Terri Walker is the best woman auctioneer in the country as judged by her peers. She won the National Auctioneers Association Bid Calling competition this year. The language and cadence of an auction come naturally for her because she learned the business from her father, Bob Turnage of Hayti, Mo.“Your chant is very important,” Walker said. “That’s what auctioneers are known for is their chant. It has to be clear.”
A good auctioneer also has to be quick with numbers, be sensitive to a client’s needs, know how to gauge a roomful of people and have a pleasing presence. “You also have to have a rhythm to it,” Walker said. “That’s what makes it so comfortable. If an auctioneer has a good rhythm to their chant, it’s pleasant on the ears so people don’t mind staying all day at the auction listening to the auctioneer.”
