John Deere 40U with Orchard Fenders

Interesting #ThursdayThrowback story on this 1953 John Deere 40U with Orchard fenders selling next weekend.

This tractor was used to farm lemon orchards in the Goleta Valley of California. The custom-made fenders kept the lemon tree limbs from catching and being pulled under the tires. It was used from 1953-1960. Then subdivisions took form and eliminated most of the lemon orchards.

Chuck Beggs, the past owner, went to work for the Santa Barbara Orchid Co. in Goleta and took his tractor with him. 

The president of John Deere at that time was William Hewitt. They had a summer home in nearby Montecito. William's wife liked orchids. 

While visiting this nursery one day, William spotted the John Deere tractor, as his wife was admiring the orchids inside. Chuck was working in the field with the tractor. William couldn't help himself and had to drive that tractor and so he did.

This tractor was driven by the president of the John Deere Company.

In about 1985, the tractor ceased operations and was stored in a hedge row. The tractor was rescued in 2006 and restored. Now you have the opportunity to own it!

Selling on Saturday in the 2-Day Fall Harvest Auction, October 21-22 in Nokomis, IL. See website for complete details: www.aumannauctions.com

How To Choose An Auctioneer

How to choose the best auction company? What to look for to find the best auctioneer? Auctions are becoming a first choice method of liquidating everything from personal property, antiques, and estates to real estate, business liquidations and more. With the popularity of auctions increasing, there are several things to consider when choosing an auction company. It is important to do your homework and look for a reputable company with a proven track record and references. A little research will pay off in the long run.

There are several factors to consider outside of past auction results and references. The first concern for most sellers is the commission. But that should only be one of many factors to take into consideration. Are you looking to save money or make money? What is that auction company providing for that commission rate? Compare auction company services, technology, and marketing strategies, not just commission rates.

How extensive is their existing client base? Do they have global exposure on the Internet? In this age of computers, laptops, tablets and smart phones, technology is extremely important. Do they have an online bidding platform and an easy to navigate website? What kind of web traffic are they receiving? Most buyers look for convenience, as they may not have the time to attend a live auction. An auction company will consult with you on the best auction method for your property. Years ago the only auction method was a live event. Today the direction has gone to online auctions or live auctions with Internet simulcast bidding to reach the most buyers possible. Make sure the auction company you choose is current and effective with their technology and systems.

Most auction companies specialize in certain types of auctions or have multiple auctioneers on staff in order to specialize in a variety of auctions types. Look for ones that specialize in what you are selling. They will best know the value and how to attract the most interested buyers for your property. Marketing is crucial to bring the most value for your property.

Have the auction company provide a Marketing Plan. Are they using a variety of advertising methods? Newspapers and flyers posted around town may still be needed to bring exposure to your auction but, are they providing maximum exposure through internet advertising, email campaigns, targeted media campaigns and industry publications as well. Make sure their marketing plan is reaching the end buyer. The more targeted the campaign, the better results you will have for the least amount of advertising expense. The auction company you choose needs to be innovative and creative marketing experts.

Auction companies have plenty of success stories to share, but ask for referrals. Past clients will give you what you want to hear. Do they have a reputation for integrity, honesty and fairness? Did they demonstrate professionalism and have knowledgeable staff? Verifying a record of service satisfaction is key.

In addition to reputation, licensing and certifications are needed. Many auctioneers belong to professional organizations such as the National Auctioneers Association, Illinois Auctioneers Association and have completed training certifications such as CAI (Certified Auctioneers Institute). By hiring and auctioneer with these memberships and credentials you know they have invested in their education and training to provide the best auction service to their clients.

Once you have completed your homework and narrowed your selection of auction companies, watch them in action. Get on line and watch an online auction close, attend a live event and watch how the auctioneer engages with the buyers in attendance. A great auctioneer entices buyers to participate but, all the other factors mentioned to help choose the right auction company for your property, are imperative to making your auction successful.

Auctions Motivate Buyers! Aumann Auctions specializes in: Residential & Commercial Real Estate, Land, Business Liquidations, Asset Recovery, Estates, Antiques, Collectibles, Heavy Equipment and Farm Machinery, Vintage Power, Toys, Literature, Memorabilia and more!

Local Auction Company with National Resources and Worldwide Exposure. www.AumannAuctions.com 

Contact us today for a FREE confidential consultation about us helping you get top dollar for your property.

2014 Reader's Choice Award for the Best Auctioneer

Aumann Auctions, Inc. has been nominated for the Springfield Journal Register's 2014 Readers Choice Best Auctioneer Award! We would love it if you would take a minute and vote for us! http://sj-r.secondstreetapp.com/SJR-2014-Readers-Choice/Ballot/People

Uncovering The Jim Erdle Collection

We are in Canandaigua, NY uncovering The Jim Erdle Collection and will be posting sneak previews all week with videos and photos. Check it out! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0FdeGTA1UA

The Jim Erdle Collection Auction

New York Bound! We are getting ready to head out to Canadaigua,NY, to pull out some of the tractors from the Jim Erdle Collection. Hopefully, the weather will cooperate with us and we can get some awesome shots of these superb tractors. If you want to try and get a sneak preview of what we uncover, stay tuned to our blog and facebook postings. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Aumann-Auctions-Inc/102379216542504?ref=hl

The way to bid in the future....

We've recently seen some advancements in the way of online bidding. These advancements are sure to change the way consumers can buy what they are looking for.

MarkNet Alliance has premiered their multi-par online bidding software at the 2010 National Auctioneers Associations Conference and Show in Greensboro, NC. This bidding software could be used to service many different clients, from a business liquidating it's building, equipment and other assets to land owners wantign to sell farmland. Iron Horse(A MarkNet Alliance member) recently ran a successful multi-par on a vinyard and the components of the business. Other MarkNet companies are taking advantage of this software and putting it to use for their clients and their customers.

Even in our Antique Tractor world we see changes coming..... We currently have an online only auction of a 30-60 Mogul Tractor. We've posted a You Tube video of the tractor running and are offering an inspection (by appointment) to those who are potentially interested in bidding on the tractor. This is a HUGE advantage to those clients who have one or two tractors. We can service you by putting them online and having the customer pick it up at your desired location. Antique Tractor buyers have become acustomed to looking online for tractors and upcoming auctions. Many of them buy online and feel just as secure as doing that as they do if they would have attended the auction.

We're in the beautiful state of Pennsylvania cataloging a John Deere Tractor Collection that will be an online only auction running from November 14-21st. Check out the website for pictures.

International Auctioneers Conference & Show 2010

This years 61st International Auctioneers Conference & Show was held in Greensboro, North Carolina, July 13-17. This conference provide auction professionals the opportunity to learn more about our profession through designated courses and by seminars offered during the conference. In addition to the learning aspect of the conference there is also the social interaction that these members get to be a part of. Members of the National Auctioneers Association and other non-members gather in open social settings to discuss their business and the business community in their area. This year one of the classes was instructed by a professional auctioneer from Capetown, South Africa. His class was on International Business and it was highly attended. The seminars offered ranged from beginner to advanced. So whatever stage of the business your in at this time this conference and what you learn can help you go to the next level.
I myself was a first time attendee to this event. Let me tell you, they welcomed me with open arms. I was invited for a "first timers" breakfast where me and my mentor the wonderful Traci Dower had breakfast together and mingled with other first time attendees. I sat by a gentleman from Canada,which if you know me it was perfect, since I once lived in Canada. We discussed his business and other things related to conducting auctions in Canada. From that point on every time I saw him at the conference I made sure I said hi.
This is just one example of the many delightful experiences and friendships I made while attending conference & show. I think I could write a book on all that I was a part of.
This experience showed me what a wonderful organization I'm apart of and how much I truly enjoy this business. I hope I can keep this feeling going throughout the rest of the year until next conference & show in Orlando. I'll have to get re-fueled. Next year will be extremely special to me since I will be receiving my CAI designation pin along with my fellow classmates. These classmates are now apart of my extended family and people I know I can turn to at anytime in my life. They've all showed their support for me during troubled times and I know that our bond will only get stronger as time goes by. Thank you CAI class of 2011
In summary I would like to say that if you aren't a member of the National Auctioneers Association....Join Today!!! This year's slogan was "Connect for Success" and that is a promise they keep!! Hope to see you in Orlando

T-Shirt Contest Winner

And the winner is.......Russell Puchalla from Nebraska. Thank you to all of you who participated in the contest. Keep watching the blog and our facebook page for more contests and giveways.

I hope Russell enjoys sporting his new Aumann Auctions, Inc. t-shirt out there in Nebraska.

Future Auction Professionals

I often wonder how young people pick their future profession? Some of us follow in our family footsteps, some of us follow our dreams as a child and others pick something out of the sky.
I was the third kind of person...."pick something from the sky". I picked the school that was still taking applications and the program that looked like the most fun to me....Travel & Tourism. I ended up enjoying the program but it lacked the skills that I need to know to go in the direction that I wanted to go into which was working at a Tourist Board. The lesson this taught me was to examin the course outline and the associated classes. Look at the teachers and where they've worked. Most teachers work in the field their instructing about.

I know from personal experience that I would not have pictured myself working in the auction industry. The funny thing about it is that it fits into all of the things that I wanted to do in my adult career. I get to travel, talk to people about the things they love, work with innovative professionals and work on creative projects.
I love talking to people about what I do and the business I'm in. They always ask me if I "talk fast". I tell them "no, I have a hard enough time talking slow"...Ha! Ha! They are always so interested in what we do.

I wish I would have known about this profession earlier on in my life so I could have properly educated myself before picking Travel and Tourism. I think the auction industry needs to educate our youth about this business. Consider setting up at a job fair or hiring an intern from highschool or college to work at your business. Another good way to find future auctioneers is to mentor a young adult. Teach them the ins and outs, introduce them to people who could further their career.
I just finished my second year at CAI and I wish I had enrolled into the program when I first started working in this industry. I think it's a great learning experience for people in the industry.

On an Aumann Auction note I would like to congratulate our own Tucker Aumann on graduating from the World Wide College of Auctioneering auction school. Tucker is a 3rd generation auctioneer. I always wondered which way he would go but now I see he wanted to follow in his father and grand-father's footsteps. He now has his name as Col. Tucker Aumann on his facebook profile. Watch for him up on the auction podium.

The Aumann Classic Tractor Auction Results

Last week we had our 2nd Aumann Classic Antique Tractor Auction. Our goal for this auction is to promote 50 prestine tractors to potential buyers. We feel it's important to offer our buyers various opprotunities to purchase quality tractors. The combination of this auction in the summer time and our Annual Antique Tractor auction in the fall we're sure to satisfy everyone's needs.

Friday night we hosted a "Collector's Social" for anyone wanting to come a preview the tractors and to pre-register. Our friendly staff provided sandwiches, chips and drinks to our customers. This allows us to spend some one on one time with people and really see what they need from us.

Watch for more of our "Collector's Socials" on our summer lineup of auctions.

The auction started at 10am with the sign collection auction being the first items up on the auction block. This collection could have been the envy of every shop owner. I know I saw a couple that would have looked nice in my shed but I'm here to sell not buy I told myself.
Once we were finished with the signs we started on the high quality variety of tractors that were consigned to the auction. Bidders participated by phone bid, live bid, and online bidding. We had bidders from 24 states of the US, Canada and the UK.

This years auction was conducted at the American Farm Heritage Museum in Greenville, IL. We would like to thanks the organization and all it's members for their help and their friendly disposition. They went above and beyond with our staff and it made our job that much easier for us. We hope that this will continue in the future.

If you would like more information on our upcoming auction and results of the Aumann Classic please visit