Matt Korte will cry his second auction ever tonight at State Street Gallery, 320 W. Garfield.
He opened the business as a retail outlet 11 months ago and in late summer decided a twice-a-month auction might go over better.
“When we were in retail, we’d have one person in one day, maybe 20 the next,” he said. “I’m looking for more consistency with an auction.”
While he will accept consignments, at a charge of 20 percent of sale price, Korte said he planned to accumulate as much merchandise as he could on his own, including from storage unit sales in such places as Kansas City.
“I want good merchandise,” he said, allowing he was convinced that was the way to draw and maintain a crowd of buyers.
“We’ll have appliances, furniture, household items, electronics and tools,” but no antiques, which often come with reserve bids attached, Korte said.
People who might have consignments are encouraged to call a week or so ahead of auctions, at 620-363-1717, “so I can advertise what they have to sell,” he said.
Potential bidders may preview merchandise starting at 3 p.m. today. The sale starts at 5 o’clock.
While this is his second auction, Korte thinks he has his self-taught chant down pat.
“I watched a lot of video and also practiced a lot,” he said.
Helping with sales are Angela Byars and Korte’s sisters, Haleigh Curry and Lauren Korte.
Matt is the grandson of Loren and Janet Korte.
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