The Branson Spring Auction Sets a Record
Last weekend's Branson Spring Auction established a benchmark which other auctions will find it hard to match.
We (a term I use in this case because I do the introductions on the block) sold the first 28 cars to cross the block on Saturday and 38 of the first 41. There were a couple of no-reserve cars in the bunch, but most were standard old consigned-with-reserve cars.
People who are familiar with collector car auctions know that the startup each day in consignment sales is frequently slow and that the auctions routinely give the first ten cars re-run privileges later in the day. Bidders are still arriving, getting settled in their seats, shooting the bull with their friends and neighbors and settling into the day's routine.
So an achievement like selling 28 of the first 28 cars to cross the block is an exceptional, noteworthy, accomplishment.
To give credit where it is due, the team on the block was assembled by Spanky Assiter and consisted of auctioneers Mark Gelman and Carlin Hooten (from nearby Cassville, MO). The ring crew included Tim and Bandy Assiter and Mitchell Armitage. Bob Rathgeber was grinder, backed up by the Branson Auction's impresario Jim Cox. Chris Neuhauser ran the Post Sale desk. [Spanky and Amy Assiter had gone back to Texas early on Saturday to preside at Amy's daughter's prom.]
I attribute this landmark success to a couple of important factors:
It was funny to be there, knowing what was happening, knowing that others knew it, too, and not having ANYONE mention it, like avoiding mentioning "perfect game" before the last out of the ninth inning.
Rick Carey
We (a term I use in this case because I do the introductions on the block) sold the first 28 cars to cross the block on Saturday and 38 of the first 41. There were a couple of no-reserve cars in the bunch, but most were standard old consigned-with-reserve cars.
People who are familiar with collector car auctions know that the startup each day in consignment sales is frequently slow and that the auctions routinely give the first ten cars re-run privileges later in the day. Bidders are still arriving, getting settled in their seats, shooting the bull with their friends and neighbors and settling into the day's routine.
So an achievement like selling 28 of the first 28 cars to cross the block is an exceptional, noteworthy, accomplishment.
To give credit where it is due, the team on the block was assembled by Spanky Assiter and consisted of auctioneers Mark Gelman and Carlin Hooten (from nearby Cassville, MO). The ring crew included Tim and Bandy Assiter and Mitchell Armitage. Bob Rathgeber was grinder, backed up by the Branson Auction's impresario Jim Cox. Chris Neuhauser ran the Post Sale desk. [Spanky and Amy Assiter had gone back to Texas early on Saturday to preside at Amy's daughter's prom.]
I attribute this landmark success to a couple of important factors:
- The quality of consignments was very good
- The reserves were reasonable
- The consignors recognized the excitement that was building in the tent, realized the money was good and they were not going to do better, and took the money bids
- Since Jim and Kathy Cox changed the sale's schedule to Friday-Saturday and eliminated the Sunday re-run opportunities the consignors -- and the bidders -- know that the best time to make a deal and make it stick is when the car is on the block.
It was funny to be there, knowing what was happening, knowing that others knew it, too, and not having ANYONE mention it, like avoiding mentioning "perfect game" before the last out of the ninth inning.
Rick Carey
