What is an "auction firm"?

An "auction firm" is best defined as a sole proprietorship or business entity that may not necessarily be led by an auctioneer, but is involved in conducting auctions. This entity typically engages in activities that facilitate the auction process, such as organizing, marketing, and managing the sales of items.

While some auction firms may be run by licensed auctioneers and focus solely on auction-related services, the definition is broader and includes businesses that operate in conjunction with or support auction activities, even if they don’t have an auctioneer at the helm. This distinguishes them from strictly auctioneer-run businesses or those limited to estate sales or advertising functions related to auctions.

The other options suggest narrower or incorrect definitions of what constitutes an auction firm, limiting it to specific criteria that do not encompass the full range of business operations that can be classified under that term.