Shattuck auctioneers and appraisers recover top value for universityThe Challenge
The Wittliff Collections at Texas State University’s library found itself needing to sell a
valuable, sizeable collection of cameras, video cameras and camera accessories dating
from the early 1900s to the 1970s. The collection was comprised of more than 850 pieces
in total, each requiring careful preservation and handling. The contracted auctioneer for
Texas State’s surplus property since 2007, Shattuck handled the sale of the inventory by
public auction.
The Insight
Shattuck immediately kicked planning and coordination into gear, working closely with
Texas State’s materials management team. To better preserve the pieces of the collection
and limit the number of people who would be handling these valuable items, Shattuck
took possession of the collection, opting to store and conduct the auction at its climate-
controlled warehouse and showroom. Over the course of several days, Shattuck’s fi eld
services team carefully and methodically transported the collection from San Marcos
to Shattuck’s premises in Austin.
Because the inventory boasted rare and limited-edition cameras including a WWII
camera, 35MM fi lm rolls and lantern slides, Shattuck’s appraisal team verifi ed item history
and value to appropriately group the items in auction lots. Shattuck’s marketing team
then began raising awareness for the public preview and online auction of the
collection, reaching a targeted list of camera industry enthusiasts.
Promotions also went out to Shattuck’s 20,000+ registered
bidders, attracting buyers at regional and national levels.
The Results
By thoroughly investigating and verifying item authenticity,
Shattuck was able to assess the value of the collection and
promote it in the most effective manner possible. As a result,
Shattuck achieved record-breaking attendance at its public
preview, fetching more than $36,000 for the collection – a
signifi cantly higher return than anyone had anticipated.
To this day, Shattuck remains the contracted auctioneer
for Texas State’s surplus property. ★
SUCCESS STORY | THE WITTLIFF COLLECTIONS AT TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY
When Texas State University was bequeathed a significant camera collection for its library’s Wittliff Collections, it could neither find the appropriate fit within its archives nor the adequate space to showcase the items.
Choosing to divest the collection, Texas State was left to sell off the rare assortment of items, a collection of several hundred valuable pieces.
Given Texas State’s longstanding relationship with Shattuck, the university was confident in Shattuck’s ability to prepare the camera collection for public auction.
Shattuck investigated and verified the authenticity of each piece
and initiated highly-targeted marketing
efforts to bring buyers to a public
preview event.
Record-breaking attendance was achieved, generating more
than $36,000 in sales. ★
AT A GLANCE
WWW.SHATTUCK.COM | WWW.SLAPSALE.COM | 512-482-0270
DOJ and IRS entrust Shattuck auctioneers to liquidate assetsThe Challenge
The DOJ and IRS needed to liquidate more than 1,000 pieces of seized property at two
separate locations. The scope of the sale would be signifi cant, and would need to abide
by federal policies for managing and disposing of seized assets.
The Insight
Recognizing the complexity of this sale, DOJ representatives engaged Shattuck to
liquidate the property. Shattuck, armed with decades of experience in these types of
sales, devised a detailed liquidation plan. The Shattuck team was quick to align and
mobilize, preparing the assets for onsite preview and online auction.
Shattuck conducted a thorough walk-through at the locations where the seized property
was being stored. In addition to storing multiple aircraft, the airplane hangar was being
used to warehouse seized property from several homes including fi ne art, jewelry,
electronics, fi rearms, furniture and machinery. The sheriff’s compound lot housed sports
cars, SUVs, motorcycles and tractor trailers. Shattuck lotted and staged the seized assets
and relocated all seized vehicles and trailers to a public tow-yard in preparation for three
on-site public preview dates.
Shattuck identifi ed market segments and selectively promoted the sales to target
markets, optimizing resources and generating signifi cant interest in the auction sale.
The Results
Shattuck sold all seized property, vehicles and trailers via an online
public auction. In addition, Shattuck managed the payment collection
for all sold items and ensured all items were retrieved within seven
days of the auction’s close, supervising removal to safeguard the
hangar from damage or disturbance. The hangar itself sold by
private sale within the contract term dates, thanks to Shattuck’s
national advertising efforts.
The favorable outcome of the auction and private sale helped
strengthen the DOJ’s confi dence and trust in Shattuck, who they
continue to engage for ongoing projects.★
SUCCESS STORY | U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
The Department of Justice (DOJ), in conjunction with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), needed to liquidate seized assets – the proceeds of federal crimes. Shattuck was retained to liquidate the seized property including assets stored at a seized airplane hangar, the airplane hangar itself, and more seized property stored at a sheriff’s compound lot. Shattuck was seamlessly able to sell the seized property by public online auction and the hangar by private sale.★
AT A GLANCE
WWW.SHATTUCK.COM | WWW.SLAPSALE.COM | 512-482-0270
Shattuck LLC performs public auction of all medical center assetsThe Challenge
When UT Southwestern Medical Center (UTSW) purchased St. Paul University Hospital
it was determined that a renovation of the old nine-story medical facility would be too
costly. Hospital leaders instead chose to demolish the facility and transfer operations
to another UTSW facility, William P. Clements Jr. University Hospital. As a result, UTSW
had to liquidate all assets of value from the former St. Paul facility – a hospital that had
operated for more than 50 years – within 30-45 days.
The Insight
With decades of auction project experience in the medical fi eld, Shattuck was quick to rise
to the challenge. Immediately after the project was awarded, Shattuck devised a detailed
hospital transition plan. Its fi eld services team captured asset tag numbers to assist UTSW
in reconciling their equipment and supply inventory prior to moving the assets. Next,
Shattuck identifi ed and prepared all fi xed-in-place and non-fi xed assets of value for sale,
preparing for three public preview dates and numerous private preview appointments.
To promote the preview opportunities, Shattuck employed a combination of digital and
print promotional methods to target regional buyers, including Shattuck’s database of
20,000+ registered bidders. For each preview, Shattuck routed buyers safely through the
facility to view fi xed assets.
In addition to managing the accelerated schedule and removal of assets, Shattuck
needed to provide oversight to ensure HIPAA compliance throughout the transition. But
Shattuck knew how to manage each obstacle and was able to protect its client and their
best interests every step of the way.
The Results
Shattuck sold all designated assets in 45 days from the time the items
were grouped into auction lots. All sold items were retrieved within seven
days of auction close, ensuring the demolition schedule stayed on track.
The highly-targeted, highly-effective marketing efforts put out by
Shattuck helped promote regional interest in the auction, generating
twice the projected revenue for the sale – more than $652K in all.
In addition, because Shattuck was able to mitigate a signifi cant
amount of tonnage from the demolition contract, UTSW was able to
save a tremendous amount on the cost of demolishing the facility.
UTSW expressed its pleasure in Shattuck’s sales process, calling the hospital
transition “fl awless.” And Shattuck has been able to continue enhancing its
collaboration with UTSW, which has developed into a productive working relationship.★
SUCCESS STORY | UTSW - ST. PAUL UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL
Following its acquisition of a 50-year old medical facility, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (UTSW) was faced with decommissioning the former hospital location within an exceptionally tight timeline. UTSW engaged Shattuck to organize and prepare all fixed in-place and non-fixed assets for public online auction. With Shattuck on board, UTSW was able to maximize the value of these assets while mitigating the costs of demolishing the facility – all within the required timeline. ★
AT A GLANCE
WWW.SHATTUCK.COM | WWW.SLAPSALE.COM | 512-482-0270
Shattuck LLC sold all assets of nine-story hospital including 185+ hospital beds.