Beau, Charlee, and Justin Kuhbacher are pictured above, in a photo courtesy of Beau Kuhbacher.
Beau Kuhbacher along with his mom, Charlee, are gearing up for auction season as they recently unveiled Kuhbacher Auction Service.
Following in the footsteps of his grandpa, Slug Mills, and Mills Auction Service, Beau grew up around the auctioneering world. Mills Auction's long history of area auctions provided a learning environment for Beau, Charlee, and many other members of the family to learn about every side of the auction business.
Beau graduated from Broadus in 2020, going on to the Worldwide School of Auctioneering. In the ensuing years he has worked as an auctioneer with Mills Auction, and following the passing of company founder Slug, Beau and his mom wanted to keep the family tradition alive.
We sat down with Beau last week to discuss his new venture, where he described each step in the auction process – a process that begins long before sale day, much of which isn't seen by the prospective buyer.
"The first step for a prospective auction is to get in contact with folks looking for an auction," Beau said.
From there, they get together and plan a day that will work for everyone involved – the auction folks and sellers, as well as something that looks like a good time for potential buyers.
The crew then views what all will be sold at the auction, taking pictures of the items and documenting what is going to be auctioned.
From there, the research begins – looking up values of items. This side of the business is as much art as it is science, as a working knowledge of how much folks in the area will pay for certain items is worth as much or more than what the items may be valued at in a book or online.
"Grandpa Slug was a walking book when it came to that sort of thing," Beau commented. Both Beau and Charlee are also experienced in determining the worth of items.
The next step is figuring percentages – what the goods need to bring in order for their business to make money, and the seller to make the sale worthwhile. If all that adds up correctly, the fun begins with "sorting stuff", that is, laying things out in an orderly fashion and setting up for sale day. Beau said as a young lad he spent many a weekend sorting through boxes in old buildings, preparing for sales.
Once the sale day prep is in order, buyers arrive the day of the sale. Cashiers, ringmen, and auctioneers then work together to sell the items, sending buyers home with smiles on their faces and a pickup bed full of cool new stuff, and the seller going home with a smile and a big paycheck.
Kuhbacher Auction Service plans on continuing the tradition of the Spring and Fall Community Auctions in Broadus, though Beau said the business was set up too late this spring for an auction, but plans are in the works for a Fall Community Auction.
Other auction specialties include Ranch and Estate, Western sales, and Beau would like to get into online auctions as well.
"We're looking to stay consistent, and provide good service for the community," Kuhbacher said of the business. "We plan on continuing the family side of the business, and look forward to the future."
Beau currently has two auctions planned – the Coffin Auction, June 24th in Ashland, and the Wood Retirement Auction, July 1st near Stacey. Beau may be contacted at 605-645-7274.
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