Sunday, December 23, 2007

Twas the Night Before the Auction...


Twas the night before the Auction, and all ’round the farm
Not a creature was stirring, not even in the barn.
The tractors were lined up in the field with care,
In hopes that our bidders, soon would be there.

The sellers were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of high bidders danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.

When down in the kitchen there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Down to the kitchen I flew like a flash,
Found that noisy phone, I wanted to trash!

The bidder was calling from the county next door
Saying that the roads to the auction, really were quite poor.
I told him that Musser Bros. only cancelled for one reason,
And that was only, if the roads closed for the season.

“Are the hours on that tractor, original and neat?”
“Or do you know if, it has a new seat?”
“What about that combine, it looks really slick,
How about the oil, does it show on the stick?”

I answered all his questions, the best that I could,
And went back to bed, to sleep, like I should.
I sold the auction one or two times through the night,
One time, I had 400 bidders, then, none were in sight!!

I awoke in the morning, all ready to go.
And lo, and behold, it really did snow.
I loaded the signs in the trailer with care,
And strategically placed them, to invite bidders there.

We arrived at the farm, and blue smoke filled the air,
As the seller was trying, to start the tractors with care.
Plug in the trailer, set up brochures,
Turn on the heater, so the girls don’t go, Brrrrr!

The first bidders arrived, then another, and another,
Sometimes I wonder, why I worry and bother.
For we painstakingly plan each little detail,
To insure for our seller, this auction will not fail!

“Hi Joe.” “Hi Frank.” “Hello Pete, How’s Mary?”
“It’s a great day for an auction, Isn’t that tractor cherry?
It’s time to get started, we’ve got lot of iron to sell,
"Let’s all gather around. Bob, ring that bell!"

Who’ll give a hundred, yes, who’ll make it two,
Now, three, four, give five, boy the bids really flew.
We sold all the tractors, we sold all the plows,
We sold a few pallets, we even sold cows.

All the hard work and planning has really come through,
Our seller’s real happy, he’s off to pursue,
A nice round of golf, a few days in the sun,
He’s really quite pleased, that his work days are done.

We’re off to begin, again, where we started,
This auction thing really ain’t for the fainthearted.
A few sleepless nights, a worry there and here.
But I wouldn’t change if I could, I am an auctioneer!

—Scott Musser, 2007

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Year End Equipment Auction


We were pleased with the response to our 2nd annual Torgerson's LLC equipment auction.  Although the temperature was cold the bidding was good and active.  Torgerson's LLC own several CIH dealerships around Montana and are of the mindset that it is better to move their pre-owned equipment inventory after a short period of time rather than sit on it for months and months.  The annual auction is a integral part of their strategic marketing program.

This auction also was a first, in Montana, where our customers could bid live over the internet on items that were of interest to them.  Without a lot of publicity on this service we still had a large number of participants from all across the Northwest & Canada.  Look for more of these Live Internet Bidding opportunities in the coming months.

We are looking forward to adding more services in the upcoming year, perhaps financing on many of our equipment auctions this year will be considered.

Mert Musser

Monday, November 12, 2007

Welcome to the new mbauction.com


After listening to our customers feedback and many long hours of hard work, we are proud to launch the new and improved home of mbauction.com.

Many thanks to Joshua Stengel with Rowdy Data at www.rowdydata.com for his work on this project.  Without his help, we couldn't have produced such a great site.

We hope you enjoy our new site and if we can do anything to make it better, please let us know.

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Auction Industry Growing


OVERLAND PARK, KAN. - Gross sales revenues from auctions by NAA members in the first quarter of 2006 increased 5.7 % over same time period one year ago, a study by the NAA has found. If this trend continues, this will translate into approximately $254.1 billion total revenue for 2006 for the entire auction industry, up from $240.2 billion in 2005, a 5.8 percent increase.

These are the findings documented in a quarterly report of auction industry growth being conducted by global market research firm MORPACE International on behalf of the National Auctioneers Association (NAA).

The research shows the steady continued growth of the overall auction industry, said NAA President Dennis K. Kruse, CAI.
The following are some other key findings documented in the quarterly report:

One-third (33%) of NAA members say they have conducted more auctions in 2006 than they did in 2005, while 17% say they have conducted fewer than last year. Overall the number of auctions appears to have increased by 2.3% in 2006 compared to the first quarter of 2005. The average number of auctions conducted by NAA members through the end of the first quarter is 15.

Forty-two percent (42%) of NAA members say they have seen an increase in gross sales receipts in the first quarter of 2006 compared to the same time one year ago. At the end of the first quarter of 2005, 44% said they had seen an increase compared to a year ago. Among those who say they have seen an increase, the median amount of increase reported was 25%.

The growth of the residential real estate auction business continues, but is slower than the previous period last year (2.6 percent his year, versus 6.6 percent last year). At that time, 38% had seen an increase in revenue while only 8% had seen a decrease compared to the previous year. Now, 35% have seen an increase and 20% have seen a decrease.

Growth in commercial and industrial real estate auctions has remained constant, 2.2% over this time last year compared to 2.7% last year. However, revenue for agricultural real estate auctions appears to have declined 4.4% over this time last year compared to a growth of 1.4% increase reported last year.

Funded by the National Auctioneers Foundation, the Auction Industry Research Study was commissioned by the NAA in 2003 to study and document the growth of the live auction industry. Results of the initial study were released in July 2004 and updates are being conducted on a quarterly basis.

Thursday, July 19, 2007

Musser Elected Vice President of NAA


San Diego, CA - The National Auctioneers Association (NAA), the largest professional organization for auctioneers, has elected a new slate of officers and board of directors to lead the organization for the coming year. The election took place today during the 58th International Auctioneers Conference and Show at the Town and Country Resort and Convention Center in San Diego.

Scott Musser of Kennewick, Washington was elected to the office of Vice President, a term he will serve for one year. Previously, Musser has served on the NAA Board of Directors as a Director and Treasurer.