You've heard them whether you've attended an auction or not. You've undoubtedly heard one on the radio or witnessed one on TV. Auctioneers are a rare breed. And how on earth do they learn to talk so fast?
They go to auctioneer's school. There really is such a thing. As a matter of fact, not everyone who goes actually makes the grade. Imagine being a flunkie from auctioneer's school. It happens. However the upside is that those who graduate successfully are in for a lucrative career that is destined to last a lifetime.
Auctioneers generally make a hefty percentage of the total profit yielded from an auction. And some of those auctions include art, antiques, and entire estates. Use your imagination to reach a tidy sum of cash!
At The Walton School of Auctioneering, located in Medina, Ohio, and accredited in the states of Tennessee, Alabama, Virginia, West Virginia, South Carolina, and Florida, the formal curriculum is as follows:
•1. Bid calling and voice control---25 hours
•2. History of Auctions---3 hours
•3. Federal and state laws regulating the profession---8 hours
•4. Getting started as an auctioneer---5 hours
•5. Consignment auctions and auction galleries, bookkeeping---5 hours
•6. Auctions of antiques and furniture---2 hours
•7. Marketing, advertising, promoting, and public relations---6 hours
•8. Farm equipment and livestock auctions---5 hours
•9. Real estate auctions---6 hours
•10. Auto auctions, dealer and public---3 hours
•11. Industrial plant and large equipment auctions---2 hours
•12. Exams and reviews---7.5 hours
•13. Estate and bankruptcy auctions---5 hours
•14. Federal firearms auction laws---5 hours
Add up the hours, and you'll soon discover that attending an auctioneer's school is a jam-packed curriculum of work!
According to the Wall Street Journal, "Auctioneering is one of the top ten highest paying professions in the United States." Last year in our country alone, over 30 million people attended auctions, and they are the fastest growing facet of the real estate industry.
Many people take their vacation time from their employers to attend auctioneer's school. The Walton School's programs last approximately 12 days. The average price of attending auctioneer's school in the United States is $700.00. Once completing the courses, the newly crowned auctioneers must meet their own state, province, or country requirements before serving at auctions. There are widely varied requirements regarding education, apprenticeships, and examinations.
The most popular question asked of administrators of these schools is, "Is it really possible to learn to talk fast enough and actually sound like an auctioneer?" The Walton School says, "Yes." Their motto is "Practice Only Makes Permanent, Perfect Practice Makes Perfect!"
So peruse your Yellow Pages or surf the Net, but find a good auctioneer's school is you're looking for a profitable profession. You may in fact become an auctioneer who speaks as rapidly as television's beloved Elmer Fudd!
Bang the gavel on that podium, and exclaim, "Going once...going twice...sold to the lady in the fur coat!"
....and that's all, folks!
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Comments: 20
and I don't think I could breathe well enough for that job :)
You can imagine the look he gave me as I said this right out of blue.:) LOL.
Elizabeth, I frequently evoke similar looks from my own husband for a variety of reasons!!
But what a fun way to make a living.
Thank you for the invaluable information!
In reality, for the majority, it's a lot of hard work. You're everything, from the salesman & accountant to the janitor... lifting and hauling everything from grandma's antique buffet to cleaning equipment in the middle of summer or winter, so it will look good and bring better money.
Yes! The fun part is the selling and providing a bit of entertainment to keep the buyers smiling, as they bid on items they may not have wanted, but cajoled into buying in the spirit of bidding and the wit of a good auctioneer. It is a bit more than just a learned profession, as a good auctioneer isn't just one that talks fast, but can think fast and offer an entertaining event... that takes a little talent.
The average price of attending an auction school may be around $700, but you will also have to figure in the cost of travel, hotel and meals for the average 10-14 day class. So, you may need to figure another $1000-$1500 for expenses. If your state requires a license, then you have additional laws you may need to learn before taking an exam and paying the exam and licensing fees. Then, be prepared to keep up with changes in the laws and continuing education classes every year.
Yep... It's a good profession, but it's a demanding business and not as easy as it may first appear.
I loved the article! though as Director of the Walton School of Auctioneering I must admit I was a bit biased to begin with. I was doing some web searches on our school and was pleasantly surprised to find this.
Jim F. makes some good points in his reply. You really do work hard in this profession and we try to impart this concept to our students. In Ohio we do not currently have a continuing education requirement for Auctioneers, but you still need to stay current for obvious reasons. This is not as tedious as it may sound as this can be done by reviewing the auction law handbook that is on the Department of Agricultures website and by becoming a member of the Ohio Auctioneers Association that holds regular meetings to adress these issues.
I would say that if you plan to be selling typical household auctions then be prepared for a lot of hard physical work for not that much return. However, like all businesses, proper planning goes a long way.
The most financially successful auctioneers are typically those who are the best marketers - meaning that they find a need and fill it by creating a unique selling characteristic for their services that differentiates themselves from their competition. For instance, if all the auctioneers in your area are concentrated on selling household items - and largely competing by slashing commisions, then it may be a good marketing strategy to be one of the few auctioneers in your area that specializes in Real Estate, Resteraunt Equipment, Deer Auctions, Nursery Stock Auctions, Timber auctions or any of a number of specialized fields.
If you are selling standing timber at auction there is not much heavy lifting to do. You do need to work smart as well as work hard though. As Jim points out, it is up to YOU to go out and book those auctions and then follow through. Like any other small business - you earn your money. Without being to salesy - we pride ourselves on the fact that we teach what students need to know to get off to a fast start in the business.
Mark Walton
Director
The Walton School of Auctioneering