Why Auctions Work: The Power of a Definite Deadline

It's Blog Post Thursday! Okay, fine—it's actually Friday. I'm working on getting back into this routine. I know, I know—I feel like a broken record: we're busy, we're busy, we're busy. But here's the thing: everyone is busy. And that's exactly why auctions work.

Auctions give people a definite. A hard deadline. A decision point.

Either You're In or You're Out

People know something is going to sell on auction day. There's no endless waiting, no "let me think about it for three more months." You make a choice: either you're in or you're out.

And honestly? I think that's why I love auctions.

Now, I can already hear some of you: "But Kara, there's ALL KINDS of pressure at auctions!"

Is there though? Either you want it or you don't. Our job is to find the people looking for what we're selling. If you're hunting for 20 acres and we're selling 1 acre, guess what? You don't want the 1 acre. If we're selling 19 acres, you've got to decide whether that'll work for you. I'm not here to talk you into it—unless you're at the auction or on the website bidding. Then it's game on.

The Ringman's Role

At the auction, as a ringman or auctioneer, it's our job—our responsibility, or whatever you want to call it—to ask if you'd like to be in, to bid, to buy the property. But even then, it's still not heavy pressure. It's exciting. There's a difference.

Why We Don't Make Predictions

We make predictions amongst ourselves sometimes, but never to the public. Why not? Because what we say has sway.

How many times have you heard—or said yourself—"But you SAID it was going to bring [blank]!"

I learned this lesson the hard way. Someone who wasn't even buying asked me what I thought a house would bring. They promised they wouldn't say anything. I don't even remember if my guess was high or low, but afterward they told me I should "know more about my business." So much for friendly conversation.

Now when people ask? Sorry, but it's an auction—does anyone really know?

The Auction Truth

Yes, we hear "that went cheap." Yes, we hear "they paid HOW MUCH—are they crazy?"

It's an auction.

We tell everyone the same thing: "Some things go high, some things go low, and most things go right where they should."

That's the beauty of it. The market decides. The people decide. And when that gavel falls, it's done. No second-guessing, no endless negotiations—just a clean, definite outcome.

And in a world where everyone's busy and overwhelmed with decisions? That definite is worth its weight in gold.

Happy Bidding!
Kara C. Belcher-Miller
Auctioneer