Sparks Auction

Guy's Auction Business - Established in 1955, Guy Sparks founded an auction business that was based on honest service, integrity, and hard work. Guy, highly regarded throughout the business community, spent his entire adult life conducting auctions throughout the Pacific Northwest. In 1974, his oldest son, Gary, attended auctioneering school, and today with his wife, Judy, have taken the torch and use their backgrounds in agriculture to specialize in farm machinery.

Farm & Consignment Sales - Looking back over the 46 years of service we see many changes but the tradition of hard work and integrity remain. Advertising has certainly changed in recent years with the birth of the internet. But as far as on sale day, improvements include our new auction topper. This camper-looking apparatus allows the auctioneer to see all the way around the crowd and not miss the bidder he was previously not physically able to recognize. We offer not only on-site farm sales but also once a year a consignment sale is conducted at our lot one mile north of Nyssa, Oregon. This sale allows farmers, ranchers, equipment dealers and secured parties an opportunity to liquidate excess or unwanted equipment and turn it into cash quickly and easily.

Free Storage - In conjunction with this sale, we offer free storage prior to sale day. This works particularly well for customers who sell their real estate and need a secure place to wait for a peak market. We also offer a sales preparation team who steam clean, sand blast and paint your equipment. In many cases, values can be doubled or tripled with their work. Please keep in mind, this process takes time.

Machinery Relocation - Sparks Auction also offers machinery relocation service. We can move one piece or the whole farming operation to wherever its needs to be to get you, our customer, the most money.

Commissions & Buyer's Premium - Commission rates vary according to gross sales. We do take consignments as low as 4% commission. Buyers Premium? Although not a big promoter of buyer's premium, we do believe it does have its place. For instance, recently visiting with an auction customer of ours, he said, “Man, I hate buyer's premiums. I won't go to a sale with a buyer's premium.” I think the general consensus is the auctioneer is double dipping, taking a commission from both the buyer and the seller, which is absolutely untrue. The buyer's premium was invented to make it more attractive for the seller to sell the auction way.

Nyssa Tractor Salvage - Although it is a fairly well kept secret, most auctioneers have other business ventures. Ours, however, is not a secret. We are in agriculture equipment sales twelve months a year with Gary's involvement in Nyssa Tractor Salvage. This yard keeps Gary up to date on current market trends. For instance, when you ask an auctioneer for an appraisal in November, all he can do is tell you what happened last March. Gary however, can tell you if farming practices or markets have changed and therefore, if a piece of equipment is worth more or less than it was last March. Very rarely is farm machinery purchased at our auctions for Nyssa Tractor Salvage. When this does occur, our customer, the seller, is given the last right of refusal. In other words, after the sale, he is informed this particular piece was bought by Nyssa Tractor; now you can take the money, keep the piece of machinery, or put it on consignment.

Our Business is Your Success - Whether you've got a mom and pop operation, or a multi million dollar deal, chances are you've spent your whole life accumulating. Your operation is just as important to us as it is to you. We will take every opportunity to make sure your auction sale is a success and conducted in a business and orderly fashion.

Thank you for the opportunity in considering Sparks Auction for your next auction sale.

Gary and Judy