kids at auctions

[toytech40]

This may have been discussed before but thought I ask again as i had a recent experience. I am not opposed to kids being at auctions, I have many fond memeories of going with my dad to many and enjoying it greatly.

My recent experince was, at an an auction several little kids 4 to 6 years old, there were some older as well. I was stading and watching them sell the small items trailers and had a few purchases sitting next to me on the ground, one box had a floor magnet in it a 3 in round magnet on a 3 ft handle for picking up items from the floor it was a Cummins brand so was inexpensive even new and I bought the whole box for $1 and several other good items in the box. I didn't buy the box just for that but was thinking it was a nice bonus. So a young kid around 4 or 5 came running up and grabbed it and ran off through the crowd and showed it to an older gentleman, his grandfather I am guessing, saying he had found a metal detector. Which the guy just nodded his head and continued on with his conversation. I could of run the kid down through the crowd, and made a scene, but chose to let it go, it wasn't that big of a deal as it is my resposilbility once I buy it. But on the other hand, stll kind irked me that the kid did this, ok he was young and didn't know better, but whoever brought him should have been watching him better. the magnet ended up on another trailer and was sold again, actually brought more, $2.50 by itself, no i didn't buy it again.

I can say i never did this when i went with my dad(yea we all say that once or twice about when we were kids) but I do remember once acting up at an auction, running with other kids, crawling on stuff etc, and my dad told me if I couldn't act better then that he would stop letting me tag along, that was enough of a warning for me cause I enjoyed going and still do. I have seen kids crawling on equipment, in vehicleslike it is a big playground, even a few things broken. Once a kid turned the key and started a truck in gear it coughed a few times lurched forward a little, no one was hurt but that kid disappeared like a flash.

Sorry if this a rant but just curious what others have seen, experienced, or feel about it.

 

[Sage55]

One time I seen a senile old man do something similar... I say we ban all kids and old people and we should be good.

 

[akdiesel]

I agree with you.
I have kids and they need to explore, grow and learn, but they also need to have a parent to help to keep them from disrespecting the public.
Many of times we go to our sons hockey game and parents bring their younger kids and let run a muck up and down the aluminum bleachers. This takes away from watching the kids playing the game to listening to the others create all sorts of noise and distractions and if you say something then you are considered an insensitive a$$hole.
My rant. Sorry

 

[Spudland_Dave]

Less to do with age group be it old or young and more to do with parenting...well I guess with the old senile ones, its not parenting, LOL. But heck...grown adults will break into your garage and steal copper/tools/etc... without batting an eye, so I wouldnt say its "kids" or an auction things.

 

[Steevo]

I have to classify this in the same column as running around the grocery store, climbing over seats in theaters, back talking their parents and constantly interrupting when their parent is talking to another adult.

IT IS BAD PARENTING.

Children need more correcting and discipline than they are getting these days.

 

[crewchief888]

I have to classify this in the same column as running around the grocery store, climbing over seats in theaters, back talking their parents and constantly interrupting when their parent is talking to another adult.

IT IS BAD PARENTING.

Children need more correcting and discipline than they are getting these days.

i know if i woulda pulled some of the **** i've seen kids do, i wouldnt have been able to sit down or at least 6 weeks.

i see the same thing at swap meets, especially motorcycle related swaps.
i quit going to them a while back because of it.

 

[justanengineer]

I wouldve caught up to the older relative and hopefully with the kid there addressed the situation politely. Its one thing to cause a scene, yet another to stand your ground and request appropriate action be taken by the responsible adult.

I see similar issues with kids at these events quite regularly, tho it doesnt directly affect me too often. Occasionally however I will pull aside one of the help and ask that noise and/or running around be addressed by the auctioneer. The same however goes for rude behavior by adults as well. If Im in the midst of a crowd of people and they are being loud, rude, or smoking I address it with those running the auction. Luckily Im well enough known amongst the local auctioneers that they tend to listen. It is business after all, and businesses need to cater to customers.

 

[yousesteers]

I work for an auction company and it is the parenting kids do not know any better. I often buy things and leave them lay while working the ring and have seen adults pickup the pile and start to walk off with it. My biggest pet peeve is Umbrella's the should be outlawed people always hitting each other with them and you can not see anything.

 

[UroWerks]

I would have to agree with you guys.I am probably younger than most on this board.I am 27 years old and I was born in eastern europe.I came to the states when I was 9.But I do agree that kids these days little and even teenagers are out on control.Yes as far as little children go grabbing,climbing on things it does happen.We've all done it when we were little.But within reason.I feel that parents these days dont teach their kids any better.I noticed this going to the mall or store and seeing kids act out make a scene and so on I see it on a day to day basis.I was raised better than that.Sure I did it once or twice when I was little but my parents taught me better.

If I made a scene and did something wrong I got my *** kicked!!LOL!Something called discipline!!It seems most children are lacking it!!! Even teenagers say 10 years younger than me I see making fun of older people or disabled,and so on or just talking **** to older people.I am young myself but I know not to disrespect my elders.Again I would get my *** kicked if I did something like that!!

It seems as youth these days are just a bunch degenerates!!I am planning on having kids soon but believe me,I'm not gonna let them do as they please like many new parents seem to do.

It IRKS me when I see stuff like this happen.Kinda makes me wanna wish I was this kids or teenagers parent and discipline them right!!

I totally agree 100% with all of you!!

 

[uniballer]

I would have made a scene, little *******! Nice parenting, I would stop the auction to point him out! Made the man and his child leave immediatly!

 

[UroWerks]

Agreed!!Another thing that I do despize is parents or adults not looking after their kids!!Or they dont care and let them do whatever they want!!Makes me wanna ring somebodys neck!!

 

[Buckgnarly]

I notice the same **** at equipment auctions....little kids (and lousy parents) ruin everything!

 

[Big Gus]

I blame the parents.

I also think this problem is getting worse as parents are becoming more and more politically correct and not spanking or punishing their children. You can't fix stupid.

 

[miner]

Damn those kids and their rock and roll too! Get off my lawn!!

Seriously, these kinds of things have always happened and will continue to happen forever. I recommend taking a deep, relaxing breath.

 

[bmwe0692]

When I'm at a sale, house or farm. If I see this type of behavior going on. I go up to rack and/or helper.
Tell them that this is the last sale of his I go to if this kind of activity continues.
All the auctioneers know me VERY well. IF they don't tell the parents or crowd to control their unruly children, I walk.
The bad publicity is a not a good thing to have, being bad mouthed at the local coffee shop.
Other people have stopped me,thanked me for doing what people naturally should do.
When there is a helper in the crowd, I stick by him. If my bid doesn't get noticed, I point it out, next time he gets an elbow in the ribs.
Only have to do this once.
Before the sale starts a very well known auctioneer will address the crowd and tell them if there are small children in the crowd keep them close by.
People bought what they came for and are getting it loaded up to go home.
People like going to his auctions, can hear what is for sale, what the currant bid is, not met the reserve.
He also doesn't take a buyers fee, says if I can't get a fair price for what ever i am selling, I'll quit.

Sorry for the long rant !!
T.J.

 

[chevy.stroker]

Hum, let's see if you agree with me or throw-up a sh*t storm.

When I was younger I was a very hyperactive child. However, the environment I grew-up in it was not just my parents that corrected me. Every adult in my environment could/did correct me when I misbehaved. My parents didn't get offended.

Today if anyone even tries to correct a child the parent seems to get enraged.

 

[Train]

I was at an auction about a month ago, and there was a metal lathe there on a pallet. With it was a large wooden bin with pretty much every accessory and tooling you could think of. This little **** about 10 years old is cranking on every wheel and lever he could find. Picking things out of the box and just tossing them back in. All this while his dad is watching. Finally I said to the kid, "Your gonna piss around with that till you break something and your dad will be paying for it for the next 6 months". He goes and stands beside dad, who's just staring at me but won't say anything. Some parents are just clueless and lack respect as well.

 

[darkk]

That kid stole your property and you allowed him to. I would have retrieved it and had a talk with the adult. To me, it's a matter of principle. I don't allow my children to act like that, why should I allow someone else's. Especially with my property. The adult knows you don't just find stuff at an auction. He should have at least asked where exactly it came from. By letting it go, you've only propagated that childs behavior and that of the adult. It's not the value of the item, it's the value of the act. Stealing is still stealing...

 

[GTO]

When I was a kid and we were someplace like this or in a store,it was hands in your pockets or behind your back.
No touching any merchandise.There would hell to pay if you did.
Kids run the show today.Some parents have no spine when it comes to parenting.(Disipline)

 

[HTGTS350]

Most kids need electroshock therapy these days as do most parents, kids should be kept at home until they are at least 16 and not forced on the general population.

 

[GTO]

Most kids need electroshock therapy these days as do most parents, kids should be kept at home until they are at least 16 and not forced on the general population.

Thank you.

 

[JimVonBaden]

One time I seen a senile old man do something similar... I say we ban all kids and old people and we should be good.

I say we ban ignorant people who see theft as an acceptable form of social behavior!

Jim

 

[santagary]

I WORK FOR A MAJOR REAL ESTATE COMPANY FOR 25 YEARS AND I'VE OBSERVED THAT IF THE KIDS ARE MISBEHAVING, THE PARENTS HAVE A DISORGANIZED CHAOTIC LIFE AND USUALLY BAD CREDIT. KID'S BEHAVIOR IS A VERY GOOD PREDICTOR OF A STABLE OR UNSTABLE FAMILY.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Like the others have said, it's not the kids, it's the parents. Why is a kid a screaming brat ? Because the parent has allowed them to be one. A nice little crack on the *** does wonders.

 

[spclk]

2 different observations:

1) Last night I was eating at a local casual chicken joint (Pluckers). At a booth near my table, the two (pre-teen) daughters got up, stood in the (narrow) aisle and proceeded to do 10 minutes of cheerleading routines. They were in the way of every single wait person that walked by as well as any customers who wished to go to the restroom. And mom and dad just smiled and encouraged them.

2) I've been saying for years (inside joke between my wife and I) that this malady is called NEWS.

Not
Enough
Whippings
Syndrome

Before anybody gets too shaken up, this doesn't mean you beat your kids. A 'whipping' can be any REAL punishment. Not a time-out, not sitting in the corner, but something that causes the child to think about what they did and how it was wrong. (Say, losing access to something that they adore, a toy, having friends over, ......)

 

[miner]

Wow. There seems to be a serious case of grumpy old man going around.

 

[carhunter]

I could of run the kid down through the crowd, and made a scene, but chose to let it go, it wasn't that big of a deal as it is my resposilbility once I buy it.

That was a "teachable moment". It would have taken less time to speak to the dad/grand dad and the child than it did to post about it

By letting it go, no one learned a thing and the kid will just keep on with the improper behavior.

I've got a 3 yo and 5 yo and had it been one of my kids, I would want to know.

 

[Tim The Tool Man]

My favorite is the parent looking at that obnoxious kid with that stupid look of pride on their face, clearly oblivious to the emotional pain their child is inflicting on all the sane adults in the room. If you could read minds the parent would probably be thinking, "Wow everyone is looking at my darling little boy and they all think he's so cute!" "Gosh I am such a wonderful parent for raising little Johnny that way!"

Wow I am a grumpy old man this morning! Sorry! Hey I bet my parents are proud of me right now.

 

[SweetD]

It's easier to be your kid's "friend" than to actually be his or her parent. So lots of people take the easy way out.

 

[miner]

I was at an auction about a month ago, and there was a metal lathe there on a pallet. With it was a large wooden bin with pretty much every accessory and tooling you could think of. This little **** about 10 years old is cranking on every wheel and lever he could find. Picking things out of the box and just tossing them back in. All this while his dad is watching. Finally I said to the kid, "Your gonna piss around with that till you break something and your dad will be paying for it for the next 6 months". He goes and stands beside dad, who's just staring at me but won't say anything. Some parents are just clueless and lack respect as well.

I have never seen a lathe that would break by pulling on levers when not under power. Not even a Chinese sea-freight special. Was this lathe made of glass?

But, hey, good for you. You sure showed that 10 year old who's boss

 

[jamesemery728]

I WORK FOR A MAJOR REAL ESTATE COMPANY FOR 25 YEARS AND I'VE OBSERVED THAT IF THE KIDS ARE MISBEHAVING, THE PARENTS HAVE A DISORGANIZED CHAOTIC LIFE AND USUALLY BAD CREDIT. KID'S BEHAVIOR IS A VERY GOOD PREDICTOR OF A STABLE OR UNSTABLE FAMILY.

Amen to this. My Dad always said that he didn't need to meet a kids parents because he could tell what they were like by the way the kids acted. It has gotten so bad that I sometimes compliment parents in a restaurant or store that have kids that are well behaved. It has become such a rare occurance to see a kid not acting like a wild animal.

 

[JimVonBaden]

I have never seen a lathe that would break by pulling on levers when not under power. Not even a Chinese sea-freight special. Was this lathe made of glass?

But, hey, good for you. You sure showed that 10 year old who's boss

I'm sure you have infinate patience for misbehavior! You certainly prove it here by your patience for adult behavior!

Jim

 

[Wanna Ride]

I have never seen a lathe that would break by pulling on levers when not under power. Not even a Chinese sea-freight special. Was this lathe made of glass?

But, hey, good for you. You sure showed that 10 year old who's boss

That's complete ******** and you know it.

It doesn't belong to him or his worthless sperm-donor of a parent, so he shouldn't be touching it. Period. Unless of course, the ten-year-old's condsidering buying it, then he should keep his hands in his pockets.

It's your very mentality that tells these little brats that they don't need to show respect for other people, or their things. You either have no children, or you have children that are complete, spoiled little shits, that are talked about behind your back. Guaranfuckingteed.

And yes, I'll speak up in a New York minute in public, at an unruly kid and their parent. There's a reason we're the adults, and they're not.

 

[Air_Cooled_Nut]

That kid stole your property and you allowed him to. I would have retrieved it and had a talk with the adult. To me, it's a matter of principle. I don't allow my children to act like that, why should I allow someone else's. Especially with my property. The adult knows you don't just find stuff at an auction. He should have at least asked where exactly it came from. By letting it go, you've only propagated that childs behavior and that of the adult. It's not the value of the item, it's the value of the act. Stealing is still stealing...

I'm glad someone FINALLY wrote this! I 100% agree. I would've walked over there and had a little talkin' to.

Also, if one of my kids somehow pulled something like this I, too, would be questioning where they got it. They would also be telling the person they were sorry (with eye contact) and then the punishment would be doled out...

 

[Air_Cooled_Nut]

I have never seen a lathe that would break by pulling on levers when not under power. Not even a Chinese sea-freight special. Was this lathe made of glass?

But, hey, good for you. You sure showed that 10 year old who's boss

It was an indirect way of letting the parent know they were currently failing (respect other people's property!); letting the kid know that society is watching him; to think about how one's actions can affect others (having children myself it's not always that easy but ya gotta drill it into their heads). I think the poster did the appropriate thing.

However, based upon this and previous comments of yours, I get the distinct impression you never had responsibility over a child or you're a product of overly strict parenting and are on the other side of the pendulum (ignorant compensation). Or you just like drama What would you have done, oh Wisest of Them All?

 

[Old Moparz]

A close friend surprised me with his reaction once at a local car show when his kid, who was 5 or 6 years old at the time, threw a rock that hit a car. There was a grassy area where his boy was playing with a few other kids including my daughter. Boredom must have set in & his son started tossing rocks. I was already nearby watching my own kid, but didn't actually realize he was throwing rocks until I heard that distinct sound of a hard object bouncing across a trunk lid.

I went over to his son, with rocks in his hands, & said, "Hey, you can't be throwing rocks around here! Something is going to get brok...." But before I could get another word out he started to cry loudly & ran towards his Dad. His Dad, not knowing what was going on, looked at me & asked, "What happened?" I explained what was going on & which car got hit, & what then came out of his mouth shocked me. "Well, how do you know it was my kid?" & he walked away carrying his poor little crying boy.

His kid is 14 now & not a bad kid, but he does seem to be one of those kids that whines if he doesn't get his way. It's definitely the parents responsibility, kids need to be taught since behaving doesn't come natural like breathing.

 

[jimindm]

So all of this ranting about unruly kids, over a magnet on a handle, that $2.50 could buy. I also go to allot of auctions, and it is just as rude to buy abunch of stuff and just leave it in piles everywhere. Untill of course you are ready to leave. Every auction I have ever been to announces at the beginning of the sale, Once you buy it, you own it, you police it.

Not saying the kid or parent was right in there actions. What did you think he was going to do with it when he took it out of the box? Maybe you should police you purchases better, and that would not happen.

When my father in law passed, we had a large auction, after the sale a fellow was complaining that a few items of the many that he purchased were missing. The auctioner very politly told him, you come to many of my auctions, and buy many things, but in the end you police them after you buy them, I am sorry.

The truth is the father probably has no clue what happened. He could have even not known what the use of it was for. Maybe his father never went to auctions, when he was young.

You usually see the negitive responces, from people with no kids. You could have probably made that kids day if you would have showed him what it was and how to use it. You could have taught that kid something.

By the weekend there will be another thread about how dumb the kids are now. Without an adult showing the way, what do you expect. Have you ever heard the term it takes a village to raise children. By some of the comments about kids, I seriously hope you never have any, or grand children. You will make a grumpy old man some day.

 

[jimindm]

I wouldve caught up to the older relative and hopefully with the kid there addressed the situation politely. Its one thing to cause a scene, yet another to stand your ground and request appropriate action be taken by the responsible adult.

I see similar issues with kids at these events quite regularly, tho it doesnt directly affect me too often. Occasionally however I will pull aside one of the help and ask that noise and/or running around be addressed by the auctioneer. The same however goes for rude behavior by adults as well. If Im in the midst of a crowd of people and they are being loud, rude, or smoking I address it with those running the auction. Luckily Im well enough known amongst the local auctioneers that they tend to listen. It is business after all, and businesses need to cater to customers.

It sounds like you must spend a bunch of money at auctions. Most auction business now sell everything. Equipment, tools, real estate, household, antiques, the list goes on. I would guess that most likely there is a diference between the kind of buyer you think you are, and the kind of buyer the auuction company thinks you are.

You are right, it is a business. If you are constantly the one that speaks his mind, and interupts what is happening, you are no better than the child. I have a business and an interuption is an interuption. You would have to spend a lot, and I mean a lot, of money for me not to say something to you.

 

[Old Moparz]

So all of this ranting about unruly kids, over a magnet on a handle, that $2.50 could buy. I also go to allot of auctions, and it is just as rude to buy abunch of stuff and just leave it in piles everywhere. Untill of course you are ready to leave. Every auction I have ever been to announces at the beginning of the sale, Once you buy it, you own it, you police it.

Not saying the kid or parent was right in there actions. What did you think he was going to do with it when he took it out of the box? Maybe you should police you purchases better, and that would not happen.

When my father in law passed, we had a large auction, after the sale a fellow was complaining that a few items of the many that he purchased were missing. The auctioner very politly told him, you come to many of my auctions, and buy many things, but in the end you police them after you buy them, I am sorry.

The truth is the father probably has no clue what happened. He could have even not known what the use of it was for. Maybe his father never went to auctions, when he was young.

You usually see the negitive responces, from people with no kids. You could have probably made that kids day if you would have showed him what it was and how to use it. You could have taught that kid something.

By the weekend there will be another thread about how dumb the kids are now. Without an adult showing the way, what do you expect. Have you ever heard the term it takes a village to raise children. By some of the comments about kids, I seriously hope you never have any, or grand children. You will make a grumpy old man some day.

Some of your points I agree with like policing your belongings better & stopping him, or maybe showing the kid what it was, but is it really the responsibility of strangers to teach some kid how to behave? Besides, there's always the chance that the kid's parent will react in a negative way & be a complete jerk.

Like I had posted, my friend, not a stranger, who's kid hit a show car with a rock had that "my kid would never do that" attitude even after I explained what happened. That's the last time I ever tried to intervene with his kid's behavior & decided that it wasn't worth the aggravation.

Yes, it was a cheap $2.50 magnet, but what if it had been something worth $250.00? Does the value of the object determine whether it was right or wrong for the kid to take, or the parent to let it slide? I don't think the original poster is going to be a grumpy old man, I think he's just fed up with the dregs of society like a lot of us are.

 

[farmerdude]

Hum, let's see if you agree with me or throw-up a sh*t storm.

When I was younger I was a very hyperactive child. However, the environment I grew-up in it was not just my parents that corrected me. Every adult in my environment could/did correct me when I misbehaved. My parents didn't get offended.

Today if anyone even tries to correct a child the parent seems to get enraged.

Amen, brother. Well said! Thats how it was when I was young and I wish it still was.