Published: May 10, 2008 11:55 pm            

Going once, going twice...

Hurry, hurry, hurry.

Ever wonder how many times auctioneer and Real Estate broker, Tom D. Berry, has said those words?

“I have conducted or participated in over 2,000 auctions,” said Berry, who has been in the business since 1970. “I like to sell anything of value. My definition of a good auction is having a satisfied seller and a satisfied buyer. It’s real simple.”

Something not quite so simple is mastering the art of the auctioneer chant. In an English-style auction, with ascending bids, many auctioneers go to auctioneering school to learn how to speak fast, but not too fast.

“Everybody’s got a different style,” said Berry, who was trained by a mentor auctioneer. “I’ve simply practiced a lot and had many hours of experience.”

Different types of auctions usually result in different styles from auctioneers. Cattle auctions are more customary, with quick speaking, while real estate auctions are a little slower.

“You want to talk the numbers rather than words,” Berry said. “Without the chant, an auction would be a very boring event. It’s good entertainment.”

Not only can auctions provide good, free entertainment, but they are also becoming more competitive. When Berry started in the business, auctions were more of a novelty event than anything else, he said.

Over the years, however, it has become a “more accepted method of marketing.” The Internet and Web casting has elevated the industry into unprecedented numbers.

More and more people are turning to auctions to sell everything from real estate, including farms and ranches, to farm equipment, antiques or anything of value, said the Oklahoma State University graduate with a political science degree.

Originally planning to attend law school after graduating from OSU, Berry’s plans changed when the Vietnam War began.

While he never served time in Vietnam, Berry served in the infantry and was stationed on the Monterey peninsula in California.

After viewing the beautiful real estate in that region, Berry convinced himself to go into the business and skip law school. That decision has led Berry to a lifetime of enjoyment.

“I love to do it,” Berry said. “I like people. I enjoy the action of the auctions. It’s satisfying to see people buy something that they can use over a number of years.”

Berry will be back in action on May 17 at 401 S. Willis Road in Stillwater. He can be reached at (405) 372-2466 or by e-mail at tomdberry@berryauctions.com.

Berry has a Web site at www.berryauctions.com, and an office at 614 S. Main St. in Stillwater.

        

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