Auctions

Just wondered if any of you go to general auctions ?
if you dont they are well worth checking out we picked up two very large garden wooden chairs for 45 pound and i have also seen statues and other garden stuff there.
the auction i go to they sell a lot of brand new tools sometimes for as little as 1 pound .
one of the best buys i had was a brand new washing machine for 35 quid.

The chairs wht i brough are like hamock chairs they are solid and dont fold down at all .they also swing a little.i

I never think of going to auctions. Wouldn't know where to begin. A whole new world is opening up to me.  

How do you find out about them? I know, I'm greener than cabbage!  :oops:

to find out about auctions look in your local pa[per and see where they are.many are linked to estate agents so ask them as well.

with a auction you get whats called viewing days.for example with the auction i go to  its held on a sat but the thursday evening and all day friday you can pick up a catalouge and view what will be sold.so you can mrk in your catalouge what you want it is a good idea to do this as on the day they normaly get so packed  you can hardley move by going to the viewing day you can take as much time as you want to look at the stuff.

on the day you register all that means is you fill a form and you get given a number on a card.
once a item comes up you like you bid.the catolouges will have a estimated guide.

if you  purchase a nything once the auction is over you go and pay for it.

Golden rules

only bid for what you can afford.allways have a set price in your head for what you would be prepared to buy it for.

always remember there is always a commission and vat on top

for example
if i brought something at 100 pounds in the auction i go to it will end up being about 120 pounds

auctions are never anygood to sell but great to get rid of stuff

Quote from: "chrissiethechippy"

Is it addictive?  

Yes

Definitely!!!!!1

Over here, it's announced in local papers. Estate agents might know which of their clients plan to downsize considerably and hold auctions, but I wouldn't hold my breath on those.

And if you're interested in anything special, play dumb. Others who might be interested as well will look for others also interested and sometimes play you for higher prices. I wait until the bidding is pretty much done before I bid. If there are several of an article you want, and it's 'so much for each', do a few bids but let someone finish with a low price. That enters you as a bidder who could take one of that amount at the same price as sometimes the winning bidder doesn't want all of that item (eg 6 saws).

Another way to melt my credit card! I can't wait to find one, Yipee.  

Auctions are worthwhile only if you have a fair idea of store prices of items you're interested in. Otherwise, you can get taken for too much just as easily as finding a great bargain. Over here, tools are a mug's game: the farmers show up in mass and pay far too much for rusted wrenches, rusted chains and other things. I find it easier and cheaper just to buy new. Try to get to the auction before bidding starts and really look over items that interest you. Sit on chairs to see if they're actually rickety or lumpy, etc. And stay away from chests of drawers, carousel horses and chairs!    Tell yourself your foot will fall off if you buy another.