Page 3 Advertisements Column 3

Press, 6 May 1983, Page 3

Advertisement An auctioneer’s lot By R. G. Bell Dear Timid Tyro, I thought you operated exceedingly well at last week’s room auction at Kaiapoi. Obviously the adjective, timid, no longer applies. I considered your judgment sound, your bidding Confident (but not reckless) and your selection excellent. I could tell you were enjoying yourself. Keep up the good work. I expect now you will be doing the rounds, like most auction fans do. But take it easy. Don’t get carried away. Although all general auctioneers are governed by the one set of rules. (The Auctioneers Act 1928 and its amendments) they do not necessarily function alike. You will soon discover their idiosyncrasies and different ways of doing things. As you are now aware, we work on what is known as a ‘check sheet’ system of booking, the auctioneer and his clerk recording each transaction on identical sets of sheets. Thus, these can easily be compared (checked) for errors as the sale proceeds. The clerk also notes the buyer’s name, and address. Accounts are made up as the sale goes on, and there are few problems. Of late, some firms have adopted a number system. When you attend such a sale you will be given a numbered card as you enter, at the same time an assistant will record your name and address. From then on you will be known to the auctioneer only by your number. If you make a successful bid he will record the number on his sheet, this will be de-coded when the sheet reaches the office. I am not sure what the advantage is, perhaps it is quicker. I have only attended one “by numbers” sale. Alas I did the wrong thing. I arrived home with the numbered card in my pocket. I did return it though. But these are merely matters of routine. What about the auctioneers as individuals? A learned Doctor of English and Literature has of recent months been engaged doing an extensive survey of auctioneers, particularly in the way they use language. His research took him around the world. His findings are extremely interesting. We’ll study them next week/s|