Newcomerstown, Dover auctioneers collaborate online
Are you looking to sell treasures − or an entire household − but want to avoid the expense of a live auction? Or maybe you are a collector looking for a hard-to-find item, but want to avoid spending hundreds of dollars in gas just traveling around to find it?
Two local business owners have joined forces to help.
Earlier this year, Sam Kready, owner of The Treasure Trove at 223 Main St. in Newcomerstown, began attending Rick Keffer Auctions every Tuesday on Tuscarawas Avenue in Dover to find unique pieces for her own resale shop.
Kready's shop specializes in such items as estate pieces, hardware, household goods, pet supplies, glassware, toys and comics antiques.
“It seemed like each week, I was getting more involved in the auction itself," Kready said with a laugh. "It started by assisting in holding up items for the attendees and kept going from there. From this experience, and talking to customers in my own shop, I realized there was a need to be able to have a service where we come to your home, take pictures of the items you want to sell and list them online for you, as well as see the process through."
"Many people don’t have the ability to move items to an auction house, but have the need to get rid of them.”
When the COVID-19 pandemic was beginning, many auctioneers transitioned to online auctions because of crowd limitations, so it wasn’t a new idea. Kready and Keffer have found it worked well.
After some collaboration, Keffer and Kready partnered in the auction venture. Kready serves as auction coordinator, completing most of the in-home tagging, takes photos, uploads the images and arranges online auctions.
The parking lot between The Treasure Trove and the neighboring buildings on Main Street in Newcomerstown is being revamped as a pickup spot when buyers claim their purchases. Kready works with those outside the area to determine the best method of shipping.
“The advantage to online auctions vs. live auctions is avoiding the advertising costs for the client leading up to an auction, the cost of tents, and not having 100 cars parked in your yard. Too, the weather does not affect an online auction," Keffer said.
Those interested in bidding on events from Rick Keffer Auctions LLC should register at rickkefferauctions.com and check out items at Auction Zip. Don't miss Kready's auctions at the The Treasure Trove’s Facebook page, as well as Rick Keffer's auction Facebook page. Auctions last at least two weeks.
Kready continues to manage The Treasure Trove, and Keffer operates his businesses, but they're partners online.
“I love meeting new people and especially helping those people that may already be faced with moving out of their home or transferring items from a storage unit or having to downsize," Kready said. "I feel for them and understand the limitations they are facing, and I want to be part of their solution.”
Keffer said the business operates well beyond the Tuscarawas County borders.
"We have already shipped to California, and other Western states and just began the online venture in September, so the word is getting out about us," Keffer said. "Since the auctions do last at least two weeks, that allows buyers more time to find the item, and have a chance to bid on it. We really attract serious buyers."
To reach out for assistance with listing your items, contact Kready at sam@rickkefferauctions.com. Reach Keffer at his shop at 270 S. Tuscarawas Ave. in Dover or call 330-340-9060.
This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Newcomerstown, Dover auctioneers collaborate online
