Soulis Auctions

A surprising number of people underestimate the potential value of their family's personal property. Faced with a daunting and unfamiliar task, some have no way of knowing what to expect from a home full of property that they perhaps did not acquire and don't understand. Others expect too much from the wrong things. We have no problem understanding these situations no matter how large or how complex. We know what matters and why - and we know how to maximize any situation. We take our projects very seriously.

In 2005, after 20 years in the Antiques and Auction businesses, we logically expanded our scope of operations by purchasing a company that went by the name of Estate Sales by Ouida for over 35 years and was regarded as one of Kansas City's most respected tagged estate sale companies. After working with and learning from Ouida (pronounced 'we' da) and her daughter Kathy, we understood the keys to their success.

Applying these principles, we expanded on them by adding customer services like credit card acceptance, free delivery, warehousing capabilities, the sharing of hard earned product knowledge and the establishment of a 'Sold' area at every sale where customer selections are held and wrapped while payment is made. At Soulis Estate Sales, customers are never told to wrap and pack their own purchases, we do that for them in the 'Sold' area.

Improvements in sale presentation included adding a fleet of uniform matching tables skirted to the floor with matching cloths, lighted showcases and a state-of-the-art web site.

Added security measures included wireless video surveillance throughout the sale and an off-duty police officer at times.

We further recognized the need to protect the home itself from the stresses of a high traffic three day estate sale. Besides covering multiple rooms of carpeting and wood flooring, or padding the granite countertops we are the only company we know of, anywhere, to move the estate sale payment and check-out process out of the house. By using a custom cashier trailer positioned just outside the sale exit we can seriously reduce the potential for issues in the home. To better understand the benefits of this idea, picture a gentleman who would like to buy a shovel or a gas powered edger, a step ladder or maybe all three. And he needs both hands to dig for his wallet or write a check. The estate sale company you've hired has their cashier in the dining room and it's there that he has to lay down his item(s) and make payment. Much better to get him out of the house and let him lean these against the pay trailer instead of your dining room wall.

Our entire team has learned to think about what it is they're doing and they know how to do it. They are fast, efficient, friendly, experienced and compassionate. They begin by staging the home for presentation, the safety of attendees and the security of the home. All items are removed from the cabinets, closets and cupboards and arranged onto tables, or into a showcase. Books or other items may be arranged on our portable folding shelves. Silver is polished and crystal is washed and the premises are improved for presentation if needed. Our capable crew has been known to hang fluorescent lighting in dark basements and erect temporary fences to protect flowers. We own 10' x 20' tents that can be used for customers to stand under out of the rain or to create extra space for over-crowded homes. Once the sale is set, they work with Dirk and, sometimes other experts to recognize and price the most valuable items for maximum return while pricing the more common items at a number that's correct for the market, not too high and not too low. They typically only have three days to effectively clear the home. To do so, they conduct a three-day sale with only certain items being subject to any discount and only then on the last day of the sale. Higher valued pieces may be sold through a sealed bid process or Fine Art and Antiques can be consigned to Dirk Soulis Auctions for inclusion in a nationally advertised gallery auction with Live Internet bidding for access to the global market. After the sale the home is vacuumed and left broom clean or better with all sinks and countertops cleaned. If items are to be donated the seller receives a receipt from the recipient charity. Trash and unsalable items are removed from the premises before the sale or after the sale or both. Settlement is made within 10 days and payment is accompanied by an invoice that lists the content of each sales ticket and its total amount.

The power of collaboration between Soulis Estate Sales and sister company Dirk Soulis Auctions creates a synergy that no company in the city can match. Sellers benefit from the infrastructure, experience, client lists, product knowledge, and established operations that Dirk Soulis Auctions has developed over 17 years in business. Out of town sellers and fiduciaries especially appreciate the appraisal services, family division experience and in-house professional shipping capabilities that DSA can offer its partner Soulis Estate Sales. Our shipping department regularly ships heirlooms to out-of-state children. And in an era when advertising a tagged Estate Sale online should translate to purchases by out-of-town customers, most estate sale companies aren't equipped to properly service remote buyers. Out of town buyers appreciate paying by PayPal or wire transfer services which DSA provides and they benefit from having their purchases go to an actual warehouse if necessary. This allows them to drive in to town two weeks later at their convenience after the home has been cleared, or send a trucking firm a month later to pick up their items from the DSA warehouse with forklift and loading dock available. Our in-house shipping capabilities delight online buyers who have been stung by third party shipping costs or damaged goods.

And now, with the advent of Timed Online Only Auctions conducted by Dirk Soulis Auctions, the options of sellers living in restricted areas where traditional estate sales are not allowed has been expanded far beyond what Ouida could have imagined! Again, the experience and infrastructure of Dirk Soulis Auctions boosts this effective marketing tool and gives sellers extra valuable options.

Based out of Kansas City, MO also serving areas near Lawrence , KS and Kansas City , MO