Went to my first auction....looked like house clearance stuff.

[RaceDiagnostics]

There was a hell of a lot of stuff I wanted to buy but have no use for so restrained myself, some nice guitar amp/speaker combos, 300W stereo mixer PA amp etc all went for about £30 to £40. My neighbors will be glad I passed on them.

In the end all I bought was this box for £7, not sure what the giant bottle opener thing is. In general the "tool" lots went for more than I expected, I suspect people buying up stuff for resale on ebay or car boot sales.

I can see this could get a bit addictive.

 

[rikrobson]

not sure what the giant bottle opener thing is.

Looks to me like a giant bottle opener!!

 

[Kayos]

Giant bottles?

 

[rtbcomp]

I'd make sure the woodworm bottom left isn't still active!

 

[slim_boy_fat]

not sure what the giant bottle opener thing is.

It's for this, we call them a 'carry oot'

You did well for your £7 - and you're right about the addictive bit. Sometimes worth going just to watch the other punters getting carried with the bidding.

 

[RaceDiagnostics]

I'd make sure the woodworm bottom left isn't still active!

Well spotted, junked that handle.

 

[brightspark]

Well spotted, junked that handle.

shoulda just dunked it in paraffin woodworm love it

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

£7 is a good steel.

Up here you are looking about £1 a file.

You have started. Once the sites get to know you, they may. Mine do, point you towards to good stuff.

Be careful, don't get stressed out if it goes to another or you get out bid.

A few hints.

Find out what's there, ask your self do you want it?

If it is a mixed box, what do you need/want? Can you shift the rest?

If you are lucky you may swop beer tokens with the successful bidder for bits you want.

Set yourself budget.

Look on Flea bay, get an idea of prices.

Get to know your local House clearance shops.

I am not trying to push you down the road, you are on your way.

 

[rikrobson]

There usually a box or two of old tools at my local auction. usually out of a shed, after some old duffer has popped of the mortal coil.
I've got spanners and sockets before, but there is only so much you can hoard. There are a couple of old boys, who are willing to out bid you, I only go a tenner or so. I'm under the impression they car boot them.
They don't however like to bid on test equipment. Got a box of meters (PAT tester AC clamp meter, digital thermometer and some other bits) for £10 and another time I got a 50m long megga test lead for £5, which are £80 plus new and are used in testing for 17th ED. Who knew? So i flogged it on ebay for £50

 

[JEZGUZ]

I popped into my local auction house on the way to work, first lot I looked at was a tray of penknives. The look on the auction house staff faces was priceless when I picked up a knife and pressed the button, Flick Knife!!! The second one was also a flick, I asked if he knew that they were prohibited weapons, he looked embarrassed and muttered yes. I think they'll be checking the knives with a bit more care in future