Auctioneers

[Anonymous-0]

Whats with these guys that don't return phone calls. Don't answer their cell phones. Won't take pictures. Won't e-mail pictures. And what really burns me is they schedule auctions during the middle of harvest or spring planting. I even tried to call the owner of a sale recently to ask about a combine, and the number listed on the sale bill was disconnected and no longer in service. What ever happened to professionalism in this business? Why do these auctioneers advertise on the internet, list cell numbers, e-mail addresses and web site addresses on their auction bills, yet don't know how to take a picture with a digital camera, e-mail it or take bids by cell phone. I'm willing to absentee bid if I see a few pictures, but I'm not going to drive 200+ miles to every auction during harvest just to go look! You guys know what I'm talking about. If a farmer has five tractors, the two big 4WDs get a picture on the sale bill but not the one you want to see. They don't know how to send a picture of the others, yet they have a picture of a $10.oo dresser or a $5.oo bicycle. What the hey???

 

[Allan in NE]

Have you ever had an auction?

Just don't think you have a clue as to how much work goes into these things. Can take 20 men two or three weeks to clean up, line up, arrange, list, advertise, promote, etc., etc.

All the while this is going on, that poor old farmer knows full well that he is just about to loose his shirt, will receive pennies on the dollar, will loose everything else he has worked 40 years for and then when the dust settles, he'll still end up spending the next few years trying to pay off the taxes on the proceeds that will all go to the financial wolves in the process anyway.

You're bellyachin' because you didn't get a return call or an email so you can sit in your armchair and bid with a click of your mouse? Then, on top of that, you would like ‘em to schedule the auction around your plans to boot?

Good Gawd man! Either cut back on the caffeine, get off your duff and go look or just let it drop.

Allan

 

[Anonymous-0]

We certainly seem to be having some anger issues today, don't we?

You might think about reducing your hostility level a bit yourself. The man only asked a few simple questions.

Are you harboring some resentment issues that we should be discussing?

 

[Allan in NE]

No doubt,

"Resentment issues" is an understatement.

Allan

 

[sd pete]

I don't care for people who make a living off of the misery of farmers. I am also leery of anyone who makes a living wearing a suit and tie.

 

[JOCCO]

I don't think there ever was any professionalism in auctions!! The modern way of internet and you never reach anyone by phone anymore. I too have many grips with them and ebay too!!

 

[Sid]

Well Doc, you appear just as pompous on a tractor board as you do on TV.

 

[Anonymous-0]

Watch it or I'll send Oprah after you.

 

[Anonymous-0]

Oh yeah doc we need you and that biddy involved in anything agriculture yeah right! You apparently haven't BTDT like Allan and others of us have. What he said is right on cue and those suits and ties don't care about anything but themselves like you making money off others misfortunes caused by drought and natures forces no one can control or stupidity of commodities traders that have no clue where their products come from they make money off of!

What happened to going to look in person at stuff on a auction. You can still bid by pics, description, online and phone and get took to the cleaners like a fool and then it's who's fault again???

 

[Tradititonal Farmer]

So what? The auctioneer and the owner run the auction as they see fit and those that want to come can come and those that want to pout can stay home.

 

[Anonymous-0]

BTDT???????????????

I have failed miserably in my first two businesses. Third time was a charm, though.

I know all about the feeling that rips you apart when you can't scrounge up enough money to pay the phone bill and it feels like EVERYBODY is out to get you.

I got tougher because it took A LONG TIME to pay everyone off little by little and I never wanted to be under someone's control like that again.

So, lighten up and answer the gentleman's questions in a civil manner, please.

For what it's worth, I don't even know how to tie a tie an ddon't own a suit.

 

[rrlund]

Seems maybe there are just too many of them.

 

[Anonymous-0]

Right on Allen!

 

[Anonymous-0]

Yes Allen,
I've been personally involved with setting up for three different auctions. I also get off my duff and go to quite a few of them. By the way, the last one I attended three weeks ago (before harvest), the Auctioneer gave directions on the sale bill to a neighbors farm three miles away. So much for professionalism.
I don't think it's asking too much to expect an Auctioneer to return a phone call or send a few pictures when the auction is 200+ miles away during harvest. And I will say that any good upstanding Auctioneer would talk his client out of having a "Farm" sale during harvest in the first place if it's at all possible. Obviously those who would most likely bid on used machinery are busy in the fields and can't take the time to stand around all day while the Auctioneer tries to get $2.00 for every rusty spark plug on a flatbed wagon. I can also say that I purchase many more items than I once was able to AND from farther away because of the Internet and cell phones. This is a positive for everyone.
As it is the JOB of the Auctioneer who is getting PAID to do his job, I feel he is OBLIGATED to return inquirey phone calls about equipment on his clients auction. Otherwise, he has just screwed the client out of a bid, me out of a machine and himself out of a commission. And last but not least. I'm not talking about one phone call and wanting to bid while sitting on my duff. I'm talking about six non returned phone calls to three different people over the course of a week leading up to and including the sale day, while I'm working sunup to sundown to get this crop in and can't spare a day driving out for a "look" when a simple emailed picture could be on my desk in minutes. I find it totally negligent and irresponsible on the part of the Auctioneer for this to happen when he should be gathering up every bidder he possibly can. If a half a crowd of retired farmers and Looky-Lous are good enough for him, then he's doing a disservice to his client. Either he's not WORKING or is LAZY or plain INEPT at his job.