The answer is not so surprising. Although some orginizations still ask me.
One of the benefits of belonging to the National Auctioneers Association is the discussion board. Auctioneers around the county communicate, ask questions and solve problems.

The most common answer  among auctioneers is the 80/20 rule.  20% of the people at the event spend 80% of the money.

In fact in, May of this year there was quite a discussion on the "board" about this subject. One of the best answers was from  Phillip Pierceal of Swing City Auction Company in Plano, TX
Most of the other replys confirmed the 80/20 rule

This stat helps in the planning of benefits, it helps show who we should be "playing" too. Most groups know who there big spenders are, every effort should be made to recognize  the folks we are sure will have their check books open.

We where please to see the article about the Life Skills Golf Tournament and Dinner auction in St. Louis Magazine, Glitterati.  No we did not make the article, but we where excited to be part of the evening. We had a great time meeting with the event chairpeople and conducting the auction.
Article:
The well attended 24th annual golf tournament for Life Skills at Meadowbrook Country Club included an enticing dinner and auction, through which more than $250,000 was ultimately raised. The funds contributed by the events 360 attendees will go to support the charity's mission of providing assistance to those with developmental disabilites.

We had a great time and have been invited back next year.

This may be of interest to Attorneys, Estate Planners, Insurance and clients who seek Certified Appraisals.

It was orginally sent by the American Society of Appraisers to the National Auctioneers Association and forwarded to NAA Graduate Personal Property Appraisers.

It points out that the days of an appraisal on letterhead, (being it an antique house or Estate Sale company or individual, not complying to USPAP standards are limited),  

Our  appraisals conform and are written to  all required USPAP standards and will stand a court challange.    Visit our web site www.harkeauction.com and our credentials.

Here then is the dialog:

The following is a message from Roger Durkin, JD, ASA.  Roger has asked that we forward to all GPPA and MPPA designees.

URGENT.  IRS now requires that you be competent in USPAP for tax related appraisal work. In addition, the new International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) adopted by U.S. Regulatory Agencies is now being implemented. The New Standard will require all long term (machinery, equipment, etc) to be stated as FAIR VALUE, FASB 157. CPAs sign off on an audited financial statement. Therefore, CPAs signing off on the audited statement will need to know the appraisal of Fair Value is realistically supported.  You need to understand USPAP. 

 At this point Harke Auctioneers asked for more deatail, with this response.

IRS Notice 2006-96 defined what is a qualified appraisal and what is a qualified appraiser

Then  in August 2008, the IRS clarified the initial definitions and added significant fines, etc.  

The August 7, 2008 IRS guidelines state that a qualified appraisal is: "an appraisal document that is prepared by a qualified appraiser in accordance with generally accepted appraisal standards. Generally accepted appraisal standards are defined in the proposed regulations as the substance and principles of the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP), as developed by the Appraisal Standards Board of the Appraisal Foundation

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“a ‘qualified appraiser’ must be an individual with verifiable education and experience in valuing the relevant type of property for which the appraisal is performed.â€Â An appraiser with a designation from a recognized professional appraiser organization is acceptable under the criteria. The IRS and the Treasury Department believe that the term “regularly performs appraisals for which the individual receives compensationâ€Â under section 170(f)(11)(E)(ii)(II) and (iii)(I) is generally encompassed by the experience requirement of section 170(f)(11)(E)(iii)(I) and does not need to be separately met

Please contact us, Ron Harke   Harke Auctioneers & Appraisers LLC

Well our new web site is nearing completion, still a work in progress, some things have been edited but not yet published, however you will have an idea of where we are heading.

In our Blogs we will bring you news from all three of our divisions. Benefit Auctions, Estate Auctions and Certified Appraisals, also infomation and tips on buying and selling at auctions, why use the  auction method?, Estate Auctions, Consignement Auctions and of course Benefit Auctions, with lots of photos.  We will offer the latest trends and ideas from Benefit Auctioneers across the county, hoping to make your Gala the very best it can be.    So much is changing in  whole Auction Industry, it can make one dizzy.

We are busy now working with committees for next years Galas and of course still looking to increase our St. Louis Benefit Auction bookings.  Our Certified Appraisal business is doing well and keeping up with the lastest changes and notifications , in fact we will be adding one about the USPAP standards in one of our next Blogs.  We continue to work with Real Estate agents, Attorneys and Senior Centers involving our Estate Auction Division.

Have a good day, we are going back to work on the site, check back often

Ron