Going, Going . . . SOLD !

Local thrift stores are not the only places that folks in this area frequent for  bargains. In case, I didn’t mention it before, the closest major retail shopping areas are at least a 90-minute drive, north or south.
So on weekends, a very popular local event is the estate auction, which is as much a shopping excursion as a social event. Depending on the estate size, a large auction can go on for most of the day.Lots of well-experienced auction goers ring their chairs; food and cold drinks are usually sold on-site.  During spring and summer, it’s not unusual to find several weekend auctions,generally held on Saturday; Sunday is a church day in these parts (we’re in the south, y’all).
 This weekend, Grenville and I went to a very large estate auction for a long-time area resident who died in March. This gentleman, William A. Sprague, was a retired Eastern Airlines captain and active with the local airfield, Campbell Field.  A man of diverse interests, he was also a ham radio operator with a radio tower in his front yard.
 




 




Before the auction starts, there’s the registration process where folks get their auction number. Auction start times are around 10 or 11 a.m. and continue until everything has been offered for auction. Everyone checks out what’s being sold, either as individual Items or in box lots. In case you’ve never heard this term, it means you bid one price on the contents of the WHOLE box, even if you’re only interested in a single item. Lots of times, box lot winners sort through the contents and leave “stuff” they don’t want.




















 






An auction as large as this one required the services of two professional auctioneers, Chester and Henry. These men are excellent at their job and really kept bidding action moving along.


It’s always interesting to see what’s being auctioned – old bikes to household furnishings.

 




 Items that draw large male crowds are tools and equipment . . . imagine that!
   




 

This young boy was holding guard over his grandpa’s purchases. Below, this cart is being hauled with another group of auction “buys.”








And just as in thrift stores – you never know what great deals you will find – bring along a sturdy trailer for these finds.


If you’re wondering what Grenville and I bought , the answer is – Not a thing. We left with only these photos. But we spent a couple of chatting with folks we knew (this is a small area, remember?) and looking around at “stuff” we could live without.