The only way an auction works is to sell it all with no cherry picking b4. The few crazy high stuff makes up for the low. Most auctions base % on how much they think the sale will gross. The more junk the higher the commission. They will bid the commission lower to stay competitive if it looks to be a good sale. JMO.

All the above is good advice.

The only thing I will add is get anything "out" that you want to keep before the person conducting it comes in. Around here once the auctioneer or person doing the tag sale come in they have absolute control. A friend had an estate sale of hers moms stuff. She found something she really wanted to keep after the seller came in and took pics and priced everything. He made her buy the item. He did give her a break, but still......

The problem with K-bid is that they usually take at least 25% of the selling price. I sold a bunch of 1 1/2 Victor CS. They went for about $3.50 each to the high bidder. Then K-bid took their 25%. I ended up with about $2.75 per trap. I always took good care of my traps and they were in great condition. Before I listed with this K-bid seller, I had checked with another one who told me they took 40% of the selling price. IMO, K-bid can be a good place to buy from. But, not a good place to sell from.

I love garage sales that list as "Estate Sale" because in most cases it's an "everything must go" sale and the seller will negotiate the price.

The 25% they want for doing an auction in our area sure stings.

Is 25-50% commission a bad thing?

yeah, maybe if I have only one thing for sale, that anyone can easily look up on a "blue book" or something.

But, when a sale comprises hundreds or even thousands of items at a proper, market rate sale price, It could be money well spent. Most of us, at least myself, have little knowledge, or feel for the value of used stuff.

• Priced too high, not only will an item not sell, but It may also discourage buyers from looking further.
• priced too low and seller may be losing more than just 25 or so %.

I think I will be willing, and even happy, to pay a professional for their staging and pricing expertise.

25% is fairly standard and fair in my opinion. Especially if you are hiring a professional with a good track record.

50% is too much, even for the best person/company.