot. Our knowledge and experience handling estate sales has them a mainstay of our business.
There is a lot of work to do.
Depending on the nature of your estate, just sorting it out and setting it up is the biggest task. Our staff is trained in the management and arrangement of items and loves to work.
