Auction Tips and Bits
Why should I buy at an auction?
If you've never been to a horse sale, you may be wondering, "Why should I go to an auction to purchase a horse?" Well, there are plenty of advantages to purchasing at an auction.
Speed of the Process
An auction is definitely the fastest sale process around. Instead of spending your time making phone calls and driving to many different locations to try one horse at a time, we offer a way to condense your shopping into a smaller window of time while still offering you a wide selection of horses to choose from.
You Set Your Own Price and Establish Value
You are in control at an auction. When you are ready to purchase a horse, you are probably pretty sure of what you are looking for, i.e., breed, size, training level, color, price range, etc. You have the ability to "weed out" certain horses based on your criteria. You decide how much to bid and how high or low you want to go.
Certainty of Knowing What You're Getting
We have been in the horse selling business for over 25 years. We are educated professionals who have dealt with a wide variety of stock over the years. We know value and price.
Opportunity for Good Value
With such a wide selection of horses, there's always an opportunity to get a good deal.
Fun and Excitement
There's no doubt that an auction is entertainment at its finest. Crowds of people competing for just the right horse, combined with the charisma and character of the auctioneer and that unforgettable rhythmic chant make for a great day that the whole family can enjoy.
Honesty of the Transaction
Auctions are very organized and the rules are straightforward. We are bound by a special code of ethics that protects you against unfair auction practices.
Here are a few tips when buying at an auction:
Show Up Early
Arriving early will give you time to get a good look at each horse. It gives you the opportunity to inspect every aspect of the horse carefully to look for any blemishes or defects the horse may have. Also, many owners will take the time before the sale to show their horses to prospective buyers. Some sales may have working cattle previews or special arena areas for horses to be shown. The longer you have to watch a horse, the more familiar you will become with its movements and mannerisms.
Make Sure You Register
Anyone who plans on bidding at the sale will need to register in the office. Please take the time to register in the office and secure a buyer's number before bidding. This will keep the sale running smoothly and quickly. First time bidders are required to put up a $200.00 cash REFUNDABLE deposit to recieve a number. Regular buyers are required to put up a $ 50.00 cash REFUNDABLE deposit. Tack purchases can be paid for with cash, credit cards or ATM. Horses can be paid for with cash or ATM only. Checks are not accepted without pre-approval only.
Be Prepared To Bid
Bidding is simple, but can be intimidating for the first time. Here are some general guidelines:
1. Make sure you clearly understand the terms and conditions of the sale before you bid. These are printed on the back of your buyer's card and in the office. See our terms and conditions here.
2. Listen closely to the auctioneer. The auctioneer will determine the increments of bidding. If you are having trouble understanding the auctioneer, plan to listen for a few minutes until you get the hang of it.
3. Be sure you make eye contact with the auctioneer when you bid.
4. The process is fast, so if you wish to bid, quickly raise your hand or shout out loud.
If you have any questions about the bidding process or any of the auction jargon, please feel free to ask our staff. We want you to enjoy your experience and will do whatever we can to help! Happy bidding!
Now that we have shed some light on the buying end of our sale, let's talk about selling at our sale!
Auctions are the most unique and valuable way of selling livestock. People flock to auctions with great anticipation and excitement of getting exactly what they are looking for. How do auctions benefit you as a seller? Here are a few reasons:
Speedy Process, Quick Turnaround
An auction is immediate. It happens during a set time and is completed during that time. It's quick and efficient.
You Set the Time and Place of Your Sale
It's as simple as that. You choose the time and place of the auction that best benefits you.
You Know Exactly When Your Property or Goods Will Be Sold
There's no wondering whether or not your horse will sell. If you bring your horse prepared to sell it, IT WILL SELL!
Comprehensive Marketing of Your Property
Part of conducting an auction is marketing it to the general public. We do this in many ways. We have published advertising in various horse related magazines and newspapers. We attend many different types of horse events to promote our sale. We pass out flyers as well as building personal realtionships with many prospective buyers. We have an extensive email contact list that allows us to send out periodic emails that inform our customers of upcoming sales and events. We also do advertising on various "horses for sale" websites. All of these efforts draw in a large variety of buyers looking for various types of horses.
Buyers Come Prepared to Buy
People coming to our sale come with money in their pockets and are prepared to come home with a horse. This cuts out the hassle of "Lookie Lous" who may show interest, but generally end up wasting your time.
No Negotiations
When people bid, they make a commitment to purchase YOUR horse. Chances are, they have carefully looked over and checked out your horse and are specifically interested in buying your horse. Once the auctioneer says "SOLD!", there is no debate or discussion as to the price your horse has been sold for.
No Leftovers and Little Clean Up
This speaks for itself. If you bring your horse to sell, you will leave with an empty trailer and a check in your pocket.
Competitive Bidding
Auctions often motivate buyers to perform. The excitement of bidding often drives buyers to spend more, especially if their heart is set on your particular horse. To some it's like a game, and they want to win the bid at all costs. And did you know that 9 times out of 10, selling at an auction brings in the fair market value, if not more?
Auctions Work Well in Both Good and Bad Economic Times
Despite the dip in economic times, people still continue to flock to our sales. People love the idea of getting a good deal and will continue to go to wherever it may be that offers them this prospect.
The Drug Rules by EMMP to all Consignors From the State of California Food and Ag. code Sec. 24000-24018
If a horse consigned at a public auction is found to have a prohibited substance or drug in their system the consignor shall be subject to a civil penalty of not less than one hundred ($100) or more than ten thousand ($10,000) for each violation.
A drug declaration must be completed and filed with the auction/sales office when any medication is administered to a horse within 48 hours prior to the 72 hour withdrawal period when consigned for public auction. Thank you for your compliance.
We strive to make the sale of your horse the best it can be. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask our staff.
We look forward to seeing you on sale day!