Greed made me do it?

[Anonymous-0]

Auction company having an estate sale and on the list of items to be auctioned; 1949 Super A Farmall-Reconditioned in 1989, very few hours since rebuilt.According to the casting codes (x), it was an 1952, hydraulic lift didn't work and it had about 1 round of slack in the steering, but it ran real well.
Well, I am in Central Mississippi where we very rarely get snow. Guess what; woke up Saturday morning, the day of the auction with 1 to 2" of snow on the ground. I called the auctioneer to find out if the auction was cancelled and he said "no". I figured very few people would be there, and I might get a good deal, so wife and I decided to travel the 15 miles or so. It was still snowing quite a bit at 9:00 a.m. I had begun to worry whether I would be able to make it back over the roads.
Lo and behold, I think everyone else had the same idea; place was over-run with folks; most of the men had came for the same reason I did; hoping to get a good buy on the Super A. The tractor ended up selling for $2,650 plus a 10% buyers commission and sales tax. Right around $3,000.00 total.
I did manage to pick up the planter, seed hopper in perfect shape, both cultivator arms with plow extensions and several plows and cultivator shanks for less than $100.00.
So, I don't suppose it was a total loss after all.
I know a lot of you guys wouldn't think too much about having an auction in snow, but for us deep south guys, it was a new experience.

 

[Anonymous-0]

Auctions are always a good conversation piece.
What you ran in to was all wanting a bargain, thinking and looking for a bargain. But bad weather brings out the buyers, no lookers like on a sunny afternoon..I once went to a sale where there was 8 items, and 4 buyers. I thought we each could go home with 2 items, but 1 guy wanted 3, so goes an auction.

 

[glennster]

the last thursday in february there is a huge consignment auction in morris il at the grundy county fairgrounds, usually 4-5 auction trucks running at the same time. its all outside, lasts from 9-3 pm. nobody gets an award for the best dressed, carharts and coveralls bein the style for the day, but its a good one. all kinds of treasures, farm equipment, tractors, combines, tillage equipment, tools, lumber, hardware ect!!!! bring a checkbook and yer long johns!!!!! never know what they will have, maybe a super hdtav or an essex tri-directional!!!!

 

[Daniel Bear Kelley]

Are green long johns really "Long Johns Deere?"

 

[georgeky]

Farmers and tractor people don't let a little snow, rain, sleet or foul weather in general keep them away from an auction.

 

[MN Scott]

With auctions I find the pooer the weather the more buyers show up and the higher the prices. Like you said I think everyone has the same idea, bad weather low turn out. The best actions are the ones in the summer on a weekend. Poeple do not want to stand around on a nice day when they could be out playing.

 

[Wardner]

I've never seen an auction called off due to weather. I'll bet that prices tend to be higher in a downpour, snow, or low temps. The discomfort makes the bidders irrational.

You gotta remember that the auctioneer is not exposed to the elements. What does he care?

On top of that he has a big investment in preparation and his near term schedule. He can't back out. And he can't afford to lose the goodwill of those who made the trip.

 

[Anonymous-0]

When my Father got his 460 years ago, it must have been 37 and raining and sleeting like there was no tomorrow. Tons of people were at that sale for sure. It was the most miserable day imaginable, and I got stuck driving the thing home, because he "wasn't gonna get anything" and didn't bring the trailer. All in all though it was a fun day, and certainly interesting.

 

[Anonymous-0]

Here in Nebr. we have to pay sales tax on farm equipment at an auction,but the seller pays the commission.I guess a guy would have to do a little math in his head to keep from going over budget. John.

 

[mkirsch]

That buyer's premium thing is such a scam, but only because most people don't understand what it is or how it works...