West Berkshire Lifestyle Sep - Oct 2021

ADVERTISING FEATURE
GIVE A GIFT
that means a little more
special
auction
services...
The period of lockdown has probably given
many of us the opportunity to explore
the furthest recessed of our attics. If the
experience was anything like mine the
finds would probably be limited to cobwebs,
spiders (big spiders) and boxes of old
curtains – but I did find a lovely Victorian
parasol too! Whatever you found we know
a man who will know its value, I had a chat
to Thomas of Special Auction Services about
his TV experiences and the joys of running
an auction house during lockdown - and
exciting times ahead…
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TV programmes about auctions and auctioneers seem to have
an enthusiastic and continuing following – how did you first get
in front of the camera as opposed to behind the rostrum?
I was asked many moons ago by my manager back in 2000 if I
wanted to be the auctioneer on a new show called Bargain Hunt
with David Dickenson. I bought a new suit, shirt and tie and thought I
looked the business, however then David walked in looking amazing!
I can’t watch those four shows back again, I was so rude about the
teams buys but in hindsight they were actually very good. After that I
was asked to be an expert, so the rest is history.
The past year has been very difficult for so many businesses,
how have you overcome the challenges?
They have been difficult - we’ve had to rearrange the saleroom to
put in screens for live online bidding and take other precautions. The
positives have been huge as it has been an opportunity to open out
to a much wider audience. Auctions can now be viewed in person up
to a week, and sometime as much as two weeks, before to give all
our client space and time to look at all of the lots.
We are happy to welcome buyers to come back to the auctions,
however, at the moment we are still politely asking buyers to bid from
home while the virus is still present.
Servicing & mechanical repairs
Diagnostics
Air conditioning / climate control
Pre MOT checks and repairs service
Registered MOT testing station
Fleet management Cars or Vans
Electric / Hybrid vehicle servicing
We have been carrying out lots of remote online valuations over zoom
and WhatsApp or simply via phone calls. We are now happy to see
clients in our saleroom for valuations but we do ask clients to make
an appointment – Wednesdays in Newbury and Thursdays in Dudley
What is the hottest item in the saleroom currently?
Items which are hot are the really unusual ones.... we have the most
fabulous French gold and steel miniature musical sewing clamp
circa 1820 from Paris which is just an amazing piece. We also have
fabulous collectibles such as a fighter jet seat..... the list goes on.
You have had so many amazing items under your gavel – what
one thing would you have like to keep, might it be that Indiana
Jones hat?
It has to be that! To be honest its the reason I became an auctioneer.
Indiana Jones was my boyhood hero and that hat was just so special.
And finally, as we come out of lockdown what are you most
looking forward to for Special Auction Services?
To be honest just seeing our clients for valuations and doing what we
do best and helping those clients who need us.
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