Tina Anderson starts with a soft “mmm” and increases to a rapid-fire delivery at each auction she calls.
Anderson, one of the few women auctioneers in the Northwest Florida, says her method of “chanting” is different from men. She brings a more relaxed environment, which she says makes her patrons more willing to open their pocketbooks.
“I am definitely in a man’s world, but it seems to be to my advantage,” said Anderson, who lives in Destin. “It’s different for me to work a crowd than a man, and I think a lot of the people who hire me do so because I am a woman. I think I add something unique to the auction.”
This Sunday, Anderson will call at the Sacred Heart Charity Classic golf tournament and auction from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Hilton Sandestin Golf Resort & Spa.
“I try to donate my time to charities because that sort of thing comes back to you,” Anderson said. “I love it when people tell me, ‘You just doubled our money,’ and it goes to a good cause.”
The Sacred Heart Foundation expects her to do that Sunday.
“As our auctioneer, Tina will help Sacred Heart Foundation raise money for the addition of a PET/CT scanner to the diagnostic and imaging services at Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast,” said Sheryl Johnston with the foundation.
The imaging system is used to detect and diagnose cancer, and monitor cancer therapy and other diseases such as heart and neurological conditions.
Anderson began calling auctions six years ago after attending real estate sales where the auctioneers did not work with bidders. She thought learning about auctioneering might come in handy.
“In auctioneering school I called for everything — car auctions, antique auctions, charities, cattle, storage,” Anderson said. “The speed of talking just comes with practice. The more you do it the better you get.”
She is certified to call auctions in Florida and Alabama.
Anderson said the trick to auctioneering is all in the approach. She directs an open hand to bidders instead of pointing a finger at them because that is too aggressive, she says. She also will take more time with the crowd if there’s a bidding war.
“If you give them time they will up their bid, and that gets more money for the auction,” Anderson said. “The trick to it is starting real low, and then you will be able to get more than what it’s even priced at almost every time.”
Contact Daily News Staff Writer Angel McCurdy at 850-315-4432 or amccurdy@nwfdailynews.com. Follow her on Twitter @AngelMnwfdn.
