Rural Missouri - May 2011 - (Page 36)

N E I G H B O R S “It’s amazing how every auctioneer comes away with a unique chant, just like singers have different voices,” says Christie. hristie Hatman’s rapid-fire “My goal is speed with clarity. You chant immediately draws have only a certain amount of time to your attention. Her tone is sell so much merchandise,” Christie rhythmic, like a song. And adds. “You have to be clear so even unlike most auctioneers, her words someone’s grandma understands are easily understood. what you’re saying.” “I love gettin’ in front of people Only a year or two into the profesand countin’ and sellin’,” says Chrission, Christie competed for the Mistie with a slight Reba McEntire drawl. souri State Champion Auctioneer title “I love, love, love it.” and made it to the finals. In 2009, the According to the National Auctionnow-experienced auctioneer competeers Association, only 10 percent of all ed for the Missouri State Champion auctioneers are female, making them Ringman title and won. In 2010, the a rare breed. Since graduating from mother of four also won the Missouri the Missouri Auction School in 1994, State Champion Auctioneer title. Christie’s been calling with the best. Christie’s been told by well-known The 37-year-old didn’t always want auctioneers she should compete on to be an auctioneer. Years ago, she was the national level, but so far, the a stay-at-home mother. To get a break, timing hasn’t been right. There are Christie would go to the local auction always auctions to call, as well as house twice a week where she would three boys and a girl who keep her buy the $1 boxes nobody else wanted. running here and there. “I kept detailed records on everyWhen preparing for a sale, Christie thing I bought,” she says. “When immerses herself in the history of the the garage was full, I figured I’d only items she’s selling. spent $115, so it was time to have my “I want to know where the piece first garage sale.” came from,” says the exuberant caller, That first sale brought in a little who has the motto that her auctions more than $600, and Christie was are “fun, fast and fair.” hooked. She quickly began to educate Christie says she does buy items herself on what was valuable and for herself at auctions, but she what people looked for at garage sales. announces that fact before the sale She familiarized herself with what was begins. Her favorite items? “Quirky common, so that when she saw somethings that I’ve never seen before.” thing uncommon, she’d recognize it. Two of the conversation pieces “WOO! Do I love garage sales,” she now owns include a Purina pig says the enthusiastic auctioneer. “You castrator and an old rolling pin with know how some women like to shop vertical handles. There was one item for shoes? Well, I get that same rush she wanted and let slip through her from a good yard sale. It’s a real high.” Single mom Christie Hatman won the Missouri State Champion Ringman title in hands. She’s never seen one before or The young mom was so addicted 2009, as well as the Missouri State Champion Auctioneer competition in 2010. since: a taxidermied raccoon head. that she’d pack up her infant daughWhile she prides herself on speed ter at 3 a.m. and drive 150 miles one and clarity as a caller, Christie’s proud way to Memphis, Tenn., where she’d of the average number of pieces she hit the big neighborhood garage sales. auctions off per hour — a resoundOne time, she bought a piece of ing 100, which is nearly double the collectible Roseville pottery for only a national average of 60 items per hour. quarter. When she sold it, she’d paid Keeping up with technology, for all her expenses during her treaChristie broadcasts some auctions sure hunt. online, offering sellers a wider audi“I can go to a garage sale now and ence. This works especially well for hone in on the one collectible in the specialty items such as coins, cars, bunch,” says Christie, who lives in guns, antiques and heavy equipment. when Union colonels were givWest Plains. “Last fall, we had prequalified buyen the job of auctioning off After a year or so of buying and ers from Canada, England and across the spoils of war. Today, it’s selling yard sale and auction finds, To hear Christie bid calling, the United States bidding on a water an honorary title given Christie realized the profit margins visit our digital magazine at well drilling truck at one auction,” to all auctioneers. were usually quite good on the items she www.ruralmissouri.coop. says Christie. “Ultimately it sold for Most people might resold. With that in mind, she enrolled West Plains $80,000 to an online bidder from think auction school in the Missouri Auction School located • California. Using technology creates excitement is all about learning how to bid call. in Kansas City. because bidders can stay anonymous,” she adds. But the academy also covers topics “There were 156 people in my class — While she conducts regular consignment aucsuch as contracts, laws, clerking and 151 men and 5 women,” recalls Christie. tions around the West Plains area, Christie has cashiering and other specialty topics, such as sell“Four of the women were there because they had gone as far as Kansas for a sale. ing real estate, antiques, machinery and more. to have an auctioneer’s license to take bids on real “I’ll go as far away as the sellers take me,” says The auction chant, as it’s called, can be learned estate in the state where they lived. I was actually Christie. “I wouldn’t mind being plucked from by anybody without attending school, Christie the only woman there who wanted to sell Grandobscurity and get the big auction jobs now.” says. But at the Missouri Auction School, which ma’s house, estate and collectibles.” Newsweek has called “the Harvard of auctioneerWhen she graduated, Christie became Col. You may contact Christie Hatman via e-mail at ing,” students have nationally recognized auctionChristie Hatman in the auctioneer world. auctioneerptt@yahoo.com or by calling 417-280-6937. eers teach them how to do it like an expert. The title of “colonel” dates to the Civil War by Heather Berry hberry@ruralmissouri.coop C Bid ’em Up! Missouri auctioneer Col. Christie Hatman’s fast-talkin’ brings in the big money for sellers 36 WWW.RURALMISSOURI.COOP http://www.ruralmissouri.coop http://WWW.RURALMISSOURI.COOP

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Rural Missouri - May 2011

Rural Missouri - May 2011
Table of Contents
Comments
Columns
Jim Peters’ Passion
Help & Hope
Twist of Fate
Mail Bag
Shoot Like a Pro
Out of the Way Eats
Aircraft From Another Era
Hearth and Home
News Briefs
The Pared-Down House
Marketplace
Around Missouri
Neighbors
Just4Kids

Rural Missouri - May 2011