An Auctioneer is Worth Every Penny

[Depmandog]

I am an auctioneer, more accurately used to be an auctioneer (back problems makes it very tough to do auctions anymore), and I have seen ALL kinds of "auctioneers"

The best are honest, trustworthy, organized and knowledgable. These guys and gals work hard for the client and also the buyers.

These are the ones who bother to get licensed, join their state and national associations, and stay abreast of new methods and technology.

These are the ones who will return the hidden stashes of cash or other valuables to the seller that are often found hidden and discovered the morning of the auction.

These are the ones who will research the odd / rare items and try to locate buyers / market the items to bolster the sale.

These are the ones who are honest with the sellers about what to expect to receive in sale proceeds.

These are the ones who will tell the bidders if there is a known defect in the item being sold.

These are the ones sells the high dollar items towards the beginning or middle of the sale, leaving the junk dollar stuff to the end of the auction. Dollar junk doesn't get more valuable at the beginning of the auction, and there is never a problem getting dollar bids at the end.

Of course - like any profession, you have a fair share of clowns or down right crooks. They usually don't last too long in business - especially in small town rural settings....but in the larger cities, there are a plenty that have been in business for many many years.

I remember one old auctioneer instructor I had when I attended auction school...he said something that has always stuck with me. "You never know who will be watching you and when; for that reason I would rather be seen walking down the steps of my church, then coming out the door of some bar".

Good advice I think.

Dean

 

[Duffster]

Not all auctioneers would have been an improvement.

The worst ones around here are Lust.

 

[RickB]

When it came time for me to auction my farm equipment, we interviewed 3 auctioneers, not including the most popular local outfit who we did not call. We hired the one from furthest away at the highest cost, and almost 20 years later I still believe that was one of the best business decisions we made.

 

[Fixemall]

I don't the story ends with the sale, auctioneers also verify things like ownership...my guess is this guy may have sold off some stuff that was leased or rented, as some high end DJ stuff usually is...good luck to the buyers.

 

[300UGUY]

I am an auctioneer, more accurately used to be an auctioneer (back problems makes it very tough to do auctions anymore), and I have seen ALL kinds of "auctioneers"

The best are honest, trustworthy, organized and knowledgable. These guys and gals work hard for the client and also the buyers.

These are the ones who bother to get licensed, join their state and national associations, and stay abreast of new methods and technology.

These are the ones who will return the hidden stashes of cash or other valuables to the seller that are often found hidden and discovered the morning of the auction.

These are the ones who will research the odd / rare items and try to locate buyers / market the items to bolster the sale.

These are the ones who are honest with the sellers about what to expect to receive in sale proceeds.

These are the ones who will tell the bidders if there is a known defect in the item being sold.

These are the ones sells the high dollar items towards the beginning or middle of the sale, leaving the junk dollar stuff to the end of the auction. Dollar junk doesn't get more valuable at the beginning of the auction, and there is never a problem getting dollar bids at the end.

Of course - like any profession, you have a fair share of clowns or down right crooks. They usually don't last too long in business - especially in small town rural settings....but in the larger cities, there are a plenty that have been in business for many many years.

I remember one old auctioneer instructor I had when I attended auction school...he said something that has always stuck with me. "You never know who will be watching you and when; for that reason I would rather be seen walking down the steps of my church, then coming out the door of some bar".

Good advice I think.

Dean

Pretty much every auction I've been to, the "jewelry" wagons, with the small items, gets auctioned first. In the last 10 years or so, sometimes they put some chinese made tools in there too. The big items are the last to be auctioned. And I don't trust autioneers at all. Some are crooks, and being in a rural area doesn't seem to matter.

 

[Jim in ICT]

Went to a farm auction about six weeks ago and came home with a bass boat! Was there to look at a trailer and sprayer for my Kubota. Looked to be 200-300 people there; I was bidder #170. Felt out of place, being the only one there in t-shirt and shorts! Now, I have to find a home for my old bass boat, as I now have two.

 

[Redbug]

I know what you mean Jim...several years ago my wife and I went to the Humane Society to get a cat. Came back with a dalmation instead...

 

[300UGUY]

I know what you mean Jim...several years ago my wife and I went to the Humane Society to get a cat. Came back with a dalmation instead...

Wow. You missed by a whole species!!

 

[blueriver]

I always say ... hire a licensed Professional Auctioneer.

There are still some states who have no license reguirements for Auctioneers ... Oklahoma is one of them. The first time I went in and asked for a license they had no idea what I needed. I bought a County Business License.

I carry license's from several states ... Including Texas.

Most folks don't know this ... A licensed Auctioneer must also take C.E classes each year to maintain the license for that state ... carry a bond and or pay into the recovery fund for that state.

The auction profession has a bad reputation with some folks ... I mean think about it ... we are associated with bankruptcy, foreclosure, liquidation, death and the days of slavery.

 

[Dr_Zinj]

A heavly advertised Auction of dairy cattle, farm equipment, shop tools here started well until the owner jumped up on the flat bed trailer and started to berate the buyers for not bidding higher. The auctioneer stepped off the trailer and went to his vehicle along with most of the buyers. The owner took wash on the sale.
ken

I certainly can understand why the auctioneer left. Owner wants to take over and do it himself, sure don't need to hang around and get in a pissing contest with him. If the owner had wanted more, he should have had minimum bids set in the schedule before finalizing the contract with the auctioneer.