Auction company leaves Nashville for Madera       

Written by Michael Kincheloe    

Wednesday, 22 June 2011 12:34 

 A retail auction company that specializes in everything from classic cars to household furnishings is relocating its core business from Tennessee to the heart of the Central Valley.

West Coast Public Auction will open in northwest Madera on July 16 and will assist dealerships across the country in selling their non-current and trade-in inventory to the public at monthly auctions.

Boats, Jet Skis, motorcycles, ATVs, travel trailers, RVs, commercial lawn and garden equipment, farm machinery, classic cars, new home furnishings, electronics and fine jewelry are included in the inventory, which will be sold at both indoor and outdoor auction arenas.

Rod Settles is the owner of West Coast Public Auction and has been in the auction business for 27 years. He said that he has “sold everything from boats to helicopters.”

Helicopters?

“The guy flew it in and landed it,” Settles said. “The new owner flew it out.”

The auction business began to appeal to Settles at a young age.

“When I was a teenager I liked to go to auctions and watch the auctioneer, and I just taught myself how to do it,” he said.

Auctions offer certain features that regular private-party sales do not have, including not having to pay for advertising, dealing with endless telephone calls after the product has been sold or being required to meet with buyers on their schedules. Not to mention that auctions are held on a certain date and time, with a regular clientele eager to buy certain merchandise.

“If it’s got a motor, we sell it,” Settles said. “Big boys’ toys.”

Located at 3451 Yeager Road in Madera, West Coast Public Auction has experienced auctioneers on staff, can arrange for the product to be shipped and will provide payment to their sellers within five business days. They have a large database of registered bidders, and are licensed, insured and bonded.

Settles and his wife, Tina, moved to the Central Valley from Nashville, Tennessee, where Settles overcame a number of challenges in his business career to become an award-winning auctioneer. He said that he’s thrilled to be in California.

“I love it. I’m very excited,” Settles said. “There’s never been a public powersport auction in California before.”



http://www.thebusinessjournal.com/small-business/10164-auction-company-leaves-nashville-for-madera