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Writer's pictureMike Brandly, Auctioneer
Dec 23, 20102 min read

Auctions & Holidays


As we sit here December 23, 2010, just two days from Christmas, the question again is being discussed if public auctions can be successfully held on (or near) holidays.

For instance, can a successful public auction be held July 4, Father’s Day, Thanksgiving Day, New Year’s Day, Mother’s Day, Easter, or on (or around) other well-known holidays?

I would submit the answer is “yes.” I have heard from long-time auctioneers all across the United States (Illinois, Michigan, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Utah … to mention a few) that they hold auctions on or near holidays consistently with good results; in fact, many report better than average results in terms of crowds and prices.

The rebuttal to this line of thinking is that the public is otherwise engaged in holiday-related activities including shopping, cooking, attending parties, etc., on or around holidays, and therefore would not have the time or interest in attending a public auction.

Yet, another auctioneer’s perspective was particularly noteworthy: “… have an auction on a holiday and you won’t have much competition from other auctions — that’s for sure …”

Are there exceptions to the premise that any day is good for an auction? Some auctioneers say Christmas Day is an exception. Some auctioneers say Thanksgiving Day is an exception. One auctioneer told me that the day Auburn plays Alabama (Iron Bowl) is an exception …

We wrote in an earlier article that, essentially, “If you build it, they will come.” In other words, an auction can be held any day, any time, if items are being offered which are in demand, and if the bidders sense the prospect of a deal.

Too, it is worth noting that online auctions often run through holidays and those facilitating those events report the same or better results when holidays are involved as compared to non-holiday periods.

Auctions & holidays? It appears most auctioneers are reporting as good (or better) results for their clients when those auctions are held on or around holidays.

Mike Brandly, Auctioneer, CAI, AARE has been an auctioneer and certified appraiser for over 30 years. His company’s auctions are located at: Mike Brandly, Auctioneer, Keller Williams Auctions and Goodwill Columbus Car Auction. His Facebook page is: www.facebook.com/mbauctioneer. He serves as Adjunct Faculty at Columbus State Community College and is Executive Director of The Ohio Auction School.

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