Goose
Well-known Member
I went to the annual consignment auction at Saline Center south of Dorchester, Nebraska today. It was worse than last year.
They have about six rings running over about 40 acres of stuff, with over 1500 bidders registered. If you"re interested in more than one item, there"s no way you can run back and forth between rings to be in the right place at the right time. And it seems that at any given time, two or three people are bidding--and about two dozen who have no intention of bidding are milling around among the ringmen. I don"t know if it"s the particular group that comes to this particular auction or what, but it"s impossible to keep eye contact with a ringman because someone is always getting between the two of you. There"s so much confusion, even having the high bid doesn"t mean you"ll buy the item.
I never did get over to where the tractors were being sold, but my wife and I scoped out the place yesterday and saw a beautifully restored 4020 John Deere and an equally beautiful 3010. I have no idea what they sold for, but they stood out in the middle of 30 to 40 average units.
Most of the vehicles are locked, as is usual, but the mileage was never given on the tag in the windshield. There was a car with left front damage consistent with a deer hit that I considered buying, but the auctioneer had already opened the bidding before someone came running up with the keys and started the engine. The car had 258,000 miles on it. I just walked off.
There was a "92 Chevy 3/4 ton 4wd pickup with a 6.5 diesel I would have jumped in on, but it looked like it would take them two hours to get there.
They really need to split it into two days, although like it is right now is probably how the auctioneers want it. I remember 15-20 years ago when you could go to the same auction, spend a relaxing day, and score on some stuff for decent prices. It seems now all you do is run your legs off over 40 acres. I doubt I"ll go back next year.
This coming weekend, there"s a big annual consignment auction in Bee, Nebraska. It was split into two days years ago. Tractors, farm machinery, and livestock equipment on Friday, and miscellaneous and vehicles on Saturday. Much more structured and relaxing. (Bee is a small town of about 200 population, and this auction is referred to locally as the "Bee State Fair").
My rant for the day.
They have about six rings running over about 40 acres of stuff, with over 1500 bidders registered. If you"re interested in more than one item, there"s no way you can run back and forth between rings to be in the right place at the right time. And it seems that at any given time, two or three people are bidding--and about two dozen who have no intention of bidding are milling around among the ringmen. I don"t know if it"s the particular group that comes to this particular auction or what, but it"s impossible to keep eye contact with a ringman because someone is always getting between the two of you. There"s so much confusion, even having the high bid doesn"t mean you"ll buy the item.
I never did get over to where the tractors were being sold, but my wife and I scoped out the place yesterday and saw a beautifully restored 4020 John Deere and an equally beautiful 3010. I have no idea what they sold for, but they stood out in the middle of 30 to 40 average units.
Most of the vehicles are locked, as is usual, but the mileage was never given on the tag in the windshield. There was a car with left front damage consistent with a deer hit that I considered buying, but the auctioneer had already opened the bidding before someone came running up with the keys and started the engine. The car had 258,000 miles on it. I just walked off.
There was a "92 Chevy 3/4 ton 4wd pickup with a 6.5 diesel I would have jumped in on, but it looked like it would take them two hours to get there.
They really need to split it into two days, although like it is right now is probably how the auctioneers want it. I remember 15-20 years ago when you could go to the same auction, spend a relaxing day, and score on some stuff for decent prices. It seems now all you do is run your legs off over 40 acres. I doubt I"ll go back next year.
This coming weekend, there"s a big annual consignment auction in Bee, Nebraska. It was split into two days years ago. Tractors, farm machinery, and livestock equipment on Friday, and miscellaneous and vehicles on Saturday. Much more structured and relaxing. (Bee is a small town of about 200 population, and this auction is referred to locally as the "Bee State Fair").
My rant for the day.
