The Newark Beekeeping Auction: everything you need to know…
Andrew Barber explains what will happen on the day (Saturday, 13th April)
Just a few words about our forthcoming annual auction...
If you are bringing items for sale, someone will be at Newark Showground in the cattle sheds near the main entrance from about 8 o’clock in the Saturday morning. Alternatively, if you wish to bring items over on the Friday, you can do so as long as you make an appointment with me beforehand. To do so, please contact me on 07867 797812.
Items are laid out in lines in groups belonging to each seller. Items are individually itemised, each seller having their own dedicated named sheets. Each item is then given a number, generally a cloakroom ticket with its number correlating to its description on a sheet.
If you are bringing sale items there may be some valuable items that you don’t want to sell for silly prices, so you will be asked if you wish to put a reserve on it; there is no charge for this. Some people get confused about reserves. The price you put on as a reserve is the price you are willing to accept for the sale of that item. If the item does not reach its reserve, then it is not sold and you take that item home again. If the bids get close to the reserve you may be asked by the auctioneer if you are willing to let it go for the lesser price. We try to get the cash to you as quickly as possible minus 10% commission; it won’t be at the end of the show, but hopefully within a week.
If you are buying, please turn up before 2pm, have a look round, go home if nothing is of interest, or book in as someone registering to bid. If you have been a bidder before, we will have you on file and you will have a dedicated bidding number. If you are a new bidder then we take your details (name, address, etc.) and you will be given a number which will be written on a card. That’s it! Just because you have been given a bidding number it doesn’t mean you have to bid, it’s up to you.
At 2pm the bidding will start. I, or whoever is taking the auction, will explain that bidder and sellers will each pay commission of 10% of the price realised. So, if you buy something at £100 you will pay £110. If you are a seller then the price realised will be the price less 10%.
As for bidding, some people get worried by this. You won’t be forced into buying something you didn’t want simply because you coughed at the wrong time. If you are interested in something, make a bid and make it obvious that you are bidding. The auctioneer knows that you are bidding and will keep an eye on you. If you want to pull out just shake your head and the auctioneer will look elsewhere. If you change your mind then you can come back in again if you want to.
Sometimes the auctioneer will ask you if you wish to ‘stand on’. This happens when there are multiple items that are the same, belonging to the same seller, for example sets of frames. If you just want the one you are bidding for, that’s the end of it. If there are ten items and you would like 5, tell the auctioneer and he will sell you 5 for the same price per each item. The reason this is done is to speed up the auction when there are multiples of
the same item. If you are the successful bidder, show the auctioneer your card with your bidding number on it, those items can then be added to your account. Show the card the correct way up, please! It’s also surprising the number of people who expect the auctioneer to remember your number.
When you think you have bought enough, go to the cash desk and settle your bill. Please don’t then go back and continue bidding: it really messes up the system and the sales staff will be stressed enough as it is.
In closing, a few tips…
Take a catalogue with you, such as Thornes so that you can see how much items are when new. It’s surprising the number of people who buy items second-hand for more that they could buy new.
Don’t get carried away. Decide how much you are prepared to pay and stick to it. It’s very easy to keep bidding especially when you don’t like the person you are bidding against, it becomes personal!
Lastly enjoy it! There is always plenty of banter and it becomes quite a social occasion. Also, bring refreshments: there is usually a café on site but to be sure, bring your own as we are not allowed to do our own catering.
I look forward to seeing you there.
Please contact me if you have any questions.
Regards,
Andrew Barber
Just a few words about our forthcoming annual auction...
If you are bringing items for sale, someone will be at Newark Showground in the cattle sheds near the main entrance from about 8 o’clock in the Saturday morning. Alternatively, if you wish to bring items over on the Friday, you can do so as long as you make an appointment with me beforehand. To do so, please contact me on 07867 797812.
Items are laid out in lines in groups belonging to each seller. Items are individually itemised, each seller having their own dedicated named sheets. Each item is then given a number, generally a cloakroom ticket with its number correlating to its description on a sheet.
If you are bringing sale items there may be some valuable items that you don’t want to sell for silly prices, so you will be asked if you wish to put a reserve on it; there is no charge for this. Some people get confused about reserves. The price you put on as a reserve is the price you are willing to accept for the sale of that item. If the item does not reach its reserve, then it is not sold and you take that item home again. If the bids get close to the reserve you may be asked by the auctioneer if you are willing to let it go for the lesser price. We try to get the cash to you as quickly as possible minus 10% commission; it won’t be at the end of the show, but hopefully within a week.
If you are buying, please turn up before 2pm, have a look round, go home if nothing is of interest, or book in as someone registering to bid. If you have been a bidder before, we will have you on file and you will have a dedicated bidding number. If you are a new bidder then we take your details (name, address, etc.) and you will be given a number which will be written on a card. That’s it! Just because you have been given a bidding number it doesn’t mean you have to bid, it’s up to you.
At 2pm the bidding will start. I, or whoever is taking the auction, will explain that bidder and sellers will each pay commission of 10% of the price realised. So, if you buy something at £100 you will pay £110. If you are a seller then the price realised will be the price less 10%.
As for bidding, some people get worried by this. You won’t be forced into buying something you didn’t want simply because you coughed at the wrong time. If you are interested in something, make a bid and make it obvious that you are bidding. The auctioneer knows that you are bidding and will keep an eye on you. If you want to pull out just shake your head and the auctioneer will look elsewhere. If you change your mind then you can come back in again if you want to.
Sometimes the auctioneer will ask you if you wish to ‘stand on’. This happens when there are multiple items that are the same, belonging to the same seller, for example sets of frames. If you just want the one you are bidding for, that’s the end of it. If there are ten items and you would like 5, tell the auctioneer and he will sell you 5 for the same price per each item. The reason this is done is to speed up the auction when there are multiples of
the same item. If you are the successful bidder, show the auctioneer your card with your bidding number on it, those items can then be added to your account. Show the card the correct way up, please! It’s also surprising the number of people who expect the auctioneer to remember your number.
When you think you have bought enough, go to the cash desk and settle your bill. Please don’t then go back and continue bidding: it really messes up the system and the sales staff will be stressed enough as it is.
In closing, a few tips…
Take a catalogue with you, such as Thornes so that you can see how much items are when new. It’s surprising the number of people who buy items second-hand for more that they could buy new.
Don’t get carried away. Decide how much you are prepared to pay and stick to it. It’s very easy to keep bidding especially when you don’t like the person you are bidding against, it becomes personal!
Lastly enjoy it! There is always plenty of banter and it becomes quite a social occasion. Also, bring refreshments: there is usually a café on site but to be sure, bring your own as we are not allowed to do our own catering.
I look forward to seeing you there.
Please contact me if you have any questions.
Regards,
Andrew Barber