The 3 essential auction staff

Here’s an example:

Folks, Lot 100, we have three Roseville vases here, high bidder gets their choice, and I’d like $100, $100, $100, well, $50, thank you, now $60, $70, $80, $85, $85, 85? Sold for $80 to bidder number 32.

How many would you like? Bidder number 32 takes the two on the right.

In this example, the clerk would record the following:
Lot: 100
Description: Choice of Roseville Vases
Price: $80
Buyer Number: 32
Quantity: 2

As some auctioneers sell an item as fast as every 20 seconds, it is important that the clerk has the ability to focus on the auctioneer’s pronouncements without being distracted, or being asked to do other jobs simultaneously.

A good clerk will have an appreciation for detail and accuracy, as if a mistake is made in the recording of the auction, it can be quite costly for the auctioneer.

The clerk records on paper or sometimes into a computer system, where that information is automatically transmitted to the cashier’s office.

Otherwise, the paper “clerk sheets” must be turned into the cashier area as they are completed.

First, bidders are registered.

Typically, a driver’s license is required, and information including name, address, driver’s license number, telephone number, email address are noted — on paper, or into a computer system.

Then, a bidder card is prepared (or printed) and provided to the registered bidder.

Second, buyers are checked out.

After the clerk fills one clerk sheet with information, that clerk sheet is turned into the cashier for sorting or input into a computer system.

Either way, the information the clerk provides must be “categorized” or sorted by buyer number, so that when a particular buyer comes up to check out, his total due can be calculated and an invoice prepared.

Some computer systems allow the clerk’s information to be automatically fed to the cashier, so preparing invoices is a simple as a click of a mouse.

Cashiers must handle all types of payments, including cash, checks, credit cards, debit cards and traveler’s cheques.

Cashiers must be able to count cash and coins accurately, and be able to use calculators and various credit card processing equipment.

Other issues the cashier must deal with include the calculation of buyer’s premiums and/or sales tax.

Too, most buyers with questions about picking up purchases later, titles to vehicles, or gun paperwork ask the cashier.

The cashier must be informed about all aspects of the auction so he can correctly answer questions.

Lastly, cashiers usually deal with any concerns over privacy of information.

With identity theft a concern, many bidders question the amount of information that must be provided in order to bid.

Too, cashiers are the ones confronted when a bidder notes, for example, “I paid $75 for each of those vases, not $80, and the invoice shows $80 each.”

However, a ringman has other duties including deciding what item will sell next, passing out items to the crowd, adjusting the microphone, running clerk sheets to the cashier, getting the auctioneer or clerk something to drink, handling items sold to absentee bidders and interacting with the bidders — especially any who have questions or require special attention.

Many auctioneers note that a good ringman is key for a smooth running auction.

And, on the other hand, a not-so-good ringman can make an auction move too slow or cumbersome, and be a detriment to getting the maximum prices for the seller.

Some auctioneers consider the job of ringman to be so critical that they will perform the ringman duties — lacking another skilled ringman — and allow another auctioneer to conduct the bid calling.

Here’s an example:

Folks, Lot 100, we have three Roseville vases here, high bidder gets their choice, and I’d like $100, $100, $100, well, $50, thank you, now $60, $70, $80, $85, $85, 85? Sold for $80 to bidder number 32.

How many would you like? Bidder number 32 takes the two on the right.

In this example, the clerk would record the following:
Lot: 100
Description: Choice of Roseville Vases
Price: $80
Buyer Number: 32
Quantity: 2

As some auctioneers sell an item as fast as every 20 seconds, it is important that the clerk has the ability to focus on the auctioneer’s pronouncements without being distracted, or being asked to do other jobs simultaneously.

A good clerk will have an appreciation for detail and accuracy, as if a mistake is made in the recording of the auction, it can be quite costly for the auctioneer.

The clerk records on paper or sometimes into a computer system, where that information is automatically transmitted to the cashier’s office.

Otherwise, the paper “clerk sheets” must be turned into the cashier area as they are completed.

First, bidders are registered.

Typically, a driver’s license is required, and information including name, address, driver’s license number, telephone number, email address are noted — on paper, or into a computer system.

Then, a bidder card is prepared (or printed) and provided to the registered bidder.

Second, buyers are checked out.

After the clerk fills one clerk sheet with information, that clerk sheet is turned into the cashier for sorting or input into a computer system.

Either way, the information the clerk provides must be “categorized” or sorted by buyer number, so that when a particular buyer comes up to check out, his total due can be calculated and an invoice prepared.

Some computer systems allow the clerk’s information to be automatically fed to the cashier, so preparing invoices is a simple as a click of a mouse.

Cashiers must handle all types of payments, including cash, checks, credit cards, debit cards and traveler’s cheques.

Cashiers must be able to count cash and coins accurately, and be able to use calculators and various credit card processing equipment.

Other issues the cashier must deal with include the calculation of buyer’s premiums and/or sales tax.

Too, most buyers with questions about picking up purchases later, titles to vehicles, or gun paperwork ask the cashier.

The cashier must be informed about all aspects of the auction so he can correctly answer questions.

Lastly, cashiers usually deal with any concerns over privacy of information.

With identity theft a concern, many bidders question the amount of information that must be provided in order to bid.

Too, cashiers are the ones confronted when a bidder notes, for example, “I paid $75 for each of those vases, not $80, and the invoice shows $80 each.”

However, a ringman has other duties including deciding what item will sell next, passing out items to the crowd, adjusting the microphone, running clerk sheets to the cashier, getting the auctioneer or clerk something to drink, handling items sold to absentee bidders and interacting with the bidders — especially any who have questions or require special attention.

Many auctioneers note that a good ringman is key for a smooth running auction.

And, on the other hand, a not-so-good ringman can make an auction move too slow or cumbersome, and be a detriment to getting the maximum prices for the seller.

Some auctioneers consider the job of ringman to be so critical that they will perform the ringman duties — lacking another skilled ringman — and allow another auctioneer to conduct the bid calling.