Auctioneering is by no means a dying art, and student Noah Scheenstra is proof of that right here at California Baptist University.
Scheenstra is a senior marketing major with a concentration in sales management, which is fitting as he works for his family’s storage consolidation company where he is employed as a licensed auctioneer.
Scheenstra said the auctioneering community is closeknit, and everyone knows one another.
“What’s really cool about the antique business is the people. Everyone gets along,” Scheenstra said.
Although attending auctions is more popular among older generations, Scheenstra encourages students to start attending local auctioning events.
He said frequenting auctions can become a fun hobby that provides an element of mystery, as one never knows what treasures they might uncover.
Scheenstra said that his family has discovered a diverse assortment of items at auctions they have worked. Once, when vacating a military storage unit, Scheenstra said 28 firearms and two live grenades were found. A Special Weapons and Tactics (S.W.A.T.) team was even called in to collect illegal ammunition that was found in the unit.
Sometimes nothing of value is sold, but other times items of great value are auctioned off for extremely discounted prices. Students looking to save money could benefit from attending auctions.
Many colleges and universities hold their own auctions, selling anything from class materials to television sets to lap- tops. Students hoping to score discounted school supplies or household goods might find that going to an institutional auction is a worthwhile investment.
Bowen Dixon, an employee for a local unreserved auction house called the Auction Company, said attending auctions can be a valuable use of time for any age.
“Going to an auction as a student or young adult is very beneficial,” Dixon said. “I am 20 years old and have learned everything I know about equipment and sales from working in an auction first-hand. Buying in an auction also helps increase self-confidence as you are literally putting your money where your mouth is.”
Auctions are a great way to improve negotiating skills and have fun at the same time.
When attending these events, students can learn how to effectively barter, practice assertiveness and save money all at the same time.
