Auction number card?

PJH

Well-known Member
The auction post below got me to thinking.

I don't like auctions, and rarely go to one, but last Saturday one came up that had something I was real interested in. I had made the preliminaries at the pay trailer, and the gal gave me a number card. I stuck it in my shirt pocket and wandered off. A guy that I knew came up and told me that I ought to turn my card around so the number wasn't visible. I guess I looked puzzled, and he said it wasn't unusual for someone else to call out your number and you find out about it later when you're settling up at the pay window. Does this really happen? And why would it happen? It doesn't make sense to me. I looked the crowd over, and about half of the folks had their number hidden. I guess the visible numbers belonged to the greenhorns like me?
 
You show the number when you win the bid. Typically don't have it displayed otherwise.

Paul
 
Sounds like the guy who told you that is new to auctions too. Unless the auctioneer knows you and has seen your card a few times so he knows it's your number,they'll want to see the number if you're the last bidder on something.
 
I'm not surprised - if there is any possible way to scam someone somebody will be around to try it. I have heard of people tossing their cards and someone picking them up and bidding with them. I always take mine home and tear it up.
 
I've never heard of that either. Have only been to one auction in the past 8 years or so, and might go to one next month. They just don't seem fun anymore. The people have changed a lot!
 
Have seen some pranks pulled like that, or a fellow created a number and bid stuff up, left and did not pay. That was a beef with the auctioneer.
 
Having spent ten years as an auctioneer, I can tell you that I always had the buyer show his number, rather than relying on his memory or his honesty. Even well meaning bidders can unintentionally tell you the wrong number. A good auctioneer will ask to see the number.
 
x2 for me also too easy for them to forget the exact number unless they have a permanent number with me then I most usually remember their number. Keith
 
it's a lot like cars and trucks for sale with pics. they will cover the license plate number, never understood that, they drive all over without covering it. what can I do with the number anyway.
 
If someone wants a number that's not their's they can figure out the number order right quick and pick any number,plus many auctions check loads on the way out so they'd be out of luck there too.
 
He is BS'ing you! When you buy something at an auction the auctioneer or his helper will want to see your number and when you go to pay they will want to see your card. If you were to give someone else's number you might be in a world of hurt if the actual card owner is listening.
 
Same as most folks have said. Keep it in my shirt pocket and pull my jacket to the side to show my number. Nothing sneaky, just don't want to loose the card and the jacket keeps me warm. To tell the truth, can't really rememmber seeing any pian in the neck people but can SURE tell you there are some auctioneers who are jerks!
 
One local auctioneer here gives out laminated numbers with a clip as well as a larger card with the number written on it. People at that auction clip the number on the outside of their coat or shirt, that way the auctioneer can see it. I don't think your friend's concern is very well founded. You know your number, and if you hear someone else give it you would say something.
Zach
 
I had the opposite, bought an item from the junk wagon and showed my number, ring man handed it to me (he knew me). When I went up to pay, they had it clerked to another person. Handed the item to the gal in the window and left.
 
(quoted from post at 14:36:12 04/20/18) I had the opposite, bought an item from the junk wagon and showed my number, ring man handed it to me (he knew me). When I went up to pay, they had it clerked to another person. Handed the item to the gal in the window and left.

We had that happen one time also. Tried to forfeit back the item so they could contact the "other" bidder, but they said they knew the other person and would refund their money, and for us to keep our winning bid.
 
There was a guy here who never missed an auction. He bought something at a sale one day,reached in his coat pocket and pulled out a stack of at least 20 of them all folded together. He stopped the sale for a few minutes trying to figure out which one was for that day. LOL
 
"They just don't seem fun anymore. The people have changed a lot!"

Too many auctions these days seem that the sellers grabbed the good stuff to put on ebay and craigslist, all that's left for the auction is junk.
 
Keep your number hidden in your pocket,you don't need it to bid.The only time you show your number is when you buy something.
 
I've probaby got a hundred of them stuffed in the side of the drivers door of my truck. I never pitch them. I could probaby go to any auction and have the right color bid number and auction teams bid number there in my collection.
 
I have been to auctions that run mutipual rings so I have someone else bid for me with my card and I tell them the number if I buy something and never had a problem. I can remember as a kid people put their card in the band on their hat.
 
You know you bought to much when the auctioneer calls out your number when you win the bid without showing it to him.
 
The monthly equipment auction I attend down here issues you a laminated bidder number the first time you attend.
It remains yours and is valid forever more.
You buy, you show your number.
Ringman writes up a receipt and gives you a copy.
When your done you go pay, load it up and drive to the exit gate and "show your papers".
The gate guys compare your paid receipt to what you got.
And the auction tags and numbers on the stuff better match the paid receipt.

How many have been high bidder, you paid for it and then when you go to load it up, it is already gone?
 
(quoted from post at 11:50:00 04/20/18) it's a lot like cars and trucks for sale with pics. they will cover the license plate number, never understood that, they drive all over without covering it. what can I do with the number anyway.

I've wondered that too. Even Google blurs them. Why?
 
I've had stuff charged to my bidders number before,but it was usually the clerks mistake. I went to settle at an auction last summer.There was a 30 dollar axe on my bill.I told the woman at checkout I didn't buy it.She said the clerk doesn't make mistakes like I was trying to pull something. I told here I wasn't paying for it. My number was 98.I walked over to where they were selling and saw an old fireman two sided axe in someone's pile of purchases.A guy came over adding to the pile and was nice enough to show me his bidders number. It was number 89 The clerk had reversed the numbers.I told the girl at the checkout about the mistake.She never looked up or said anything,so I walked off.
 

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