Update: I attended this live auction on May 6, 2023. Recently as of May 9, 2024, the Colorado Springs Gorman Auctions is listed for sale. From their Facebook Page: “Hello everyone. Due to health, we will be relocating Gorman Auctions to Oklahoma as soon as possible. The Colorado Springs Gorman Auction Business is for SALE.”
It was the seashells that caught my eye online. The photos were so great. I loved the variety of colors and shapes and thought I’d attend the auction. I’d been following them on social media for awhile to see how things worked, and now wanted to see if I could bring home a few shells for a project.
I’d never been to any kind of auction before, but enthusiastically headed over to the old Willowstone Antique Marketplace building on Garden of the Gods Road to check it out.
(Spoiler alert: I came home with some good ones (those in the photo on the far right). But more on how, below.)



According to the company’s website, owner Deborah Gorman was raised in the auction business. Then right out of school first worked in finance for awhile. After that, she bought her first auction in Fort Gibson, Oklahoma in 1980. Her husband Bob (who was the auctioneer the day that I visited) graduated from auction school, then attended CAI (Certified Auction Institute). The couple have lived in Colorado since 1990. Also listed on the website, were other auction staff with the last name Gorman.
I was enthralled by the traditional fast-talking selling when the auction started. The lightning-quick speech was kind of like a rapper’s, but certainly a different cadence (and obviously, different content ;).
Some seats were already reserved when I arrived towards the beginning of the time. The place opens up an hour before the auction starts so people can get a look at the wares in-person. There can be absentee bidders as well.

Of the items on offer that day while I was there, people seemed most interested in pieces of jewelry. But at first when I arrived folks milled around looking at the items set up on tables. There were others looking at the shells, so I didn’t know if I’d have some competition. They were so gorgeous, I wondered if there might in fact develop a bidding war.
I’d checked in, which involved an entry fee and registration.
From the business’ website: “YOU MUST AGREE WITH OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS TO OBTAIN (a) BIDDER NUMBER. REGISTRATION: 2 FORMS OF I.D.: Driver’s License, Military ID, Credit Card, Passport…(International Bidders – Passport) PAYMENT: CASH, M/C, VISA, DISCOVER, AM EXPRESS or APPROVED CHECKS.”
By the time the shells came up for bids, I’d gotten a bit of the hang of how the procedures went. Often items were grouped by lots. So because of this I didn’t have the chance to buy just one tray of shells. And some shells which I liked were in a different lot, so with my budget I had to pick one or the other.
So, a bit about strategy: I wanted to jump in soon, but not too soon, to indicate my interest. I played it cool with myself, by mentally telling myself whatever happened was okay. I could live without shells. But I wanted to also be ready to fight for them if needed! ⚔️
According to bidding advice from the website of another auction company, Busy Beever in Kansas, some other strategy includes,
- Deciding When and How to Bid
Figuring out when and how to bid is an art in itself. While there are various strategies, finding the right timing and approach that align with your budget and comfort level is important. Some experts advocate starting with a high bid to assert dominance and signal your seriousness as a buyer. This bold move can immediately set the pace and potentially deter other bidders. However, this tactic requires confidence and a clear understanding of the property’s value to avoid overpaying.
On the other hand, a slow and steady pace can turn out to be effective, especially if the auction starts off slowly. Bidding early and low can give you a sense of control and allow you to assess your competition’s interest and financial limits. It also gives you time to settle your nerves and prepare for the intensity of bidding when the property approaches its reserve price...
Taking control of the auction pace can work to your advantage. Avoid rushing, and bid confidently at your own speed…”
There is definitely a creativity to all of this.
In addition the inherent stories, the banter, the socializing – or, at least the neighborly proximity to other people, were all fun. The items themselves ranged from quirky handmade, to antique and strange, to sometimes brand new, still-in-the-box — like kitchen items.
I found this also entertaining. The objects themselves caused me to imagine stories of what the owners were like, what they made/what work they did, what they used to live day-to-day — and what their lives were like.
Fascinating. #theartofbidding #auctions