Happy Halloween

Secrets of My Favorite Government Auction

Secrets of My Favorite Government Auction
by: Dean Novosat

I love bargains. And there’s no better place to find bargains than an auction. And there are no better auctions than government surplus auctions. My favorite government surplus auction takes place the 3rd week of September every year in the County Park. I won’t tell you which county park as this is my best-kept secret! Even though the auction is advertised in the local papers (as required my law), I usually find the same 20-30 people mulling around, looking at all the lots. And many of them I know are not high-bidders!

This annual auction is the county-wide surplus auction. You will find everything and anything here as the county has various and departments. They have the typical office equipment and furniture, cars, trucks, law equipment, etc. But some more unusual things that have been auctioned off have been things like a street sign maker (for making stop signs and the like), a row of metal lockers (from the old county pool), playground equipment, 5000 plastic cafeteria trays (that sold for $8!), a stainless steel chef’s cart, a chrome torpedo trash can, and a fully operational dump truck that went for several hundred dollars.

Since I have been attending for many years, I know what to expect and I know how much to pay. For example, they typically have a dozen retro office chairs that sell very well on ebay. The opening bid on the chairs is usually $5.00 each. However, by not bidding, I can usually wait (and luckily no one else knows what a gold mine these chairs are…they just look like dirty old chairs!), and the auctioneer will lower the opening bid to $3.00, then $2.00, then $1.00, then fifty cents! Still, I am patient and wait as he throws in two or three more chairs for fifty cents! My last trip to the auction, I netted seven chairs for $4.00! I turned around and sold them for $25.00 each!

This is just one of the examples of the deals that I have found at the County Auction. The secret to my success is three-fold:

1. I know what is “hot” in the market by browsing ebay, watching HGTV, and flipping through home magazines.

2. I know what the going retail prices are and keep these in mind when I am bidding. I usually arrive at the auction early with a notebook and check out all the lots that will be auctioned. I jot down the lots numbers and the highest price I am willing to pay for that lot.

3. When the bidding starts, I wait for someone else to start the bidding. I place myself so I can “read” how badly they want the item. I will wait to place my bid. I never get caught-up in the bidding. And I always bow out at my high price that I wrote in my notebook. This way I can avoid buyer’s remorse!

Using these tactics, I have successfully won many items at the local auction and have made a huge profit reselling these items. If you use these techniques, you will also be successful at your local auction. I just hope you never find my gem of an auction, and never bid against me!

About The Author

Dean Novosat regularly attends local government auctions and participates online. Much of what he wins, he resells. He has several informative websites including http://www.buy-sell-gov-surplus.com and http://www.government-deals.com. He maintains his own blog at http://www.novosat.us/wp

Copyright © 2001-Present ArticleCity.com

Animal auction focuses on exotic

Animal auction focuses on exotic

By DL Perrin Truth Correspondent

On the blockBeautifully colored birds like this Golden Red Pheasant were on the auction block at the Northern Indiana Fall Exotic Animal & Bird Auction at the Topeka Auction Barn this past weekend.Photo: DL Perrin / The Truth

TOPEKA -- One woman needs a skunk. A man in a cowboy hat is looking for a breeding pair of camels.

From alpacas to zebras, if it is an exotic animal and available for sale, you will most likely find a seller and a buyer at the bi-annual Northern Indiana Exotic Animal & Bird Auction.

Jacob Kurtz, who's had a lifelong fondness for unusual livestock, had been traveling as far as Ohio to buy and sell his animals. He knew there was a need for a place in Indiana where fans of unusual animals could buy, sell, talk shop or trade their favorite creatures.

More than eight years ago, according to the Topeka resident and longtime Topeka auction committee member, he suggested they dedicate one auction day a year to unusual animals. The exotic animal auction started out as a half day. It soon grew into a two-day event.

"I'm not a farmer but I had land and I have always liked animals that are different," Kurtz said. "It's fun to watch the cars drive by and, at first they slow down, then turn around and come back down the road to get a second look."

Kurtz isn't alone in his fondness for exotic birds and animals.

Daryl Blackman has been driving to the auction from Bloomingdale, Mich., for years. "I have my parents' farm now," Blackman said. "I don't farm now, but my parents raised beef and horses. Out of all the kids, I was the one that raised unusual animals -- no regular livestock for me."

Friday he was at the auction selling some Barbados sheep with magnificently curved mahogany horns. He also brought along a cage filled with doves. "It all starts from two," Blackman said. "The next thing you know, you have a couple of dozen."

Bob Bale, auction manager and auctioneer, said it is his job to post regulations and warn all participants about the laws regarding state and federal permits, vaccinations, inoculations and licenses for their animals. "The laws are constantly changing," Bale said. "We keep on top of all of the changes, but the end responsibility lies with the owners."

Blackman wants to expand his flock of sheep, so he is selling off a few rams and ewes and buying others to change the bloodline of his flock. Among other birds such as peacocks, he acquired homing pigeon pairs to breed so he can raise their young to "home" when they grow up. He says he might even look at a starter pair of emus.

Blackman said he doesn't raise any animals for food; his collection is a hobby gone wild.

He said he is glad there is a sale like Topeka twice a year. If he took his exotic sheep to a contemporary livestock auction he wouldn't expect to find any buyers. He knows he will find buyers in Topeka every year.

Have You Considered Voiceover Work?

In the world today, Voiceover artists are used in literally countless applications and areas of business. The film, television, radio, and music industry employs Voice Talent regularly. Voiceover artists are used extensively in commercials, announcing, marketing promotions, and movie trailers.

As auctioneers, we are always looking for additional services to add to our roster. I have mentioned becoming an appraiser before, but if that's not your cup of tea, then perhaps Voice Talent may be your answer and solution? After all we use our voices every day in our profession, so it makes perfect sense to pursue a complimentary sideline.

Voiceover is used in the following business applications everyday. Telephone Messaging & Call Waiting, Corporate Training Videos & CD's, Presentations, Narrations, Audio Marketing & Brochures, Announcing, Radio & TV Commercials, Online Learning Programs, Web Sites, Video Games, and Interactive CD Rom Games. Businesses even look for talented writers that can write Voiceover scripts.

Who's doing Voiceover work? The voice of Mike Meyers in the movie Shrek. James Earl Jones was the unforgettable voice of Darth Vader, and the announcer for CNN, and he has even done a few commercials for Hummer. Think about all of the movies using voice talent today. Finding Nemo and Toy Story are just a few of the many.

Don't look for an agent yet. Voiceover work is highly competitive. I recommend the following steps. (1) Find an accomplished Voice Talent coach (beware of the rip-off's) and train with them for awhile. (2) When your coach feels you have what it takes, then cut a professional studio CD of your work. (3) Now find an agent. (4) Like auctioneering, the Voiceover work rarely comes to you, and that means that you must find the work. Once you have accomplished these steps, you are ready to make some extra money. The good news is that with today's technology and satellite uplinks you can record scripts from virtually any studio around the world.

Keep in mind, again like auctioneering, it will be your passion and drive that makes you successful. Nothing worthwhile comes easy, and many look at Voiceover work in that way. Like most businesses, there will also be an initial investment of your money (i.e. Voice Coach, Studio CD, etc.) before you may even see a return on your investment. Worst case scenario, you will become a much better auctioneer, with a very talented and controlled voice. In the words of Yoda (another talented voice), "Don't try. Do!"

Tom DiNardo is co-owner of DiNardo & Lord Auctioneers of Anacortes, WA. Tom is an Auctioneer, Appraiser, and Writer.

To contact Tom, visit www.DiNardoandLordAuctioneers.com

(c) 2004 Tom DiNardo - All rights reserved.

Real Estate Auction Action - Buying A Home At Auction

Real Estate Auction Action - Buying A Home At Auction
by: Jakob Jelling

Due in part to the popularity of the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)'s home auction program, more potential homebuyers than ever are buying homes at auction. Homes for auction aren't limited to just HUD, however. Many government entities auction homes for payment of back taxes, and some homeowners even auction their homes on eBay.com!

Homebuyers considering buying a home at auction should take some steps in advance to help them with their bid price, and even whether to bid at all on a specific home. There will always be a degree of risk when buying a home this way, but with a little diligence, potential homebuyers could save a lot of money buying in this manner.

Before the auction, you should have your financing arranged, and have enough cash on hand or in your bank account to cover a deposit on your purchase. You need to check the features, location, condition, and ownership history first. Afterwards, be sure to learn what the property is worth by looking at sales of comparable properties in the same area. Compare homes with the same number of rooms is possible, but be sure to allow for price differences due to pools, decks, carpeting, window treatments, etc.

At the auction itself, resist the temptation to get into a personal bidding war, just "to beat out the other guy". Have a set price limit and stick to it. Other houses will come along, and you don't have to win the first auction that comes your way.

You should know that the price of a home at auction is typically the loan balance (if foreclosed), plus any back taxes owed, plus legal fees and other expenses in foreclosing the property. This will typically be the opening bid amount, and the price will go up from there. Even so, it's possible to get a great deal in an auctioned house, with a little research and planning first.

Also, know that you probably won't be able to get an inspection, and are buying the home "as is". If you can't do any needed repair work yourself, or can't hire it done within your budget, you may not end up getting such a bargain in the end.

About The Author

Jakob Jelling is the founder of http://www.cashbazar.com. Visit his website for the latest on personal finance, debt elimination, budgeting, credit cards and real estate.

Copyright © 2001-Present ArticleCity.com

Save Thousands at Auto Auctions - Without Marrying a Car Dealer!

Save Thousands at Auto Auctions - Without Marrying a Car Dealer!
by: Cat Tobin

The Common Misconception: Auto auctions are only open to car dealers.

The Surprising Truth: Anyone with the right resources can participate in the same auctions as the dealers!

Think about it. How much could you save if you bypassed the dealers and purchased directly from their sources? 30%, 50%, maybe even 75%.

As unbelievable as this sounds, it is possible with a little patience and research.

As you probably already know from past experience, car dealers will do ANYTHING to get you into the car of your dreams. Whether you can afford it or not!

I can recall a former coworker who got into a new luxury vehicle with a little "creative financing." The manager divided his mortgage payment in two. His justification: As a married man his wife was responsible for the other half of the mortgage....even though she was a stay at home mom! Luckily for them, they found a way to pay their huge car payment and avoid repossession.

Unfortunately, others aren't quite as lucky. Thousands of people default on their loans everyday simply because they couldn't really afford it in the first place.

This can work to your advantage. The banks and financial institutions that serviced the loans want to recoup their loss as quicly as possible. Add to that the exhorbitant cost of storing these vehicles, and you can easily see why the banks want to dispose of them in a timely manner.

After all, the longer financial institutions have to store these vehicles, the less money they're going to get back.

Auto auctions are the quickest way for banks to rid themselves of repossessed vehicles.

Car dealers know this, and they go to great lenghts to protect this knowledge from the general public. After all, auto auctions are a huge source of revenue. Dealers can purchase vehicles at a fraction of their value, and then resell them at a huge mark-up.

But what if you could avoid the dealer's mark-up and instead pay what they pay? What impact would that have on your wallet?

Amazingly enough, auto auctions are not solely restricted to car dealers. Up until a few years ago, I too shared this common misconception.

It was only by sheer luck that I stumbled upon a website that allowed me to search local auctions by zip code and vehicle make that I learned the surprising truth. I was paying dealers thosands of dollars in unnecessary mark-ups.

I tried the website's search feature out, and to my surprise the cars listed were exactly what I wanted. Only a few years old with very low miles. Many of them were still under the manufacturer's original warranty! This made sense of course, since most of them were repossessions.

The auction house was even willing to throw in a vehicle history report at no extra cost and a 3 month warranty.

Sure I wouldn't get the complimentary car washes and oil changes the dealer throws in, but that surely wasn't worth thousands of dollars in premiums.

After a little hesitation I joined the auto auction membership site. They helped me locate auto auctions in my area, and gain admission to them through their exclusive access rights. I learned what questions to ask, and how to handle the bidding process.

It was a lot simpler then I ever imagined it could be.

The day of the auction, I showed up a few hours early to inspect the vehicle I was interested in and get a feel for the place.

It must have been a slow day, because when my car came up for auction only a few dealers were bidding against me. Since I wasn't buying the vehicle for resale, I succeeded in outbidding the dealers!

It was a truely empowering experience. I got the vehicle of my dreams, and I only paid a little over half its book value!

What did this experience teach me? Auto Auctions can save you thousands in unnecessary dealer mark-ups.

About The Author

Cat Tobin

How Much Could You Save With Auto Auctions?

Begin Your Local Auto Auction Search at: http://www.autoauctionfinder.com/search

(c)autoauctionfinder.com

Copyright © 2001-Present ArticleCity.com

SPECIAL CONVENTION SEMINARS - AUCTIONS 101 & 201

Edmonton 2005 Competition & Convention



SPECIAL CONVENTION SEMINARS - AUCTIONS 101 & 201
Wednesday, October 26, 8:00 - 12:00 noon & 1:00 - 5:00pm

As a special pre-session to the Auctioneers Association of Canada Convention, the Convention committee has made arrangements with the Auctioneers Association of Alberta to present the Alberta Association's successful Auctions 101 and Auctions 201 courses to Alberta or Canadian Association Members in Edmonton on October 26th.

The courses were developed by Don Montgomery, ICCA and Norman Moore, CAI, ARRE, both whom are members of the AA of C and the AAA, with a great deal of input from the Alberta Association Bonding & Surety committee and the board. These courses cover a wide variety of topics necessary to effectively run your auction business and would be invaluable to any auctioneer, even those with many years in the business. While some topics do deal with legislation specific to Alberta, you'll find all topics will have substantial relevance to every auction business in every jurisdiction. The content of the courses are so comprehensive that Auctions 101 has been designated as mandatory for all members of the AAA, and Auctions 201 mandatory for members with trust fund signing authority.

Course costs are outside of all other convention registration fees, but location and timing have been chosen to allow complimenting convention attendance costs by including one extra day in Edmonton to attend the courses.

Dealing with the Problem Bidder

Perhaps the most difficult situation that most auctioneers, as well as other bidders, have the displeasure of experiencing at any auction is the "Problem Bidder". This type of bidder falls into many different classifications such as the (1) "Know it all", (2) "Heckler", (3) "Drunk", (4) "Confronter", and lastly the (5) "Thief". Sometimes the situations that present themselves are hilarious, but more often than not they are unpleasant. It is my hope to better define the "Problem Bidder", and how to effectively deal with them without causing unnecessary disruption to the auction or the other more respectable bidders.

The "Know It All" bidder is someone who fashions themselves as God�s gift to mankind. A venerable genius, and bodhisattva of bulls**t. Often pragmatic and proud, these Cliff Claven's of the Auction Industry know everything about everything, and they are more than happy to share their wealth of knowledge with the auctioneer, the bidder, the food concession operator, and yes, even the farm dog. Realistically, the "Know It All" is not intelligent, often lonely, and just looking for a little attention. Solution: Try to provide them with a modest dose of attention by placating their need for acceptance (i.e. Acknowledge that you understand, and are vitally aware, that if it was not for their input that Jonas Salk would never have developed the Polio Vaccine.). If this does not work, then try a little soft humor, as a laughing audience often subdues these types. Worse case scenario, go off of the microphone and tell them that they are becoming a nuisance.

The "Heckler" and the "Drunk" are most often the same guy, but not always. These bipolar types are desperately seeking attention, and rather than receiving positive kudos, they often receive public scorn and ridicule. The "Heckler or Drunk" truly thinks he's funny. In some cases, when he's "three sheets to the wind", he might be. Solution: Again, try a little humor, as the audience reaction will often quell this type. If this does not work, then address them personally off of the microphone. Be aware of liability, and do not allow your bidders to consume alcohol at a traditional auction. If they get injured, you might also be liable.

The "Confronter" is typically the worst of the bunch. This is the tough guy, with everything to prove and nothing to lose, and they will openly challenge, curse, or even insult your parentage. Humor again is golden in this scenario. Keep your cool cowboy! A calculated and measured response from you, backed by your audience's roaring laughter, will most often disarm the "Confronter". Without stating the typical insults, here are some samples of various responses that you might you might choose to respond with. (1) In fact my parents are married! (2) I have done no such thing with a chicken! (3) If I had a dollar for every time I have been called that, then do you really think I would be up here trying to earn a respectable living?

The "Thief" is the biggest mystery to me. I have yet to meet one that truly had a legitimate need that justifies this illegal act. The kleptomaniac has an attitude in which they feel that they are entitled. How you handle this individual is critical, as your response can induce potentially extreme reactions. Solution: If you are aware that someone has stolen something at your auction, and you know it is on their person, but they are paying for another item, then add the stolen item to the final bill. Politely acknowledge that they must have forgotten it was in their pocket. They may, at that point, want to pay for the item, or not.

A true story. A few years ago, I was conducting an auction, but I was off microphone at the time, when a bidder approached me and pointed out a thief who had stolen a power drill. The thief was already a half block down the street, so I enlisted the aid of one of my employees and we pursued the thief.

When we had caught up to him, my employee was ready to go berserk, as the thief had just got into their car. I told my employee to calm down. Standing at the driver's door, I addressed the thief in a calm yet firm voice, and I told him that I had his license plate number and witnesses that had seen him stealing the drill, and that if he chooses to drive away I would call the police. The man was afraid to come out of the car, because of my employee and me, but I assured him that he had nothing to fear if he gave back the stolen merchandise without incident.

The man timidly exited his vehicle, and we handled this situation by walking the man, and the now recovered stolen power drill as well as merchandise he had paid for, back to my cashier's station. I had reviewed his receipt for his purchases. I refunded his purchase amounts for the purchased items and I retained possession of those items that he had paid for. I told him that I will keep his Bidder Registration Card with his state Driver's License information, and that he is never to attend one of my auctions again. Problem solved!

In the worst "Problem Bidder" situations always call the police. Large auction venues might consider employing uniformed security or even off-duty law enforcement officers. The last thing an auctioneer, or his staff, needs to do is potentially get involved in a physical situation, unless you are defending yourself. Due to legal liability, an assault and battery situation should be avoided at all costs, as the auction company can be held responsible. Worse, you or your staff might be severely injured.

Knowledge is power! Being forewarned is being for armed! Brains over brawn! All of these clich� sayings have intrinsic truth when dealing with a "Problem Bidder". Look at it in this way; if it was not for the idiots in the world, then how would our virtues be tested. Humor and wit most often are your best solutions in overcoming the challenges posed by the "Problem Bidder".

To contact Tom, visit www.DiNardoandLordAuctioneers.com

(c) 2004 Tom DiNardo - All rights reserved.

Google Sightseeing

Interested in travelling the world without leaving home? Check out Google Sightseeing to find hundreds of interesting things to see

Google Sightseeing is brought to you by Alex, James & Olly who take you to the best tourist spots in the world via satellite images from Google Maps & Google Earth.

Google Earth

Looking for something to kill some time at ? Check out Google Earth. It takes mapping to a whole new level with integrated aerial images over the maps. Plot you map and then "Fly" the route.

Ever wondered what your neighbor was hiding out on the back of their property? Zoom in and have fun.

Check out this article for more details and some Google Hacks.

Town looks for buyer to restore, preserve historic 18th-century farmhouse

5 bedrooms, 3 baths, needs work

By Joyce Pellino Crane, Globe Correspondent

The historic Red Wing Farm on Maple Road in Chelmsford is up for sale, but it's not on any real estate agent's listing sheet.

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The town-owned property, with a farmhouse built in the early 18th century, is being sold through a governmental bidding process, with the opening bid set at $160,000.

Though that may seem like a steal for a 3,000-square-foot house that sits on a 57,000-square-foot parcel next to wooded fields, there are several factors to consider.

For one thing, town officials expect bidders to substantially raise the price. Moreover, the property will come with a preservation restriction that requires the buyer to maintain the property to certain standards. And then, there's all the work that needs to be done on the house.

''It's rare that a town will [auction off a historic home] and work to make sure it is preserved in the process, by putting a preservation restriction on the property," said Anne McCarthy Forbes, a preservation consultant who was hired by the town to help the Red Wing Farm get on the National Register of Historic Places.

Home repair hobbyists should think twice before rushing in with an offer, cautioned Dennis Lawlor, principal of Lexington-based Classic Group Inc., specializing in the restoration and construction of traditional-style homes.

Comparing the restoration process to camping in the woods, Lawlor said, ''It sounds romantic, but a week into it, it's very difficult."

As he toured the house and grounds last week, Andy Sheehan, Chelmsford's community development director, savored the setting and history he found at every turn.

A former conservation commissioner from Acton, Sheehan said he has a list of potential buyers who have expressed interest in the property since the town bought it from former resident Nancy Bartleson 2 1/2 years ago.

''We've got about 15 people who have called us over the years about this property."

The rundown building, which hasn't been occupied since Bartleson moved out a few years ago, could be a dream come true for a preservation-minded developer with an eye toward history and a penchant for modern serenity.

Located in Chelmsford's southwest corner, the property is bordered on two sides by 12.6 acres of conservation land that was purchased along with the farmhouse, and the future 7-mile Bruce Freeman bicycle trail is on the west side. The town will retain the conservation land, which is open to residents for passive recreational activities.

The house sits on a plot of overgrown shrubs, with a split-rail fence that bows when the gate swings. Sheehan pointed to the Norway and sugar maple, American elm, mulberry, and weeping willow trees on the property. Purple asters contrast with the overgrown grassy field, and here and there, milkweed, loosestrife, tall reed, and daisy-like wildflowers adorn the open space.

In June, Forbes, who has meticulously chronicled the home's history, submitted an application to the National Register, a federal program designed to preserve historic and archeological resources. Chelmsford has four properties on the register.

The farm was founded by Richard Hildreth, who built the original farmhouse sometime in the early 1700s, said Forbes.

''The . . . absolutely extraordinary feature is . . . Sarah Hildreth writing her name in chalk on the ceiling joists" in an upstairs bedroom, said Forbes, referring to Hildreth's granddaughter, who inherited the property when she turned 24 in 1770. ''It's a signature dating back two-and-a-quarter centuries."

Sarah married John Robbins III of South Chelmsford, and the couple sold the Hildreth-Robbins Home, as it is still known, in 1776. The property passed through several owners before Michael Bartleson, a doctor, purchased it in 1976. When Bartleson died in 2000, he left the property to his wife, Nancy, who sold it to the town three years later.

Through the centuries, there have been numerous additions, large and small, and today the house has five working fireplaces, five bedrooms, three bathrooms, a sunroom, and a four-stall barn. Architectural details include wide pineboard flooring, horsehair plaster walls, and original iron-hinged latches.

The center entrance and chimney are slightly off line, with two windows flanking the front door, and five running across the front on the second floor, typical of the architectural style for that period, said Frederick Lyman, president of Winchester-based American Landmarks, a real estate company specializing in sales of historic and period properties.

''Early Georgian houses weren't always symmetrical because they often grew," he said. ''The original house could have been a single-room house that then grew laterally."

Lyman, who has restored seven historic homes, said that restoring an old house ''takes a lot more physical and mental energy than you'd think. But I find it very satisfying. When you can take a house that's down on its heels and gone through neglect, and bring it back to its full measure of historic value, it's incredibly satisfying."

Lawlor said bringing a historic house up to the standards of today is extremely challenging, because the main beam often has been weakened through haphazard renovations, or because the construction of earlier eras was flawed.

''We know that anywhere there's plumbing, somebody's done something they shouldn't have," he said. ''These are the tip of the iceberg of problems with renovating older homes."

The deadline for bidding on the property is Nov. 21 at 10 a.m., when Town Manager Bernard Lynch will read bids publicly at the Town Offices.

While the $160,000 starting price is much lower than the median price of $380,000 for a single-family home in Chelmsford, Lyman said that ''a location next to conservation land can bring the price up.

''I wouldn't necessarily disagree with [town officials] that the price could be driven up by a low asking price. . . . I'll often advise sellers not to be terribly aggressive on the asking price because putting it on with a reasonable price can attract buyers," Lyman said. ''If you can get two buyers who are interested, they can drive the price up."

The overall 13.9-acre property was purchased for $730,000, mostly with a $580,000 grant from the state's Route 3 North Land Conservation Grant Program, designed to compensate communities most affected by the Route 3 expansion. The town borrowed the remaining $150,000, and Sheehan said officials hope to at least break even.

The land is a precious commodity in a 23-square-mile community with almost 13,000 households. Defining the abutting conservation land is a series of crisscrossing streams, creating soggy and forested wetland areas. These areas could serve as outdoor laboratories for elementary students of the Byam School, located next to the property.

''In spite of needing some work," said Forbes, ''it's an extraordinary example of 18th-century architecture with a wealth of intact detail in a beautiful setting."

Charity Auctions Firm, DiNardo & Lord Auctioneers Achieves Record Revenue for Clients

Charity auctions firm DiNardo & Lord Auctioneers achieved record revenues for two of their charity auction clients during this last week. Tom DiNardo conducted two charity auctions in two different states over a 32 hour period for both the Stanford Home for Children and also ChildHelp USA.

Celebrity chef, Tyler Florence, was signing his new book at the event.

A huge success, the ChildHelp USA charity auction event attracted many celebrities to Knoxville, Tennessee, including Nobel Prize nominees and ChildHelp USA Founders, Sarah O’meara and Yvonne Fedderson. Celebrity chef, Tyler Florence, star of TV's Food Network show Food 911 held a book signing for his new bestseller Eat This Book and later acted as Master of Ceremonies. One of the event’s highlights was the $8,000 bid achieved for a Margery Ryerson painting. David Purvis, ChildHelp’s Board Chairman, was elated with the record financial results. “We hope that Tom DiNardo and DiNardo & Lord Auctioneers will be back next year to help us again in furthering our organization’s efforts in raising record revenue to prevent child abuse.”

The Stanford Home for Children in Sacramento places at-risk children in foster care. Their charity auction is the main fundraiser in support of their operation. The fundraising event was immensely successful with everyone in attendance having a good time. One of the featured items in the charity auction was a “vertical” (1992 - 1997) half case of Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon, which sold for $3,000. Eric Sternad, Executive Director, said, “Our inaugural charity auction expectations of Tom DiNardo were not only met, but exceeded by one hundred percent.”

From left to right: Sean Garvey of Flora Springs winery, Robin Purvis and Thad Cox of ChildHelp USA, and auctioneer Tom DiNardo

DiNardo & Lord Auctioneers specializes in charity auctions and wine auctions. Since 1993, Tom DiNardo has presided over one thousand charity auctions for various non-profits, charities, and community organizations across the United States. Tom DiNardo holds five world records for the price of wine achieved at auction. He is a freelance writer for the Wine Enthusiast magazine, WineSquire.com, and a regularly featured writer for AuctionZip.com and GlobalAuctionGuide.com. For more information about Tom DiNardo and his charity auction company, please visit his web site at www.DiNardoandLordAuctioneers.com or www.dinardoandlordauctioneers.com/content/charity_auctions_testimonials.htm.

For additional information about Mr. DiNardo you may also visit www.auctionzip.com/cgi-bin/auctionlist.cgi?vuid=271 or
www.globalauctionguide.com/

Collector’s Estate Auction Holds Much of Local Cleveland’s History

Thousands of items to be auctioned from the amazing estate of Larry Southworth.

Collector’s Estate Auction Holds Much of Local Cleveland’s History

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(PRWEB) October 8, 2005 -- On Saturday November 12th, the small town of Wellington, OH will witness another fascinating auction opportunity. Antiques and Estate Auctioneers, located at 44777 State Route 18, Wellington 44090, (Also available online at www.estateauctioneers.com) will host Larry Southworth’s incredible estate auction. John Farkas and Connie Rose are your host auctioneers. An insurance salesman who had a passion for auctions and possessed enviable skill in carpentry, he built his home incorporating antiques and architectural pieces from local Cleveland’s history. His oldest son remembers that auction going was scheduled into every trip the family took, in the smallest to the largest of places, resulting in an eclectic collection of surprising proportion.

It was not from auctions alone though that the bulk of Larry’s collection accumulated. He was a pioneer at heart—departing from the tourist group during a trip to China; Southworth went with guides deeper into the remote parts of the country. There he came across a small town that makes silk rugs, each rug taking years to complete. For $14,000 he bought one of these rugs, nearly twenty by thirty feet, and brought it back to the U.S. This rug, in the company of a Gorgar pinball machine, Euclid Beach memorabilia, a horse drawn sleigh, Capodimonte clowns, railroad memorabilia, cranberry glass and Fiesta Ware will be available in the auction.

“Who wants to bid on everything else?” was the closing phrase that son, Jeff Southworth, remembers hearing at the many auctions he attended with his father. All else that did not sell individually was what Southworth would buy. Then with bolt cutters and sledgehammers in hand, father and sons would disassemble and relocate the architecture of stairwells, a bar, and an entire restaurant. An impressive example is Cleveland’s Kon Tiki restaurant, housed in the down town Sheraton Hotel. In four, 40ft. trailers he stored the wall, ceiling, and floor decorations until they could be refigured into the architecture of his home
Another famous Cleveland haunt, The Clip-Joint Bar, was similarly acquired. The Clip-Joint was a barber shop where customers were also served drinks. Southworth acquired the full decor for his wife who was a Cosmetologist and a teacher of Cosmetology, and as with the Kon Tiki the architecture of the retired bar was adapted to his home.

Southworth’s friend Barbara Sindelar remembers, “He wanted his house to be a collection of all the pieces that establish our past, that’s what antiques do, they link the past with the present. He wanted his Indian one armed bandit to greet you at the door on the right, and the old nickelodeon player piano to greet you on the left.”

Both items will be included in the auction November 12.
Southworth collected an amazing amount of items over his lifetime. His son recalls the family 4-car garage that one could never park a car in. Larry was fascinated by the history of each item, and loved to relate their tale with the ease of a storyteller. As an insurance salesman he was drawn to the stories of Fire Marks—these were an old form of fire insurance where if you hadn’t purchased a Fire Mark and your house caught on fire, well the fire brigade just wouldn’t show up. He collected many of these and was also a member of the Fire Marks Association. He collected Cigarette tins, Fire Mark tins, salesman samples, slot machines, old carnival and fun house items, and Desert Rose place settings, an eclectic collection indeed.

It would only reason to hold an auction in his honor. His highly intriguing, varied, and outstanding lifetime dedication to collecting is bound to hold many treasures for others. The Antiques and Estate Auctioneers will make this auction easy and convenient to attend in a spacious gallery with a large digital screen display, or live-internet bidding available straight from your own home. Do not miss this rare opportunity to participate in Cleveland’s history. The gallery is located at 44777 St. Rt. 18 in Wellington, OH 44090 and can be contacted at 440-647-4007. Reported by Laura Lazorski.