and we start the 18th year on a high note!
Thanks to everyone who attended our July 27 anniversary auction!
I have to admit I was very pleased with the results of the sale.
Prices on most items were fair for buyer and seller. Some pieces higher than I expected and other items much lower. Chairs continue to be a tough sell. Just when you think they can’t get much lower in price…they get even lower in price! However, the quality items continue to bring strong money.
I made some changes to this sale and I think they worked well. I cut back substantially on the number of lots. In June we sold over 700 lots in two rings. This sale we sold just over 400 lots in one ring. This sale we had the quality rather than quantity, and as I have previously stated, that is the direction I want to go in.
Working in two rings for part of the auction has enabled us to do large sales for the last several years. However, with the changes in the hall (the sound baffling had to be removed from the walls), it is just too noisy doing two rings for any length of time.
For the anniversary sale we did the entire sale in one ring. The hall is still noisy at times, but it makes it much easier for people to follow what we are doing. It also is more enjoyable for me, because it is easier for the auctioneer to be heard, and therefore you can develop a better rapport with the crowd. It’s more fun and more interesting for everyone.
After each auction, I spend about a day or two doing the paperwork, and then I start getting the next auction together. This week the phone has been ringing off the hook, and I have been doing two or three pickups a day…and this is a good thing! Lots of good quality, interesting items coming our way, and this is what makes the business interesting for me.
As I enter into my 18th year in this business, it is probably more interesting and exciting than it has ever been. Every auction is different,, and each month it is like putting together a new show. You never know what is coming your way, good or bad, and that’s what makes it such a great business to be in!
So having said that, I am off to do another pickup…the second one today, and there is lots of work getting the photos done, so I had better get off the computer and get to work.
Look forward to seeing you at our next auction!
Rob
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