Settling an estate is a multi-faceted process that we would like to make easier for you. Nadeau’s can and has competed with major auction houses in the city, what we offer that they can’t is personalized service from the owners Ed and Eddie. Ed and Eddie will be available from the beginning to the end of the process to help you and answer any questions you may have. Nadeau’s works closely with fiduciaries to coordinate the valuation and sale of personal property from large estates and important collections. We offer complimentary walk-through services. A detailed proposal outlining how the sale will be conducted from the initial value assessment to removal of the property and settlement is provided to all parties involved.
Commission Rates & Fees
Nadeau’s works to realize the maximum value for your consignments. At Nadeau’s auction, your property will receive personal care and attention including targeted marketing, advertising, and worldwide exposure.
Nadeau’s charges commission rates that are highly competitive within the auction industry. In addition, we do not charge insurance fees, storage fees or photography fees. Sometimes based upon the value and distance there is a labor/transportation fee. We encourage you to call to discuss the possibility of placing your property for sale with Nadeau’s.
Arranging a House Call
You don’t have to bring your property to us – we’ll come to you. For larger collections of auction-appropriate material, we will arrange a time to visit your home and view your property in person. To assess the rarest pieces or objects of exceptionally high quality, Nadeau’s will travel worldwide.
The Consignment Process
At Nadeau’s, a full-time in-house transportation team provides safe and efficient moving services for large consignments and estates. After your house call, we will schedule an appointment to send a Nadeau’s truck to gather large property and furniture at a later date. With decades of experience handling valuable antiques and fine art, our transportation team will pack and ship your property with the utmost of care and attention.
Consignment Sheet and/or Contract
Review your consignment sheet or contract carefully before signing. It contains important information on how the auction process works and also outlines the commission rate and fees that you will be charged.
If estimates are given they are not a guarantee; your items may sell below or far above the estimates.
For objects of high value, your contract may contain a reserve, or a minimum price at which the item can sell. Most property at Nadeau’s is offered without a reserve, which can work to your advantage since starting the bidding at a low price will often inspire more bidders to join in. Bidder competition is essential to earning a higher final hammer price.
Photography, Catalogs, and Marketing
Nadeau’s takes special care to place your property in the most appropriate specialty auctions. We may divide large, diverse collections and estates in order to strategically assign the property to several upcoming auctions. We place similar material together in order to attract a higher number of passionate, motivated buyers.
For collections of exceptional merit or value, Nadeau’s offers personalized auction services including a separate catalog or auction dedicated exclusively to your collection. We also can create custom website landing pages and marketing campaigns for featured collections. Working with Nadeau’s means worldwide exposure and thoughtful, targeted marketing. This level of commitment and dedication to earning you the maximum value for your consignments takes time. Our specialists research and catalog your material, photographers take high quality pictures, our in-house production team publishes an auction catalog, and our marketing team plans advertisements, events, and outreach around the auction. This outreach includes email and social media campaigns, a press release, and a dedicated landing page on our website for each auction. High quality photographs and descriptions of your items will appear in the online auction catalog on pages that have been optimized for web searches.
Attend the Auction
An auction is a fast-paced, thrilling experience for bidders and consignors alike. We recommend attending the auction where your property will sell – it’s an experience you’ll never forget.
You may join us at our Windsor gallery or you can watch the auction online from your computer using Liveauctioneers.com, Invaluable.com or Bidsquare.com
After the Auction
If you’re not watching from the audience or your computer when the hammer falls, you can check the prices realized on our website (they are usually uploaded with three business days of the auction). We can report two different results: a hammer price and the price realized, which equals the hammer price plus buyer’s premium. Please keep in mind that a consignor’s payment is calculated from the hammer price.
In the event that your property fails to sell, we understand your disappointment. We’re disappointed too! Markets are unpredictable, and the auctioneer sometimes has to make the strategic decision to pass a lot rather than sell it for less than its value.
In this situation, you have two choices. You may choose to offer the lot again in a future auction (this will be done automatically unless we are told otherwise), or you may wish to have your property returned to you. Charges may apply for returned property.
If your property sold, congratulations! Expect to receive your payment from the Nadeau’s 30 days after the auction. You will be paid separately for each auction in which your property was featured.
Whether you are a collector or someone handling a large estate, we want to work with you to realize the maximum value for the collection.
