At Bright Star Auctions, we strive to deliver the most accessible heavy equipment auctions to a global audience. In today's digital age, it's easy to assume that everyone is online, but what about the minority populations that avoid the internet? At Bright Star Auctions, we've developed innovative solutions to ensure that our auctions are accessible to everyone, including those who prefer offline methods. Here's how we do it.
Table of Contents
The Evolution of Auctions
In the past, attending an auction meant showing up on site on the day of the event, ready to bid, buy, and pay for your purchases. This often-involved long drives, the risk of getting outbid, and returning home empty-handed. It was a time-consuming and sometimes frustrating process.
The necessity to be physically present often excluded potential bidders who couldn't afford the time or travel costs. This was particularly true for communities that have limited interaction with modern technology, such as the Amish.
Introduction to Online Auctions
The advent of online auctions revolutionized the industry. With online auctions, participants can bid, buy, and pay for items from the comfort of their home or office from anywhere in the world. However, this convenience is contingent on having access to the internet, which not everyone does.
When Bright Star Auctions began hosting online auctions, we quickly recognized the need for a solution to include our Amish customer base, who typically avoid internet use and smartphones. This realization led us to innovate and create systems that bridge the digital divide.
The Bright Star Bid Book
Our first solution was the Bright Star Bid Book. This auction catalog is mailed twice a month and includes details about upcoming auctions, complete with pictures and descriptions of the items available. Each mailing reaches approximately 3,700 recipients all over the US and Canada. The Bid Book allows those without internet access to see what items are available and prepare for bidding.
Phone Bidding: A Lifeline for Offline Communities
But seeing the catalog isn't enough if you can't bid. To solve this, we introduced a phone bidding system. Many of our offline customers have access to a landline or can use a neighbor’s phone. Through phone bidding, they can participate in auctions in real-time, competing against both onsite and online bidders.
With the Bid Book in hand, customers can follow along as they place bids over the phone. This system has become extremely popular, with 75-100 phone bidders typically participating in each auction. It saves them time and money by eliminating the need to travel, while still allowing them to engage fully in the auction process.
Success Stories and Community Impact
Our innovative approach has not only maintained but increased participation from offline communities. For instance, the Amish community has embraced phone bidding as a practical solution that aligns with their lifestyle. Feedback from these communities has been overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the convenience and inclusivity of our methods.
- Keep up the good work. We need this for us plain people. Most of us don't have access to the internet. Also, more of our people are doing this for a living (sawmill industry) & any info will be helpful. W. Yoder, Cub Run, KY
- Appreciate you accommodating non-internet users. – N. Eby, Crab Orchard, KY
- Keep up the good work. We really enjoy these bid books. Even though we don't often listen to the actual auction, we listen to the recordings just to see what the results were. Gives us insight into what is going on. – J. Yoder Dillwyn, VA
- Absolutely love the Bid Book. It matters that I can run my business and still attend the auctions. – S. Yoder, Milroy, PA
Conclusion
At Bright Star Auctions, our goal is to ensure that everyone, regardless of their internet access or location, can participate in our auctions. By combining traditional methods with modern technology, we've created a system that bridges the gap, making our auctions accessible to all.
