If you are doing Restaraunts auctions do you have any tips?

I am looking for information like this;
how to tell types of stainless from each other (I use a magnet)
how to hook up a plasma cutter for stainless scrap (worked good for us, but I happen to also be a Licensed Master Electrician so it was not so scary to hook up).
how you sell chairs (do you set them all out or jest some)
sell choice on chairs or a piece times the money?
how do you deal with a lack of power? I had this happen, I ran one frig. at a time on an extension cord from a generator and once they were cold moved the cord, (all before the auction) then just plugged them in to show that they ran during the auction.
locating restaraunt resellers.

I like restaraunt auctions and hope to do a lot more of them.

I do my share of restuarant auctions and have two this month. Some of your questions I cannot answer but I will do my best with some of them based on my experiences.
1. I tell my sellers that I am in the auction business, not the restuarant business so I will need assistance in describing and placing the right pcs together. I have never had a seller complain about that.
2. I generally sell chairs and tables by the pc but in quanities. The last sale I did the buyers needed to take a min. of 6 sets or 20 chairs. Tables I sold by the count according to shape and size. But I always keep an ear out and am willing to change my schedule if circumstances merit it.
3. I ask the seller at contract signing what works and what does not work. I then relay what the seller tells me to the buyer but stress all items sold as/is so it is best that they try it out before bidding. If they do not and it does not work at least they were given a warned.
4. Buyers are very knowledgable and you as the auctioneer will probably be the least knowledgable one there. That is not a slam on auctioneers because without us they would not have found out about the auction in the first place.
5. Advertising. I have found it is a waste of time to advertise solely in the auction section of the paper. I place my restuarant auctions under restuarant equipment or near restaurant ads. Email is great since most restaurant owners use computers daily. Simple flyer pass out to area restaurants is extremely helpful. Don't forget the little guy who has a food concession trailer. A lot of times he will be your best buyer.

I hope this helps! Good Success!

Matthew LaRaviere
LaRaviere Auctioneers

Here is another tip for restaurant auctions - make sure you know whether equipment runs on natural gas or propane. Your propane flat grills, fryers, etc will fetch higher bids from your concessionairres and rural restaurants. From experience, it is a royal pain in the rumpus to find someone to affordably change out the orafices from gas to propane.

Something else that is helpfull is to say the name brand of the item before you start auctioning it. For example, my hubby is in a wheelchair and often, cant manuever it throughout the building or estate, but if given the proper info when the item comes up, will know better what he is bidding on and go higher just because of the name. (dont tell him I said that, he thinks he is a cheapskate )

Stef

If you don't mind me asking. I'm in Utah. How are you going about getting Restaurant auctions and how much are you charging them for advertising?

Thanks