Ray Carman – Auctioneer

We have been honored to be asked to help with a benefit auction in Gallatin for a local family. The mother, Brandy Shrum, is currently dealing with her third bout with Breast Cancer. Here is the flier for the benefit:

Here is how you can be involved:

1. Donate a gift certificate or item for the live or silent auction.

2. Join us at the auction sale and bid HIGH on the items generously donated.

3. Make a monetary donation at an account set up in this families behalf at Sumner Bank and Trust.

For more information, please call Jamie Ballou at 615-752-6495. I look forward to seeing you there!

One constant about any auction you go to is the Auction Chant. The rhythmic sounds fill the air and people are captivated by what the auctioneer is saying. It is one of the grandest allures of an auction sale and why so many people enjoy them. Take your mind off of the chant for just a second, and you may lose out on what is going on.

Every Auctioneer has his or her own chant. It is something you develop through voice training and alot of practicing. I can remember countless hours spent at Auction school counting numbers, doing tongue twisters, and learning the fillers. As each individual put his/her training to use, each person would begin to develop their own unique cry that they were most comfortable with. And once it set in, it became as easy and smooth as talking! And if you were good, your voice could capture and captivate the audience at any sale.

I have been asked countless times on how one learns the “Auctioneers Chant” or “how to auction?” You can go to YouTube and find countless videos offering to teach you how to chant or some of the basics. If you simply want to know a little more about what the auctioneer is saying, then these can be helpful. However, if you truly want to learn the art of the “chant,” I firmly believe you have to attend a certified auction school and go through the 2-3 week training sessions that can transform a simple request into an Auctioneers Cry that will captivate people all around you.

There are several great schools that offer these training sessions. I personally went to Reppert School of Auctioneering in Indiana. There is also a local school in Nashville and one in Missouri.  Any of these or others can be great places to start your career as an auctioneer.

If you ever have any more questions about what it takes to become an auctioneer, or want to discuss the profession, I will be happy to do so!

Ray Carman

Yes, who can think about Auctions without thinking about FOOD. But todays memory is not about the food at the auction, but rather, the food that prepared us for an auction.

As a young child, and even today, I was a fan of breakfast cereals. Especially Fruit Loops and Fruity Pebbles. After about our first year into working auctions, we started joining my father and uncles on a Saturday morning ritual in which we gathered at my grandparents house and had breakfast before we left to do the auction. I can remember well, each Saturday walking in to the smell of eggs (always scrambled), bacon, sausage, hash browns, and biscuits and gravy. Me-ma (Dorothy Carman) always woke early and began fixing us our meal.

And just about every Saturday, as a child, I would come in and get out the cereal. Pa (Gene Carman) never failed to let me know if I wanted to be strong and make it through the day, that “rabbit food” would not cut it and I needed to eat something that would “stick to my ribs!” But Me-ma would always step in and say, “Let him eat what he wants!”  Therefore, I would usually choose to eat my “rabbit food,” that is till I wised up!

As the years progressed by, and I got smarter, I could no longer resist the wafting smells of Me-ma’s cooking, until finally, the cereals became lost in the mix.  I tell you flat out, there is no way to put in a hard days work at an auction without “Me-ma’s grub” sticking to your ribs. I tell you, those Saturday morning breakfast were absolutely the best.

So before you head out to enjoy an auction, or help work at one, be sure to eat something that will “stick to your ribs!”

Ray Carman

Hey guys. Sorry again this is text, but I promise video will return soon.

This week I was thinking about how things have come along in our industry. I can remember many times hearing my grandfather, Gene Carman Sr, speak of how his dad, Jim Carman, would stand for hours on a farm wagon and auction off the land and items. I really had no reference point to this other than spending some time in the back of a pickup while riding down a line of farm equipment to sale. Ever since I could remember, I had only seen our stands under a tent.

Well, this past year, we had an auction at which the owner supplied some great pictures for us of an auction that my grandfather had done around 1972 at the same place. What struck me so quickly was the fact that my grandfather, dad, and uncle were conducting the sale from a farm wagon, just like the ones I had heard in the stories. Take a look at these pictures:

But come to think of it, we still do alot of this in the same way. Yes, we have tents now, and we now have “sales stands”, however, at every auction, we are still standing before a crowd and offering items to them. Things may have changes, yet they remain the same as well!

Come see us soon as our Spring auction schedule gets ready to kick off!

Ray Carman

Often I am asked “How do I refer you to my friends who are dealing with their loved ones estate?”

This is a very good question, and how you go about it is key to the situation. This is a very difficult time for family members as they are working through getting the estate settled while simultaneously dealing with the emotion of losing a loved one. It is never easy. And how you approach them with ideas or suggestions must be done very carefully.

1. Use the right words. When it comes to an auction, asking if they are going to have an auction or if they need an auctioneer usually is not the best way to breach the subject. The better wording is more like, “If you are considering having an auction, or need a great auctioneer, here is someone I would call.” This wording keeps you from “prying” into the situation and allows you to offer a lending hand without “sticking your nose into their business.”

2. Be careful with your timing. It is true that we have been approached at funeral homes by some families about an auction, but this is a RARE case. Usually, people are not thinking about what to do for 3-6 weeks after this time. I usually tell people who are looking to refer us to a family in possible need of our service, to at least wait month. This allows the family time to grieve  and also is the time most people are starting to think about what they are going to do with Mom’s/Dad’s house/farm/personal property. This would be a good time to consider using the above mentioned phrase to introduce your friends to an Auction Co/Auctioneer.

Needless to say, it is never an easy task, but if you use these simple tips, you more than likely will find the situation much more comfortable than simply asking, “Hey, do you guys need an auctioneer to help you with that!”

Have a blessed weekend!

Ray Carman

Yes, it is again time for another memory Monday. Due to technical difficulties, this week will be in text, but we should hope to have video back next week.

One of my fondest memories from Auctions as a child came in the form of treasure hunting. When I was about 6 years old, I was working at an auction in Trousdale Co. It was one of those days when there was a-lot of people, and a-lot of stuff being sold.  As the day wound down, and we were taking down the tent (or should I say, as my dad and uncles took down the tent), I was doing a little trash picking up. As I was working along, I saw something shiny in the grass, and went to investigate. What I found was a old pizza cutter that must have been left behind. I remember looking around to see if anyone was looking for the cutter, but most folks had already packed up and left, so, I did what any 6 yr old would do. I stuck it in my pocket!

Boy, did I ever have plans for this cutter. See, I am one who likes to surprise people, even today. SO I made plans to surprise “my girl” (aka, my Mom) with a gift. When I got home, I proudly walked up to mom and presented her with a gift. She asked how much I paid for it, to which I responded “Nothing!” (I like cheap gifts too!!!). Mom was a little nervous that I had stolen the cutter, but I explained in detail how I found it on the ground.

The ending is this. That little cutter stayed in our family for many years to come, cutting our pizzas. I was never more proud of a little treasure I had found. Even as a teen, I would pull it out and think of that day I found it lying in the grass.

Point is, whether you are buying, or just cleaning up at an auction, you can always find great little treasures!

Hope you have a supr fantastic week, and I will see you again next week!

Ray Carman