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The Wisconsin Auctioneers Association is a non-profit trade association that exists for the purpose of promoting the growth and professionalism of the auction method of marketing and Auctioneering in the State of Wisconsin.

Our Mission

Our Mission is to educate, promote and protect the auction industry of Wisconsin:

to encourage Auctioneers; to enhance skills, knowledge and professionalism;

to promote the auction method of marketing for sale of real and personal properties.

How We Can Help You

By scheduling meetings with informational programs and opportunities for fellowship among members; providing communication to members; sponsoring activities to increase members’ knowledge and skill; maintaining watch over governmental activities, rules and statutes that may affect the auctioneering profession.

Code of Ethics

Preamble

Whereas, it is necessary, in order to fit ourselves for the responsibility of auctioneers, to cultivate the spirit of cooperation, improve our profession and protect the interest of the auctioneer, to protect the public against unscrupulous practices;

Therefore, we do constitute ourselves the Wisconsin Auctioneers Association, Inc.

The auction business is said to be the medium through which the lifeblood of the nation attains greater momentum and brings to the nation greater balance, prosperity and stability. The auctioneer should ever hold aloft the dignity and importance to the state and nation of the profession; should never lose sight of personal and professional integrity; the great responsibility; and the sense of patriotism

The auctioneer realizes that the profession is both competitive and cooperative and that sharing with others is a common responsibility for its honor; and being true to oneself is being true to all mankind.

With these principles ever before the auctioneer, the auctioneer pledges to observe and conduct business in conformity to the following Code of Ethics adopted by the Wisconsin Auctioneers Association, Inc., hereinafter called the Corporation.

PART I–Professional Relations

Article 1. In the best interest of the public, of fellow auctioneers and the auctioneer’s own business, the auctioneer shall be loyal to the Corporation.

Article 2. The auctioneer shall conduct business so as to avoid disputes with fellow auctioneers, but in the event of a controversy between two member auctioneers, they should not resort to law suit but submit the difference to arbitration of the Corporation’s Board of Directors, hereinafter called the Board; and the decision of such arbitration shall be accepted as final and binding. If the dispute should be with a nonmember, the auctioneer shall offer the services of the Board to arbitrate.

Article 3. If a member is charged with unethical practice, such member shall promptly and voluntarily place all the pertinent facts before the Board, or a committee so designated, for investigation and report.

Article 4. A member shall never publicly criticize a competitor, and when an opinion is specifically requested, it shall be rendered in conformity with strict professional courtesy and dignity.

Article 5. A member shall not solicit the services of an employee of a fellow auctioneer without prior knowledge and consent of the fellow Auctioneer.

Article 6. In the best interest of society, of the Auctioneer’s associates and business, the auctioneer shall at all times be loyal to the Corporation and active in its work; and should willingly share with fellow members the lessons of experience.

PART II–Relationship to Clients

Article 7. In justice to those who place their interests in the auctioneer’s hands, the auctioneer should endeavor to keep abreast of business conditions, to keep informed in matters of law and proposed legislation affecting such interests, so as to give intelligent business advice and effective service.

Article 8. In accepting the sale of real or personal property, the member pledges to be fair to both seller and buyer, and to protect the owner’s interest as if it were the auctioneer’s own.

Article 9.When consulted for an appraisal of value or liquidation problem, a member shall give a well-considered opinion, reflecting expert knowledge and sound judgment, taking requisite time for study, inquiry and deliberation. The counsel of the member represents a professional service which should be rendered in writing and for which a reasonable charge should be made. A member shall not undertake to give an appraisal or offer an opinion on any proposition on which there is a direct or indirect interest, without a full disclosure of such interest.

Article 10. Before accepting a sale, it is the duty of the auctioneer to advise the owner intelligently and honestly regarding the market value of the business or proposition and the reasonable chance of sale at value or above.

PART III–Relationship to the Public

Article 11. It is the duty of every member to protect the public against fraud, misrepresentation or unethical practices in connection with the sale, disposition or liquidation of any real or personal property the auctioneer is called upon to dispose of at public auction.

Article 12. It is the duty of a member to ascertain all pertinent facts concerning every sale for which the member is engaged, so that in offering, the member may avoid error, exaggeration and misrepresentation.

Article 13. An auctioneer is a confidential trustee of the information given by the seller or gained through their relationship; and the auctioneer must never disclose the gross receipts of a sale or any other information that would tend to be a violation of the profession.

Article 14. No special conditions, real or assumed, or inducements or directions from anyone relieve the member from responsibility to strictly observe this Code of Ethics in letter and spirit.

State of Wisconsin Conduct Requirements –  https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/code/admin_code/sps/professional_services/120/126.pdf

WI Championship Auctioneer Contest Rules (Revised 2022)

1. The full name of the contest is “WISCONSIN AUCTIONEERS ASSOCIATION, INC. AUCTIONEER CHAMPIONSHIP.”
2. There shall be one division combined for men and women.
3. Contestants shall be 18 years of age or older, members of the WAA, register to attend the entire conference, and hold a current Wisconsin auctioneer license. An auction market, auction company, private company or business person, association, newspaper, etc. may sponsor a contestant.
4. The current Novice of the Year shall be one of the contestants but his/her entry fee shall be waived.
5. Entries, accompanied by a $100 non-refundable entry fee, must be received prior to the contest. All entries will be date stamped when received. Contestants will receive a confirmation notification.
6. All contestants must attend the contestant meeting for orientation and drawing for order of appearance.
7. The dress code used for the International Auctioneer Championship Contest (IAC) will be used, specifically: men shall wear business suits/ties and dress shoes. Women shall wear business suits (pants or skirt) and no open-toe shoes. Failure to meet the dress code may be cause for elimination at the call of the contest committee.
8. The sound system shall be preset. Contestants will be allowed to test it in advance but cannot adjust it during the contest.
9. Announcements the day of the contest will take precedence over printed material.
10. Five judges shall be selected by the contest committee. Four judges must be involved in the auction industry (one from the WAA Hall of Fame) and one may be from the private sector.
11. The WAA scoring system (attached) will be used.
12. When the contestant is called by the Emcee, the contestant shall come to the microphone and state only his/her name, city, contestant number, and sponsor(s), if any. Any reference of a commercial nature for the individual auctioneer shall be cause for a reduction of score.
13. In the preliminary round, each contestant shall sell two consecutive items. Before the leaving the microphone, the contestant shall again state his/her name and contestant number.
14. Scores from the preliminaries will determine who advances to the finals.
15. If a tie score occurs in the preliminary round, the contestant with the highest score in the Chant/Voice category will prevail.
16. All contestants will be called to the stage for announcement of the finalists. The number of finalists shall be based on the following sliding scale: 10 or fewer contestants–five finalists; 11+ contestants–six finalists.
17. There will be a drawing for the order in which finalists compete.
18. When the finalist’s is called by the Emcee, the contestant shall come to the microphone and state only his/her name, city, contestant number, and sponsor(s), if any. Any reference of a commercial nature for the individual auctioneer shall be cause for a reduction of score.
19. In the final round the contestants will answer two questions selected by the committee. A time limit of two minutes per question will apply after the question has been read. The contestant may ask to have the question repeated only once. The contestant will immediately thereafter sell two consecutive items.
20. Before leaving the microphone, the contestant shall again state only his/her name, city, contestant number, and sponsors if any.
Any reference of a commercial nature for the individual auctioneer shall be cause for a reduction of score.
21. Final scores are determined by combining the interview and bid-calling scores of the finals round.
22. The scores from the preliminaries will be used as the tie-breaker in the finals.
23. The following prizes will be awarded:
CHAMPION – $400 cash, an allowance of up to $250 for a championship ring/pendant/belt buckle, trophy, following year’s WAA dues. The winner will represent WAA and have the entry fee paid for the IAC Contest at the following National Auctioneers Association Conference and Show.
RESERVE CHAMPION – $250 cash, trophy, following year’s WAA dues.
FIRST RUNNER-UP – $150 cash and a trophy.
24. Contestants shall not be given the exact order of finish other than Champion, Reserve Champion & First Runner Up. Score sheets and judges’ comments will be sent after the contest.
25. The winner shall be referred to as “John/Jane Doe, Wisconsin State Champion Auctioneer.”
26. The champion agrees to make a minimum of two promotional appearances on behalf of Wisconsin Auctioneers Association and participate as a speaker or panelist at the following WAA Conference and Show. The champion will serve on the championship contest committee for the two following years and be present at next year’s championship contest.
27. Committee members shall not participate in the contest in the year in which they serve.
28. Past champions may not compete in subsequent contests.
29 The committee chair shall address, as needed, any and all errors or omissions regarding rules and regulations of the contest. The decision of the committee chair shall be final and binding at the time a decision is made and shall apply to all contestants.
30. All proceeds from the auction will be used at the discretion of WAA. An optional buyer’s fee may be charged.