This article will benefit anyone who is thinking about going to auctions. Even if it is only for the “Tips & Tricks” I mention. These apply to any kind of auction house you will ever attend.

Know matter what type of auction you are going to or what you do for a living.

It just so happens that one of my businesses happens to be a small farm.

So I will talk about farming auctions, but every auction is the same process.

Before you start to read the article. These are my experiences of attending auctions of all types. I have been to “Hundreds & Hundreds” of auctions in my time.

I also purchase at auctions to sell on for-profit and 99% of the time I make a good profit. Many times I have purchased at £40 and sold for £400 which is nothing to be sniffed at.

So I know little about the auction scene and I was attending them regularly. Before I ever thought about my small farm…

Read the whole post as there will be “Tips and Tricks” for you to read and help you out if you are not used to auctions. Also, I will tell you what to watch out for when you are going to auctions of any kind.

THERE ARE MANY THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW IF YOU ARE NOT USED TO THE AUCTION SEEN…?

What Is A Auction House….?

Before Attending Auctions You Need To.

Take some ID to register at the auction house. Forms of ID can be anything from Drivers’ License to Passport. Something with your name and address on, like a utility bill. The reason you need to take this is so that you do not bid on items and then not pay.

Remember if you bid and you win then you are entering into a binding contract with the auction house. They will expect payment from you that same day if you do not pay.

Then they will chase you down for the money and even take you to court if they have to. You may be given a couple of days to collect your items, but you will not be given time to pay.

If you leave the items at the auction for too long they will probably charge you storage fees. You need to remove your items as soon as possible this will let you rest easy.

Let’s Start With Farming Auction

There are two types of Farm Auctions Machine & Stock Animals lets start with machinery. Now, these machinery auctions do not only sell farming machines.

That couldn’t be further from the truth, there is so much more on offer at these types of auctions.

These auctions are excellent for homeowners, self-builders, small farmers, large farmers, people who want to build a project. If you are looking for cheap construction materials. To buy and sell power and petrol tools or materials for profit.

You will be surprised at what is available at the farming machinery auctions.

Things You Can Expect to Find at Farm Auctions

• Large Farming Machinery IE: Large Tractors, Large Tractor Implements
• Small Farming Machinery IE: Small Tractors, Rotavators Etc
• Hand Tools
• Small Petrol Tools, Hedge Trimmers, Strimmers, Chainsaws
• Stock Fencing
• Timber – Used & New
• Animal Housing – New & Old
• Portable Buildings
• Caravans
• Plant Machinery, Fork Lifts, JCB’S, Bob Cats
• Animal Feeders
• Trees, Shrubs, Plants Of All Kinds
• Construction Materials of All Types
• And Anything You Can Imagine To Do With Farming, Tools, Construction & Much, Much More The List Goes On…?

But and this is a “Big But” and that is farming auctions are a magnet for the larger farmers out there. This means you are going to pay a more reasonable price because the place is full of farmers.

You can still grab bargains it will all depend on who wants what and how many want it. That’s what auctions are all about you may think it was going to cost you hundreds. Then you end up getting it for next to nothing if you are the only one after that lot.

The really, really good deals for materials and machines are not to be had at farmers’ auctions. These auctions are still good to go to and you will still save money. You will also understand a good deal when you actually see one at other types of auctions or being sold online.

The Good Things About Farm A Auction

The upside to farming auctions is that farmers are very frugal in what they spend their money on. So you will gain lots of useful information on pricing.

Even if you attended them and never purchase anything. You will at least know what used farming machinery & materials will cost you.

You will always be able to find something that you need for your farm and at a cheaper than retail price. Some of these farm auctions are so large they have several auctions running at once.

They can also help you in the outside world when you want to purchase something used. If you know you can get the same items from farming auctions cheaper.

Then you know where to start with your price and haggling. Maybe if you don’t need it right now it could be worth the wait for the saving, at the next auction.

Bad Things About Farm A Auction

Spoiler Alert…! For some reason, you went to an auction and the prices seemed really high…? Why is this, well there is a big reason why prices can be high sometimes at auctions.

The main reason this happens is the auction may have been marketed really well. Now there are a lot of people who turn up who have never been to an auction before and end up paying retail prices.

These people may not be farmers but they could be doing a self-build or project of their own. This is why they turn up because there are so many construction materials of all kinds at these auctions.

You will hear all the regulars wining about this as you mingle with the crowd.

THEY WILL KNOW THAT THERE ARE NEWBIES IN THE CROWD AND LET YOU KNOW LOL

Stock Farming Auctions Are Good For…?

If you are looking for farm animals then stock farm auctions are great for purchasing your animals. They will all be vetted and checked before entered into the auction. They will have their “CPH” numbers and you need to make sure you have yours.

If the Auction is a reputable auction house then the animals will be in good condition as possible. As far as the auction can go to make sure they are only selling healthy animals that is.

Before you attend these auction read the reviews but as always take the reviews at face value. Some auctions in competition will write reviews just for the heck of it. Then you just get the plain old moaners who write bad reviews on everything. You can’t please everybody this is the same in most businesses

I purchase most of my pure breed hens from “Pure Breed Chicken Auctions”.

I want to know that the breeds I am purchasing are what I am getting. A pure breed auction is great for this. This is because they have the names of the breeders next to the lots they have entered.

Breeders will not want to be known for selling mixed breeds. Not if they want to make a living from farming. They will want to be known as a good breeder. This will get better money for the lots they enter in the future. While entering bad stock will not help them in any way.

Again just because it says “Pure Breed Chicken Auction” it also sells other items. Such as fertile chicken eggs & what is called dead stock which is anything related to rearing chickens, like feeders, drinkers, coops, feed, etc.

I purchase from these auctions because they are cheaper. That’s cheaper than purchasing fertile eggs, pullets & pol hens off the internet or other breeders. Plus you get to know the breeders that are selling there and you build trust.

Farming Auctions are a really good place to make new friends. Most people who are selling their stock and animals have bred those themselves.

They will want to see the animals going to good homes and this is where you can make contacts for future stock. This cuts out the auction house fees and you may get first chance at the new stock they are selling.

Two People Want The Same Item..?

You also need to understand “Price” when it comes to “Auctions” and what you will pay. Is who is there on that day, if there are two people who really want the same “lot”. Then the sky is the limit on what they will pay…? On the other hand, if the opposite is true you can purchase things really cheaply.

I HAVE PAID £40 ONE AUCTION AND THEN SEEN THE SAME ITEM TRIPLE IN PRICE THE NEXT AUCTION. I DID NOT PURCHASE THEM THEN. REMMEMBER YOU ARE AFTER THE BARGAINS.

Local Auctions Are Great For Farming Tools

When starting a small farm people automatically think of large farming auctions why wouldn’t you..?.

This is not the only auction you should be attending. I have a local auction, well I say local it is around 15 miles away. This place is great for purchasing small farming tools and implements. It also sells lots of materials and these literally go for a couple of pounds per lot.

These types of auctions have weekly sales, one week it may be furniture the next catering and so on. But you can always be certain that there will be small tools and machine auctions every month also. These are perfect for grabbing the bargains.

Some of the gardening and older farming tools maybe a bit older but these tools were built to last. These tools are perfect for starter farmers. They are also very cheap because people are not there for those sorts of items. They also don’t attract the larger farmers out there.

These lots are also sold in bundles, so you get around 5 – 10 tools for around £20. This is the price of one decent spade or rake the savings are not to be sniffed at.

Making sure I am always at these local tools and machinery auctions and I am regularly purchasing with the intent to sell for profit. I almost always make extra income from these sales.

If you do have a small farm and have storage this is great. You can purchase larger items and store them while you wait to sell. I can tell you now that you will make more money from this than from any bank interest for little work.

Simply list your items on eBay and any other free local sites. Facebook Market Place is an excellent way to sell products purchased at these types of auctions. Also buying to sell on and make a profit is an excellent way to make extra income for your small farm.

Do Your Research First….?

Do a quick search of the internet first using whichever search engine you like to search with. Then just type in local farming auctions, local machine auctions, and local auction houses. This will give you an idea of what is local to you.

If you are willing to travel which I do regularly on weekends. Then there are many more that you can find and that means many more bargains.

You will find that some auctions take place on-site. This means that the auction is taking place as at where the business is closing down or may have gone out of business.

These are also great resources for the bargain hunter in you. But you have to do regular searches for these auctions.

Also, do your research on what new and used prices are on the lots you are interested in…?

Try Different Types Of Auctions

Don’t stick to the same types of auctions and the same auction houses. Look around you may find better auction houses if you try a different one. You may also find that auctions selling miscellaneous items may have tools or materials in them you have been looking for.

The Buyer Beware Policy

When attending auctions that sell power tools or anything that is electrical. The auction has to have them tested this does not mean they work. This only means that they will not give you a shock when you plug them in.

So it is always best to test the electrical items if possible and I have found that most auction houses allow this. This is why you need to get there early to make sure what you are bidding on if electrical works.

My Top 20 Tips For Attending Auctions

• Sign up for the auctions email list
• Always download the catalog first – You can now see what prices the items you are looking for are fetching new and used before you even attend the auction.
• Don’t forget your ID if it’s your first time at that auction house.
• Try different types of auctions.
• Keep a lookout for local pop up auctions.
• Take a friend if possible.
• Don’t seem to over-enthusiastic about the lots you want to bid on.
• Get to the auction early
• Check that the lots work – smaller petrol tools pull the cord and see if it is ceased or pulls nicely with some compression.
• Check electrical tools & tech by plugging them in most auctions will allow this.
• Look at who else is interested and is there a lot of interest..?
• Write or put a tick next to the lots in the catalog you are interested in.
• Also, put your maximum bid limit on what your willing to pay and don’t forget the fees. These fees can really mount up. Don’t go over that limit with fees included just walk away.
• Don’t be afraid to bid and do not be intimidated, some people will try this by staring straight at you while bidding. Hold your nerve and keep to your strategy and price point.
• Don’t bid straight away let the auctioneer go down to the lowest price point and then watch who bids. Only bid when the bidding slows down. There is no point in jumping in at the auctioneer’s first price point which will be really high and paying way over what you could have got it for.
• Also don’t scream out if you are placing a bid, just lift your catalog and your bid will be taken. After a while, the auctioneer will look at you and you can just nod your head.
• If the auctioneer is going up in large increments remember it is their job to get the most money. Then stop him with a half move this is when he is going up in the ’20s or hundreds at a time you say “Half” then it will turn to 10’s or 50 increments and same as you go on.
• Pay with cash or bank transfer if possible you maybe charged extra for using credit cards at some auctions.
• Make sure you have the means to remove the items you purchase. You don’t want to be stuck with large items. If you are bidding on large items and need to pay to have them removed factor this into want you are willing to pay.
• Items to take with you a pen, note pad, your research notes, and a smartphone so you can check up the latest prices when unexpected lots are entered.
• Take in the costs involved. In the time getting to and from the auction, moving purchases, time spent attending the auction sale. Against the price you are willing to pay for lots you are wanting to bid on. It may not be worth your travel time and fuel cost for such a saving.

My Last Tips That New People Fall Foul

A couple of last tips for attending auctions remember to bid with your brain and not your heart. I have seen people get caught up in this and really want to win. Remember this is not a sport it is about saving money and grab bargains.

If you have done your research no matter what auction you are attending. You need to stick to the price you are willing to pay and know more. Remember to factor in the commission fees and also do the lots include “VAT”. This will all be in the auction terms and conditions in the catalogs.

If the commission fees are 15% and you pay “VAT” on the commission fees also and then there is “VAT” to pay on the lot. If you won the lot at £100 then your total payment will be £138.

You have to do your research, lots of people get caught out by these fees. But the seasoned auction hunters understand them all too well.

Not all lots have “VAT” to pay and not all auctions charge buyers premiums of 15% most are around 2% – 5% of lot sale.

Last Things To Remember

Last and not least do not and I mean do not get pulled into a bidding war. This can end up costing you a lot of money and if money is tight then this does not want to happen. Just walk away there are always other auctions that will have the items you are looking for.

The main thing I want you to take away from this article is that if you are building a small farm and don’t have much cash. Then auctions are a great place to grab a bargain.

I have purchased many items for half price what you would find them on eBay and 20% of retail prices. Making thousands of extra pounds to help build my farm.

My experience is that I have purchased so many materials at a fraction of the retails price. This is because I implement all the tactics I have mentioned above.

Have Fun While Saving Money

Auctions are a great day out for you and the family they are fun. You get great joy from winning lots while also saving cash in the process.

That’s if you follow my tips and don’t go over your set limit.

Don’t forget if the price too high walk away and if you don’t have much money for the auction you can always check out my article on “How To Find Free Or Cheap Building Materials”

Good Luck and Happy Hunting….