There was something about auctioneering that intrigued Marc Jubinville.
It lit a spark that has yet to waver.
Since he was a child, Jubinville has always had a passion for auctioneering, and now, after three decades, he is stepping down from Western Pride Auction.
Jubinville describes his introduction into the auctioneering world as an “interesting story.”
“I started with the Camrose Auction Company when they purchased and expanded into the St. Paul Auction Market, which required a lot of renovations and a lot of maintenance. I went there as a contractor to build their new offices and they were still conducting sales,” Jubinville said. “On sale days, I would take my crew and we would help them. I got to know those people really well and they got a chance to get to know me.”
In the end, they offered Jubinville a job as an auctioneer once he completed the necessary courses.
“I told them I was interested and that I had always been interested in becoming an auctioneer,” Jubinville described, adding all he needed to do was to attend auction college.
“That’s where it all started.”
During his two week course, Jubinville learned the ins and outs of the auction business. It was also where he learned the auction chant.
“You learn to call numbers really quick forwards and backwards,” he detailed.
His passion for auctioneering started at an early age.
“Even as a youngster when I would go to auctions with my dad, such as farm auctions or cattle auctions, it was something that always did spark some interest in me.”
He was fortunate that “the stars aligned” in 1985, and presented the opportunity that would change his career path forever, when he accepted his first job as an auctioneer.
Five years later, in 1990, the Camrose Auction Company closed.
“The auction company had shut down, and I had been running the St. Paul Auction Market for a couple of years,” he said. “We saw an opportunity there to reopen the Bonnyville Auction Market.”
In 1992, that’s what they did.
“We also took over the Morinville Auction Market,” Jubinville added.
He has been working with some of his crew since the very beginning, which is often the case for those working in the industry.
Jubinvile explained, “That’s what you’ll find. People who are in the auction business are usually in it for the long haul, because everyday there is something new. You never know what you’re going to be selling.”
From household to farm auctions, an auctioneer never really knows what will be up for sale.
This is one of the reasons why Jubinville fell in love with the industry, and struggled to find any particular sales that stood out.
“There are a lot of memories. At the end of the day, there aren’t any that stand out that much. I think the big thing is just the people,” he expressed. “It doesn’t matter if it’s been a really successful sale or a really good fundraiser auction - they’re all enjoyable.”
Although he is retiring, Jubinville will still be seen showing off his auction chant.
Copeland Auctions, the company that purchased the mobile auction unit from Western Pride Auction, will be utilizing Jubinville’s experience, so he will still be doing what he loves, minus the paperwork.
“The one thing I will enjoy is I will be able to just go to the auction and do some auctioneering and not have to be involved in the administration. It will be more of a drive in and drive out job,” noted Jubinville. “That’s the one thing I’m ready to give up, is the administration part of it all.”
Jubinville and his partners decided to retire because they wanted to take time to enjoy the little things in life.
“It’s time to do something different and to go our separate ways,” Jubinville said.
The trio have also kept the comments the couple they purchased the Morinville Auction Market from in the back of their minds.
They had said they wish they had gotten out sooner, when they could still enjoy life.
“They had waited too long. They were 80-years-old, and they had said they should have sold 15 years ago so they could have done things. We see a lot of that in our business, we see farm sales just being done a little too late and people missing out on travelling or other things. That made us realize there are other things to do.”
Jubinville plans on using his time wisely.
As a councillor for the MD of Bonnyville he will still be kept busy, but is happy for the distraction.
“Now that I’m a municipal councillor, that’s taking up a lot of my time. It’s working really well, because there’s lots to learn. It’s a whole new adventure for me,” Jubinville said. “Because of that, I can’t really say I’m going to miss the people through the auction business, because I’m with people all of the time now.”
Although he doesn’t think he will have a whole lot of free time, Jubinville plans on spending the little he does have golfing, fishing, and with his family.
“I have a grandchild now, so I plan on having more family time. There are lots of things at home that I have to get caught up on.”
Over the years, Jubinville has learned that “there’s a time for everything,” and now it’s his time to sit back and enjoy.
