Yes, it did!! Rain...wind...snow...every weather element except for sun and warmth!!
Last year we started our onsite, outdoor auctions in early April and the weather was beautiful! You just never know what weather April will bring, and our clients, for various reasons are willing to take the risk.
Though the weather was vicious, the offering of great merchandise proved that "Mother Nature" won't keep the buyers away. OVER 350 BUYERS attended the auction for a client who is moving to Albuquerque and who had operated a large, mobile candy store with her partner in "warm-weather" states.
The main auction for Don & Sandy consisted of "top-notch" tools, quality contemporary furniture, commercial equipment, and some really neat home decor items.
Most Buyers waited until close to auction starting time to arrive because of the weather, so the lines were long waiting to register at 10:00. (I delayed as long as the crowd would allow:) Thank goodness for our computerized system as it really helped to reduce the line quickly!
Tools & equipment sold first, and prices for the name-brand, quality and "in great condition" merchandise sold strongly to already "soggy" bidders. Next we moved to the warm basement where all of the furniture was displayed, and experienced some heated bidding:)
And THEN......we moved to the backyard, which looked like "Tent City." The largest of the enclosed tents held more commercial equipment, as well as some great home decor items.The crowd grew even larger as the 1:00 start time for the candy store inventory approached and we saw a lot of new faces. Our office manager, Jennifer, was very creative in marketing the candy inventory to shop owners, school booster clubs, Waterfront Parade participants, and many other targeted groups for the inventory.
By the time the "Candy Auction" started, I had already changed clothes twice! Thanks, Mom & Pa, for the extra ones!
I am so appreciative of our "Auction Family" - customers, on & off-duty staff, and new attendees, that assisted in moving those 25 & 30# boxes forward on the candy runway while I was selling! That was truly a "warming" experience......
Outstanding prices, a huge crowd, great merchandise, targeted marketing, and super clients made for a very successful auction - in spite of that crabby Old Mother Nature....
And then to top it off, I received the following email just a few days after the auction:
"My auction took place on one of the worst weather days of the year but due to Nellie and her extremely friendly, efficient & experienced staff, the turn-out was fantastic and the auction was a huge success! Everything was perfect and I could not have been happier! Attitude and experience is everything and this crew has it all!!" Sandy Paul
(Thanks from all of us for the kind words Sandy.....) Check out the "Highlights" Section on our website to view some of the realized prices for this auction.
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