Who Benefits?

Everyone benefits! The owner who decides to have a home salvage auction will reduce his landfill costs and put some cash in his pocket. It is normal for owners to have an emotional attachment and they often draw comfort from knowing the “character, heart and soul” of the home will be used and enjoyed by a new owner. A much better solution than taking up space and rotting in a landfill.

The builder or contractor has less work when it comes time for final demolition and can pass his savings on to the seller. Mr. Contractor; you have some great selling points here when securing that next builder’s contract. You can reduce Mr. Owner’s landfill costs and show him how he can put some cash in his pocket! Those are two powerful messages that are sure to help secure that contract!

The buyer of salvage material benefits by having the opportunity to purchase quality architectural features at a price he can ill afford to ignore. Some salvage buyers will buy in quantities and resell for a tidy profit. An added bonus is the fact that home salvage auctions are exciting to watch and participate in and just plain fun!

The general public benefits because anytime landfill usage can be reduced it is of positive benefit to the environment which is a positive thing for all of us. A win-win situation for everyone!

What can I buy?

Virtually whatever is available and whatever you have the ability to safely remove. This can be anything from copper piping and the furnace in the basement on up to insulation in the attic. Don’t be afraid to ask. We will be happy to tell you what can be sold.

Who will be bidding against me?

Landlords, salvage resellers, and people just like you who have a planned remodeling project to their home, cottage or cabin!

How do I participate?

Come prepared. It is not just your checkbook that the auctioneer is going to want to see. He wants to see a person; man or woman that comes prepared with the proper tools to remove his purchased items. He wants to see a person participating who is knowledgeable and has the ability to safely remove the items that are purchased. If you cannot safely remove the items you wish to buy, either do not participate or find yourself a qualified handyman that you can hire to assist you. Some items are easily removed while other items require a certain level of skill. Make sure you understand what is required prior to participating. Remember, all sales are final and there are no refunds.

Rules of the Road!

Make friends and enjoy the benefits of teamwork. After you have paid for your salvage purchases, here are some tips to make the process of removing your items.

Introduce yourself to the other buyers. This is an opportunity to meet new friends. People who may be willing to assist you if you can help them. Enjoy the camaraderie!

Take only what you purchased. Do not assume that just because an item remains unclaimed or unsold that it is yours for the taking. That other buyer will be back to get it or if it wasn’t sold, that means the seller still has a need and has chosen to retain ownership.

Don’t be afraid to ask. Conducting a home salvage auction is a very fast paced and intense event. We go from room to room and it is usually crowded and can be a bit noisy. It is not unusual for the auctioneer to walk right past an item you want that he didn’t even think about. If you wish to bid on all of the wall outlets, get his attention and ask. Or if you are interested in bidding on all the copper piping in the crawl space, again, get the auctioneer’s attention and ask. He probably didn’t even think about it and will appreciate your bringing this to his attention.

Be Courteous and thoughtful. Basically what this means is if you need to shut the power off in order to remove that light fixture you just bought, check and make sure the other guy isn’t deeply involved in removing the window he just bought and needs to have his power tools operating. Advise him of your needs and wait for your turn. It goes much smoother when we all work together.

Or another example; If you bought the oak flooring upstairs and perhaps the stair steps, you might want to wait until the people who bought the bedroom doors or the windows upstairs are done before you start to rip the floor and the stair steps out. Now that’s courteous! It’s also smart!

What do I need?

Proper tools for the tasks at hand, and the knowledge, talent and ability necessary to do remove your purchased items safely and efficiently. If this is not you, then you may not want to participate in a salvage auction or hire someone who does have the tools and the ability to safely remove your purchased items.

What Else?

Do not ask to buy or remove the electrical panel. I do not sell those for a specific purpose. You may need electricity available to remove your purchased salvage items.

Take your time; exercise care and caution. Cooperate and work with the other buyers. Be careful not to damage what someone else just bought. You would not want it done to you.

If you participate in a salvage auction, any risk or liability must be assumed by you. It is your responsibility to be careful, exercise due diligence and remove your purchases in a safe manner. If you cannot do this or are not willing to do so, then a salvage auction is not an option that you should even consider.

Lastly; enjoy the experience, the new and renewed friendships and feel good with the thought that not only have you picked up some real bargains, but you have done your part in preserving the environment we all live in and share. Say hello to my staff and me when you arrive and plan on an enjoyable auction! We will be glad to see you.

Written by Auctioneer Lyn Liechty – September 4, 2006
This and other published articles written by Auctioneer Lyn Liechty may be found at www.lynliechty.com and www.arealauction.com

The post What is a Salvage Auction? appeared first on Lyn Liechty Auctions.

Sometimes these thoughts were formulated when they were subjected to the unprofessional conduct of some of our peers. I call these auction companies the “anything goes” auction services. I firmly believe as professional auctioneers we have a duty and responsibility to address these issues. Most of us, I believe, strive for professionalism in the conduct of our auctions, sadly, some do not. I have attended auctions where the auctioneer would become visibly angry and berate the crowd if he did not get the prices he desired. I have witnessed auctions where people were “planted” in the crowd to artificially boost the selling price. I have seen auctioneers literally “pull bids out of the sky”. I have seen auctions advertised as absolute, when in fact it was apparent there were hidden reserves. We have all seen this and yet we wonder why some do not like auctions!

Selling property at public auction is a profession and as such, we auction people have a responsibility to perform in a professional manner. It is all about image and we must always focus on developing and polishing a professional image. There are many ways we can do this and it is a never-ending job. I would encourage all auctioneers to first, give serious consideration to joining auction related associations such as the National Auctioneers Association and the various state auction associations. Not only are these excellent credentials to have but also the more you associate yourself with quality the more improvement you will see in yourself. There is nothing better than learning from your peers. Take your auctions seriously, and understand all that is involved in planning and conducting a successful auction. Remember, however, a good auction is a unique blend of both business and entertainment!

A successful auction starts with the initial contact. It could be as simple as losing a sale because of an unprofessional outgoing message on your telephone voice mail. It does not need to be deadpan serious nor should it be a silly one. Keep it professional but make it friendly. Try to smile while you are recording your message, then listen to it and see what a difference it makes! Make your appointments convenient for the sellers, be prompt and always make sure you dress in an appropriate manner. That doesn’t necessarily mean a three-piece suit. I wore my church clothes to an appointment one time only to discover the sellers were aging hippies and very anti-establishment. I was a complete turn off to them and did not get the sale. In that case, it may have been a good thing! Listen to and be sensitive to your sellers needs, but make sure there is an understanding that you are being hired because of your talent and expertise. After all, if the seller is capable of doing all this, why should he hire you?

Show your seller the reasons a professionally conducted auction can be a positive and rewarding event. Try to get a “feel” for what the seller’s expectations are and if they are being realistic. It is much better to deal with these issues before signing the contract than to deal with it at the final settlement. Do whatever you can to insure you and the seller will be on the “same page”. Uninformed sellers need to understand the unique qualities of an auction and that it is not a retail operation. While prices cannot be guaranteed, it is by far the best way to liquidate quickly and efficiently a large variety of items. Explaining market value and the concept of competitive bidding is of paramount importance.

Advertising and marketing an auction is one of the biggest challenges facing today’s auctioneer. The time has passed where you can “throw” a couple of hastily written ads in a few local papers and be satisfied. Write your ads carefully and creatively. With the rising costs in newspaper ads and the competitive nature of today’s auction profession it is important to write attractive, eye-catching ads and yet keep them cost effective.

A wise auctioneer consults with his seller on advertising costs prior to signing the contract. You really want to avoid “sticker shock” at the final settlement. Depending on the size and type of auction, you may wish to consider TV or radio ads. And of course do not forget Internet advertising. More and more buyers are bypassing the newspaper and searching on the Internet to locate auctions in their area. Remember, this is all about image and building customer interest. Plan your marketing carefully and choose your advertising wisely. You never know where that next buyer is coming from.

Take pride in your profession. Strive to have professional looking equipment, ie, tables, display cases, office trailer, sound system etc. Keep your equipment clean and in good repair. Surround yourself with a well-trained staff that care as much as you do about the success of the sale. A good ring man is worth his weight in gold and can make a good auctioneer really shine. Experienced, well-trained clerks and cashiers are a must for any successful auction.

Conduct your auction in a friendly but businesslike manner, have a plan of action, but understand being flexible is critical to any auction. We all know it is not unusual to have to make quick “on the spot” decisions. If your crowd comes late, are you tempted to “push” back the start time? Don’t! If your buyers know you will wait for them then they will be all too happy to accommodate you. If they know you always start on time then the serious buyers will be there. This may not sound like a major problem but it is a control issue and is very important. Always remember, at an auction “time is money” and you as the auctioneer must be in control of the entire process, from start to finish.

Try to greet your buyers as they arrive. This is a great way to learn where they are coming from, determine what their interests are and gives you a feel for the crowd and helps in the overall conduct of the auction. Not to mention that buyers love a little personal attention and will reward you with healthy bids and repeat business. Take the time to thank the crowd during the auction for attending and compliment your good bidders when appropriate. Remember, happy buyers stay for the entire auction and will bid and buy! Unhappy people will either leave the auction or make you wish they would! These two groups will both talk about you long after the auction is over. Which group would you like to see at your auction?

Present a friendly, positive attitude throughout the auction even if it is a tough sale, but always be firm in your decisions and make sure the only person in control is the auctioneer. If you lose control of your crowd, then you have lost the auction. Auction day can only have one person in charge and it better be the one conducting the sale! Never forget you are doing much more than merely selling property. Oftentimes what you are selling are somebody else’s memories. It is more than just “stuff”!

A successful auction ends with your final visit with the seller. Do you create a paper trail and do you give the seller copies of all relevant auction documents? If not, you might want to think about it. My sellers receive copies of all ads, expenses, clerking tickets, buyer registration etc. When conducting an auction I strive to insure my sellers are not caught off guard with undisclosed surprises. This starts with the initial contact and continues right through the final settlement. Usually when I leave the sellers home, even if the auction was not as financially rewarding as we would have liked, I leave with the knowledge that I have just gained a new friend. Someone who will not be afraid to tell all who will listen about the hard work and compassionate care that was provided. Word of mouth is the best advertising you can have and it costs nothing but time, ethical conduct and hard work. That, my friends, is how you will more than likely get your next sale.

The post I’d Rather Shop at K-Mart (Tips for a successful auction) appeared first on Lyn Liechty Auctions.

As I was struggling to find the words to explain we just could not do an auction with what he had, the old man suddenly looked up at me and said; “Could you sell my pontoon boat?” My head jerked up and I said; “A boat? You have a pontoon boat?” “Yes,” he replied. “It’s down at the lake. It has a twenty foot deck.” I swallowed the words that had been ready to come out of my mouth and we talked for a few minutes more when the old man looked at me again and said. “Why, I’ll bet you could sell my motorcycle too!” As he continued making eye contact, he said; “How about my tractor? Do you suppose I should sell my Ford garden tractor at the auction?” I was hooked! He had thrown the bait and I had eagerly swallowed. Suddenly I wanted this auction and I had yet to see the boat, the motorcycle or the garden tractor! I quietly handed Rebecca a tablet and she started taking inventory.

We went carefully room by room through the house holding our noses, breathing through our mouths, and stepping gingerly over all the debris and cat feces scattered on the floors. To my surprise the possibility of an auction was beginning to look more promising. Don had been a musician and decided he no longer needed his instruments. We ended up with a clarinet, trombone and three saxophones. We also found an early Lazy Boy recliner, a collection of Franklin Mint cars and some antique furniture which had seen better days. This was in addition to all of the common household. I had yet to discover the half dozen guns he had forgotten about and he wasn’t even aware of the jewelry in a dresser drawer that very nearly got tossed in a large trash bag. Don had told Rebecca there was nothing of value in the drawers as he had already given away any good jewelry.

A small white cabin adjacent to the house contained a drop leaf kitchen table, a buffet no one in their right mind would want, an antique oak highboy and some garage tools. Quite a combination. The garage appeared to be a major disaster area with the exception of the 20 year old Ford garden tractor in immaculate condition. It would be a challenge to find anything else of value, but I knew I would be searching. A beautiful 1983 Honda motorcycle that had set in a shed undriven for over ten years looked to be an interesting item and we found the pontoon boat down at the lake sitting across the dock from a small fishing boat. A 4 by 8 ft utility trailer was discovered hiding in the weeds on our walk back from the lake. This was looking like a real possibility in spite of all of the drawbacks. The auction was booked, with the date set and the contract signed. The only day that would work for Don was the 18th of November. Rebecca had surgery scheduled for the 31st of October and we both knew that she would not be recovered enough to be with me the day of the auction. That would create a void I did not wish to think about. This also just happened to be the same day as the big Michigan-Ohio State football game. Nothing like borrowing trouble! You just do not book an auction on Game Day!

I returned alone a couple of weeks later faced with the daunting task of separating pure trash from pure treasure. I will never forget walking back into the house. I guess I had forgotten the condition of the home and of course, the ever present aroma of the cats! With the auction scheduled for mid November, the uncertainty about the weather and because of my desire to protect the musical instruments as much as possible, I had decided that some of the better items would be sold in the living room and Wendy, my cashier would be comfortably warm, and pleased she could conduct business in the small office just off the living room. As I looked around the house, my heart sank as I wondered how I would ever be able to get this auction ready to meet my standards. So much to do. So little time.

The best way to start and complete an utterly overwhelming task is to mentally divide it up in to many small tasks and focus on the single small task and try not to think about the job in its totality. I decided the first order of business was to get down on my hands and knees and pick up paper clips, rubber bands, loose change, scrap paper and cat feces. I literally spent hours and hours doing this, questioning my sanity the entire time. I also spent about thirty dollars out of pocket on carpet freshener trying to eliminate as much of the odor as I could. As I loaded large trash bags with trash picked up off the floor, they were placed in one of the bedrooms. I picked this room to be the trash room as this was also the room where the cats spent most of their time for most of their activities, which included personal hygiene! I had no desire to clean that particular room. This was a slow, tedious, but necessary part of my auction preparation.

My tact and diplomatic skills came to the forefront the day Don walked in while I was busy spraying the carpet with carpet freshener and I explained I was trying to get rid of the smell. He had lived there so long that he had become accustomed to this and had no idea of what I was talking about. It is a challenge to explain to someone that their house stinks and is offensive and do it in a way you do not anger them or hurt their feelings. I am not sure I was at all successful, but after he had been in his new apartment for awhile and then came back to the house for a visit, his nostrils took over and told the story. The next time I came back to work I noticed he had purchased some plug-in air fresheners in an effort to help freshen the house up. Ever so slowly, I got the house picked up and in a condition where I felt as though I dared to call on my three sister-in-laws to come in and wash dishes and finish what cleaning needed to be done.

The day before Rebecca’s surgery date, we made a trip to the auction site so she could look around and see if I had overlooked any treasures. I thought I had done a very thorough job, but when Rebecca went into the ‘trash’ room, she headed for the bedroom dresser searching for jewelry and whatever else she could find. I had already searched all the drawers and pulled out what I found of value and laid it on top of the dresser, leaving the drawers still nearly full of pure trash. Apparently I had overlooked some more jewelry and a plain gold wedding band with the date December 16, 1899 inscribed on it. I am so happy I let my observant wife dig through the drawers again as that ring sold for $95.00 and we sold over a thousand dollars of jewelry that would have been thrown in the trash bag, were it not for Rebecca’s meticulous search. She found cheap jewelry in the jewelry boxes, but the really good stuff was lying loose in what appeared to be drawers full of garbage. We then went out to the garage and found vintage Christmas that had been stored in cardboard boxes for forty plus years. Most of it had deteriorated, but what we could salvage proved to be very popular on auction day. Another popular item was a fifty dollar rocket bank I found under a pile of throwaways in the garage. My seller was totally impressed with his ‘new in the box’ yogurt maker, but where we found the real money was in all the hidden treasures we uncovered, most of which he either thought had no value or did not even know he owned. Don told me at one point that based on what he had learned from watching me, he had probably given away or thrown away thousands of dollars in items he thought were worthless.

I had worked weeks on end, sorting, cleaning and organizing. Although there was an abundance of less than desirable items (auctioneers are never allowed to use the word ‘junk,’ I had found enough items of interest to start feeling good about the auction. We had the pontoon boat, fishing boat, utility trailer, motorcycle and the Ford garden tractor, along with a wagon load of tools and garage items. We also had some turn of the century furniture, although I was not nearly as impressed with that as it had all seen better days and had been years since it had been cleaned or polished. In the living room we had tables holding the musical instruments, the shogun, rifle and vintage revolvers I had found and two display cases filled with jewelry and other small collectibles.

When I booked the auction, I thought perhaps this could be a small three to four thousand dollar auction, but the day before the auction as I stood in the drive and viewed the array of items waiting patiently to be sold, I quietly raised my estimate of gross sales. I remember standing in the driveway and looking south towards the lake. Some tables of small primitives and household stretched in front of me. To my right stood the small cabin. Inside we had two beds filled with linens and fancy work. Looking back down the rows of tables, I could see into the garage where we had lined up the better antique furniture and to the south of the cabin sat the pontoon boat alongside my 16 foot tandem axle trailer filled with tools and other garage items. Stretching beyond that and over a wide area to the right of the garage was a large variety of miscellaneous items, but also a nice Ford garden tractor, utility trailer and the motorcycle. Behind the house I had set up tables filled mostly with good glassware. Under the patio roof we had placed some more furniture, books and records. Entering the living room, the walls were lined with tables filled with musical instruments, guns, Franklin Mint cars and two display cases filled with many small treasures.

I knew by now the weather was going to cooperate and based on emails and phone calls, I realized that in spite of this being the same day as the Michigan/Ohio State football game, I was destined to have a very good day. Yes, there was a lot of miscellaneous and junk, but I had some very good items too. Perhaps I could dream of seven or eight thousand dollars in gross sales on auction day! I climbed on a stepladder at the side of my trailer filled with tools and other guy stuff and started the auction surrounded by eager bidders. My pre-auction nerves had largely disappeared as I saw the buyers come swarming in. It is a good sign when they arrive walking briskly as though they are afraid they might be missing something. We sold for about 45 minutes, and then broke into two rings. My second auctioneer, Cal Short, went in the cabin and sold soft goods and from there into the garage to sell furniture. I remained outside selling a large variety to the right of the garage. I had just gotten to the motorcycle when auctioneer Gary Schwert arrived, so I turned the selling over to him and he got an excellent price for the motorcycle. I had advertised the pontoon boat would be sold at noon and it was exactly noon when I stepped up to the pontoon boat. All auctioneers love it when they can time things that perfectly and it impresses the heck out of the bidders. Don had asked if I thought I could get $1,200.00 for the boat. He was absolutely thrilled when I sold it for $2,150.00! From there we headed for the house.

We had what I thought was a large crowd watching the sale of the boat so I was taken aback when I stepped into the living room and saw the crowd that had been patiently waiting inside. We could barely squeeze our auctioneers into the living room and there was another large crowd standing outside peering through a large wall to wall set of windows. I found myself taking bids from a gentleman who managed to work his way to the window, but was unable to actually get into the house. There must have been at least a hundred people packed tightly together in that room and at least half that many outside peering through the window. You could just feel the electricity in the air as everyone waited for the bidding to start. I don’t think anyone other than a handful of serious buyers knew exactly what was about to happen, but everyone had a sense of wonder and anticipation about them. It was evident because of the size of the crowd, the excited look in their eyes and the constant jockeying around for position. At this point the auction had been very good. It was about to transcend into greatness!

I had auctioneer Cal Short sell first. This was because I had a telephone bidder, another member of my staff had a couple of absentee bids, and Gary Schwert, my third auctioneer had told me he planned on bidding on some items in the living room. We would soon learn the bidding would be so aggressive that those bidders never even had a chance to participate. We started with the guns and while the bidding was spirited, the prices were no more than what I had expected. We then sold a piano at what I felt was a very low price and a couple of musical instruments were sold a bit cheaply. I wondered what they had all packed into the house for. Then it changed. Cal asked for a $50.00 bid on a clarinet and had no trouble getting it. The bidding moved quickly up to $370.00. He then sold an Alto Sax for the same amount of money. That was a decent price, but I was curious as to how he would do with the Tenor Sax and the Baritone Saxophone. Many in the crowd were surprised when the Tenor Saxophone sold for an even $1,000.00. They were nearly speechless at an unexpected price of $2,550.00 for the baritone saxophone! I heard from the buyer a few days later when he emailed me to tell me he was very happy with his purchase. He is a serious collector of musical instruments, but had bought this saxophone to give to his nephew as a gift and I think the nephew probably feels as though he has the greatest uncle in the world!

We decided the items in the display cases would be the last items sold in the house. I thought those items would be more appealing to a smaller group of people and we did lose about half the crowd. The rest went outside to see what was left to be sold, while the remainder crowded eagerly around the display cases. They were having a good time and were not yet ready to call it a day. Many of the smaller pieces, such as jewelry and rings, had been hidden in dresser drawers, just lying in amongst paper clips, rubber bands, scraps of paper and general debris. They could have been easily been dumped in the trash bags. We sold over a thousand dollars worth of jewelry, rings, watches and other small collectibles before heading outside to finish up for the day. We still had about a dozen tables filled with everything from kitchen primitives to Christmas items to good glassware to sell and most of the crowd stayed with us to the end.

We were blessed with good weather, and a friendly and happy crowd who thoroughly enjoyed the day. The seller was rewarded with good honest buyers and I was rewarded afterward as numerous people came up to thank me for running an auction of that size so smoothly. A few thanked me for getting the job done in time for them to get home and catch the Michigan-Ohio State football game. The two negatives for the day were my wife not being able to make it to such a wonderful auction and also when Michigan lost a hard fought game to OSU by three points. Oh, in case you are wondering, this auction I nearly turned down grossed over $13,000.00. I mouthed a silent prayer and thanked the Lord for the opportunity to conduct The Best Auction I Never Wanted!

Written by Auctioneer Lyn Liechty, January 1, 2007

Photos of selected items from this auction and other LYN LIECHTY AUCTIONS may be viewed on the Auction Highlights Page at www.lynliechty.com

Note: The real estate listing was held by another real estate company. It expired on January 15, 2007. On January 17, 2007, I met with the seller and secured a nine month real estate listing. If it is not sold by early fall, this property may go up for auction.

The post The Best Auction I Never Wanted! appeared first on Lyn Liechty Auctions.

The owners had called and asked about doing a salvage auction. The property had been sold and the bar was scheduled for demolition. I remember driving over with some doubts and misgivings. There was nothing about the place that would lead one to believe an auction would work. After all, most of the good stuff, i.e., pool table, game machines etc had been leased and would not be part of an auction. What was left? A small, aging building with little to offer. Worn out tables, chairs, bar stools, beer glasses, kitchen equipment, two toilets, and a urinal. Who would possibly be interested in this auction? I wasn’t surprised to learn the owners had similar concerns, as they wished to have an auction, but with a very conservative advertising budget. It was obvious to me they were afraid the expenses might be greater than monies realized from an auction. Still, there were items there they didn’t need, but the owners wanted as little as possible to end up at the landfill. We all knew that if nothing else, the place was packed with memories. We met, talked about an auction, took a tour of the bar, made a list, signed a contract, and booked the auction. I had hoped we could draw a crowd of perhaps fifty people, and with a selection of beer signs included; perhaps we could gross a couple of thousand dollars. Dare I imagine grossing three thousand? That thought was quickly dismissed. I would be lucky to pay the expenses.

The weeks leading up to the auction proved to be a stressful time for the owners, patrons, and the auctioneer. Many loyal customers felt as though they should be given a souvenir in exchange for all of their years of loyalty. Others tried to buy their treasures prior to the auction. The owner realized there was no fair way of doing that and told everyone who asked that they would have to attend the auction. They had a good-bye party the last night the bar was open for business. The Club was packed and the crowd was in the mood for a wild and raucous night and they drank and partied until closing time. A few decided they had a right to help themselves to some items of interest. The bar mirrors and signs had previously been removed for safekeeping, so two of the locals decided to walk out with a small neon clock. Apparently they didn’t want to take their chances at the auction. They were not very far down the road when they managed to put their car in the ditch. When the police arrived, the two inebriated men could not seem to agree as to who was driving. Both claimed to be the driver, so both went to jail. The clock went back to the club. Neither of the men involved was able to make it to the auction. I guess they had a prior commitment and somebody else now owns the clock! I wasn’t able to confirm it, but one individual told me that twenty three customers were given a ride to the local jail by a nice police officer. I guess they missed the auction too! Perhaps it was frustration over the sign and mirrors being removed or just despair that the bar was being closed that motivated someone to take their feelings out on the auctioneer. It must have seemed like a good idea to destroy the brand new auction sign placed adjacent to the parking area. Not as good as stealing a souvenir, but perhaps there was some sense of gratification from their vandalism. The bartender on duty had to literally force his customers out the door at closing time, only to lock up and discover someone had stolen his tips for the night. As crazy as it was, we would soon learn it was just a mild prelude to what was yet to come.

I arrived at the D C Club mid-morning on Valentines Day. I like to arrive early, just to insure the final set up goes smoothly. Most items were stacked neatly on tables and left in the tavern, while small items of a lesser value were placed outside on tables. We had decided to do this partly because of concerns with the weather and partly because of concerns of theft. It had turned out be a rather nice day, if you can have a nice day in the middle of February in the state of Michigan. My help was at a minimum, so I decided to stick with the plan we had and hold the bulk of the auction inside. Odds and ends were outside with a few nice large items that would entice the crowd to come outside. My plan was to start the auction with the tables outdoors, work around the building selling what salvage I could, and then get everyone inside before it got too dark. Not that it mattered, because even though the door was propped open, it was quite dark in the bar. I had thought the crowd outside was large and didn’t realize most of the bidders had been patiently waiting inside. It took just minutes until the bar area was so crowded no one was able to move. Sort of like packing sardines in a can! I was about to learn that it didn’t matter what took place outside; inside we were about to embark on one of the craziest, intense, and most exciting auctions ever.

I stood up on a small stand I had built for this purpose, with a table filled with various items in front of me. Completely encircled by wall-to-wall people, I needed to talk to the crowd for just a few minutes while my eyes became adjusted to the dark conditions. The shop lights I had hung were of little use. The room was dark and it was difficult to see, but gradually I could see light reflecting off people’s glasses and it wasn’t long before I could actually see most of the bidders. As soon as I had a chance I got my wife’s attention and told her there was an item that had been left in the beer cooler that we had overlooked. I asked her to pull it out and advise me as to whether or not anyone would have any interest in it. Rebecca does not always trust me and the expression on her face was evidence of this as she squeezed through the crowd on her way to the beer cooler. Rebecca reached in the cooler, pulled the item in question out, and turned around with a large grin on her face, a card and small bouquet of flowers clutched tightly in her hands. Smiling faces and applause is such a wonderful way to start an auction!

You wouldn’t think an auction could work in such dark and crowded conditions, but did it ever. When an auction gets this exciting and the bidding gets this spirited, an auctioneer gets a natural high that no drug or drink could ever duplicate. Almost like an out of body experience, it is truly an amazing sensation. Have you ever seen those little plastic baskets they put the cheeseburgers in? I had put a group of those in a box expecting to get two or three dollars. The buyers thought so too. My eyes had become accustomed to the dark and I could see the amazed look on the bidder’s faces when I dropped the hammer at twenty dollars! There were more surprises. Boxes of beer glasses. No names, nothing that made them special. I expected perhaps five dollars a box. The prices averaged out at over twenty dollar per box. Plastic beer banners ranged between twelve dollars and fifty cents to seventeen fifty apiece. These were not the exceptions. The entire auction went that way. Deep fryers, cookware, paper towels, cleaning supplies; it didn’t seem to matter what was held up. About the only things we could not sell were the two toilets and a single urinal! The bidding was fast, spirited, and intensely crazy. Beer signs and bar mirrors sold just as well although I was not quite as surprised. I expected strong prices from those items. We walked quickly through the bar, selling all desired salvage items, such as lights, coolers, compressers, then moved into the kitchen with the crowd following close behind. The place was still packed and I was soon to learn the bidders had been waiting patiently for the two hundred and ten dollar stainless steel table and the soon to be four hundred and seventy dollar ice machine. Suddenly, we were at the last item and this auction was over as quickly as it had started. It took just scant minutes for the crowd to disappear with their purchases, leaving behind a quiet, suddenly lonely place that for many years had lived with such strong vitality and was now just an empty shell. As we packed up our equipment to leave, I was overwhelmed with such an eerie sense of loneliness. It was almost as though I had just left a funeral; in spite of a strong sense of satisfaction, knowing we had just tripled our pre auction expectations.

I have conducted hundreds of auctions over the years, many of which have been unique and unusual. Many in less than desirable conditions. I don’t think I have ever been involved in any auction quite like this one. Too many people. Too small of a space. So dark you could barely spot your bidders. Logic and common sense dictated everything to be sold should have been arranged outside on tables under the spotlight of the sun. Logic and common sense had told me there were few items of value or interest in this auction. Logic and common sense had nothing to do with this auction. Psychology, emotions and the need for some 200 people to come and celebrate the passing of this tiny tavern sitting at the side of the road is what made this auction such a wild, crazy, and maddening success! People came to remenber the dancing, the singing of karaoke, the beers that were drunk, the dates that were made, the fights that took place and lifelong friendships that all started here. All of these memories of years gone by were in attendance, planted firmly in the minds of all the people who stopped to say; Good bye to the D.C. Club. Just a Friendly Little Bar.

Written by Auctioneer Lyn Liechty March 15, 2006
This story and others by Lyn can be found by visiting his website.
www.lynliechty.com or www.arealauction.com

The post They Came to Say Goodbye appeared first on Lyn Liechty Auctions.

You finally were able to divide up the family heirlooms with some degree of satisfaction. Ok, there are a few ruffled feathers, but they will get over it. Of course it may take a few years. You saved the really prime items to sell on eBay where you can make the really big money and threw away the trash. Sure hope there wasn’t anything of value in some of those boxes and don’t you just wonder about that cash Gramma said she put in a safe place; if only she could have remembered where. Anyway, enough of that. What can be done with everything that is left over? Nobody in your family wants it. You couldn’t even give it away! Now it is time to call the auctioneer. He can sell all of the leftovers at auction and get you a whole bunch of money.

I hate to break the news to you, but if you have followed the above scenario then it is probably too late to call in the auctioneer. Oh, the auctioneer will come. He will do a walk through the house and perhaps do a little digging. More than likely, he will find one or two items that you did not even realize had any collectible value. What he probably cannot do for you is put together the kind of auction that will bring a large crowd, attract strong interest, and give you monetary gains beyond your wildest expectations. Why? Because you left him the leftovers. Items nobody in your family wanted and if you didn’t want them then why would you think anyone else would? The old saying of “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure” is only partly true in today’s world and probably the only person who can realistically evaluate when this does hold true is a professional auctioneer.

At this point you are probably thinking, “Boy, is this auctioneer ever trying to sell auctions!” Of course I am! I am doing this partly because this is how I earn my living and partly because I am passionate in the belief that no better method exists when faced with the task of liquidating a large quantity of items than with a well planned auction. You may be thinking, “Why does this guy think he can do this better than I can?” Why should I hire an auctioneer to liquidate this estate?

Here is why! Years of experience of doing in hours what it took you and your family weeks to do and doing it better and more efficiently. With a professional auctioneer you will have a minimum of stress, hassles, hurt feelings, and no worries about throwing $1,200.00 worth of old postcards in the trash. Hard to believe, but one family did and this auctioneer took the time to dig through all the “throwaways” and found those plus more. Did I remember to tell you about the artist sketchbooks that showed up at another auction and sold for a paltry $3,500.00? The amazed owner told me that if he had found them, they too would have ended up in the trash. Don’t laugh too hard. This could have been you! I still remember the metal toy Ferris wheel that was discovered in pieces at the bottom of a box of worn out pots and pans. The family had no idea this was an item of value, but the auctioneer did. As a result, what could have sold for a few dollars brought hundreds!

Now you are probably thinking about the big money you will get on eBay for all the good stuff you pulled from the auction. What about it? Does your field of expertise include determining the value of all the antiquities and normal household that comes with the average estate? Do you really have time and are you ready to deal with all of the hassles involved when dealing with strangers? Are you prepared to wrap, pack, ship out and then deal with an unhappy buyer who tells you the items were either A. not as described, B. broken or damaged upon arrival or; “Gee I changed my mind. I’m not paying for this”? What are your plans when you ship the item out only to find out the check has just bounced? Auctioneers deal with these issues and more on a daily basis. We all read and hear about the success stories of selling online. That’s part of the news every day. We seldom hear about the failures and the scams. Companies like eBay would prefer you not hear about those! Most professional auctioneers are members of a professional association. Many states license and regulate auctioneers. You won’t find this on eBay or other online companies. Buyers and sellers on eBay are not regulated nor are they required to fulfill any kind of licensing. You will be dealing with both the good and the bad and it will be difficult to tell the difference.

Did you ever consider what might happen if you placed your trust in the hands of a professional auctioneer? Someone who could advertise, market, and sell the complete estate and do it quickly and efficiently. Let’s face it; liquidating an entire estate can be a stressful and formidable task. You may start out thinking it is a piece of cake, but it won’t be long before you start to realize just how unprepared and overwhelmed you are. Do yourself and your family a big favor. Call in the auctioneer before you start the process. Not somewhere in the middle and almost certainly, not at the end. Do not expect positive results from just the leftovers!

Perhaps you are thinking about what is commonly called a “Tag Sale.” There is nothing wrong with this if you simply want to hire and pay someone what you could have done yourself. Prices will be posted, and buyers will then negotiate those prices downward to a level they find acceptable. The buyers and bargain hunters will wander through the house over a period of several days. When it is over with, you will end up with a trashed house and…a bunch of LEFTOVERS! Folks, you can take a week or two off from work and do this yourself. Or you can go to work, keep your sanity, hire an auctioneer, and have it all sold in a day! Trust your auctioneer with the prime items as well as the LEFTOVERS and it will not be rocket science to figure out what the better option is here.

Did you know that some items are very good candidates for online sales? One example I can give you would be Civil War medical instruments. With unusual and unique items like that, it is unlikely you will maximize your dollars through a live auction alone. This is an example where, if you hire an auctioneer, can perhaps have the best of two worlds. Many auctioneers can offer choices of online sales, not just eBay, plus they can incorporate it simultaneously with your live auction. No one but an auctioneer has the capability to do this. Thanks to our affiliation with AuctionZip, the world’s largest database of live auctions, LYN LIECHTY AUCTIONS can even offer online bidding through their website. With a superior internet presence we can find serious buyers for the hard to find items whether it is sold online, via absentee bids, phone bids, or at a live auction!

It is important to note that online sales are not a cure all for everything of value. That McCoy pottery will probably sell just as well at a traditional live auction as it will online and with less hassle. Those so-called good or prime items will also serve to create the interest you need to attract a crowd of serious bidders and are of paramount importance in getting everything sold including all the “leftovers.” Keeping the “good stuff” in the auction will bring you a larger crowd of serious buyers and this will drive prices up on the not so valuable items as well as those of higher value. You can pull these items and sell them separately, but there is a real risk of leaving dollars on the table because of all the unsold and undersold “leftovers.”

While it is the goal and the intent of all auctioneers to “sell everything,” in the real world that does not always happen. Chances are if there is anything left over after the auction they truly are items that no one wants. Normally the amount is minimal. Your auctioneer should have answers, solutions, and options available for you. If it is a very small amount you may decide to dispose of it yourself. Some auctioneers, for a fee, offer a “cleanup” service or they can make arrangements to hire a clean up person. There is no reason you should have to be left with a mess. When auctioneers advertise “full service” generally that is exactly what they mean.

In closing, I hope I have been at least somewhat successful in pointing out the dangers of trying to “do it all” yourself and then expecting your auctioneer to perform miracles with the “leftovers”. You would not hire an attorney when needing legal expertise and then tell him how to present the case in court. If in need of brain surgery, you certainly would not start the process and then ask your surgeon to take care of “whatever is leftover.” Your auctioneer is a professional when it involves the liquidating, quickly and efficiently, of a large number of marketable items. Let him handle the disposal of the great stuff and you will have a great auction. He will identify your market and find your buyers. He will create a professional and exciting auction event that no one can duplicate. Leave him nothing but the “leftovers” and you will never know what a great auction experience you missed out on.

AUTHOR: Auctioneer Lyn Liechty, written February 5, 2006

The post So What Happens to the Leftovers? appeared first on Lyn Liechty Auctions.

What about an auction?

Have you ever considered hiring a trained professional to organize, prepare, market and liquidate your most prized possessions?  Read further to see if this might be the best option you could ever choose!

So, what is different about an auction?

1. Competitive bidding to determine true market value:  You can have a garage or tag sale and sell that family heirloom to the first person that hands over the money at a price they like.  Then you can spend the rest of the day wondering if it was priced too low.  Or you can have multiple bidders competing aggressively at an auction pushing the final price up to a point where everyone learns its true market value and at a price both buyer and seller find satisfactory.

2. Quick and efficient:  Most auctions can be conducted in a matter of hours on a day you get to choose!  There are usually very few unsold items left and a lot less clean up than you might imagine.

3. Professional Marketing Techniques:  Most auctioneers have years of training and experience and are experts in finding your buyers and getting them to the auction.  Auctioneers are particularly gifted at getting the crowd to interact and participate enthusiastically in the process of bidding and buying!

4. Should this be work or fun:  Auctions are a fast paced intense event, which is a unique blend of business and entertainment.  A good auction is not only rewarding for both buyer and seller, but they are exciting and fun to attend and great stress removers! Let your auctioneer go to work for you and deal with all the stress while you sit back and enjoy the “show”!

5. What if the crowd leaves?  A good auctioneer is adept at bringing in a crowd of buyers and keeping them there.  He will hold their attention and keep their interest and attention level at a high peak throughout the entire auction day.  Your auctioneer will keep the process moving quickly and professionally, yet entertain the crowd with humor and a unique sales method, which will please both buyers and sellers.  He will make all necessary arrangements for a portable toilet, lunch wagon and other amenities. Try going to a tag sale or garage sale and have this type of convenience!  An auction is much more than just another way to sell “stuff”.  An auction is an interesting blending of solid business practices, excitement and just plain fun.  Auction lovers attend not only to have the chance to pick up a bargain, they go to socialize, have fun and it is a great way to “people watch”!

6.  Will the auctioneer guarantee prices for me?   If he says he will, ask for a signed check.  When you don’t get it, go find yourself an honest auctioneer.  Remember, an auction is not a retail operation.  While prices cannot be guaranteed, some items will sell for much more than you think and some will sell for less.  A well-planned auction will, however, determine true market value.  Historically, no other method of sales has been able to duplicate the ease and efficiency of a public auction.  A professionally conducted auction provides rewards and satisfaction to both buyer and seller that no other sales method can match.  An auctioneer is a special person, a well-trained professional.   Make no mistake about it.  Nobody can duplicate what an auctioneer can do.

7.  What will sell at an auction?  Anything that can be legally sold can be sold effectively at an auction.  Real Estate, business liquidations, general household, antiques, collectibles, livestock, equipment, intangible assets.  The list is endless.

 Ok, you have decided to have an auction.  What is the next step?

 8. Do not throw anything away.  Consult with a reputable auctioneer first.

Chances are you may not be familiar with what people will buy.  A good auctioneer has years of experience and he will know what will sell and what will not.  Oftentimes people will weed out what they consider to be junk or not sellable and in the process throw away literally hundreds of dollars.  A good auctioneer usually earns his commission from the sale of items the owner was going to trash.  Remember he has been doing this successfully for many years.

9. Does your auctioneer use contracts?  If not, find another one.  This is important business.  Never forget you are talking about converting thousands of dollars of assets into cash!  A contract provides clarity and outlines in writing what each person’s responsibilities will be.  A well-written contract will avoid unpleasant surprises at the end of the auction. 

10. Choose your auctioneer wisely:  Is your auctioneer of choice a member of a state auctioneers association or the National Auctioneers Association?  You do not have to be a member to be a qualified auctioneer, but auctioneers who are members of these organizations are sending a message that they are professionals and are serious about providing a quality service. In choosing an auctioneer, why not choose the best?

11. How will my property be marketed?  To effectively market and sell your assets via the auction method, you need much more than someone who will scribble up a hastily written ad and throw it in a couple of local papers.  That used to work, but in today’s world, you need someone who is “marketing smart” and is familiar with the most up-to-date marketing options available.  Talk to your auctioneer about the costs.  You need to have a “feel” for the expenses you will incur.  No one needs to suffer from “sticker shock” after the sale.  Ask about Internet advertising.  It’s inexpensive and effective.  If the auctioneer you talk to does not believe in Internet advertising, find an auction service that believes in keeping pace with the changing technology in the auction world.  There is a market of serious buyers who are utilizing the Internet to find auctions that meet their interest.  Do you really want to risk losing these buyers?

12. What kind of equipment does my auctioneer have?  If he tells you to throw some old doors over top of sawhorses or just to “line” it up in big boxes in the yard, get nervous very fast!  A good auctioneer should be able to furnish plenty of clean, sturdy and attractive auction tables.  Ask him if he has a large tent or canopy available to protect the nicer items.  Inquire as to whether or not he has a professional sound system.  He may have an auction facility available for items that cannot be sold on site.

13. What will my auctioneer do for me?  This should all be spelled out in your contract.  Many auctioneers will expect you to do all the pre-auction prep work, and then they just show up sale day and start auctioning.  If this is your preference that is fine.  Bear in mind however, it does not cost that much more to hire someone who will take a hands on approach to setting up and preparing for your auction.  The auctioneer you might want to select will work with his seller and “custom build” an auction designed to draw serious buyers to insure a rewarding sale and he will do it in a way that fits your needs and that you feel comfortable with.

14. Do I have enough for an auction?  Ask the auctioneer and do this before anything is thrown away.  Experienced auctioneers can do a quick walk through, ask a few questions and be able to tell you immediately if an auction will meet your needs.  They will also tell you what “not” to throw away.  You may be surprised by what they tell you.  Remember, they do this to earn a living so if it is not going to work for you, then it will not work for them.

15. What about references?  Auctioneers depend on their good name and reputation to earn a living.  If they are as good as they say they are, then they should have names, phone numbers, and letters from happy sellers and buyers.   Ask for this information.  If they are reluctant to provide this or act in an evasive manner, you may want to talk to another auction company.

16. I have chosen my auctioneer.  Now what do I do?  Sit back and relax.  If you have asked the right questions, then you have probably picked the right auctioneer.  While all auctioneers should welcome your questions and input, it is important to trust their judgment and ability. This is why you hired them. They are experts in their profession and a good one will leave no “stone unturned” in preparing and conducting the best auction sale possible. When your auction is over, if you are unhappy for any reason, talk to your auctioneer. If you are happy with the results then talk to everyone else!  Either way, your auctioneer will thank you and appreciate you!

Written by:  Auctioneer Lyn Liechty – March 4, 2003.  Published in various publications and newspapers

The post Tips on Settling Gramma’s Estate (Choosing the right Auction Company) appeared first on Lyn Liechty Auctions.

I learned a lot over the years from Bill. I learned about keeping your word, providing good, honest service, and understanding that your best customer was the one you were talking to at the moment. Bill always made sure he was on site, set up, and ready to serve an hour before sale time. It was not unusual for me to arrive at an auction site early in the morning and find Bill patiently waiting with my first cup of coffee in hand. It never mattered how far he had to drive. This was his job and he did it well. Bill Suboski was a dependable, honest, and hardworking man. Blessed with an engaging personality, Bill had never met a stranger, only new friends.

I can still remember Bill walking past the lines of furniture, viewing all the items laid out for display on the tables, searching and looking for any hidden treasures. While doing all this, he was also busy studying and observing potential buyers as they were viewing the auction items. At some point before the auction started and usually at the moment I was at heightened nervousness, Bill would walk up, look me in the eye and say. “Lyn, you have a good crowd, you have some nice items. I don’t know if you know this, but you’re going to have a good day.” I never knew if he realized it or not, but often those were the exact words I needed to hear, to know someone had confidence in what I was trying to do. What a calming influence.

Bill could also be brutally honest. He came to one of my auctions one time and after the auction was over, he told me, “Ya know, Lyn, I don’t think I’ve ever seen an auctioneer who can get better prices out of pure junk. You have a real knack for selling stuff that no one should even want to buy.” It was a great complement, but I always wished he had said something similar when I was selling the good stuff!

At the beginning of my auction season in 2002, Bill took me off to one side and in his typically casual and offhanded manner told me he had been diagnosed with lung cancer. He told me this as if it was no more serious than a hangnail and assured me he would be fine. Just a minor “bump” in the road. I am sure he informed me and many others in this manner because Bill was not the type to want a lot of hoopla and fuss made over him. A few weeks later, he was in the hospital having the cancerous lung removed and after a very short recuperation period was back working the auction circuit. Bill passed away several months later. Like the old Frank Sinatra song, My Way, Bill was determined not to give in to the cancer and he chose to confront this terrible disease on his terms and do it his way. Bill was out of state when he died, doing what he loved best, working an auction and taking care of the needs of his customers.

I received a phone call from Bill’s wife Dortha giving me the news of Bill’s passing. My wife Rebecca, her daughter Wendy, grandson Garrett and I found ourselves heading for the small town of West Unity, Ohio. We had decided to go to the visitation, as we were not sure our scheduling would permit us to attend the funeral. As we had expected, there were a large number of people at the funeral home that day. We found Dortha greeting everyone as they arrived. We expressed our sympathies and then quickly became immersed in a crowd of relatives, friends and auctioneers, joining in the usual uncomfortable mingling and visiting that takes place at funeral visitations.

As we were leaving, Dortha came to me with a rather unusual request. A request I was honored to receive, frightened to try, and one I knew I would be obligated to fulfill. Dortha told me that Bill did not want a traditional funeral and there would not be a minister to officiate at the services. She asked if Cal Short, another auctioneer, and I would consider conducting a funeral service. We would get up and share some memories of our friendship with Bill and the hope was that others would feel encouraged to do the same. She asked that the service be two hours in length. Of course, I gave her the only answer I could. “Yes Dortha I will do this for you”, I said.

I immediately called Cal and told him what I had committed him to. Cal is not only an auctioneer friend; he has always been somewhat of a mentor to me. I knew Cal would be there to bail me out in case I could not do this.

Rebecca and I returned the next day for the funeral. You would have thought I would have been up all night preparing for what lay ahead, trying to come up with the right words, the right format. Not being that smart, I arrived totally and absolutely unprepared. Realizing I was not a minister, public speaker or even a moderator, I decided I would simply be an auctioneer. Auctioneering is what I do. How can you possibly prepare for something you have never done before? I decided I would try to interact with the gathering of mourners, much as I would interact with an auction crowd. Most importantly, I would put my trust in the Lord, as Dortha had put her trust in me. The only preparation on my part was praying for guidance and knowing my wife Rebecca and friend Cal would provide all the strength and emotional support I would need.

As I waited for people to take a seat in the viewing area, I realized there appeared to be some reluctance to do so. Everyone seemed quite content to move around from group to group in the outer rooms. It appeared as if no one was going in to take a seat. I told Rebecca; “I don’t know what to do and I don’t even know if I can pull this off, but somehow we have to figure out a way to get the people into the viewing area and seated.” My “take charge” wife immediately went out on the front lawn and started rounding people up. I stayed inside and began searching for people who had a family resemblance. I figured close family members such as brothers or sisters would better understand what Dortha had asked me to do, so I began going to those folks, introducing myself and explaining what we needed to do. What an unusual way to meet people!

It was not long before Rebecca and I had everyone together and seated in one area. I found myself standing in front of a group of people who apparently assumed that if I was there I must be a person who was knowledgeable in comforting grieving family and friends and no doubt knew what I was doing! Little did they know I had never done anything like this. Hidden beneath the calm exterior was a terrified auctioneer. I remember standing in front of all those people, sharing a memory of Bill with them. Cal stood up and told one of his favorite “Bill” stories. No one else stood up and no one spoke. Dead silence filled the room. With my heart pounding in silent desperation as I looked around the room, I realized it was my responsibility and my responsibility alone to chase away the deafening silence with words of comfort. I had been asked to conduct a service. I had agreed to do it and somehow, in spite of my fears, this was something I must do. Hating dead silence and empty air, I stood up and again found myself talking to complete strangers, encouraging them to speak and share a story about a man they all had loved. Even though every person in that room wished to learn more about the life of Bill Suboski, few knew how to start. You would not think it would take courage to do something like that, but it does. The words were stumbling in my mind but somehow when I spoke they came out calm and reassuring. I had this eerie sensation as if I were standing off to one side watching the stranger who was wearing my clothing and using my body, reaching out to the congregation in such a calming manner. I could not believe I was capable of the task I had undertaken.

I found myself working this gathering of people almost like I was working a crowd of auction buyers. A little more serious and dignified, yet inserting comforting smiles and quiet humor. Helping everyone to “connect” with the life Bill Suboski had lived and encouraging each of them to share a favorite remembrance was very similar to getting auction goers to participate in the auction process. Gradually different people would tell a story. Some brought a chuckle, others brought a tear, and many brought both. Whenever there was hesitation or a pause, I would stand and tell a story about Bill. All the while I was scanning the crowd, reading their faces, watching their body language, searching for a person who wanted to say something but needed some encouragement. I discovered that if I could make eye contact, speak as if I were speaking to them alone, as if there was no one else in the room and nod ever so gently they would look up and quietly begin to tell “their” story, their memory of Bill. I have used the same technique many times getting people to bid who either were unsure whether they should or sometimes had no idea they were going too! I guess I had never really appreciated the talent I had nor had I expected my talent would ever be used in this way.

One by one, they spoke of Bill. Of the love he gladly shared and how he had helped them all at one time or another. Wife, mother, children, brothers, sisters, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends, each had a memory to share that we all hungered to hear. We learned many new things about Bill that afternoon and we learned about the impact Bill had on each of us. We learned that each of us had had our lives enhanced, in many different ways, just from having had the privilege of knowing Bill Suboski. This service, or sharing of memories, was something Bill would have liked and it was something that everyone there, not just Dortha, needed. We all needed the validation that while Bill Suboski had left us physically; the memories of his life would live on.

When I first started, I thought it would be impossible to do this for 15 minutes, let alone two hours. I had underestimated myself, and the people who gathered there. We finally hit a lull, where seemingly there was nothing left unsaid, no more words to say. I remember looking nervously at my watch, hoping against hope Dortha would not be too upset at my failure to make this service last the two hours she had requested. I was amazed to discover that we were just minutes from completing the two hours. The time had gone by faster than I could have realized. Silently I thanked the Lord for the strength he had provided and then brought the service to a close.

What I did that day was well received, not only Dortha, but also other family members and friends came to me later that day and thanked me for what I had done. I believe they felt that I had given them a gift. I knew, however, the gift had really been given to me. When you do something for someone, when you give from the heart, it is returned to you. The feeling of goodness multiplies, engulfs, and warms your soul. Conducting this service was not a gift I had given; it was a gift received.

Written by: Lyn Liechty Edited by: Rebecca Fox

February 28, 2003

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