Western, Pa evening auction.

[dej(Jed)]

I went to what was supposed to be a farm auction last nite. Over half of the stuff was a plant from a local equipment dealer. The equipment dealer stood right there and did a one on one bid for an AC C with a belly mower. The owner and a bidder, bidding against each other.
After about 10 items I went home. I guess it goes on everywhere though.

 

[Brian in NY]

Well, if that was the case, I would never go to one of that auctioneer's auctions again, and I would report them to whomever would handle that kind of thing. You can't argue that the auctioneer did not know what was going on....they know who is who. Amazing that a dealer would just throw away his integrity to make a few bucks on old tractors.

 

[Anonymous-0]

I kinda understand what you are saying, BUT the owner bidding isnt much different than if there was a reserve on the item. I found out they did that to me after I bought a baler for $6000, but I dont care cause I didnt pay more for the baler than it was worth. The owner has to realize, and they usually do, that if they try to bid everything up high that they will end up keeping the equipment.

 

[1936]

Sounds just like the King auctions in IN with owners punching up his tractor. Just a fact of life. Know of a few auctioneers who pick a bid from the air now and then, you never know it.