Convenience is what has made the auction part of the Tiffin Mall.
Bill Jones, owner/operator of Jones Premier Auctions, has been an auctioneer in the area for seven years. He has been operating auctions at the mall since March. Every Wednesday at 6 p.m., Jones calls out bids for items he has taken in on consignment. Auctions are conducted in the space that formerly housed Bath and Body Works.
"I've wanted to do an auction house in town," Jones said. "I thought there was no reason Tiffin couldn't support one auction house."
Article Photos
PHOTO COURTESY OF BILL JONES
Auctioneer Bill Jones calls for bids on an item at the Tiffin Mall location.
A lifelong Tiffin resident, Jones graduated from Calvert High School and attended Terra State Community College before becoming an auctioneer. "I apprenticed under Mike Watson; I can sell hundreds of acres to small collectibles. We can sell it at our place or yours."
Jones was familiar with the mall business community and available space, as he was the manager of Sam Goody before it left the mall.
"There's plenty of parking, it's climate-controlled and I could save money on advertising," he said of using space at the mall.
Items change weekly. Individuals who want to sell items at auction can bring Jones one item or an entire estate.
"They can bring their items in, or if it's an entire house, we can go on location," Jones said. "We can have one consignor to 40 consigners."
The owner's profits are based on a percentage of the final sale, Jones said. The charge for the auction is determined by the number and value of the items - the higher the estate's value, the smaller the percentage that goes to Jones' company.
"Sales are absolute, there is no reserve and no minimum," Jones said.
Items have ranged from household goods to antiques, furniture to vehicles.
Doors open at 5 p.m. for people wanting to look over items before the auction. Jones also posts pictures of items online at www.auctionzip.com, at ID number 25687 about a week ahead of time.
Individuals will receive a number when they register, and items can be paid for with cash, check or credit or debit card.
For more information, contact Jones by calling (419) 618-0517 or emailing tiffinrealestate@gmail.com.
