Jim Frio knows a good deal when he sees it, and he's not shy about letting everyone in the room know about it.

For 28 years Frio has been at the helm of his auctioneer business, selling everything from purebred horses to pots and pans. His experience in the auction industry has led him to be appointed to the West Virginia Board of Review for the auctioneering industry.

Frio, a resident of Ohio County, is one of three people serving on the board that reviews complaints about auctioneers in the state. The other two members are auctioneer Moffett P. "Preston" Kirk III of Princeton and lay member Shelly Crouse of St. Albans. The board consists of two auctioneers and one lay person.

This year, only three complaints were lodged against auctioneers.

Complaints usually are made by consignors who do not receive their auction profits as contracted with their auctioneer.

"Three complaints are not bad considering there are about 900 auctioneers in West Virginia, " Frio commented.

Frio said the auctioneering industry is governed by the state Department of Agriculture. The Board of Review members meet as needed to review complaints and then make recommendations to the Department of Agriculture for formal action.

"If we find wrongdoing, we can suggest a license be pulled or fines be assessed or both. In many cases, we go after the bond," Frio said.

When Frio entered the auctioneering business, he and his wife, Karen, were very involved with the equine industry, including the sale of horses as auction.

He said most auctioneers in the state have dealt in the sale of livestock, and that's why the industry is regulated by the Department of Agriculture.

"Of course that has changed, as we now sell all kinds of property. I like to say we sell the Earth and everything on it," Frio quipped.

Frio, who has served for 17 years on the state auctioneering board in various capacities, lobbied with other auctioneers about eight years ago to have the industry reclassified. He explained that auctioneers were required to pay taxes on their commissions because they weren't categorized as a "profession."

In order to attain that designation and to lift the tax, the auctioneers instituted a continuing education program.

Now auctioneers must complete eight hours of continuing education each year to maintain their professional standing.

Frio built his reputation in the business by offering his services free to churches and other organizations. That led to a solid following in the Ohio Valley.

Frio Auction Service now employs three office workers plus his wife and daughter Katie. In addition to auctions, he performs property appraisals. Nancy also is a real estate broker.

He also serves as an expert witness in court cases concerning appraisals relating to divorces and other court-ordered sales or property.

Frio said while generational differences have resulted in a decline in the popularity of auctions, there are many people who love the challenge of the bidding process.

Honesty is the key to being a successful auctioneer, he added.

"There are two kinds of people who go to auctions. There are the people with needs for things like furniture and household goods. Then there are the people with desires for things like glass or other collectibles. No matter what they come for, they are all wise shoppers who know quality," Frio said.