New Technology Changes the Auction Industry

Live and Online Bidding at an Aaron Joseph & Company
Auction, Tallahassee, Florida, USA

This past November, the headlines read, Christie’s sets record for most expensive item sold online  With the rise of online auctions, it was only a matter of time until a new record was set.  "Online auctions are here to stay." said Joseph Kikta of +Aaron Joseph & Company, headquartered in Tallahassee, Florida.  "It makes economic sense for Auction companies to utilize online bidding platforms such as Proxibid, Auction Zip, and Live Auctioneers." added +Jeffrey Butirro, cooridnator for +Aaron Joseph & Company.  The face of the auction industry is rapidly changing.  The days of an auctioneer calling bids in a barn, or at an estate sale while carrying a clip board are all  but gone.  Today, modern technology has permeated the industry.  Auction registration, clerking, and even bidding has gone electronic.  Most sucessful auctioneers and auction companies have changed their business practices in recent years to utilize these new tools and methods.  Even while conducting live sales, Auction Houses are finding it beneficial to run real-time online bidding platforms to increase the number of bidders.  "At any given sale, we might have only 20 - 30 people bidding in person," said Kikta, "But we might have hundreds bidding on our online bidding platforms.  This online technology gives our Auctions a global reach."  "We are currently shipping to buyers in countries around the globe." quickly added Butirro. "Many of our Auctions are now Online-only.  We have many local bidders that would rather stay home and bid online than come to a live event."  This phenomenon is happening in many industries.  As shoppers turn to the internet for their purchases, it is only natural that auction buyers would follow suite.  As more and more Auctions are conducted online, especially those auctions that are online-only, the days of the bid-caller may be numbered.  Only time will tell.