How were slaves sold at auctions?

Most slaves were transported to be sold via boat so they would be taken out of the cargo hold of the boat, walked, in chains, to holding areas and then brought out for auction. The auctioneer would put them on the auction block for all the buyers to see while pointing out their strong suits such as strength, child-bearing qualities, etc. The buyers would then bid on the slave and the highest bidder won. Slaves were viewed as pieces of property, something to be bought and sold, not human beings with emotions or lives of their own to live.