• Lavern Yutzy

UPDATE: CHARLOTTE/LANSING - "My favorite part of the home business is obviously selling," said Lavern Yutzy, owner of Yutzy's Auction and Appraisal service.

"But there's a lot to it," he said.

"I have several good guys that work for me. I have to do a lot of the business aspect of it, so I can feel very relaxed turning any of my guys loose to sell while I have to put out fires or talk to a customer.

I started working at a stockyards as a cattle fitter, and loved it, and loved the chain, and always loved going to auctions so I decided to go to auction school in 1992.

I joined the National Association right after that. Every year at the convention in January is probably my favorite part about it because everybody will come from all corners of Michigan and some from Indiana and Ohio, and we meet and have two or three days of good relaxation and fun, and education as well.

It was a great competition. I wished I was in the top of it, but I didn't make it unfortunately this time. I have been in the top five I think three or four times so far and it's always an adrenal rush. It's an achievement whether you make it up there or not.

It just...gets in you - gets in your blood. You just try to look at the positive things in everything you're selling. Sometimes you might even get to an item that's maybe a dog, you know, that has...hardly any selling points about it. You try to find one, or find some humor in it and go on.

Buy at an auction. You can buy at your price - you do not have to pay what the retailer or someone might be asking you - you can buy at your price; if it's too high, then you quit bidding."

ORIGINAL STORY: CHARLOTTE/LANSING - Mr. Lavern Yutzy, owner of Yutzy's Auction and Appraisal service, attended the 2012 Michigan Auctioneer Championships in January. See how he placed on Community Connection.