What is a Contract Auctioneer Worth?

 

By Deb Weidenhamer

 

Many auction firms use contract auctioneers along with their full-time auctioneers in order to conduct multiple sale ring auctions or multiple auctions scheduled for the same auction date.  This is true of my own firm who has several contract auctioneers that have been with our company, some for many years.  As a company we have made a concentrated effort to attract new graduates of auction schools as contract recruits to assist in our auctions.

 

Block time is the big goal – the new auctioneer wants it and the auction firm management needs an auctioneer that will make the most money for the seller.  So beginning contractors work as ring people, learning how to interact with auction buyers, spot bids and become more familiar with the expectations of the bid caller.  Occasionally they are given block time as lower value items are offered, but the block time is short and increased based on the continuing improvement of the skill level of the bid caller.

 

As businesspeople this makes sense – the best performing staff is utilized more, receives more development and of course makes a better wage.  Seems simple but over the years that my firm has used contractors as they improve and get more block time they want to make more money.  So we periodically raise their pay based upon their skill improvement, salesmanship and block time endurance. 

 

There is a point when a contract auctioneer believes they deserve a higher wage then they are receiving usually after a one time auction opportunity comes their way that pays them a higher wage.  Possibly it is true that they may be worth more than they are making but it still surprises me when a contractor demands more money instead of discussing their pay and defending their value to the marketplace.

 

Several components go into deciding what to pay a contract auctioneer such as how many auctions a month you are giving them to work, skill, salesmanship, reliability and the list goes on.  The best way to ask for more money is to simply approach the auction manager and ask “what skills would I need to improve in order to make more money?”  Demanding greater pay leads to hard feelings especially when it is very likely that the contractor spends a great deal more time thinking about their rate of pay while the auction management is focused on other components of the business. 

 

Good auction firms pay a fair wage and I personally love nothing more then bonusing great auction performers - the auctioneers that are constantly practicing and improving their skills, who greet the audience with enthusiasm and use all the salesmanship to get the money.  So before asking for a greater wage make a list of what contributions you are making to the auction and why you are worth more and then ask the questions of auction management to insure that your value is being appreciated.  Often you will be pleasantly surprised that you are very valued and just a few minor improvements may make you worth even more then you imagined.