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Show Auction offers bargains If you want to have a good time -and pick up some bargains at the same time - then plan to stop at Auction Exchange, 98 Northwest State Road (the former Genuine Surplus building) each Thursday night for the weekly auction. Operated by Kent Spencer and Jim Young, the auction opens at 7 p.m. and, if the first night is any indication, offers participants the chance to purchase everything from toys to rifles and guitars. Many of the items sold were new - still in the box -- while others could have been antiques. Mr. Young said they sell items each Thursday night (with the exception ex-ception of Thanksgiving), and will sell anything you might want to clear from your attic, basement or garage. Items are sold on commission, com-mission, he said. In addition, they will hold specialty auctions on Saturdays when the occasion arises. These might be antiques, equipment, cars, merchandise, or other items. Auction Exchange is open Mondays Mon-days through Saturdays' from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. but "never on Sunday." Sun-day." Anyone wishing to have items auctioned off may bring them in at this time. The auction is "very informal" and "you don't have to worry about buying something just because you scratch your head or twitch your nose," Mr. Young said, adding 'that is an old myth that just doesn't happen." Mr. Young laughed that some first time auction attenders "sit there stiff, afraid to move because they are afraid they will buy something they don't want. This doesn't happen and if you do purchase something by mistake we won't hold you to it," he said. The first thing you do when you go to the auction is look over the items for sale. If you decide you want to bid, you register and get a number. Then you just sit back and relax until your item come up. Then the fun begins as you try to outbid anyone bidding against you, using the number card to indicate the bid -and still get a bargain. Mr. Spencer emphasized as he put items on the auction block that anything that is "auction guaranteed" guaran-teed" is just that -- and if it doesn't work, you can bring it back, no guestions ask. If it doesn't work in the first place, he will inform you of that too. But you had better be prepared to learn a "different language." Mr. Spencer is a professional auctioneer and has attended three different auction schools in the East -- and he can talk as fast as a baseball pitchers pit-chers fast ball. He claims auction goers can understand him - but you have to listen close to do it or be a veteran auction goer. Mr. Young displays the item to be auctioned off and tells a little about it. If it is a new item, he may even give the retail price shown on the box - but that doesn't mean that is what you will pay. At the first auction last Thursday items went anywhere from $2.50 up, with a used mix master going for $10 -- and a toy mechanical jeep for $8. Also auctioned off the first evening were guitars, a .22 rifle, various other toys, automobile burglary alarms, a brass spitoon, a copper tea 'kettle, and numerous other items. There is also a nice snack bar available if you want a soft drink, candy or gum for a break in the action. "Auctioneering is one of the oldest professions there is," Mr. Spencer noted. He said he and Mr. Young have 25 years experience between them, and they have done auctions all over the country - auctioning off everything from purebred animals to liquidation sales. ' Both men were born and raised in Payson. "We just want everyone to come out, see what we have or bring their items to us for sale - and have a good time," the two men said. "The auctions will be real informal and everyone is invited to attend." |