Have been to countless auctions, and only left two of them without buying something. Longest I ever waited was for a large anvil. Was only 30 miles from home, which is nothing out here in Nebraska. Finally spotted the anvil, and had a chance to look it over, then followed the bidding crowd around the yard. Saw two gas station oil tanks, the old kind, square, about 40 gallons, with a hand pump on top. Nobody was bidding, and got the pair for $10.00. Saw a nice winch and about 9 guys jumped in on that one. Already had a box of small tools. And kind of wanted the big vise in the shop, or the old drill press in the back shop, but went back and sat on the anvil. Stayed in the bidding on it, as I had special cash set aside, til it was just me and another guy. I just kept nodding, and its mine. Over 300, so it wasn't a giveaway. But also stood around there from 11 til 4:30, about as long as I care to attend anything. Once in awhile I get to do something that makes me feel good. Was at a decent auction, bought a pile of iron with a vise and stuff in it. You know, an armful of stuff carried out of the dark corners of the barn that the auction workers really don't know what to do with. Got the whole pile for a buck, some nice things in there too. I was loading when a young guy came up to me and indicated he was interested in a hay knife. These are about 3 foot long, and originally had two wooden handles. This had been in a fire but looked ok. The guy looked pretty hopeful, and not too flush with cash. I turned it over, and said they usually bring ten in this condition, but since I paid only a buck for all this, give me a dollar, shoulda seen his smile. I know, could of just handed it to him, but found out long ago free stuff sometimes has no value. If you pay even minimum for something, it is worth something. Happy Auctioning.
