REINSW: Stuart, this is your first time at the Australasian Auctioneering Championships and Clarence, you were runner up last year. Are you both nervous?
Stuart Ritchie: I am not nervous, as much as I am excited. I have wanted to try my hand at the Championships for a few years now and am very much looking forward to it.
Clarence White: I definitely have a bit of “second place burn” after being the runner up last year. But there are some truly outstanding auctioneers vying for the title. It’s an extremely difficult competition to win. I will be doing everything in my power to ensure I am ready for the challenge again this year.
REINSW: Stuart, you were in the top four at SAC in 2017. How does it feel to make the finals this year?
SR: Making the top four last year, but not progressing, was disappointing. However, I got a lot out of the experience and it put me in a better place for this year’s competition.
REINSW: Is there a difference between a competition auction and a real auction?
CW: Definitely.
SR: Yes! They are nothing alike.
CW: Auction competitions are designed to test our skills at the highest level. They are quite deliberately harder than an ordinary Saturday auction. They’re meant to be. That is what makes us train, strive to improve and further our craft.
SR: You know you will get thrown some curve balls and some tricky numbers.
CW: And that is why I love competing in auction competitions. It pushes me to always be looking for ways to get better and elevate my skills.
SR: For me, real auctions are about relationships and feel. I use instinct and read body language to decide how I approach each auction. Whereas, competition auctions are methodical and matter of fact. So the mindset is completely different.
REINSW: How do you prepare for an auctioneering competition?
CW: Preparation for competition season begins many weeks in advance. We craft eloquent material for descriptions, and train with more difficult bidding increments and questions than we typically have at a real auction. We train under duress so that we are ready for whatever is thrown at us.
REINSW: Are you both competitive? Does that help in this industry?
SR: I am naturally competitive, but I don't see that as being particularly beneficial for auctioneering. It is more about knowing you are the right person to be running the auction and trying to get the best result for your clients.
CW: I think competition is healthy. It drives you to improve and strive to be at the top of your game. Ultimately, it furthers the craft of auctioneering across the industry.
REINSW: Is there a friendly rivalry between auctioneers?
CW: There is definitely a strong camaraderie between auctioneers. The holding room on auction competition days is always fun and friendly. Everyone is nervous and wants to do well but there is also a sense of collective purpose. We are all there bravely standing up in front of our peers ready for scrutiny. I think there is enormous mutual respect that flows from that shared experience.
SR: Auctioneers are a great bunch, but I do think everyone likes getting one up and showing their skills off to their fellow auctioneers.
REINSW: How has being a part of SAC and being involved with REINSW impacted you personally and professionally?
SR: Well, for me, it has only just happened. But, funnily enough, one of the agents I work with was in a listing presentation when the SAC finals were on. He told his prospective client that his auctioneer was competing at that exact time. When the client called the agent later that afternoon, he enquired how I had gone. Once he heard I was a finalist he said he’d better list his property and have me as the auctioneer!
CW: Being involved in this competition has been the chief vehicle for professional improvement. It creates an environment that forces me to fine tune my skills. Being a finalist and winner in these awards is great for my career. It’s a talking point for agents in listing situations – and a slight competitive advantage.
Want more?