Leon Stoltzfus of PA Auction Center joins host Tim Peters and Andy Harbick for this episode of the No Reserve Podcast, recorded onsite at PA Auction Center's facility. Leon shares how his father bought the business in 2008 and spent five difficult years in the red before Leon joined in 2012 and the two of them started building something that actually worked.

Leon walks through how PA Auction Center grew into a five-auction-per-month operation covering variety sales, restaurant equipment, firearms, and tools and equipment. The consistent monthly schedule wasn't a marketing strategy — it was his dad's preference for routine. But it turned out to be one of their smartest moves, keeping marketing costs low and giving both buyers and consignors a reliable rhythm to count on.

He talks about the 2020 move from a 16,000 sq. ft. facility to a 140,000 sq. ft. building and what it actually takes to fill that kind of space. With 35 full-time employees and over 150 people on payroll, operations at that scale require more than hustle — they require systems, and that's where Leon says their focus is right now.

The conversation also gets into the live vs. online question. About half of PA Auction Center's revenue comes from online-only auctions, but Leon makes a strong case for why live auctions aren't going away, especially in Lancaster County, PA where auction culture runs deep. He sees live as less labor-intensive and easier to manage in ways that pure online operations often aren't.

Links:

1. PA Auction Center

Kirk Witcher of Witcher Auctions joins hosts Tim Peters and Andy Harbick on location in Wynne, Arkansas for this episode of the No Reserve Podcast. Kirk shares how Witcher Auctions grew from a small family business founded in 1972 into a fully modern, online-only operation.

Kirk helped grow the company by focusing on farm and heavy equipment, seller trust, and the buyer experience. He explains why they shifted from simulcast and drive-through events to timed online sales that often close at night, and why convenience and clear communication beat a long day under a tent.

Kirk discusses moving from marketplaces to a white-label platform to control brand, data, and the customer journey. He talks about replacing expensive print ads with targeted digital marketing, turning satisfied customers into paid “auction advocates,” and why the quality of registrations matters more than the raw count. You’ll hear practical coaching he gives sellers, like ignoring early bid totals and trusting the late surge, plus what his team watches to gauge auction health.

The conversation closes with where AI fits in the auction world, from quick valuation checks to training models on your own sold data. There are risks to manage, but the upside is real for bidders and auctioneers who learn by doing and keep their focus on honest descriptions, clean processes, and relationships that last.

In this episode of The No Reserve Podcast, host Tim Peters sits down with Phillip Via of Lucky Dog Auction & Realty in Rocky Mount, Virginia. Phillip shares how he went from working at UPS, then in landscaping, and then in wireless retail, to starting and selling a buyback business. After that, Phillip attended a local auction, became inspired to start his own auction company, then headed to auction school. He found a facility, renovated it, and launched his first auction in 2017. Phillip also discusses how he switched from live auctions to online-only auctions after the success of a die-cast NASCAR collection auction.

Since then, what began with monthly consignment sales has grown into a five-person team that now leans into equipment auctions, regular firearms auctions under an FFL, and steady local consignments. Soon, their team will be moving to a 14,000 square foot facility on four acres.

Phillip explains how their rural bidders adopted online auctions quickly and why starting with a white label platform helped him build his own audience from day one. For newer auctioneers, Phillip advises to keep things simple. Go online early. Get your real estate license sooner than you think. Say yes to opportunities and bring in partners when needed. Invest in education and relationships through CAI and state or national associations.

Links:

• Lucky Dog Auction & Realty

In this episode of The No Reserve Podcast, host Tim Peters sits down with Ryan Brechlin of Connecticut Firearms Auctions and Good Bottle Auctions. Ryan shares how he went from helping his father run general estate sales in the 1990s to becoming one of Connecticut’s top auctioneers. What started with antiques and firearms eventually expanded into the rare and highly competitive world of whiskey, wine, and spirits auctions.

Ryan discusses the unique challenges of building Good Bottle Auctions, including the uphill battle of lobbying for a one-of-a-kind permit to legally sell alcohol at auction in Connecticut. He explains how his team combines innovation with tradition, experimenting with podcasting and live streaming during auctions to create an engaging experience for bidders.

The conversation dives deep into the world of collectible whiskey—why certain bottles like Pappy Van Winkle fetch sky-high prices, how rarity and hype affect value, and the balance between bottles meant to be savored and those destined for investment. Ryan also shares insights on the wine market, future expansion plans, and what’s next for Good Bottle Auctions.

With stories of snowstorm auctions, interesting tasting segments, and the thrill of rare finds, this episode is packed with lessons on creativity, perseverance, and the evolving auction industry.

Mentioned in this episode:

• The origins and growth of Connecticut Firearms Auctions
• The legal hurdles behind starting Good Bottle Auctions
• Creative innovations like live podcasting during auctions
• Rarity and value in collectible whiskey, including legendary bottles
• Future plans for expanding alcohol auctions (and other types of auctions)

Special note:

• Good Bottle Auctions' next auction is currently open for bidding, and will start to close during a live stream podcast on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025 at 1 pm Eastern.

Links:

• Good Bottle Auctions

In this episode of The No Reserve Podcast, host Tim Peters is joined by Tim Mast, President and CEO of Tranzon, for an insightful look at his journey to leading one of the country’s top real estate auction franchises. Mast shares how a childhood auction experience sparked his passion for the industry, what led him to full-time auction work after years of side hustles, and how Tranzon helps auction companies grow with systems, technology, and national reach. He also announces a new venture: launching a Tranzon franchise with his son.

The conversation covers how to build trust with skeptical real estate sellers, creative strategies like sealed-bid auctions and multi-parcel setups, and why auctions often reveal market changes before anyone else sees them.

Key Topics Covered:

• Tim’s unique path from Amish roots to his role as President and CEO of Tranzon
• An overview of Tranzon, a nationwide real estate auction franchising company
• Launching a new Tranzon franchise with his son
• Building seller trust and educating clients about auctions
• Market trends in 2025: fear index and pricing shifts
• Why auctions are a leading indicator of real estate trends
• The value of serving first and letting money follow

Links Mentioned

• Tranzon

In this episode of The No Reserve Podcast, host Tim Peters sits down with Dan Newman, Founder and CEO of Alaska Premier Auctions & Appraisals. From launching his business in 2018 to running a 50-person team in a massive purple warehouse in Anchorage, Dan shares how grit, relationships, and relentless reinvestment shaped one of the fastest-growing auction companies in the Northwest.

Dan unpacks the story behind one of his most memorable sales—a full-size, street-legal Radio Flyer wagon that sold for nearly $90,000—and how it catapulted their brand into the national spotlight. He also shares why he chose a white-label bidding platform over a marketplace, how EOS and BidWrangler’s tools helped systematize operations, and what it really takes to grow an auction business from scratch.

Topics Covered:

• How a novelty car went viral—and became a record sale
• The logistics of scaling from 2,000 to 44,000 sq ft
• Building a white-label brand vs. joining a marketplace
• The financial discipline behind long-term success
• Investing in people, culture, and systems that scale
• Leadership lessons, from bid calling to becoming a “logistics officer”

Links Mentioned

• Alaska Premier Auctions & Appraisals
• World Famous Radio Flyer Wagon Car video

Welcome to Season 2 of the No Reserve Podcast!

In this in-depth episode, host Tim Peters explores the remarkable career of John Schultz, Chief Marketing and Technology Officer at Grafe Auction and President of the National Auction Association. John shares the breadth of his career starting with being a high school student employed at Wells Fargo, to working in his family's auction business, then joining Grafe Auction, and ultimately becoming one of its owners. He shares some helpful stories while offering invaluable insights into marketing, technology, and business growth.

Recommended Marketing Books:

• "Day Trading Attention" by Gary Vaynerchuk
• "Confessions of an Advertising Man" by David Ogilvy
• "Tested Advertising Methods" by John Caples
• "How to Win Friends and Influence People" by Dale Carnegie

2023 AMA Marketing Book Award Winners:

• Winner: "Using Behavioral Science in Marketing" by Nancy Harhut 
• Finalist: "Brand Storytelling: Put Customers at the Heart of Your Brand Story" by Miri Rodriguez  
• "Marketing Artificial Intelligence: AI, Marketing, and the Future of Business" by Paul Roetzer and Mike Kaput 

Key Highlights:

• John walks through the many changes in his teaching of auction marketing over 15+ years
• Strategies for business innovation and scaling
• The importance of continuous learning and adaptation
• Insights into digital marketing and technology integration

Listeners Will Gain:

• Practical marketing strategies for auction professionals
• Inspiration for personal and professional growth
• Understanding of how technology can transform business operations

In this episode of the No Reserve podcast, host Tim Peters chats with Sherry Russell and Ranae Gabel of Alderfer Auction. They share their inspiring journey of purchasing and growing a family-run auction business in Hatfield, Pennsylvania. Sherry and Ranae discuss the unique challenges of buying an existing business, how COVID-19 forced them to pivot quickly, and the importance of building a strong company culture. Their insights provide valuable takeaways for any auction professional looking to scale or sell their business.

Links Mentioned:

• BidWrangler
• Alderfer Auction

In this episode, host Tim Peters sits down with Chris Rasmus, the second-generation auctioneer behind Rasmus Auctions. Chris shares his journey from joining the family business in 1983 to becoming a leader in auction innovation. They discuss the importance of working on your business instead of in it, how to diversify asset classes, and Chris’s groundbreaking move into online-only auctions in 2000. Chris also dives into how his company manages customer care for over 1,200 auctions a year and the success they've found in the retail returns market.

Resources Mentioned:

• Podium For Review mining and webchat customer care and phones
• WhenIWork for work scheduling and 1099 Gig Workers
• EZTexting/Vibes - now Braze for Text and Email Marketing
• Podio for CRM transitioning to Hubspot
• Canva and eleven labs for video learning
• Claude/ChatGPT/Perplexity for AI
• Filemaker for inventory prep, reconciliations and sales data analysis
• Zoom and Fathom Notetaker for video calls and AI notetaker
• Notion AI for workflows and project development 

Links Mentioned:  

BidWrangler

Rasmus Auctions

In this episode of The No Reserve Podcast, host Tim Peters, CEO of BidWrangler, sits down with Kervin Yoder, owner of Enlisted Auctions, and business coach Steve Byler, to discuss the transformative impact of the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) on auction businesses. They discuss how implementing EOS has helped streamline operations, improve team alignment, and foster sustainable growth.

Key Points:

Tim Peters introduces guests Kervin Yoder and Steve Byler, and sets the stage for a deep dive into the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) and its relevance to auction companies. Tim discusses how EOS has significantly influenced his own company's planning, hiring, and operational efficiency, setting the tone for the discussion.

Steve explains the initial steps of implementing EOS in a business, emphasizing the importance of starting with a Vision/Traction Organizer (VTO). Kervin shares the early challenges Enlisted Auctions faced while adopting EOS and the significant changes it brought to their operations.

The importance of maintaining an active Issues List is highlighted as a critical component of EOS that helps businesses proactively address and resolve challenges. Kervin reflects on how his team initially reacted to the EOS implementation and how their attitudes evolved, leading to greater alignment and productivity.

The episode concludes with practical advice for auction companies considering EOS, including the value of hiring an implementer and the significance of starting with the book "Traction" by Gino Wickman.

Links Mentioned:

• Traction by Gino Wickman
• Enlisted Auctions
• Steve Byler
• BidWrangler