Seller FAQs
Getting Started
Consignment is the process of entrusting your property to EDS Fine Estate Auctions to be professionally
marketed and sold at auction. EDS handles the cataloging, photography, marketing, auction process, and sale of your property according to the terms of your consignment agreement.
EDS specializes in a wide range of fine estate and collectible property, including:
- Fine jewelry and watches
- Diamonds and gemstones
- Fine art
- Antiques
- Designer and luxury goods
- Silver and decorative arts
- Coins and currency
- Stamps
- Firearms
- Rocks and minerals
- Collectibles
- Ethnographic material
- Estate furnishings and decorative objects
- Specialty collections
- Other unique or valuable property
Acceptance is determined on a case-by-case basis based on the item, condition, marketability, value, and
the goals of the seller.
No. We accept individual items, groups of items, collections, and entire estates.
Yes. Our team can help identify items that may have significant market value and determine the most
appropriate way to sell them.
For specialized property, EDS has access to qualified professionals and experts in areas including jewelry,
gemstones, fine art, antiques, collectibles, rocks and minerals, coins & numismatic items, stamps, firearms, knives & swords, ethnographic material, and other specialty
categories.
The Consignment Process
We begin by learning about your property and your goals with a free consultation. Depending on the
circumstances, we may request photographs, descriptions, documentation, or an opportunity to inspect the
property in person.
If we determine that auction is an appropriate selling method, we will discuss the proposed auction, terms,
and next steps with you.
EDS carefully considers the type, quality, value, and marketability of each item when determining the most
appropriate auction.
Fine jewelry, important art, luxury goods, and other specialty property may be placed in a curated fine or
specialty auction, while other property may be included in a broader estate or general auction.
The final auction placement is determined based on scheduling, market conditions, the type of property,
and our overall auction strategy.
The timeline varies depending on the type and quantity of property, the auction schedule, cataloging
requirements, photography, research, and marketing needs. Your EDS representative can provide a general
timeline for your specific consignment.
Valuation & Pricing
EDS considers a number of factors, including condition, rarity, provenance, quality, comparable sales,
current market demand, category trends, and expert research.
Auction value is not necessarily the same as retail, replacement, insurance, or appraisal value. Our goal is to
establish a realistic auction strategy that gives the property the best opportunity to perform well in the
current market.
Yes, EDS offers professional appraisals for clients who require formal valuation of their property. When
appropriate, we can also help determine whether additional specialist evaluation is recommended.
No. Auction results cannot be guaranteed. The final selling price is determined by competitive bidding and
current market demand.
We can provide an estimate or recommended auction strategy based on our experience and available market information.
Depending on the property and auction, a reserve price may be available. A reserve is the minimum amount
at which you authorize the property to sell.
Reserve policies vary, and not every item is appropriate for a reserve. Your consignment representative will
discuss this with you before the auction.
If the reserve is not met, the item may be considered unsold. EDS can discuss available options with you,
which may include offering the item in a future auction or returning the property, depending on the terms
of your agreement.
Marketing Your Property
EDS uses a combination of professional photography, detailed catalog descriptions, online auction
platforms, email marketing, social media, targeted advertising, and our established bidder and collector network.
The marketing strategy is tailored to the type and value of the property.
Yes. EDS makes an effort to present consignments with clear, professional photographs that showcase
important details and characteristics of each item.
When appropriate, our team conducts research into an item’s history, maker, materials, provenance,
comparable examples, and other relevant information.
Specialized property may also be reviewed with outside experts when appropriate.
Absolutely. Information from the consignor can be extremely valuable. Family history, previous ownership,
receipts, certificates, photographs, correspondence, provenance documentation, and other records may
help us tell the story of an item and provide useful information to prospective bidders.
Jewelry, Art & Specialty Property
Fine jewelry and gemstones receive careful examination and cataloging. When appropriate, items may be
evaluated with the assistance of qualified gemological professionals.
In the case of gold and silver items, EDS may also offer the option of an outright purchase in addition to
consignment at auction, depending on the material, market conditions, and the seller’s preference.
That is not a problem. EDS has a GIA certified diamond appraiser on staff who can help determine whether
additional testing, identification, grading, appraisal, or documentation would be beneficial before the item
is offered at auction.
Yes. Collections can be particularly well suited to auction because individual pieces may attract specialized
collectors while the collection as a whole can benefit from targeted marketing.
EDS has experience with a variety of specialty categories and maintains relationships with experts who can
assist with unusual or highly specialized property.
Fees & Seller Proceeds
Consignment terms vary depending on the type, quantity, value, and circumstances of the property. Your
consignment agreement will outline the applicable commission, fees, expenses, and other terms before the
property is offered for sale.
Seller commission rates may vary depending on the size and nature of the consignment. We will provide the
applicable terms before you commit your property to auction.
Depending on the consignment, additional expenses may apply for services such as specialized restoration,
authentication, appraisal, packing, storage, transportation, or other services. Any applicable charges should
be discussed and documented in your consignment agreement.
Seller payments are issued according to the payment schedule outlined in your consignment agreement
and after the applicable conditions for payment have been satisfied.
EDS will provide a settlement or sales statement showing the applicable itemized sales information and
calculation of your proceeds according to your consignment agreement.
Unsold Items
If an item does not sell, EDS will discuss the available options with you. Depending on the circumstances,
the item may be eligible for a future auction, disposal, or return to the consignor.
Return procedures depend on the terms of your consignment agreement. Please contact EDS to discuss
your options.
Once property has been consigned and prepared for auction, withdrawal may be subject to the terms of
your consignment agreement and any applicable costs. We encourage sellers to discuss any concerns with
us before the auction is finalized.
Estates & Large Collections
Yes. Our largest estate to date was a 2 year project that took 75 auctions to complete. EDS can assist with individual items, collections, and larger estate liquidations depending on the circumstances.
Yes. One of the benefits of working with an experienced auction company is having professional guidance
in determining which property may be best suited for auction and which items may be better handled
through another method of sale.
Depending on the circumstances, EDS may be able to evaluate and coordinate the handling of property at
an estate location. Services and availability vary depending on the size, location, and complexity of the
estate.
Yes. Large collections can be evaluated and organized according to category, value, market demand, and
the most appropriate sales strategy.
Transportation, Storage & Security
Pickup and transportation services may be available depending on the size, location, and nature of the
consignment. Arrangements should be made with EDS in advance.
Consigned property may be transported to and stored at the EDS facility for cataloging, photography,
preparation, and auction.
EDS takes reasonable care in handling, storing, photographing, cataloging, and presenting consigned property. Each consignor is assigned a unique consignor number in our system, which is used to track and maintain accurate records of all consigned items throughout the entire process.
All items are fully insured while in EDS’s possession. For high-value property, EDS maintains secure safes for storage of valuables. The facility is fully alarmed and sprinkler-protected, and operates as a locked, access-controlled environment with limited entry to authorized personnel only.
For high-value jewelry, gemstones, art, or other specialty property, we recommend discussing the safest
delivery method with EDS before shipping anything.
Before You Consign
The more information you can provide, the better. Helpful materials may include:
- Previous appraisals
- Purchase receipts
- Certificates and laboratory reports
- Provenance documentation
- Family history
- Previous auction records
- Photographs
- Artist or maker information
- Original packaging
- Correspondence or documentation
- Information about previous ownership
Not necessarily. Some cleaning, restoration, polishing, or repairs can actually affect the value or collectibility
of an item. We recommend discussing valuable or unusual property with EDS before making significant
alterations.
Items that are rare, desirable, collectible, well-documented, high-quality, historically significant, or currently
in demand may perform particularly well at auction. However, every item is different, and our team
evaluates property individually.
Why Choose EDS Fine Estate Auctions?
EDS combines auction expertise, professional valuation and cataloging, targeted marketing, and
relationships with specialists and collectors across a wide range of categories.
Our team brings experience in fine jewelry, diamonds and gemstones, fine art, antiques, collectibles, rocks
and minerals, ethnographic material, and other specialty property. We also maintain relationships with
experts who can provide specialized knowledge when needed.
Our goal is not simply to sell an item—we strive to identify the property’s potential, present it
accurately, reach the right buyers, and maximize the opportunity for a successful result.
Absolutely. We encourage prospective consignors to contact us with questions or to discuss property before making a decision. An initial conversation can help determine whether auction is the right sales method for your particular situation.
Whether you have a single piece of fine jewelry, an important work of art, a collection, or an entire estate,
EDS Fine Estate Auctions is available to discuss your property and help you determine the best path
forward.