Frustrating Day

Today we had a caravan auction in Raleigh and Durham. I drove over 100 miles, saw 14 units and didn't buy a single one. I only saw 4 people that I would classify as regulars. But the most frustrating part were these 3 guys, all friends I suppose. They were kidding around like they were. They were loud, obnoxious, breaking auction rules, being purposefully disruptive during the auction.. For example, when the bidding started up and a few real bidders were in the game, one of them would scream out "500... .... pennies!" This happened repeatedly throughout the day. I asked the DM of this facility (acting auctioneer) to please ask these guys to stop their antics or to have them escorted off the property. He refused.. because they were buying units. It threw me off my game big time.

What strategies do you guys and gals use to drown out these types of people at your auction?

He refused.. because they were buying units. It threw me off my game big time.

What strategies do you guys and gals use to drown out these types of people at your auction?

I guess that was their strategy and it seems to have worked.

I guess that was their strategy and it seems to have worked.

I would guess the three yahoos had no strategy and were just goofballs...500....PENNIES! That's right up there with the clowns who yell..."Yupp!".  Fortunately that has slowed down.

My advice...don't fight them...ignore them. Chances are you won't see that group around much anyway once they've made a few mistakes in buying by taking their comedy routine to the faciltiies.

feel your pain... I try not to get caught up in the "personalities" and just focus on what's best for me....but MAN,sometimes tht's almost impossible ... usually I just walk away,leave,and go to the last few auctions of the day,hoping the idiots are broke and everyone else is tired

Thought about it for a while and there's just not much you can do about it except run them up (if you have the means to) on anything they seriously bid on. I have seen these types come and go but generally they only come out for one auction date and never last more then a month.

Whatever you do, don't let anyone get in your head at the auction, and stick to your game plan!

The other type of character that annoys me is the bragger/intimidator type. You know the ones who come out of nowhere but act like they are old-time storage auction buying whales. Talk a big game about their buying & selling, bid big on units (& get run up by everyone else for running their mouths) then after a couple of months of overpaying for units they start to quiet down and stand in the shadows, then after a couple of more months they disappear.

Sayonara, *****ez   

The shouting ridiculous amounts was just part of the battle. They hovered around the units once they were opened. The few units I was interested, it was tough to go back for a second look because these guys were blocking the way. They weren't bidding on the unit either. They knew nothing of etiquette. I was one of 3 "regulars" at yesterday's auctions and I didn't want to cause a scene by putting these guys in their place. It was very clear that they were having some kind of "guy's day out".

They did win a locker for $150 with moving blankets covering 2 CRT TV's and 2 half full boxes.. I hope they have fun with it.

I'm with MovieMan on this.  It would seem the first step would simply be the mental discipline to block out their distractions.  In my "day job" we have to contend with people like this from time to time when doing competitive presentations and pitches. 

My mental mantra for it is, focus on the goal, do what you always do, don't let them take you off your game. 

They're either doing it to try to get a real advantage by throwing you off your game, or they're doing it to entertain themselves by seeing you get annoyed.  Either way, if you ignore them they fail to get what they wanted out of it.

Most of the time I ignore people like that.  Also however, most of the managers in our area will not put up with that type of behavior either.  The reason being those 3 guys bought 1 unit for $150.  Where, all the regulars bought all the other units for more money and will be back next month.  Most of the people here would rather have the regulars buying then the loud mouth newbies.

Also - most of us regulars will start to squeeze people like that out.

I can deal with the shouting and carrying on. But if I'm actively bidding on a locker, I'd like you to get the heck out of my way so I can get a good look! They seemingly purposefully stood in front of each and every locker during the bidding, almost shoulder to shoulder. I don't think I'll be seeing them again, but this was my last opportunity of the week to purchase a locker.

I can deal with the shouting and carrying on. But if I'm actively bidding on a locker, I'd like you to get the heck out of my way so I can get a good look! They seemingly purposefully stood in front of each and every locker during the bidding, almost shoulder to shoulder. I don't think I'll be seeing them again, but this was my last opportunity of the week to purchase a locker.

Luckily I have the body mass & attitude to say "Get your goofy a$$ out of the way!!" & just push my way through. I realize for some men & most women that might be kind of difficult to do.

Like Storme said; most people aren't looking for confrontation so go ahead and assert yourself next time, you shouldn't have a problem, and if you do most of the time the auctioneer, facility owner/manager AND the rest of the crowd will back you up.

Reminds me of a time about 2 years ago: One newbie came out, he was young, early twenties, look current or ex- military. Anyway he was bidding on units and as each unit he bid on that he didn't win he got  madder & madder. Finally on one unit he lost he started getting in the face of one of the other bidders, It was wierd cause it wasn't like he was mad at that guy, but he was just taking out is frustration on that guy, cussing, complaining about prices to high, blah, blah, blah, Well other bidder was like; dude I don't know you, get out of my face, go complain to someone else, stop yelling in my ear. Newbie then got really offended and mad that some stranger didn't wan't to be his new best friend. That's when he started talking trash like he was going to give the bidder an 'attitude adjustment'. Well bidder was well known regular, so before newbie could blink there were like 10 more guys backing up the regular. Newbie backed off and never returned for another auction.

Luckily I have the body mass & attitude to say "Get your goofy a$$ out of the way!!" & just push my way through. I realize for some men & most women that might be kind of difficult to do.

I've got the body mass as well.. being 6'4 350 lbs. However, I don't have the attitude. I did walk up on the lockers I was interested in and nose around. I asked them if they were bidding on the locker as a sort of *hint hint*.. but they didn't catch my drift..

I asked the DM of this facility (acting auctioneer) to please ask these guys to stop their antics or to have them escorted off the property. He refused.. because they were buying units.

Any chance the DM was secretly buddy, buddy with these three guys?

For us I'm usually the one who confronts those types.  If I want to look I’m going to look and after I cleared the path I have the wife come up.  Rude people will mess your day up.   The wife on the other hand, if she sees a rude individual wanting something she goes all out.  She don’t care what it cost they will not get it.  The daughters are the same way also.  You piss them off; you are not walking away with it.  There is always a way of getting back at them.  What they don’t realize when you piss people off, they will bid just to jack up the price.  Every dollar the price is bumped up is a dollar out of their pocket….

@Alloro: I don't think he knew them. He was just glad to collect something on the ****ty units.

@Parksleyman: I typically clam up and don't let my anger/frustration get to me. I protect myself by not buying. But man, I could have used some more inventory!