TRACTOR PARTS Allis Chalmers Case & David Brown Farmall & International Ferguson Ford & New Holland John Deere Massey Ferguson Massey Harris Minneapolis Moline Oliver & Cockshutt Kubota / Yanmar

TRACTOR MANUALS

Allis Chalmers	Case	Farmall IH	Ford 8N,9N,2N	Ford
Ferguson	John Deere	Massey Ferguson	Minn. Moline	Oliver

Tractor Talk Discussion Forum

Speaking of auction scumbags...

Welcome Guest, Log in or Register

Author

RobMD

12-06-2007 19:57:31

Report to Moderator

Anyone ever hear of an auctioneer having "scapegoats", people that he pays to jack up the price of an auction item?

I recall going to an auction where I could Identify 5 people in the crowd that bid on EVERYTHING, but NEVER won anything.

I found several of these guys inferring with the auctioneer closely. I happened to meet up with one of them, and told him straight up that he was a fricking crook. He just grinned and walked off.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

JML755

12-07-2007 08:42:39

Report to Moderator

Re: Speaking of auction scumbags... in reply to RobMD, 12-06-2007 19:57:31

Kelly C,

Agree with you completely. I consider what I could buy the item for new or even used in a non-auction scenario. (There's no taking it back at an auction) Then I set a deeply discounted price in my head( usually 10% to 30% of new, depending on the item, likelihood of it having problems and how badly I want/need it) When I hit that number, I'm done. It's amazing what people will pay during a bidding frenzy. I've seen used extension ladders go for $180 that I can buy new for the same price.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

Losing Bidder

12-07-2007 19:54:16

Report to Moderator

Re: Speaking of auction scumbags... in reply to RobMD, 12-06-2007 19:57:31

I've taken a few odds and ends to a consignment sale before in our area. Not the place to sell if you want top dollar. Yet its a good way to get rid of older machinery thats worth more than scrap yet not worth advertising and spending time with phone calls and Looky Lous. Many people at a consignment sale want a reserve price on their machinery but its just not possible for the auctioneers to keep track of all that crap when everyone thinks their junk is worth gold. Everyone is told straight up, if you want to protect your price then you need to be here on auction day to buy it back (bid) yourself, or have someone else to do it for you. I don't have a problem with that. My biggest peeve is the auctioneer who can't move things along when selling the junk on the flatbed wagons at a farm sale. We have an auctioneer who needs to stay in the cattle barn selling steers because on a farm sale he and his help will pick up an item off the wagon, talk about what they think it is or what its for, and then debate about where to start the bidding, then they spend way to much time trying to get a 2 dollar bid, (they won't sell anything for a dollar) then debate about what items to add to it to get a bid, then screw up the bidding by selling it to two top bidders, then have to start all over again. All for 2 bucks. Its excruciating to witness while you check your watch and figure the hour you have to wait for the real machinery to sell will be 3 or 4 hours away at this pace. Arrrrggghh

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

RodInNS

12-07-2007 19:09:56

Report to Moderator

Re: Speaking of auction scumbags... in reply to RobMD, 12-06-2007 19:57:31

I've never been to an auction where there were house bidders running stuff... that I know of, but the auctions I go to most certainly allow the owners to bid on their stuff.
I don't know why everyone gets their panties in a wad about that. Auctions are only a game anyway. People send stuff to an auction to 'get it gone' or to try and fetch a better price for something that they couldn't sell out of their yard as is. All are hoping for 'auction fever' to set in. I go for the day to shoot the breeze. If I'm interested in something I look it over carefully myself and decide what it's worth. That's what I'm willing to bid and no more unless I'm stuck for that item and can't find a better deal on a dealers lot. I've also had the owner of a particular item bid against me on that item. There's a simple solution for that situation. When you're approaching what you're willing to pay.... stop bidding just long enough to give him his warning sweat. Then bid once more before it sells.... If he bids again he takes it home. It works on the greedy ones. The stupid ones.... well, they take it home. That simple.
For what it's worth, I don't have a problem with that in the least. I'd do the same thing. If I put something in a consignment sale, I'm not going to leave it there and give it away to someone like me who WILL buy it for as little as possible. I have no morals on what I'll offer on an opening bid... So be there to watch it or take nothing for it. Reserve bids are useless at most auctions. I've seen it countless times where the auctioneer would advertize a reserve bid of so much.... A reasonable sum for the machine in most cases... and not get a single bid. However, if they just go about selling the damn thing they nearly always get what they wanted for a reserve and sometimes a lot more.
That's just how auctions are. If you can't take the heat, get outta the kitchen.

Rod

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

12-07-2007 13:49:57

Report to Moderator

Re: Speaking of auction scumbags... in reply to RobMD, 12-06-2007 19:57:31

Older brother works for auctioneer, younger brother and mother used to go to various estate and quitting farm auctions, got some fair deals but some people thought they had inside info from older brother and would outbid them on some stuff that wasn't in best shape, griped later. Older brother and younger brother were fueding a lot so no favors given. Mother got good, not outrageous, deal on JD60, younger brother got Ford Escort diesl when deceased nephew couldn't demonstrate it would start without being pulled 1/2 mile. Brother talked to widow that told him it always started for husband- just had to turn key and wait a minute until dash light changed to 'start'. Figured it was glowplug like IHC 560, got the bid at $200.00- just over salvage mans bid- got in and turned key to preheat, waited minute, little orange start light flashed and cranked it 3 seconds and fired up, drove it home. Couple people griped about $1000.00+ car going to relative of auctioneer crew- were told they could have bid $250 or $300.00 and brother would have dropped out from lack of money to bid higher. Salvage man said he bid for body parts, etc but thought glowplugs might need replaced for about $200.00 to get it to start so not upset. sold brother rear window tail door after back window was broke later. Things happen, do some research and laugh a bit. RN

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

John in Ct

12-07-2007 13:44:16

Report to Moderator

Re: Speaking of auction scumbags... in reply to RobMD, 12-06-2007 19:57:31

My father was at an auction and the auctioneer kept look at him and going yup, yup, yup and raising the bid. My father said he WASN'T bidding and made a big stink. The crowd was so big that someone on the far side never saw what was happening and bought the junk item that they jacked up the price on.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

TomH in PA

12-07-2007 12:51:33

Report to Moderator

Re: Speaking of auction scumbags... in reply to RobMD, 12-06-2007 19:57:31

Once I got caught in a scam that really made me mad at myself. The auctioneer was trying to get an opening bid, he dropped the price to $2 and several hands went up. Fast as he could, the auctioneer pointed to three different people "2! 3! 4! Anybody give me 5? Sold $4". I bid at $2 but won at $4, should've told him where to put it but he moved on to the next item as fast as he could.

One satisfying note, I never saw that guy selling again, I think the place he worked fired him soon afterward.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

Jim/Iowa

12-07-2007 10:48:21

Report to Moderator

Re: Speaking of auction scumbags... in reply to RobMD, 12-06-2007 19:57:31

We had an auctioneer here, who used to run a rusty machinery lot and consignment auction. The stuff he had on his lot was mostly his own and although he represented it as being a new consignment each time, it never sold until he got his price.

He had a whole slew of shills too! They would bid on anything. If they thought you were a serious buyer, they'd zero right in. I once tried to buy a damaged JD 3x8 black hydraulic cylinder. I already owned one with different damage, and so long as it was "reasonable" I would have bought it. The only other bidder was the shill. Unfortunately for the shill, after 3-4 quick bids I "quit" and let the shill "win". After which, I asked him, "Since that cylinder was so valuable to you, I happen to have another one, with different damage, and I'll sell it to ya for what you bid!" Got a real sour look but he didn't say anything and hurried off!

The auctioneer quit having auctions several years ago. I guess everyone finally tumbled onto him and quit buying altogether!

Now, if I want to watch SHILLS in action, I have to go on EBAY!

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

Kelly C

12-07-2007 08:21:41

Report to Moderator

Re: Speaking of auction scumbags... in reply to RobMD, 12-06-2007 19:57:31

Shills and crooks are all over the sales. it truely is buyer be ware.
I still go to auctions though, but with a mind set in advance.
I assume all tractors and machinery at concinement sales are junk and needs major fixing. I bid acordingly. That way if I get one I dont have to fix a bunch its a win.
I never bid on the shiny ones. They go for $1000 more than they will ever be worth.

Lets face it, if it was truely a cream puff would it be at this sale?
There are exceptions, but they are rare and way to much of a risk to find.

Farm auctions are a different thing altogether. I may bid more for a item there but I guess there is still a big risk of getting taken. I tend to stay with the types of equipment I know well.

A good rule. if I need some thing that I may spend $5000 on. I am not buying that at a auction. Some one is going to have to back thier item to get that kind of ging out of me.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

Dick Lemmon

12-07-2007 07:34:01

Report to Moderator

Re: Speaking of auction scumbags... in reply to RobMD, 12-06-2007 19:57:31

I have called auctioneers that I could trust and placed my top dollar on an item when I could not make it to an auction.
When you have an auction and do not have to sell, you have a choice of two ways of making sure you get at least what you need out of the item. One is have the auctioneer place a reserve at the start of bidding or have someone bid for you. If you place a reserve and say the amount it is hard to get a bid. It is done that way a lot at consignment auctions.
I also know that there is crooked auctions but it is hard to tell in most cases.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

1936

12-07-2007 07:28:56

Report to Moderator

Re: Speaking of auction scumbags... in reply to RobMD, 12-06-2007 19:57:31

Unknown to me I walked up on a styled JD A that would not start for the auctioneer. Had not looked at it other than from across the yard. Made two bids and mine. Yes it would smoke and not run. Had it hauled to my repair guy. He set the mag where it should have been and run fine. Must has F##ked up someones plan. Dad told me of one's who would cross wire JD's and etc. Watch the hay rack stuff move from box to box.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

rrlund

12-07-2007 06:52:58

Report to Moderator

Re: Speaking of auction scumbags... in reply to RobMD, 12-06-2007 19:57:31

Had a couple of guys around here that were known to be "available" to raise the bid on things,but did it for the owners,not the auctioneers. Saw them go up against eachother on the neighbors sale 20 years ago. They didn't know they were bidding against eachother on a skid steer. Owner got stuck with a no sale cause of his own greed.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

dhermesc

12-07-2007 05:39:01

Report to Moderator

Re: Speaking of auction scumbags... in reply to RobMD, 12-06-2007 19:57:31

I've seen a lot of auctioneers not even bother with shills - they just pull "air bids". I've caught one in Marysville Kansas doing that more than a few times. If the people bidding would pay more attention the shills/auctioneer wouldn't be able to pull that crap. Bid fast 3 or 4 times then suddenly stop with the shill or "air bidder" having top price then they go into their "confusion" act not knowing who had the last bid. Whenever an auctioneer offers to "let" you have it for your last bid you need to tell him to shove it and start the bidding over with real bidders.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

Tradititonal Farmer

12-07-2007 03:29:40

Report to Moderator

Re: Speaking of auction scumbags... in reply to RobMD, 12-06-2007 19:57:31

I went to an auction last Saturday bought about 15 items and probably bid on 50 more.So what?
You'd probably put me in that catagory but you'd be wrong I don't have a clue who owned the consignments and could care less. Lots of times when no one is starting items at a reasonable price I'll start it just to get things moving so the auction doesn't drag on all day.Pays off sometimes a couple months ago I bought a $700 air compressor for $50 that I bid $50 just to get the item going.Also if the crowd is really acting stupidified the auctioneers will sometimes
yell sold as soon as the first bid is made just to get people to go on and bid.No matter who is bidding or for what reason no one can make you bid higher than you want to go but yourself.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

super99

12-07-2007 01:36:15

Report to Moderator

Re: Speaking of auction scumbags... in reply to RobMD, 12-06-2007 19:57:31

Funniest one I ever seen, was the auctioner that sold it to his shill and then couldn't find the Buyer to get his number. Kept asking for the buyers number and finally gave up and asked if anyone else wanted it at that price, had to resell it. Did see one honest auctioneer once. Selling a Oliver 1950 on a farm sale. Bidding started and went fast for a little bit, and then he stopped. He said that he had had a call from a buyer that wasn't going to be at the sale and he had left a price, and we just passed it, so the tractor would be sold to someone in the crowd. Always a little shy about leaving a bid with auctioneer, figured that he would make it bring all that I bid even if no one showed up. Chris

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

Don-Wi

12-06-2007 23:18:43

Report to Moderator

Re: Speaking of auction scumbags... in reply to RobMD, 12-06-2007 19:57:31

Yep. Worst one I know of in the area is Chuck Tesch. He runs a rather large auction company, and they're pretty crooked. I can't say I've heard of too many people who come away happy with the results, yet guys still invite him onto their farms.

He runs a big consigment lot too and has a huge auction about every 6 months or so. Most of the stuff there is priced way too high too. Never been to one myself but I've heard through many who have.

Donovan from Wisconsin

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

georgeky

12-06-2007 22:42:14

Report to Moderator

Re: Speaking of auction scumbags... in reply to RobMD, 12-06-2007 19:57:31

They call them buy bidders here. Goes on all over.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

soundguy

12-06-2007 21:16:55

Report to Moderator

Re: Speaking of auction scumbags... in reply to RobMD, 12-06-2007 19:57:31

Yep... shill bidder.

I think i have witnessed it on ebay, and gunbroker.

In fact.. i saw an item.. bit on it.. and only one other bidder was bidding against me.. int he end.. I 'let' the shill win.. so all of a sudden.. I get a 2nd chance offer from the seller... guess he still wanted the sale after his friend accidentally won the auction! Ever notice the shills never have any history.. IE.. always bidders with either no feedback.. or no completed transactions under their belt.. etc..

Soundguy

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

Tractor buyer

12-06-2007 20:32:27

Report to Moderator

Re: Speaking of auction scumbags... in reply to RobMD, 12-06-2007 19:57:31

sometimes there are antique tractor dealers in the crowd too and they will bid on almost every tractor trying to get a deal...something to think about...they would probably know the auctioneers on a first name basis too because they have been to so many of that persons auction...just wanted to add my 2 cents...i am not doubting one bit that some auctioneers do have shill bidders but i want to say there has to be some honest ones out there

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

Roy Suomi

12-06-2007 20:17:16

Report to Moderator

Re: Speaking of auction scumbags... in reply to RobMD, 12-06-2007 19:57:31

That's why I don't bother with auctions anymore..I'd rather buy from an individual selling his own stuff..

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

John (C-IL)

12-06-2007 20:06:23

Report to Moderator

Re: Speaking of auction scumbags... in reply to RobMD, 12-06-2007 19:57:31

The term you are looking for is "shill".

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

Tinker In TN

12-06-2007 20:02:40

Report to Moderator

Re: Speaking of auction scumbags... in reply to RobMD, 12-06-2007 19:57:31

Happens all the time.

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

J Kemp

12-07-2007 08:13:10

Report to Moderator

Re: Speaking of auction scumbags... in reply to Tinker In TN, 12-06-2007 20:02:40

It Happens all the time...about 25 air copressors at a consignment sale had to bring$ 45 bucks , and $20 for the rechargable or the same guy got them bid back in ,, Sadly some of them were new and had never been used , presumed china imports ,On a WHIM , I got stuck with one of the rechargeable s for $20 bucks,, WHAT A WORTHLESS HUNK OF JUNK ,THE DURN THING CAN'T EVEN PUMP UP TWICE ON A FULL CHARGE BEFORE GOING DEAD ,, Someone in the crowd said they were built for Campbell hausfeld , doubtful ,Not a sign of origin any where ,No parts list paper or 800 # ,,pizzes me off when the asian market floods our economy with THEIR JUNK ,thankyou for hearing my 2 CENTS

[Log in to Reply] [No Email]

[Options] [Printer Friendly] [Posting Help] [Return to Forum] [Log in to Reply]

TRACTOR PARTS	TRACTOR MANUALS

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today. [ About Us ]

Home | Forums

Copyright © 1997-2023 Yesterday's Tractor Co.
All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy

TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.

Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters

Website Accessibility Policy