| In the June 2009 AUCTIONEER magazine published | | | | people who know are the accountant, the client, and a |
| by the National Auctioneers Association (NAA), I read | | | | representative from the IRS. But if an auctioneer fails |
| an article entitled, "A Rare Occupation." It talks about | | | | to maintain his or her professionalism on the stage, a |
| how auctioneers are few and far between. | | | | crowd of 200, 500, or 1000+ have just witnessed the |
| Author and fellow auctioneer Robert Doyle conducted | | | | bad behavior. Like an actor, an auctioneer is only as |
| some research on the InfoUSA Website to compare | | | | good as his or her last performance. |
| the numbers of full-time auctioneers in the United | | | | 4. New auctioneers have a difficult time getting |
| States to other professions. The statistics mentioned | | | | established because few people want to entrust the |
| are interesting: | | | | sale of their personal property to someone who has |
| - Auctioneers: 10,034 (Incidentally, the NAA estimates | | | | little experience. |
| that 7% of all auctioneers are female.) | | | | Regardless of the item -- a $2 million home or a $5000 |
| - Funeral Directors: 23,648 | | | | vacation package -- most clients are nervous before |
| - Painters: 43,178 | | | | an auction. They are not sure how the event will turn |
| - Plumbers: 60,767 | | | | out, and they want it to go well. |
| - Real Estate Agents: 212,110 | | | | One auctioneer might regularly work in front of crowds |
| - Attorneys: 302,603 | | | | of 200 people. If a prospective client expects to have |
| Why so few auctioneers? Rob had his thoughts as to | | | | 1000 people at their event, the group has a legitimate |
| why auctioneers are few and far between, but I have | | | | concern as to whether the auctioneer can adapt to |
| a few of my own ideas. | | | | the larger audience. Some auctioneers will find the |
| 1. For some, it's too expensive to get started. | | | | larger crowd nerve-wracking. They might not be able |
| Often people don't realize the expense of launching | | | | to adjust easily, and it could affect revenues. |
| the business until they speak with an auctioneer. Only | | | | Organizations might not book an auctioneer simply |
| then do they learn that the auctioneer attended auction | | | | because the auctioneer lacks experience working with |
| school (usually out-of-state), passed state exams, and | | | | a specific crowd size, specific types of items, or |
| secured bonds before securing an auction license. | | | | perceived regional differences. |
| Some feel the total cost and time away from work | | | | 5. The erratic pay structure leaves some people |
| and home is prohibitive. | | | | uneasy. |
| 2. There is a high failure rate. | | | | Many auctioneers are paid on commission. If a sale |
| It's generally accepted that the failure rate for | | | | goes badly, the auctioneer will not make as much |
| auctioneers is 95%; only 5% of auction school | | | | money. On a similar vein, some types of auctions, such |
| graduates are still working in the profession five years | | | | as many benefit auctions or even purebred cattle |
| later. No doubt most people look at the bid calling | | | | sales, are seasonal. An auctioneer might be busy one |
| portion of the work and find it exciting. What they don't | | | | season, but have no auctions (and no income!) the |
| realize is the amount of work required to get | | | | next. Some people find it difficult to live with this |
| established, book jobs, and work consistently. Once | | | | inconsistency. |
| they do, they reconsider the career. | | | | Regardless of the personal or industry reasons, |
| 3. The auctioneer is constantly being judged by | | | | full-time auctioneers aren't as plentiful as many other |
| personal conduct and auction results. | | | | professions. |
| If an accountant prepares a bad tax return, the only | | | | |