For me, it was my mom who loved auctions, and from the time I was little, I remember going to the local auction barn with her. They sold everything from cows and horses to miscellaneous household items and boxes of stuff. There was a little cafe that had coffee, pop, and hamburgers; so we could stay most of the day and watch and not be starving. After I grew up and was married, The kids and I went to the weekly auction, and it was like the family outing for the week. They sold household stuff in the morning, and livestock in the afternoon, and had two different auctioneers; so sometimes both auctions were going for most of the day. People would buy a box of unknown items, go through it at home , and take the rest back to the next auction to re-sell. The local A&W drive-in had coneys for sale 5/$1; so for $2-$3, we had all of the coney-dogs we wanted to eat for dinner that night. It was great that they picked the coney day to be the same day as the auction sale, and I am sure they were busy all day long making and selling those coneys.
My last employer before I got my stroke was an Australian auctioneer. We get all our items imported from Australia. But not everything since we also import from factories in China. Most of the products were seconds yet quality and Australian brands. My boss, an Australian are buying x-products, surpluses, seconds and returns from factories and malls all over Australia, New Zealand and later on China. So most should I say have slight factory defects, dents or discoloration but all are good and working. We import them by containers and upon arrival here in our 2 warehouses on separate locations, our men would work on them to fix and refurbish them to look as best and good as the new ones. Once quality passed, the units will be sent to our auction sites and auction partners. I again have the opportunity to travel all over the Philippines because of this work in this company because auctions are done on several location sites. I got to learn how auction works and how business runs. I agree it was really fun watching and participating in the auctions which I needed to experience since its our trade and business. Then, I also got the chance to work online with a California-based client who was an online auctioneer, an eBay and Amazon trader. He was trading mostly business machines and electronic gadgets. I was his bookkeeper tending his online sales and recording all his bank transactions.
At one farm auction, there was a hay rack loaded with cardboard boxes of small items from the house and barns. They wouldn't let anyone look in them. You took your chances. The auctioneer would usually start the bid at a dollar on each box. Most often, the first fifty cent bid won. Wifey went crazy, bidding a half buck on each box, winning more often than not. They were getting down to the last few boxes. The auctioneer started the bid at the usual dollar. There was a pause in the bidding, so he looked at my wife and said, "what's my fifty cent gal say"? The crowd started laughing. Wifey wasn't quite sure how to take that.
Way back in the 80's my girl friend and I went to a silent auction. It was interesting without a sound people bid with paddles. We left early because she couldn't afford where the prices were going. I now want to sell my things at auction locally McClain's Ultimate Attic auctions: http://www.mcclainsultimateattic.com/upcoming-auctions. I haven't heard from them yet though.
That sounds interesting @Krissttina Isobe, let us know how it goes. I've been to lots of tag/yard/garage sales and also estate sales, but never an auction, although I've always wanted to attend one. Hopefully at some point in the future, I'll be able to do that. I have watched the shows where they do the storage unit auctions a time or two, but my favorite auctions to watch are on Texas Flip and Move. The show is based in North Texas, by Forth Worth, and consists of about 3 teams who purchase smaller homes or buildings at auction on site, then move them to their lot, where they rehab them and sell them for profit. The show airs on the DIY Network, and now it seems the repeats are showing on Great American Country channel.
I lost interest in the storage unit auctions when the repeats started. I have watched Texas Flip and Move but don't always remember that it's on. I should start recording that. There was one episode where the young couple won an auction for an old dilapitated house it was mainly the husband who wanted the house. Once he won the auction he was told that it couldn't be move and he tried to move it anyway and it came tumbling down. The other teams were sitting in chairs just to watch what was inevitable. Not too much of a loss but a loss just the same.
We have on Oahu McClain Auctions...McClain's Ultimate Attic Auctions. They are located right across Honolulu Police Dept. I with my not so good camera sent them pictures of some things I have for sale, but unfortunately for me they are not interested and referred me to ebay.com to sell my things. I like to get it all going one day, but without a computer at home I am at a lost and without a good camera I'm at a bigger lost for no one can see my things I have for sale. So right now I'm just riding the tides and researching the other end for selling things. People buy from thrift stores and resale at ebay. I sea a designer bag and wanted to buy it for resale, but left if for other sellers to buy. The auction I went to with my friend was by invitation only and my friend had the invitation and I just went to keep her company. I have not gone to McClain's auction locally, yet. I saw people sell things on tv too like Pawn Stars family went to sell a classic car and ended up buying a car too. I guess if you don't get caught up in the action and can be strong to hold to a certain amount t spend you'll be alright. I'm on the other end right now researching things. Good luck in finding an auction to go to!
On the most recent episode, Gary's Girls (the Snow Sisters' nieces) won a nice home at auction, but they bid before checking to see if their father could move it. They had a two week period to get it moved, and if not, faced a penalty of around $1,000. Not only could their dad not move it, but none of the other house movers were available, so they ended up losing the home, which was demolished, and also had to pay the penalty. I'm sure they won't repeat that mistake. @Krissttina Isobe You could try this group. I think they serve your area. If that doesn't work, assuming you're talking about furniture, you could look into consignment places, especially ones that would pick up and transport the pieces. I can relate, I like the idea of having it all done at once, and I've been trying to sell a few pieces for a while, but no where here seems to pick up/transport, and I don't have a vehicle to do so.
@ Diane Lane, they sometimes have property or maybe even home auctions in this development. However, I think the starting prices are pretty high, especially if it is waterfront. My family was telling me about a farm that came with a home up in their area, that they realtors to auction off, and it got little or no action. I don't think it ever sold.