GOING ONCE, GOING TWICE … Equipped with a microphone, auctioneer Bob Benchoff tests the loud speaker system, greets buyers and thanks the families, and announces the terms of the sale— cash, approved check or major credit card, no buyer’ s premium, no fee for credit cards and, most notably, no sales tax. In Pennsylvania, if the auction is not held at an auction house, there is no sales tax.“ What you bid is what you pay,” says Bob. But, if the sale is held at an auction house and that is the primary use of the facility, a sales tax is added.“ In Maryland, everything, with the exception of certain agricultural equipment, is taxable no matter where the sale is held,” says Tom. Unlike in Maryland, Pennsylvania auctioneers must also be licensed, and large firms like Cochran follow the regulations in every state they operate.
This particular auction is a family affair. Many present, including Catherine Pentz, who lives nearby and went to school with some of the family members, knew the two families whose items are up for auction. She is an avid button collector and was examining a container in one of the box lots, which held striking red buttons.“ I like old ones made of rubber or glass,” she says. The most she has paid for a button is $ 20, but at one auction a similar button went for $ 100.“ I bid up to $ 50, but no more.” She catalogues, organizes and frames her collection.
Starting his patter, Bob points to a box lot and starts the bidding at $ 5, then $ 10, proceeding in increments to $ 25— a good sale compared to a box of books, which brings one dollar. He keeps a keen eye out for bids in the crowd:“ Sometimes people don’ t realize that we are always looking for movement. You might try to
An auction attendee examines a table of old toys up for bid( top) prior to an auction in Fairfield, Pa. It is important to examine auction items beforehand and do a bit of research, because seasoned auctioneers like Bob Benchoff( center) have done theirs; Creating box lots( right) moves multiple items quickly.