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Auction catalogs

What to check in every AI-written auction description

A short review routine for quantities, condition, measurements and claims that photos cannot prove.

Treat the draft as a starting point

An AI draft can help you work through a large photo folder, but the auction company remains responsible for its published catalog. Review the draft while you have the photos and the object available. A fluent description can still contain an incorrect detail.

Start by checking the basic identity of the lot. Does the title match the item shown? Is it one object, a pair or a larger group? Are stands, boxes, cords or other accessories actually included?

Separate visible details from assumptions

Photographs can show color, shape, decorative patterns and visible marks. They may not establish age, maker, authenticity, material composition or whether an item operates. Verify these details independently before making a definite claim.

Read maker marks and labels yourself. If a mark is unclear, describe what you can see rather than expanding it into a confident attribution. For coins, jewelry and other valuable objects, do not treat a photo-based identification or value suggestion as an appraisal.

Check condition and measurements

Compare the condition text with every photograph, including close-ups. Add defects that are not visible in the cover image: chips, cracks, repairs, missing components and areas of wear. Distinguish tested operation from an item that has not been tested.

Measure the item when dimensions matter. Check units and the order of height, width and depth. If measurement photos are included, make sure the scale can be read and that the draft refers to the right dimension.

Review categories, bids and final export

Confirm that the category fits your house's catalog structure. Review suggested estimates and starting bids using your own knowledge and current sale context. Those suggestions should not silently become commitments about value.

Approve the lot only after its text and photos agree. Export a small sample and inspect it in your auction software: title length, punctuation, line breaks, lot number and photo association can all change during import. Save your reviewed catalog so you can trace the final listing back to the version you approved.