The only true way of arriving at fair market value is to establish that value between two or more interested parties. If you will look at the value of an automobile, a U.S. Treasury bond or the works of Van Gogh, you will see that it is an auction that established those values. Auctions are the basis of value for almost every type of goods in the world today. Value of stocks, bonds, precious metals, commodities, livestock, antiques, the priceless of the world, real estate and yes even humble household goods are arrived at in a competitive auction bidding.

Traditionally, tag sales are advertised with a few lines in the local paper. This might work if all that was being sold was simple household goods.

An auctioneer maintains specialized mailing lists that reach people who buy specific items. The auctioneer also utilizes publications that are targeted to specific markets.

There is no licensing or bonding required for “tag sales”. They are not governed by a strict code of ethics or set of by-laws such as the National or State Auctioneer Associations. They have no continuing education programs required by state law in most states/provinces. The auctioneer is continually striving to upgrade his or her skills.

A tag sale can disrupt housekeeping for as much as three (3) weeks. With most auctions, the auctioneer can help by coming into the home and handling the set-up a few days before the auction.

The merchandise is cleaned if necessary and displayed. On the day of auction, the owners are presented with the money and the sales clerks sheets, which are the only honest accurate amounts for everything sold as well as who bought what.

All of this work performed by the auctioneer and staff is at a much smaller cost than a “tag sale”. In most cases, the so called “junk” or the “miscellaneous items” will bring in more than enough dollars to cover the expense of advertising an auction. Remember, these are the very same items leftover at the end of a tag sale for you to send to the dump.

Everything sells! No need to pack up and haul off to the dump or to a dealer for pennies.

Not only is an auction fairer to the seller, it is fairer to the buyer. At a tag sale, only the first person in line (or many times the “tag sellers” help) have an opportunity to buy every item. At an auction, the items are offered for sale and every person present has an equal opportunity to purchase. Because of open competitive bidding, the seller never has to worry about selling too cheap, and the buyer never has to worry about paying too much.

Think about it! In short, an auction is the best way to bring together a willing buyer and a willing seller, which fulfills the true definition of “True Fair Market Value.”