KISSIMMEE, Florida — Some people might be considered good at “fast talk,” the kind of coy influencing that it takes to strike a business deal or make a sale.
Auctioneers are trained in a more literal kind of fast talking with mouths and tongues moving more quickly than the average person’s, filling the air with what sounds like gibberish in between numbers representing bids.
At Mecum Kissimmee, the world’s largest collector car auction, lead auctioneer Jimmy Landis practices his art and keeps his mouth moving in the name of selling classic vehicles, of which there are 4,200 at this year’s event. At the same time, he’s entertaining the audience gathered in person at Osceola Heritage Park and those watching from afar on TV.
