How NOT to Run an Auction

I went up to South Carolina, just outside Greenville, last weekend to attend an auction of a large estate. It was advertised on the site auctionzip, an excellent resource for finding auctions by location. My friend Kelley, who lives in SC, had found the auction which online looked very promising. I drove up the night before and the next morning we loaded up chairs, our sunscreen, the girls and drove almost an hour to get there.

I have attended many auctions and have enjoyed every one. Sadly, I learned not all auctions are created equal. In the future I will avoid any hosted by Bob Stutler. It was extremely unorganized, items were auctioned at random with no order whatsoever. There was a huge amount of stuff, everything from rolling pins to the house itself! Most auctions of this size would have at least two auctioneers to divide the items up. However, I think they were more interested in cutting corners and didn’t do this. Not one bid on the house, by the way, which was not surprising.

Most items sold individually, rather than as lots. Sometimes with the ringmen holding up multiple items at a time, but the buyer would only find out after he won it was just for one item! Even sets of dishes were sold this way. It was crazy. It also meant, it was highly unlikely they could get through all of it, or even come close.

After six hours, most of the time spent on these new baskets, they finally held up one of the antique purses I was interested in, but only after I went and complained. I won the purse, but there were at least 8 or 9 other items I really wanted they never got to, including a box of linens. My friend was interested in just one box of dishes which also never came up, even after she asked. But damn, if you wanted an ugly basket, you were all set!

I met a woman that told us they have attended a few of this guy’s auctions and it is always the same. She waited all day for stoneware batter bowls, only one set was auctioned while we were there, though there were many more advertised. The entire production was just poorly done. They did not want people using the bathrooms in the house (why?) but, provided just one portable one. The food was terrible – lukewarm hot dogs and chips. Only two tents were set up for the buyers. Most people had to move back into the trees to avoid getting roasted. The auctioneer, who I assume was Bob Stutler, set up way too far from the people and missed many bids. Half the crowd left by 1pm and we gave up just around 3…no longer caring if what we wanted ever came up.

I think the key to any good auction is organization and to keep the buyers comfortable, so they stick around. I feel really bad for the sweet looking woman (top picture) who lovingly collected all this stuff to just have her heirs turn it over to incompetent hands. On the bright side, we had fun with the girls and met some nice people and Camiell finished the entire book she had started just the day before. Oh, and I do love my purse, which I think might date back to the late 1800’s.

all photos & content © Lara Rossignol