Update!

Auction Bay Online will be was closed today: Wednesday, February 2, 2011, as our families celebrated Snowpocalypse 2011!

Considering the recent snowfall and resultant states of emergency declared in Lake and Porter counties, we feel it best to keep the store closed while our community digs itself out from under the white blanket.  In all things, even selling on eBay, it’s best to stay safe.

We will be are again open for business tomorrow, Thursday the 3rd of February.   In the meantime, we’ll enjoy warm hot cocoa as we gaze out our windows and dance through the drifts with our friends, kids, and family members.  If you’re home and itching for an opportunity, now could be a great time  to clear out the closet or basement and bundle up some items to bring in to sell at Auction Bay!

Thomas Centennial Park in Downtown Chesterton looks a little chilly this morning!

The first week of November isn’t yet over, and we’ve had our first snowfall of the season!  At Auction Bay, we were amused by the flurries yesterday, but we weren’t expecting a measurable snowfall overnight!  No matter, we’re ready for business and can’t wait to help you sell items on eBay!

We’ve got hot coffee.  Care to join us?  What better way to beat the chill of the first winter snow than by gathering up a few items and heading over to Auction Bay to make some money on ebay?  Here, you can enjoy a steaming hot cup of caffeine, a pleasant conversation, and make money all the while as  we help you sell your items.  It’s a great way to make extra money for the holiday season!  Christmas is less than 50 days away, after all! 

Who knows what this winter will bring, but if you sell with Auction Bay, you’ll have an additional source of income to help you through the cold months! 

We can’t help but to keep mentioning our new facade.  It looks pretty good in the snow!  As the great Cassius Clay (later Muhammad Ali) once said… “It ain’t braggin’ if it’s true!”

A little bit of snow won't slow us down!

Scenic downtown Chesterton as seen from Auction Bay

It’s Tuesday the 3rd and Chesterton is ground zero for a massive dumping of lake effect snow from Lake Michigan.  The forecasts project a healthy 8-16 inches of accumulation today and tonight, and from the looks of the snow, it’s likely to happen! 

Check out the picture taken from our front door looking out onto the park in Downtown Chesterton.  Can you see the gazebo? 

Nevertheless, we at Auction Bay are ready to serve you!  Our doors are open from 11-7 each weekday, and today is no exception.  If braving the blizzard conditions isn’t your cup of tea, feel free to call us up and get more information about items you might like to sell!  In the meantime, we’re writing up ads and getting your items listed.  Stay safe out there!

Artwork can be a tough sale on eBay, but if you have the right elements, it can bring in the bucks.  Take for example this original painting by Willi Bauer, which we recently sold on eBay.

This original Oil Painting by Willi Bauer sold for an impressive $1,100.00 on eBay!

This piece was an original work in great condition, with a visible (and legible) signature.  The artist is a known name, which means that collectors and enthusiasts are searching for that name on eBay, which gives a much greater chance for an item to sell.  Even though it was fairly large (which has an effect on shipping costs), the frame looked sharp and the value of the artwork was recognizable.  What further helped this was the letter included with it, which was from an established art gallery, and confirmed its origin and the identity of the artist.

While a ‘Certificate’ like this is not necessary for the sale of artwork, it certainly helps.  If you have a piece of original art that you’d like to sell, a little bit of research can go a long way.  A letter or two sent to a dealer can add credibility to your item in a market where anything can happen.  Often, a gallery or art dealer will charge a fee to identify or appraise your item.  As always, keep in mind that any appraisal or estimate of sale value is often 2-4 times higher than the potential sale of an item on eBay!  Appraisals are intended for replacement value or insurance costs, and are consistently not representative of an item’s sellability.