Page 15 - 2017 3rd Qtr Newsletter_TAA_FINAL

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Bridging Gaps By: Heather Kaspar

I had the opportunity to work with adjustment for me. It was like
several fellow TAA members at my listening for the clerk at a car
most recent on-site estate auction. auction, when an online bid comes
in, just not paying attention to any of
This was the first time I had an their hand movements. I just had to
interpreter on hand to assist with block out the gestures and focus on
bidders that I could not clearly everyone else.
communicate with on my own.
Once I experienced this, I could tell
This estate had 4 heirs, one of which the other Auctioneers to just listen potential dispute or misunderstanding
was hearing impaired. During the for Lou Ann & tell the Ringmen to let was able to be cleared up directly on
set up process, we communicated Lou Ann concentrate on the hearing the spot.
well for the most part, with very few impaired bidders and they were to
misunderstandings. I knew auction focus on everyone else. There was something very special
day would be different. Everything about being able to truly communicate
and everyone moves a little faster So there were a lot of takeaways and bring the auction method of
on auction day & from that auction marketing to a group of people
with the amount for me. I initially that have never been able to truly
of items we had called Lou Ann experience it.
to sell & the heat, to provide a
we didn’t want it clear form of There is incredible value on both
to take any longer communication sides of the fence. The opportunity
than it had to. for the handful to allow people that would normally
of bidders I had not be able to participate in an
I called in Stan & expected to be auction was a pretty amazing feeling.
Lou Ann Young there. More showed There was a joy brought to them that
with the Auction up than what I they were not expecting. The value
Pro Team. Stan was told by the and peace of mind that it brings you
assisted as Ringman end of the day, I as an Auctioneer is incredible and
& Lou Ann signed was so grateful is something that should be given
everything from the opening I made the call. Only to give these serious thought when planning your
announcements to the closing bidders an opportunity ALL of them auctions. The more people we can
remarks, only taking breaks when said they never had. Until then, communicate with, the more people
the 12 hearing impaired bidders let they had never had the ability to that participate in our auctions.
her know she could take a break enjoy and actively participate in a
because they weren’t interested in live auction. But also, to have what In the TAA we have members with
the current items being auctioned. I associate with numerous different
as, an insurance skill sets and
I think I can speak for all the other policy. There were influence. I encourage
Auctioneers and Ringman working a couple of everyone to seek
the auction that day, when I say that opportunities where out people within
we had to adjust slightly, from normal a...miscommunication the organization
operations. I started the auction out would have been with special skills
& naturally we connect with our highly likely without needed for their
bidders by eye contact. The second Lou Ann there. auction projects
item we had a deaf bidder actively With her there and work together,
bidding on an item. Reading his body I was able to be when possible,
language (as if he wasn’t hearing absolutely certain to promote the
impaired) I took, what I thought was that all parties auction method of
a bid, that was not. knew what was marketing.
going on, where
Lou Ann told me quickly to not pay the bid was, how and why we were
attention to them, which was hard selling items, and the full terms
sometimes, and just listen for her of the sale and clearly understand
yell. At that point it was a quick anything that was going on. Any

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