Not on my Radar… Auctions and COVID-19

Not on the Radar…. Auctions and COVID-19

Weather is something that an auctioneer pays attention to when conducting Live/Online auctions. Growing up on a farm in South Dakota, you learn to watch the weather for ques of potential bad weather. Watching the clouds, but now we can just watch the radar on our phone to plan for potential weather. 2020 is setting up to be more amazing auctions, then came a storm that I couldn’t pick up on my radar-COVID-19. I woke up march 18th, 2020 with my cell phone wondering about this virus and our auctions. I have to admit, at first, I could not see how this would be a big deal. We have so many flus every year with significant death rates. But then, the news changed and started to come more to the Midwest. VanDerBrink Auctions, along with others, were watching how this would affect our events. Soon was the cancellation of Good Guys, Hot Harley Nights, Mecum rescheduled, and we had to start looking at how to proceed. Many states were enacting “Stay at Home” orders, Social Distancing, and limiting group sizes. VanDerBrink Auctions loves our buyers and sellers and were now put in a position to look at adjusting in this “new normal”. We have been doing Simulcast auctions since 2004 and also Online Only auctions. So now we were being faced with moving dates, and making our first auctions Online only and or virtual auctions. When we do our Land auctions, we like to do them in the fields and bidders can stay in their vehicles and bid. It works great. But how could this be applied safely and according to guidelines. It couldn’t so now we need to re-advertise and educate on this process till we can get back to having fun in the sun and selling at auction. We are hoping that this summer, we are able to get back to normal. We have so many cool things on the schedule, 1961 Mercedes Benz 190SL Roadster, 20-1932 Fords, 1959 Caddies, motorcycles, and more. Most of all, I love meeting and talking to my bidders and celebrate our seller’s collections.
A study was done as to the results at auction and the atmosphere of the bidding. The study showed that when bidders are uncomfortable, they have a tendency to bid higher. Well, I don’t think they were thinking about COVID-19. We recently had a Zoom conference with almost 175 auctioneers from around the United States. Every area had Governors that had implemented different guidelines. Most all auctioneers had gone totally online or completely postponed. There also were auctioneers still conducting live auctions as they were deemed essential and trying to maintain CDC guidelines. Recently, there was a large auction in Iowa with an Amish Horse auction. Over 400 attended the auction. The state worked with the auction company and did questioners. They encouraged distancing and held outdoors. It was also taken into consideration that the Amish don’t typically travel or socialize out of their community. The event took a lot of criticism from the public even with taking precautions. In South Dakota, 5 miles rom my house, they can conduct Live auctions. It’s very frustrating with the restrictions in place in my state. So that is why we are looking at Virtual, Online and hope to be back into swing soon. We encourage everyone to watch the website for updates so that they are prepared. We are also working with pickup times with various apps like Signupgenius.
Well let’s look at the up side of this deal, if there is one. I’ve been following guys in my Facebook and Instagram groups and we all have gained time to work on those projects. My husband and I have been working on a 1969 Camaro to get ready for summer. It’s cool to see all the guys looking for parts and showing off their rides. I’ve had extra time to post cool auctions we have coming up. I even did a youtube video on looking at VIN and how to bid on a classic car at an auction. Watch for that. I would think that this ole’ virus wouldn’t think of biting a guy or gal that has gasoline, rust, and greasy hands. I have to admit, I sat in my 1965 Chevelle SS and gave it a little pep talk that don’t worry, we’ll get you out of the shed soon and down the road. Actually, I can’t think of a better way to Social Distance right now. So, hang in there, we’ll get through this and VanDerBrink Auctions will get you back on the road! So, stay safe and we’ll all back to the cruises, shows, and auctions. For now, follow the CDC guidelines, wash those greasy paws, and did out those body shop masks. Stay safe!

Yvette VanDerBrink-Auctioneer
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