Campbell MN Auction, Auctioneer Issues

NoDakInMN

Member
I went to an auction today in Campbell MN. It was a collection of mostly JD two cylinders and assorted misc. Most of the tractors were in non running condition but it was a nice assortment of models. But the thing that struck me the most was the auctioneers. It was run by Double D Auctions out of Breckenridge MN and I witnessed some things, that to my eye, were of a questionable nature and I'm curious as to what others think to see if I'm right or maybe I'm off base here.

The thing that caught my eye first was that one of their ringmen was repeatedly making opening bids rather than letting it fall to where it was done by actual bidders. I also repeatedly saw this same ringman bidding against a lone bidder and driving up the sale price, essentially making the bidder bid against himself. The ringman had a bidding number but not once did I see him take a bid. I was hoping for an opportunity to drop a bid on him but never got the chance.

There was also an instance where the high bidder was made to wait for a couple of minutes because the opposing bidder wandered off and they sent ringmen to look for him. He upped the bid on his return and this caused the previous high bidder to cuss them out and leave the auction. My son lost a bid because they awarded to the bidder that he had out bid even though that bidder didn't agree that he won the bid.

I haven't been to a lot of auctions lately, so is this sort of stuff becoming the norm now or should I be avoiding auctions run by these people?
 
Kind of typical for most auctions. You have to determine what you're willing to pay and bid up to that amount whether you're bidding against a legitimate bidder or the auctioneering crew. What kind of prices did they get for the JD's ???
 
I find it comforting trying to remember who the auctioneer is working for. Make no mistake, his job is to make you spend as much as he possibly can. He is absolutely horrified at the thought of the item selling under the money. If you keep bidding, against the mysterious ringman or a phantom, it's your call. Simply stop. You must think I'm an auctioneer, I'm not. I am fascinated by this very pure form of capitalism.

The psychology of an auction and the ability to "beat these guys at their own game" is really intriguing. A dear friend has made his living buying at auctions for 40 years from some our country' s very best auctioneers. Flat out, EVERYONE is going to get "jacked" from time to time. If you go to auctions at all and think you don't, you just don't realize it. You know, maybe that's ok too. Obviously you thought is was worth what you paid or you would not have bid that high. The definition of a good deal is both parties happy. On the upside, someday you'll be on the other side and appreciate the auctioneer working hard for his commission. This has been going on for ever. Some auctioneers don't care to or can't hide it very well. In the end, it is a very pure form of transacting. Make up your mind on the correct price and go no further.

I'm interested in other folks thoughts. This can really be an emotional topic, but very interesting too. Thanks.
 
Blksmok Prices were kind of all over the place and some didn't make much sense. There was a line of around 15 tractors that were either stuck of not running for other reasons and none had good rubber. As and Bs mostly and they brought $400 to $900 with a couple of exceptions. There was a nice NS A on steel that went for around $1,100, stuck, but recently, goo tin and had been painted. I'm thinking the steel rears drove the price. A NS G that was stuck and looked like a fence row tractor from the moss and stuff on it brought $3,500 from a guy who wanted make a pulling tractor out of it.

Running tractors brought about normal prices, don't recall them all but a nice NS B on all steel brought $2,500 with a bad mag. It was the deceased owners pet tractor and he used in in parades until health issue made him stop. The mag issue pretty much came from people with limited knowledge trying to get it to run for the sale. Consequently it had the impluse taken out and wasn't put with the tractor. So a good mag and it will most likely be a running tractor.
 
Oh, I forgot that I was going to add that a beautifully painted B with good tin and tires and ran brought only $800, easily worth $1,500 to $2,000. That is what was weird, this little sweetheart brought the same or less than a junker A. But that's auctions for you.
 
valve guy. I realize that there will there will be jackers in the crowd, family members trying to get a little extra or whatever. But what got me was when I saw that after all the real bidders had dropped out, the ring man upped the bid twice on the only bidder left. He kept his back to the bidder so he would not see him. This guy was bad enough that half the time you were never sure if was pointing out a bid or making one himself.

Time to time I have seen a ring man bid on an item, but he usually will step aside from being a ring man on that item or might bid on a pile that no one else seems to want. And that's OK.

But this was bad. There has to be some trust that the auctioneer is treating people fairly. When everyone can see that one of their guys is running up the bid, losing track of the actual high bidder and halting the bidding to go get a person who left in the middle of the bidding, doesn't sit well with people.
 
That does sound blatantly wrong. I would have been upset with that too. If this was happening repeatedly, I might have been tempted to ask
"what the he** is going on!?!? " while they wait for my return bid...."is this a ring man helping bidders, or is he here only to jack me!!!!"

Of course typing away on my couch, I'm quite the tough guy, lol.....certainly more difficult at the auction.
 
Sure sounds fishy to me too. Wish someone would of called them out on it and if that guy was indeed wanting for himself say so ahead of time and make him sit out as ring man for that item.
I have been to a few auctions here in Ohio that are well run and seem pretty honest. They will announce at the opening of the auction like one time a lot of family members were there wanting items and auctioneer made it good and clear to all that was the case and they were bidding just like everyone else and if they bid highest they were indeed buying it. I also think I have seen them announce the ring man was interested in a certain item and he was indeed bidding to buy it. They also have announced on certain items if they have bid from someone who was not able to be there that day and they were bidding on their behalf. This was mostly before internet and cell phones. Now I think many have them on the phone live as the bidding starts.
 
All three unstyled B's had VERY loose clutch drivers when rocking them back and forth on the crank with the clutch engaged. The repairs will add a lot more money to the purchase price. Good Unstyled B cranks are getting a bit more scarce.

I should have paid more attention to the bidding process, but I get so distracted with the tractors - and I should have bought that unstyled A with the rear steel (or at least bid it up a little more). Still don't know why I didn't raise my hand as I had the trailer with me. I think it would have been an easy process to free that one.

There's always the next auction!
 
I have had several instances at auctions where a "shill" was bidding up the price, both times it was at machinery auctions in Georgia. My solution was to ask the auctioneer to stop and point out who had the last bid. Both times they could not identify who made the last bid and I was awarded the item. I have also witnessed the same type of "shilling" at an auction in East Texas. I have quit going to one auction site as they also misrepresent the condition of the equipment. As they say, buyer beware and bid accordingly.
 

About ten years ago I was bidding on a combine head at a consignment auction. I bid a couple of times but when it got too high for me I shook my head no when the ring man pointed at me and started walking away. I didn't get 100 feet away when the auctioneer starts calling me back saying I won the bid. Ended up getting it for whatever I had bid last.
 

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