AWN

Clearing Sales

A clearing sale can sound daunting – sorting, cleaning, and moving items that may have been sitting in the same spot for generations. Realistically, the hardest part is usually just getting started.

I have recently taken over my family farm, and I can say firsthand it’s a job that can feel overwhelming at times. Walking into sheds full of things that haven’t moved in years, you quickly realise how much “stuff” builds up over time.

It is actually a bit funny when you think about it. Fifty years ago, Dad was in the same position, trying to “tidy up” the place while his father didn’t think it was necessary. Every nut, bolt and screw from an old shed was saved – just in case it might come in handy one day.

There is one story we always laugh about. Dad took a load of scrap metal to the yard, and the next morning the truck keys had mysteriously “gone missing.” He got the message quickly.

Now I find myself on the other side of it – trying to make room for new machinery, while sheds are still full of things that probably served a purpose once. And funnily enough, those same nuts, bolts and bits that used to frustrate Dad are now a bit hard for him to let go of.

That is where getting someone like AWN involved can really help take the pressure off. They have done it all before, so they can help you work out what is worth selling, how to present it, and the best way to go about it.

These days, you have got a couple of options when it comes to clearing sales.

Online Auctions
Online auctions are becoming more popular. They give you more control over things like reserve prices, but they can come with a bit more administration – dealing with multiple buyers and organising different pick-up times.

You might also find people are a bit more selective online, without that “in the moment” bidding.

On-Farm Clearing Sales
Then there is the traditional on-farm clearing sale – which is still hard to beat if you want it done and dusted in a day.

People start rolling in early, wandering through sheds looking for a bargain before the auction even starts. Once it kicks off, things move quickly, and before you know it, items are sold and getting loaded onto trailers.

By the end of the day, there is usually not much left – maybe just the odd piece someone is coming back for the next day.

And it’s not just about selling gear, either.
Clearing sales are a great social day. It is a chance for locals to catch up, talk about the season, and have a yarn over a BBQ – usually run by the CFA or a local club.

AWN can run either option for you – handling the advertising, getting it in front of the right people, and managing the sale through to settlement.

So while it might feel like a big job at the start, once you make the call to your local AWN agent, it becomes a whole lot more manageable. And in the end, it’s a pretty good feeling clearing out the old and making space for what’s next.

Connect with Us About Clearing Sales and More

Horsham Branch: (03) 5358 9123

Or find your local AWN agents: awn.net/contact