Section 480.01. Definitions.

  In this chapter:

(1)  “Auction" means a sale transaction conducted by means of oral or written exchanges between an auctioneer and prospective purchasers of goods or real estate that consist of a series of invitations made by the auctioneer to the prospective purchasers for offers for the purchase of goods or real estate and that culminate in the acceptance by the auctioneer of the highest or most favorable offer made by one of the prospective purchasers.

(2)  “Auction company" means a person who manages an auction or who has primary responsibility for handling sales proceeds, downpayments, earnest money deposits or other trust funds received by an auctioneer, the person's principal or any other person at or as a result of an auction.

(3)  “Auction company representative" means:

(a) If the auction company is an individual, that individual.

(b) If the auction company is a partnership, association or corporation, any partner of the partnership, officer or director of the association or officer or director of the corporation.

(4)  “Auctioneer" means an individual who engages in, or who by advertising or otherwise holds himself or herself out as being available to engage in, the calling for and the recognition and acceptance of offers for the purchase of goods or real estate at an auction.

(5)  “Board" means the auctioneer board.

(6)  “Registrant" means a person who is registered under this chapter.