Collaboration That Works for You: How Our Partnerships Benefit Clients and Buyers
When you hire Grafe Auction or bid in one of our sales, you’re getting more than just our team’s expertise — you’re tapping into a nationwide network of specialists, partners, and technology providers.
We’ve built these partnerships for one simple reason: to deliver better results for the people who matter most — our clients and our buyers.
The proof is in the numbers. Across the industry, partnership-enabled auctions achieve 86% sell-through rates compared to 70–75% for solo operations, and they often bring 15–25% higher profit margins. When more expertise, marketing reach, and buyer networks come together, both sellers and buyers benefit.
For Sellers: Higher Returns, Faster Sales, Less Hassle
When you’re selling assets — whether a single piece of equipment or an entire business — you need results. Collaboration helps us deliver them.
1. Expanded Buyer Reach
Through our collaborative network, your assets are marketed to a far larger audience. We combine mailing lists, advertising channels, and buyer databases from multiple companies. Industry data shows that even adding just 5, 10, or 50 more qualified bidders can mean tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars in additional revenue.
2. Specialized Expertise
No one auction company is the best at everything — but together, we can be. If you’re selling a grocery store, we bring in our category expertise. If you’re selling unique manufacturing equipment, we may pair with an industry-specific partner to ensure we’re marketing to the right buyers with the right message. The result is fewer mistakes, higher bidder confidence, and stronger sale prices.
3. Faster Turnaround
Two workforces working in sync means your auction goes from contract to closing faster. This is especially important in situations like bankruptcy liquidations or distressed asset sales where time is critical.
4. Seamless Process
You won’t have to juggle multiple vendors or worry about gaps in coverage. We coordinate all partner efforts behind the scenes, so you have a single point of contact while benefiting from the combined strength of multiple teams.
For Buyers: More Opportunities, Smoother Experience
Partnerships don’t just help sellers — they create a better buying experience, too.
1. Broader Selection of Assets
When we partner with other firms, more inventory hits the market — often from regions or industries we wouldn’t normally serve alone. Buyers gain access to categories they might not see otherwise, from high-end collectibles to specialized commercial equipment.
2. Trusted Quality & Verification
Our partners often bring additional credibility or certification to the items we sell. Just as RM Sotheby’s official Ferrari partnership boosts buyer confidence through factory certification, our collaborations with appraisers, industry experts, and brand partners mean buyers know what they’re getting is authentic and accurately represented.
3. Innovative Technology
Working with technology partners allows us to improve your bidding experience — from AI-powered valuations and enhanced online platforms to virtual/augmented reality previews. The industry is moving fast: by 2027, 70% of major auction houses are expected to have AI-powered valuation systems, and we’re already working with partners who are leading that charge.
4. Streamlined Logistics
We partner with shipping, financing, and removal service providers so buyers have an easier time completing their purchases. That might mean faster freight, better rates, or in-house financing options that make bidding more accessible.
Real-World Examples of Collaboration in Action
Retail Liquidations with Gordon Brothers
When major retailers close stores, the FF&E and inventory are handled by separate specialists. Gordon Brothers manages inventory; we handle the FF&E. Sellers get maximum recovery from every category, and buyers get well-organized access to high-quality fixtures and equipment.
Bankruptcy Auctions with Dudley Resources
Bankruptcy courts move quickly. Our nationwide licensure allows us to execute sales anywhere in the U.S., while Dudley Resources brings in the deals. This combination benefits sellers by meeting strict deadlines and buyers by making assets available coast-to-coast.
Grocery Store Auctions with Industry Peers
Our nearly 100 grocery store auctions per year make us a go-to partner for other auctioneers. Sellers get experts who understand every complexity of grocery liquidations, and buyers get access to well-prepared sales with properly handled refrigeration, shelving, and point-of-sale equipment.
Appraisal Firm Partnerships
When appraisers identify assets for sale, they can bring us in to execute. The seller benefits from a fast, professional sale, the appraiser gains a new revenue stream, and buyers get access to inventory that might not otherwise have hit the open market.
Why This Matters to You
Whether you’re selling assets or buying them, collaboration gives you an advantage:
- Sellers get broader exposure, more bidders, higher prices, and less hassle.
- Buyers get more selection, trusted quality, and smoother transactions.
At Grafe Auction, we believe that collaboration isn’t just good for the industry — it’s good for you.
Your success is bigger when we work together.
