Estate Auction Safety Precaution

Stevens Auction company was impacted by Covid 19 related shutdowns.

In person events were postponed, but now with the economy opening back up, those sales are being re-scheduled with a lot of safety precautions in place.

Some businesses thrive on having large numbers of people in one place for an extended period of time..

That has business owners working on ways to meet the challenge of keeping customers safe while ringing up sales..

Allie martin finds out how an auction house is trying to find that healthy balance..

Like all other businesses, stevens auction company was impacted by covid 19 related shutdowns.

In person events were postponed, but now with the economy opening back up, those sales are being re scheduled with a lot of safety precautions in place.

"we were geared up this year to be a big record year."

Dwight stevens is president of stevens auction company.

The aberdeen based business typically sees its busiest season in the spring.

But covid 19 temporarily postponed all sales.

There were some online only auctions and estate sales, but it wasn't the same.

"people had to get used to it and they didn't like it too well, a lot of our customers are older people and not so savvy with all the computers and all registering you have to do, it's caused a problem, but they made it through and they learned something."

In-person auctions return this weekend, with a sale that was originally set for march.

An on-site auction for the estate of the late betsy stark of starkville// stevens says this auction is drawing interest not only statewide, but nationally.

With that added attention, and potential attendance, come added precautions..

"we have a two day open house, thursday and friday and we will only allow 15 people in the house, it's a big house, they must wear a mask , during the auction, we ask, even outside in a tent they wear a mask, we will have hand sanitizer, try and comply with cdc regulations."

Stevens auction company did not have to furlough any of its employees during the covid 19 related shutdowns, there was plenty of work to do.

And now that in person auctions and estate sales are being held again, things will only get busier.

In aberdeen, allie martin, wcbi news the hammer drops on the stark estate auction at 10 o'clock saturday morning.

Stevens also plans a mid summer auction in july or august at his aberdeen location.