Hayes crowned an auctioneer champion

Justin Seward
Times Reporter

 

Third year Wheatland Auctions owner, Cody Hayes, won the All-Around Auctioneer Championship in Edmonton Jan. 29-31.
He admits it was a relief, considering it was his fourth attempt at trying to win the event.
“I had competed in the three previous years, and the first year I didn’t place in the Top 5, two years ago I placed third, last year I got runner-up and this year I got’er done,” said Hayes.
He knew what to expect this year and went in with a calm demeanor and sold as many as items he could.
“I wanted to be more relaxed and approach it in such a way (that is) more who I am and not worry about the pressure or anything like that, have a little fun and compete as I’m capable of,” said Hayes.
The championship consists of a big crowd with judges that base the auctioneer’s score on their selling efficiency.
“There’s a big crowd and each contestant sells five items. They’re judged on their auction mechanics, chants, voiced clarity, presentation, speed, rhythm and how you pick-up bids in a crowd,” said Hayes. “The judges tabulate the votes, they pick the Top 5 people and they go back to the finals. In the finals you sell seven items and the judges go through and pick.”
Auction items were anything from jerseys and golf clubs to tools and other various products.
Hayes admits you had to know how to handle your nerves as you are competing against the top auctioneers in the industry as well as your peers.
“A lot of these guys are in a small town, that’s not so much an issue as it is dealing with some guys that have been in the business for a quarter-century, “said Hayes.
He says that he wants to keep developing Wheatland Auctioneers and continue to build a successful business in the Strathmore area.