In an ever changing auction marketplace, Western Trading Post uses technology to bring the excitement of live bidding to a wider audience.
Being the bridge to a bygone era requires a deep understanding of the past, present, and future. With roots tracing back to the 1877 Arizona Territory and a forward-thinking approach to technology, Western Trading Post has become a force to be reckoned with in the world of Western auction.
What’s the key to holding one of the most successful Western auction houses in the nation? Running your business family-style. Jim Olson and his family have been putting their heart, soul, and expertise into their booming business for years, amassing unmatched success due to their unique knowledge of the West and its treasures.
With a 99% sell through rate and 10,000 auction lots offered in the last two years alone, the auction house and gallery has made a habit of pulling record levels of success. It currently holds the record for the highest selling squash blossom necklace ever sold at a live auction event, auctioning it off at a whopping $112,000.
Western Trading Post keeps up with its rapidly growing number of customers by striking a delicate balance between embracing modernity and respecting the past. Along with a live bidding room for people who enjoy getting caught up in the excitement of live bidding, the company provides online simulcast, phone, and absentee bidding so Western treasure hunters can enjoy the bidding experience from anywhere.
“They haven’t invented a computer system that can outsell a good auctioneer — yet,” says general manager Jim Olson. “So, until they do, we’ll keep on using a live auctioneer while simultaneously streaming it online, ensuring our clientele get the most bang for their buck.”
The success of Western Trading Post is emblematic of many things — the strength of a family-run business, the value of a happy partnership between the past and the present, and, perhaps most importantly, the enduring appeal of the Western heritage. Western Trading Post has become a window into the past, engaging audiences in a variety of ways. Their TV show, Western Trading Post TV, aired nationally on the Cowboy Channel for two years before making its way to the Great American Westerns channel in 2022. All episodes are now available on the Western Trading Post YouTube channel.
The auction company will be kicking off 2024 with a special Western Collectibles auction on January 11th, followed by its regularly scheduled two auction events per month. Head to the website or check out the location situated in the Historic District of Casa Grande, Arizona, to become part of a community that values the Western legacy.
Western Trading Post is currently expanding with an additional location in Wickenburg, Arizona that will be open in early 2024.
Images courtesy of Western Trading Post.
