Real-Life Communication
Business writing and verbal skills are very important in the auction
business.
When describing an upcoming lot to potential buyers, you
have to be accurate and persuasive at the same time. You want them to come
see for themselves, but you also can't exaggerate. If they come and see you
lied, they probably won't come to your next sale.
You have been hired
to liquidate the estate of a wealthy couple who left behind a lifetime's worth
of collectibles. Many of the items are in good shape and may be extremely
valuable to collectors.
But it's not like they had any Picasso paintings
hanging on the wall. Mostly it's glassware, antique furniture, china and the
like.
To advertise your sale, you're going to write up a one-page brochure
to mail to your regular customers and to post around town.
The sale
is at the Greene home at 9 a.m. Saturday.
If you want to give examples
of what will be sold, here are some of the items in the sale:
Fifteen
pieces of depression glassware
Five 19th-century armoires
Three complete
china sets probably 60 to 80 years old
Many old books and magazines --
so many you haven't even cataloged them all yet
Remember
to be honest but persuasive. You can't have an auction if no one comes!