Tips for farm auctions?

[selohssa]

It has only been 6 months since I became interested in vintage tools and here in Canada, It has been winter for most of that. I am looking forward to trying farm auctions this spring as I have heard some good tales in these threads. I have learned a lot about how to deal with individuals selling their own tools and I want to be prepared for this seasons farm auctions.

What tips do you have for farm auctions? Anything from how to dress or how to inspect the tools prior to bidding or how to play the bidding game.

Any info would be helpfull.

 

[fatfillup]

Get to the auction at least an hour early to inspect the tools. Know what tools retail for and try to buy at 10 to 20 % of retail provided they are in decent shape. Search the box lots thoroughly, lots of treasures buried in boxes. If you have mobile internet, take to check prices you don't know. Know your limit on each item before bidding starts and stick to it. If you miss it at this auction, it will come up at another. Look for the deal. I will buy most any tool if it is cheap enough. Rarely do I go to buy a particular tool, unless its rare.

Getting there early also gets you a good parking spot, important when you are ******* heavy tools to go home. Take a hand cart and a plastic tote if you think you will buy alot.

Leave your Snap on or Mac Jacket and hat at home. I never dress well to go to auctions. Always work clothes. I figure looking poor can help but I've become so visible at auctions, most of the regulars know me and my buying habits.

Dress for the weather. Often you will be outside and most auctions houses get cold even if they are heated.

Check the auction web sites, many will have pictures. Always ask if there is a buyers premium and if sales tax will be collected. Adjust your bids by that amount. It often adds 16% to what I buy. Not a biggie if you buy one thing but I spend at least a $1000 a month at auctions and that's $160 bucks.

Go to as many auctions as time will allow. What sells cheap at one auction may bring triple at the next. Patience and persistence.

Have a plan for selling stuff you don't want but couldn't pass up. CL, flea market, classifieds here.

Be prepared to buy some things that will be broken or worn out. Part of the game, that's why you can't spend top dollar on what you buy.

Good luck

 

[rlb1953]

- in my experience, if the website pictures look like the guy collected nothing but junk, there is a good chance there will be lots of vintage tools there. Don't bother going to auctions selling $300,000 tractors and combines if you are looking for 50 year-old treasures.
- Get there early so you have time to look everything over.
- Get a bid number, even if you don't think you will be bidding on stuff.
- Hand tools are often sold by the box-full. The best stuff is usually hidden under a pile if junk. (usually put there purposefully by someone else who also got there early and didn't want others to notice it.)
-Watch what you want to bid on like a hawk. It is not uncommon for things to shift around from box to box as people root though all the stuff.
- If it is a slow sale, boxes will be sold "choice"... 3 or 4 lots are put up for bid, and the highest bidder gets first choice of which box he wants. He can take one box for the price, 2 boxes for 2x the price, 3 boxes for 3x the price, etc. If the winning bidder doesn't take everything, the runner-up usually has the option to take what he wants in the same way for the same price. Then the bidding will re-start on what is left.
- If you are interested in something in particular, tell one of the people working the table at an appropriate time. Don't try to re-arrange the order they sell things.. just make sure they know so that when they get there the will sell it by itself.
- if something looks interesting and it is going cheap, bid first, ask questions later. Look it up on the internet when you get home. For example, I got a complete Blue Point armature cutter for $5 this way once... No one knew what it was, but it looked like it had all the parts and attachments so I threw my hand up. I'm not sure when I'll get a chance to use it, but I'm sure I'll never find another one for that price.
- Don't bid too soon... The auctioneer will usually start by asking for about what he thinks the thing is worth, and bring the price down until someone bites... For example. a 3/8 drill might start at $30, but no one usually bids until he gets down to $10... If you throw your hand up too early, you will never know how little you could have got it for. With some items, (depending who is there) no one will want certain items regardless of the price, so there may only be one bid.
-after bidding starts, all the normal caveats apply. Know what the item is worth. (If the auctioneer doesn't specifically say the item is in working condition, assume it is not.)

and finally,

-bring a truck with an 8' box. You are going to need it.

 

[J.P.]

Fatfillup nailed it. Biggest thing is to know exactly how much you're willing to pay for something and stick with it. There's a reason why auctioneers present the sale the way they do. You can get caught up in the heat of the moment and pay way more than you intended to for something.

I'd add a couple more things: Depending on how much inventory is at the auction, you may want to try and get a feel for the things you are interested in and approximately when they'll get to them in the auction. I've stood around auctions for 6 or 7 hours worth of things I didn't want, waiting to bid on 1 or 2 things. Usually they'll let you know at the beginning of the auction a rough order that things will be sold in.

The second thing would be to watch out for things sold in bunches. I've noticed a lot of times, especially with tools, they'll sell things as a lot. So you end up having to bid on a box full of tools, when maybe you only want a couple things out of the bunch. Don't be tempted to buy a bunch of **** you may not need or want just to get a few things you do.....unless the price is right.

I've been to a lot of farm auctions over the years and I've seen some great deals and some absolutely absurd bidding on things. Its just like ebay only faster and in person.

 

[Mickey O]

It has only been 6 months since I became interested in vintage tools and here in Canada, It has been winter for most of that. I am looking forward to trying farm auctions this spring as I have heard some good tales in these threads. I have learned a lot about how to deal with individuals selling their own tools and I want to be prepared for this seasons farm auctions.

You're screwed.

What tips do you have for farm auctions? Anything from how to dress or how to inspect the tools prior to bidding or how to play the bidding game.

Any info would be helpfull.

Okay since you're in Canada and won't be bidding against me and by reading this you and all Canadians promise to quit calling ham bacon and to serve me a proper slice of bacon the next time I'm up there.

The first thing is to become familiar with what things are worth, a lot of that knowledge can come from here in the tool and classified section, eBay and tool catalogs. You also have to know what it's worth to you and what you are willing to spend. I try to look at the auction catalog, listing and/or pictures before I go and research things I'm interested in. I find the better deals are later in the auction after all the "over bidders" have spent all of their money. As for bidding my practice is to wait until they're near the end, I don't want to get into a bidding war with someone that doesn't like the shirt I'm wearing or just has to win because I'm bidding. When it gets near the end and if the price isn't higher than what I'll pay I'll bid near my max and maybe a little more if I really want it. Don't get caught up in the I must have it regardless of the cost unless you really must have it.

 

[Scout Driver]

Everyone has posted some great points so far. I attend a lot of farm auctions. There is treasure out there but most others know this too. I am letting one of my tricks out of the bag, but attend auctions where the economy is very poor. Better yet if its a remote area. If there are less big ticket items, there will be fewer out-of-the-area bidders. Something that I will emphasize is... I grew up on a farm, if someone attends a farm auction that is not a farmer or is a "treasure hunter" or antique dealer, we can spot them within 2 minutes! Dress and act accordingly if you don't want to attract too much attention to yourself.

Scott

 

[fatfillup]

Mickey was right about stuff going cheap at the end of a long sale. Only the diehards will stay to the bitter end. Yes I am a diehard.

I personally won't stay at a sale if there is only a few items I want and they are going to be sold late. I usually have a back up sale to go to. South Central Pa has more auctioneers per capita then anywhere else in the country so I was told. I can be at a sale within 30 to 90 minutes and the back up within 30 minutes.

 

[Scooterfish]

As for watching the odd lot boxes of tools. I watched one snap on screw driver move to 7 different boxes before bidding time.When bidding is going on else where tool buyers will load an odd lot box with cherry picked items under junk tools. You may want to go to an auction to watch & learn. I have seen HF engine hoists, jacks etc go for more than retail.

 

[Packard V8]

The other discipline to develop is "Jeez, it's down to just me and him; maybe another $10 will/would have bought it." Write down your max bid and NEVER EVER go over it. You have no idea how high the other bidder(s) are prepared to go. Maybe another $10 would have bought it - maybe the other bidder is a retired rich guy who is going to have that item no matter how much it costs. Money isn't important to him.

thnx, jack vines

 

[Mickey O]

As for watching the odd lot boxes of tools. I watched one snap on screw driver move to 7 different boxes before bidding time.When bidding is going on else where tool buyers will load an odd lot box with cherry picked items under junk tools. You may want to go to an auction to watch & learn. I have seen HF engine hoists, jacks etc go for more than retail.

Excellent tip, I've watched people make up their own boxes by mixing up the lots, always take a look when the box/lot comes up and make sure it contains what you want before bidding.

 

[Mickey O]

Mickey was right about stuff going cheap at the end of a long sale. Only the diehards will stay to the bitter end. Yes I am a diehard.

I personally won't stay at a sale if there is only a few items I want and they are going to be sold late. I usually have a back up sale to go to. South Central Pa has more auctioneers per capita then anywhere else in the country so I was told. I can be at a sale within 30 to 90 minutes and the back up within 30 minutes.

Yeah, sometimes I don't show up until the auction is underway if what I'm looking for isn't going off until later in the auction. Although if I don't get anything I try to get out before I get stuck behind people loading up.

 

[selohssa]

These are all good tips. Does anyone have any tips on profiling a sale based on an internet ad? I see a lot of sales two or more hours away. The big stuff all has pics but when they describe the tools it just says "misc tools and shop equipment".

 

[eborcim]

You have to ask the auctioneer for details on items. A lot of them are not willing to go that far for you. So the two hour trip sometimes is a necessity to look at stuff before hand. If its not worth staying for you just had a nice ride.

 

[Mickey O]

These are all good tips. Does anyone have any tips on profiling a sale based on an internet ad? I see a lot of sales two or more hours away. The big stuff all has pics but when they describe the tools it just says "misc tools and shop equipment".

Call them up and ask some auction companies are real helpful some are not, many times you can preview the items before the auction and if you know someone closer to the auction you might ask them to have a look. Many times I skip auctions because they're too far and the auctioneer hasn't provided enough information or pictures. Nothing I hate worse than a description that says tools then going three to see a box of rusty Harbor Freight junk. If you do a lot of auctions you'll find that you end up wasting some time on **** ones.

One auction house out here requires a $200 cash deposit. At first I was a little pissed but then I realized it kept out a lot of the rif-raff that would be bidding against me and the auction would be less crowded, been to several of his auctions since and have done well.

 

[tonydanzah]

unless there are dirty farmers, stay away! The items will go for to much monies.

 

[71Datsun510Wagon]

Excellent advice from all. Sorry TonyDanzah I gotta disagree.

Farm auctions are a great spring to fall pastime. In SK there are not many on until the weather warms up.

Excellent deals to be had - as long as you know what your bidding on. One of my best buys was an ice cream pail of "old rusty" impact sockets. I think I bid $2. It has a complete 1/2" set of Blackhawks. Plus various singles of Mac, Snap on and Mastercraft. I spend about two minutes per socket cleaning them with a nylon wheel. Good to go!

Good advice in watching what you are interested in. It is surprising how much stuff floats from box to box.

As far as traveling longer distances... personal preference I suppose. The closer the auction is to a city the more bidders. Sometimes it's worth a trip, sometimes a total waste of gas money. If I don't see pics on the auctioneers web site that look interesting I usually won't travel two hours.

If nothing else, think of it as a pleasant drive in the country and enjoy the fresh air and scenery.

Have fun!

 

[selohssa]

If I don't see pics on the auctioneers web site that look interesting I usually won't travel two hours.

If nothing else, think of it as a pleasant drive in the country and enjoy the fresh air and scenery.

Have fun!

Thanks for the advice.

I spent a lot of time in Sask when I was a kid (Humboldt) and attended farm auctions with my Dad. I don't remember much of what was at those auctions but I do remember having good times with my Dad.

 

[71Datsun510Wagon]

Small world, eh!

Throw a lawn chair in the trunk. A hat, bug spray and suntan lotion too. Bring some cash for cold drinks/lunch, or pack your cooler.

I found this web site useful: http://www.auctionhouse.com/main.php It doesn't seem to have anything listed for Alberta though, maybe as warmer weather approaches it might improve.

It doesn't seem to be as well used as it once was. I assume auctioneers pay a fee for an auction listing on the site. Many auctioneers have their own web sites now.

 

[rlb1953]

These are all good tips. Does anyone have any tips on profiling a sale based on an internet ad? I see a lot of sales two or more hours away. The big stuff all has pics but when they describe the tools it just says "misc tools and shop equipment".

Look at who is selling. The best auctions are estate sales and repair shops going out of business. Retirement sales are ok so long as the guy didn't bring all the best stuff with him to the city. Corporate Farms going out of business won't have much for vintage tools.

Also look at who is doing the sale. Ritchie Bros doesn't handle small farm sales anymore (at least not in Sask), and unless there is something specific I want, I usually don't go. On the other hand, we have a local auctioneer who sells mostly small estates, and I'll usually make an effort to go out and look it over, even if nothing on the bill I want. I usually come home with something I didn't expect.

Unfortunately, 71Datsun is right, the closer you are to the city, the higher the prices. There isn't much you can do about that.

Good luck!

roger

 

[tonydanzah]

Excellent advice from all. Sorry TonyDanzah I gotta disagree.

Farm auctions are a great spring to fall pastime. In SK there are not many on until the weather warms up.

Nope. The best auctions I have been to were full of gawking dirty farmers. Chewing, spitting, and gawking.

 

[Scout Driver]

Nope. The best auctions I have been to were full of gawking dirty farmers. Chewing, spitting, and gawking.

Haha! Even though I'm a 34 yr. old farm-kid, that's funny, and I do agree! Most of the crew that you describe are locals chatting and killing time. They won't bid past three bucks on hardly anything. BTW, I shower, don't chew or spit or gawk, and I don't wear overalls!

Scott

 

[94legaleagle]

undoing posting

 

[Garapeto]

After going to many auctions. The best advice i can give is bring a ink pen and write down the price you pay per item. I use the back of my bidder number. That way you can keep a running total of what you have spent. So you dont get a suprise when you settle up at the end of the sale.

 

[fatfillup]

I always make a point to be right up front where they display what is being sold. I'll walk up on every box lot to see what is in it or more important what was but isn't any more. Since I bid and buy a lot, they never complain, and if they do i have a retort ready.

Even if you don't win a lot of bids, the auctioneers will appreciate you bidding up the items, so bid early and often. I know some here like to wait till later to get in on the bidding, but I'm often the one who starts it out and I think I get some quick SOLD's because of it.

 

[padstack]

First post here. My dad is an auctioneer in SE Missouri. I grew up going to these every weekend. The best thing is expect the unexpected. You just never know. I've bought a lot of stuff. There is a such a thing as TOO MUCH tools at an auction. Case in point - my grandpa had an auction when he moved out of his house and sold his farm. He used to repair big rigs. He had hundreds of hand tools. My dad did the auction and by the 5th rolling tool box full of tools (granted these were craftsman and the snap on stuff was already sold first), he could barely give them away. $1 bought a pretty big box of tools. Some great bargains that day.

Also, letting the auctioneer lower the price doesn't ALWAYS guarantee a cheaper buy. Sometimes that's just enough to get a couple people bidding and get caught up in the action. Now, the tool you wanted to buy for $20 and let drop to $10 due to no bids has been bid up to $40! At my grandpa's auction, I bought his old wayne air compresor (2 stage 3HP/16A/220V with dual tanks - 1 30 gal tank on top of a 60 gal tank) for $200. I knew there were some other bidders there and for some reason they weren't around (and no, there wasn't anything funny going on - my dad has pressed buyers to bid past my bid several times, even when he knew I really wanted it). It started at $200 and I let it set for about 5 seconds (basically long enough to see if anyone would hit it immediately) then I hit it. Dad tried for a good minute to get someone else to bid and finaly had to give it to me. This thing was like new and I knew my grandpa and knew he took very good care of it.

I've also bid on things just to screw with people who bid stuff up on me It happens. Especially in small towns like I grew up in. Sometimes that's part of the fun! It's almost like yardsales and flea markets. You just gotta go and cross your fingers!

 

[matthew]

My uncles go to farm auctions pretty frequently, I've been along to a few and have been hoping to go to some this spring. A couple of comments:

- farmers like to put a set of tools in all their equipment. Be patient - you'll find lots of "Taiwan" marked tools because they're affordable to do that with. But lots of guys have better stuff in their shop toolboxes.

- probably not a lot of Snap-On or Mac - losing stuff is often a problem, and it's kind of expensive. Look for stuff made by Wright, Indestro, SK, Gray, etc.

- metric is a lot rarer than SAE. Most guys have more than enough SAE, so it can go cheaply.

- before you go, spend a little time at Princess Auto. There's a certain portion of the crowd these days that won't pay more for an item than the cost of a new one at PAL. Knowing that price can help tell you what to bid.

- pick a bad weather day, keeps the crowds down. Remember it takes two guys who want something to drive the price up...

- remember auctions aren't perfectly rational. Bidder psychology plays into it. Don't get caught up in the action, but bid decisively enough the other guys won't want to keep chasing the price up.

 

[selohssa]

remember auctions aren't perfectly rational. Bidder psychology plays into it.

I have been going to auto auctions for years and have done very well at them. There is a lot of psycology involved in them. I dress, carry myself and bid differently depending on the auction that I go to.

I like the tips on when to arrive and to make sure that the item that I want does not get moved to another box. I have a few more questions.

Do you start small talk or keep to yourself?

Do you stand near the auctioneer or in the back? (some people think that you are desperate for an item at some of the car auctions if you are at the front).

If you are in bidding wars with farmers, do you place your next bid right away or wait a moment or two?


I appreciate any and all tips and stories. I suspect that in different parts of North America these auction tips may be more or less usefull but they all help to prepare for the upcoming season.

 

[junkle]

Expect the auctioneers to be liars (if you ask around you may be able to find out what auctioneers to avoid altogether) and a certain percentage of the bidders to be thieves. Take a second person who will watch what you buy until you can get it locked up.

Also don't expect something to be in the same condition at the end of the day as it was earlier in the day when you looked at it. Along with moving stuff, a fair amount of people don't have respect and break/damage stuff.

j

 

[nissan_crawler]

Most of it is luck of the draw. When we had our farm auction, I just had to shake my head. We had $100 HF socket sets going for $275. Right after that, a full set of engine rebuilding tools would sell for $30.

One tractor sold for $3-4k less than it was worth, while the next one sold for $4-5k MORE than it was worth.

Our skidsteer sold for $1500 more than dad paid new 25 years before.

Then there were 6 20' sticks of .120 wall 2" square tubing that hardly anybody bid on. I said to hell with it, and bid $50 and got it.

The next item was a 55 gallon drum 1/3 full of scrap metal, and it went for $110.

edit: If they aren't selling sloppy joes, go home, it's not a real auction.

 

[dustin19]

stay away from any auctions where theyll be amish sneaky little buggers move stuff around in boxes..

 

[tonydanzah]

Haha! Even though I'm a 34 yr. old farm-kid, that's funny, and I do agree! Most of the crew that you describe are locals chatting and killing time. They won't bid past three bucks on hardly anything. BTW, I shower, don't chew or spit or gawk, and I don't wear overalls!

Scott

haha you must be sneaky clean farmer than

 

[Shadowdog500]

I went to an auction for a NAPA auto repair shop that went under by me last Saturday. I was looking up the new prices for some of the items on my Iphone during the auction, and thought it was funny when people would match or exceed the retail price. With the 10% auction fee on top it makes it even more funny.

I also agree to have someone watch your stuff once you buy it. There were a ton of really shady looking people at the auction last weekend. I actually commented to a friend that came with me that I didn't know people like this still existed. I had a few grand in my front left pocket since it was cash only, and had my left hand in my pocket on my money practically the whole time I was there. When I bought and sold stuff at swap meets it was not uncommon for me to have five to ten grand in my pocket and I was nowhere near as worried about pickpockets as I was at the auction.

Chris

 

[Scooterfish]

stay away from any auctions where theyll be amish sneaky little buggers move stuff around in boxes..

So I`ve noticed

 

[engineer2]

Great advice. Used to help out an auctioneer while in college. Watch for shill bidders on expensive items. I know, I've been one. "Son, when I point to you, raise your hand so you can help bid on that there tractor. Don't worry, you're just helping farmer Joe get a fair price for it."

My favorites are car dealers that have gone out of business. Lots of specialty tools for cheap.

By all means tell the auctioneer that you'll be one of the bidders on the next lot. It's easy to get overlooked if there are a couple of hundred people.

 

[Shadowdog500]

Anyone know of any websites that discuss bidding strategies and bidding psychology. I do understand that there is allot of psychology going on and have heard that the auctioneer intentionally tries to add excitement to get a bidding frenzy going. I'm looking for a site that discusses this and has possible bidding techniques to get the other guy to give up and just stop bidding. The only tip I found so far(and don't know if this works) was to bid with gusto and right away like your are willing to go to a million dollars, even if it is your last $10 bid because the other bidder may give up think that you are in a frenzy and wont stop bidding.

I just started going to auctions and would like to learn all of the little tricks.

Chris

 

[Shadowdog500]

How do you spot a shill bidder. I was told to look for them, but don't know if I would be able to tell a shill bidder from an actual bidder. Once a shill bidder is found what do you do with him? Does the mob run him off with pitchforks?(I could actually visualize the bunch at the last auction actually doing that ) Ignore him ? Leave? etc.

Thanks,

Chris

 

[Hiball]

The Main thing is to get there early, Keep a eye on your goodies before and after the sale, thievery is becoming ever popular now a days. I enjoy going to Farm sales for the simple fact than normally they consider Tools "small value items" and they will sell them first to have as many bidders as possible right off the bat. Of course it never fails they normally have a designated time for Machinery, Vehicles etc and the auctioneer has spent way too much time selling off the junk trailer piece by piece and its now time to go sell the combine and or the house. Its a unpredictible world but carry a pocket full of cash for the Hot dogs and Juicyburger and its a great way to spend a day and you can find some great deals. I dont worry about "where to stand", "when to bid" or "how to dress" (Besides keeping Warm and Dry) I try and stay away from the Loud speaker and within eyesight of whats selling because undoubtedly you will miss something while searching thru the trailers.

How do you spot a shill bidder. I was told to look for them, but don't know if I would be able to tell a shill bidder from an actual bidder. Once a shill bidder is found what do you do with him? Does the mob run him off with pitchforks?(I could actually visualize the bunch at the last auction actually doing that ) Ignore him ? Leave? etc.

Thanks,

Chris

Ive been to many auctions where you will see someone that has a buddy who protects his stuff, Its very common at consignments sales etc. I normally sell thru alot of Auctioneers here in the midwest and bid against my stuff often and if the seller Lot and the buying number match that sale is a wash. (If its a New Auctioneer always check to see if this is Kosher with them and if there is any "No Sale" fees) All i can say is bid your judgement that way your happy in the end regardless of results. It never fails there is always at least one guy who thinks he has to start every item with 2-3 bids and it gets kinda old listening to the auctioneer cry for bids to get him off the hook.

 

[Broncoman]

Things that have always worked for me:

Get there early...get your number before even looking around so you dont have to wait in line later.

next put your jacket or hat or something on a close seat to where you think the auctioneer will be working from mostly, this makes it easier to check the box lots or flats to be sure what you really want is still in there. Then go preview the goods pay particular attention to boxes shoved up under tables(this is where a lot of good stuff gets stashed or hid).

As said before know your limit for each item and stick to it.

One of my best techniques is to let the auctioneer drop the start bid to an aceptable level and then bid and counter bid right away like I was going to leave there with that no matter what the price. After you win a couple like that alot of times the other guys will just give right away when they see your bidding. Still be mindful of your limit though.

Sometimes you see something thats going to be a good buy and the two bidders are just barely biting, jump in at the last second and grab it(usually this is stuff you know you can resell later and hopefully at least double your money).

Lastly, if the crowd is dwindling, stay to the end, this is when the giveaway begins, $1 or $2 box lots, or even multiple lots throw together, remember at this point the auctioneer just wants to get home, his big money has usually been made already.

 

[matthew]

Sometimes guys buy stuff as a lot, get the one item they wanted out of it, and are willing to resell some items at a good price. Beats running the price up for the lot against someone who doesn't actually want the same pieces. Always better if you're the buyer doing the reselling, since you get first pick, but talk to guys after they've bought and you might pick up a deal.

 

[padstack]

You know guys, I just don't see strategies at these things. We're dealing with people. And if it's an auction out in BFE, typically many of those people defy all logic! LOL! I.e., the HF tool that was $10 new and brought $25. IMO, the best advice is to avoid auctions where the auctioneers charge a fee to the buyer (IMO, it should be commission only), and ask around about a specific auctioneer. They will have a reputation in the area in regards to whether or not they use shill bidders (or pluggers as my dad called them). The best thing (IMO) to do when you see someone plugging something is to bring it up to the people standing around you (i.e. calmly ask a couple bystanders if they are noticing it) and then leave. Sticking around only helps the auctioneer. I wouldn't make a big stink out of it though.
As far as spoting pluggers, look for the same person bidding on random things but rarely (if at all) buying anything. Also, look to see if they are having conversations with the auctioneer or his staff. I wouldn't get too crazy on accusations though as sometimes auctioneers have an interest in buying somethig and don't want to bid themselves as people will just accuse him of running up the bid.

Basically, find out the auctioneers name and ask around about what others think of him. It won't take long to get your info.