Trust, Service, and the Personal Touch

There's something uniquely satisfying about sitting in a parking lot between appointments, laptop balanced precariously on my knees, the car serving as my mobile office. Today's mission? Wait for my client to finish their appointment before collecting jewelry pieces that need appraisal. These quiet moments in between the action offer rare opportunities for reflection on what this auction business is really about.

The Currency of Trust

In the auction business, trust isn't just important—it's everything. When clients hand over family heirlooms, valuable collections, or precious jewelry—or entrust you to sell their homes—they're entrusting you with more than physical objects. They're handing over memories, heritage, and often significant financial assets.

The jewelry I'm picking up today represents this trust in action. My client didn't hesitate to arrange for me to transport these pieces across county lines to a professional appraiser located in a completely different county from either of us. This level of confidence isn't built overnight—it comes from a consistent track record of transparency, professionalism, and results.

Beyond the Gavel

Many people think auctioneering is just about fast talking and the dramatic fall of a gavel. In reality, much of our work happens long before auction day. It's in those quiet conversations with clients, the careful cataloging of items, the research into market value, and yes, sometimes sitting in parking lots waiting to transport jewelry across county lines. Our personal property auctions have all shifted to online-only formats now, but the legwork before those listings go live remains just as important.

Earlier today, I met with a gentleman who wanted to discuss possibly auctioning some of his personal belongings. The appointment wasn't about immediate sales pitches or pushing for a contract. Instead, it was about listening—truly listening—to understand his needs, concerns, and hopes for these items that needed to find a good home, just as we do when someone is considering selling their house through our auction company.

The Art of Conversation

"So tell me about this collection," I asked, settling into what would become an hour-long conversation that wandered through family history, market trends, and eventually, his previous experiences with another auction house.

The rhythm of talking and listening, listening and talking forms the backbone of client relationships in this business. Sometimes people just need to be heard before they can make decisions about possessions that often represent significant chapters in their lives.

It's during these conversations that the real work happens—building rapport, establishing expertise, and most importantly, creating trust. When clients share previous negative experiences, it's not an invitation to disparage competitors but rather an opportunity to demonstrate how our approach differs.

The Service Mindset

This business isn't glamorous most days. It's about being willing to go the extra mile—literally and figuratively. It means making yourself available for appointments that fit clients' schedules, not yours. It means driving across town to pick up items because it's more convenient for them. It means traveling across counties. It means waiting in parking lots between errands because that's what gets the job done.

The willingness to provide this level of service isn't just good business practice—it's a reflection of how we value our clients and their possessions. When someone chooses our auction company, they're not just selecting a service provider; they're choosing a partner who will advocate for their interests throughout the process.

Building a Reputation

At the end of the day, this business runs on reputation. Not just online reviews (though those certainly matter), but the authentic word-of-mouth testimonials that come from consistently exceeding expectations. It's knowing that when former clients recommend your auction company to friends and family, they do so with complete confidence—whether it's for personal property or real estate.

The greatest satisfaction comes not from closing deals but from the relationships built along the way—from knowing clients trust you with their treasured possessions and even their homes, from hearing "thank you for making this process so much easier than I expected," and from the knowledge that you've helped connect cherished items with new owners who will appreciate them or families with properties that will become their new homes.

So here I sit in this parking lot, waiting to transport jewelry from one county to another for appraisal, embodying what this business is truly about: service, relationships, and trust. The online auction platforms may be what clients see, but it's these quiet moments of service and legwork across county lines that build the foundation for everything else.

Happy Bidding!
Kara C. Belcher-Miller
Auctioneer