Collegio Online

Issue date: 6/26/08 Section: Front Page

Media Credit: Kenna Rogers An auctioneer takes bids for a used Ford Taurus during the Pittsburg State University auction on Saturday, June 20.

Saturday was a particularly long work day for Sam Downs, a Springfield auctioneer, and his assistant, Steve Roberts.
From 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. they took turns in leading the 34th annual PSU surplus auction that took place by the East Campus Apartments at the intersection of Ford and Homer streets.
The auction featured 12 used state vehicles, a large number of computers and printers, office furniture and supplies, items from student housing - such as refrigerators, air conditioners, sofas and chairs - and a variety of heavy machinery, all at bargain prices.
More than 100 people showed up for the event, including area residents, PSU faculty and students. Anyone interested in buying had to register to obtain their bidding numbers, after which they could join the crowd in bidding for their must-have junk.
Downs' "auctioneer rap" of quick and blurred speech, interrupted with encouraging "Yep! Yep!" from the assistant auctioneer, was intended to raise tension and boost the biddings, but at the same time had a practical reason - there was a lot of stuff to sell in one day.
According to Roberts, auctioneers must undergo special training, and not everybody can lead auctions.
"You have to be enjoying this and not be afraid to speak in front of a crowd," said Roberts. "It is like singing."
Much of the furniture was picked up by faculty and students for their houses and apartments. Bidders who had already made good deals on furniture were lounging in the chairs and sofas on the lawn, waiting for the bidding on vehicles to start. Various cars, vans and pickups, lined up in three rows, were a major draw.
"Vehicles will take care of themselves," said Roberts. As he predicted, almost all the vehicles, with prices ranging from $400 to $3,000, were sold.
Roberts said that he thought the computers would be hard to sell. However, most of the computers and printing equipment were sold in big batches at prices as low as $10.
Proceeds go to the Physical Plant operations expenses.

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