Our Buying Event Process
Welcome to your comprehensive guide for hosting a National Rarities Buying Event! This page answers common questions about the entire process, from planning and promotion to the event itself and what happens afterward.
Before the Event: Getting Ready for Success
How do we create our event advertisement?
Once you send us your high-resolution logo, we'll start designing your event advertisements. We'll need to know which of the following options you'd like included in your ad creative:
Bonus for In-Store Credit (20% is the most common amount): This is a powerful incentive to encourage customers to make purchases at your store. Here’s how it works:
- When we buy an item, we write the customer a check.
- If they choose the bonus, they endorse our check to your store, and you add an additional 20% to that value as in-store credit. For example, a $1,000 check becomes $1,200 in-store credit.
- You are responsible for the additional store credit, so choose a percentage that aligns with your margins while still being attractive to customers.
- Check Endorsement Process: Please hold onto checks endorsed to your store. After the event, we'll collect these and write you a single check for the total amount. This simplifies your accounting and avoids third-party check deposit issues.
- Proper Endorsement: Guide customers to sign the back of the check with "Pay to the order of _____________ (your store name)" and then sign below it.
- Maximize the Bonus: Encourage your staff to remind guests about this option, and use small in-store signs like, "Get xx% more for the value of your items if you take your payment in store credit!" We’ll provide a graphic for this.
Where will our advertisement be placed?
We partner with LOUDR for your ad campaign to ensure maximum reach. While we welcome your suggestions for ad placement, we'll handle the bookings. We'll send you information on what we book, and you can email your account manager with any ad-related questions.
Our typical placements include:
- Local Newspaper: We usually book full or half page, color ads in the Sunday paper (if available), along with other weekly or weekend print ads depending on costs.
- Facebook & Social Media Ads: Facebook is highly targeted, allowing us to reach your ideal audience by age, interests, behavior, and location. We also ask that you post event information on your own Facebook group, if you have one.
- TV: Depending on your market, we may utilize television advertising.
- Direct Mail Postcards, Eblasts, and In-Store Handouts: While you don't need to book your own ads, if you have existing campaigns, mentioning the event is great! We'll send postcards to your store for advance distribution. If you have an email list or Facebook group, please send out event information.
What can we do to bring in more traffic?
The more traffic we generate, the more successful your event will be! Here are some ways you can help:
- Share with Your Clients: Inform your existing customers about our visit. Call them, use the provided handout to highlight what we buy, and personally invite them.
- Handouts/Email/Word of Mouth: Talk up the event! Distribute the flyers we send, and send an e-blast the Friday and Monday before the event.
- Local Organizations: Contact your local Chamber of Commerce and/or Rotary club. See if they'll send an e-blast or distribute handouts at their next meeting (we're happy to reimburse any nominal fees).
- Social Media: Social media posts can be very effective; we'll provide graphics for you to use.
Are there any legal requirements for hosting an event?
Our office will coordinate with your local city and police department to manage legal requirements for your store. This may include:
- Second Hand or Precious Metal License: This may require details concerning your existing business when we attempt to obtain licensure.
- Reporting Systems (Leads Online/BWI/CAPs): We report all purchases through the appropriate systems and to the police department. We'll let you know if your municipality requires anything from you. Please share contact information for any existing second-hand reporting contacts you have.
Will you reach out to me before the event?
Yes! We'll be in touch before the event to share ad designs for your approval. Your team lead will also call you to introduce themselves prior to the event.
During the Event: Hosting Your Buying Event
What time will your team arrive?
Our team will arrive approximately half an hour before your store opens to set up. Our teams usually consist of 5-6 people. They generally work during your store's hours but may shorten them if they exceed 8 hours. On the final day, we'll typically end the event early to meet with you and pack up. Our buyers simply need space to conduct evaluations, set up a laptop for documenting purchases, and take photos for police reporting. Sharing your WiFi password would be helpful for efficient connectivity.
How will customers be seen, and where will they wait?
- Sign-In Sheet: Upon arrival, customers will sign in for our event on a tablet. This sheet gathers their name, email, phone, how they heard about the event, and consent for us to contact them. This data helps us determine ad effectiveness, and we'll share the advertising results with you afterward.
- Encourage Them to Shop: After customers sign in, our buyers (and your employees) will encourage them to browse your store. We'll call their name when it's their turn – there's no need for them to form a line.
- Chairs (If Available): Some older clients may prefer to sit while they wait. If you have a couple of chairs available, that would be helpful, but it's not essential.
What is your buying process like?
- Evaluation: When we call a customer's name, we evaluate their items and take the time to discuss what they have. If an item has sentimental value and they prefer not to sell, we often suggest they see you for customization options.
- No Pressure to Sell: There's absolutely no pressure for customers to sell. Some simply want an idea of what their items might be worth.
- Checks: If they decide to sell, we write them a check on the spot.
- Customer Service: We pride ourselves on excellent customer service and value our reputation as much as you value yours. The key is a comfortable conversation with the client, ensuring they feel good about their options. Sometimes, the best option might be consignment, auction houses, or simply keeping an item.
Please note: Our buyers will prioritize guests who come in specifically from our advertising. If you also purchase items and would like us to refer guests to you, we will do so if we couldn't reach an agreement with them.
When can I expect to receive my compensation?
The last day of the event. Our system diligently tracks all tickets and checks we issue. When the event concludes, we will write you a check for 10% of our total spend.
How will you transport purchased items back to your office?
- Shipping: Our team will box up all purchased items and ship them to our office. If it's a driving event, they will pack them accordingly.
- Holds: If your municipality has a hold requirement, we will hold the items until the required period is over before opening the boxes. Some counties may require an onsite hold meaning our team will package and enclose USPS and Fed-Ex boxes that are required to remain on the store’s premises for a certain period of time. This could be required by law and not up to National Rarities discretion.
After the Event: What Comes Next
What data will I receive about the event?
Advertising Data: We'll share ad data from our sign-in sheets so you can see how many people came in from each advertisement. We will NOT be collecting physical addresses for marketing purposes.
How can we further enhance our business relationship?
- Business Reviews: We love supporting our jewelers! A great way for us to do that is by having our buyers leave positive Google reviews for your store. We would truly appreciate it if you could do the same for us!
Social Media Accounts: Please follow our Facebook page and Instagram account.
What happens during the follow-up call?
Feedback & Rescheduling: Your account manager will follow up with you to gather your feedback. If you're interested, they will also discuss rescheduling future events. We don't pressure our stores, but most find success holding 2-3 events per year. We'll evaluate results, get your feedback, and adjust advertising as necessary for your next event.
Other Frequently Asked Questions
What does National Rarities buy?
We buy a wide variety of items, including gold, sterling silver, platinum, diamonds, jewelry, coins, currency, watches, designer handbags, artwork, paintings, autographs, old photos, antique toys, vintage advertising, military memorabilia, and more!
We generally do not buy crystal, china, silver-plated items, furniture, stamps, or other items that are either too cumbersome/expensive to ship or do not have sufficient resale value.
What happens if someone comes in after the event and wants to sell something you don’t buy?
Refer them to us! If we make a purchase, we will send you your commission. Simply email us at chrissy@nationalrarities.com.
Do you work with multiple jewelry stores in a market?
Yes, we partner with multiple jewelry stores in a market. To ensure fair competition and prevent impact on your event, we properly space events, use completely different ad designs, and feature your store's logo so consumers don't draw a correlation between events.
Can I purchase any of the items you are buying?
We're happy to offer you the opportunity to purchase up to three (3) items during your event per store. Please note the following process:
- Fair Market Pricing: Items will be offered at fair market value, which will differ from our original purchase price.
- Team Lead Review: Each item must be shown to our on-site team lead for review and proper documentation.
- Bagging Process: Approved items will be placed into our designated bagging system to ensure proper handling.
- Headquarters Evaluation: All selected items will be sent back to our headquarters for a final evaluation.
Offer Confirmation: Once the evaluation is complete, your account manager will contact you with the final purchase offer.