Antique/Items Auction Room...Is there a demand?

[Frey]

Hello to everyone?

I was hoping to gether some people's thoughts on an auction weekend which I am thinking about organising, as I have the facilities to do so.

It would be a weekend, Saturday for all general items and Sunday for antiques/specialist items. People can bring items along to sell the week running up to the sale and also to look for potential buys. Auction would last prob most of day with refreshments available.

What do you all think? Do you think if I went for it, there would be a demand? If I built it, would they come?!

[EDDIE]

Ther would be a demand for auctioning items in general you would be suprised the amount of people that would come for a nosey everyone likes a good deal i mind years ago back in late seventys there was an auction place beside dunnets garage in thurso it auctioned anything it was really busy.I think the prices you would charges for selling it or people buying it would be the make or break of a auction business

[STUDMUFFIN]

Absolutely. I Sell A Lot Of Small Antiques On Ebay But My Bigger Antiques Wont Sell Due To High Postage Costs So I Would Look Forward To A Quality Auction House In The Area.

[Frey]

Thanks for your feedback guys..hop to get some more views from everyone else too?!
Where in your view would be best location wise?

[Tilter]

I used to love going to the auctions. There have been quite a few in Wick and Thurso over the years. Now there's nowhere to go to pick up anything nice or get rid of surplus. There's just the one at Quoybrae about once a month but I hate sitting through all that rubbish for hours and have never been able to go to view stuff first because viewing is during work time.

Hope you go ahead with your plan.

[Loch not Lock]

Good Luck. I would certainly be interested.:)

[KCI]

I know a lot of people who used to enjoy going to the regular auctions in Wick.

We also used to sell a few things at the auction.

I think it's something that could do well, and I'm sure a lot of people would come.

Good luck - hope it works out! :)

[Loch not Lock]

As long as it's not in the MONZA shop!:lol:

[ciderally]

dont they have the wick one now? i used to like going thare got the odd bargain too...it was always packed out...good luck think it will work fine

[Kevin Milkins]

Great idea.I used to enjoy going to weekly auctions down south and have visited the one at Quoybrae,but never sure when its on . I f you were to have a weekly one with less stuff for sale so you dont have to wait for hours to get t somthing you may be interested in would go down well.Good luck.

[Torvaig]

Frey, great idea! Hope you have it in Thurso and during the day..... good luck!

[anneoctober]

Thanks for your feedback guys..hop to get some more views from everyone else too?!
Where in your view would be best location wise?
AT LAST!! anywhere, anytime. My OH & mysel used to get toys to keep in the playroom for the grandkids coming over, s/h bikes, prams etc. Doulton ladies, tools OMG.... Peeps you can leave bids wi auctioneer and even phone in your bid if you can't make it along. Frey - your public await......;).....impatiently :lol:

[nannydip]

Good idea......as for location Thurso would be good.

[STUDMUFFIN]

Everybody Whose Anybody Lives In Wick, Stir, Stir Etc

[anneoctober]

Everybody Whose Anybody Lives In Wick, Stir, Stir Etc
Is Lybster a suburb o Week Stud?!! [lol]

[nannydip]

You beat me to it anneoctober!

[anneoctober]

You beat me to it anneoctober!
Great minds wifie, great minds.... [lol]

[katarina]

I really miss coghill's auctions. got a lot of bargains and sold a lot too. Quoybrae isn't convenient for me. Go for it!

[Whitewater]

There was a small one held in the Francis St club last week in aid of St Fergus bowling club. They done OK, but it did emphasise the need for a specialist auction as some good items went for pennies. I think you will fill a need in the community.

[Frey]

Thank you for all your great comments guys..keep them coming?

So Thurso best place you think?

[funkypumpkin]

Go for it. It is definitely needed since Coghill's closed. Quoybrae is not regular enough plus it is absolutely freezing in there. Also they have too many things on the one night. We need something more regular with less lots. I think it would go down a treat! Good luck, hope you do it!

[Penelope Pitstop]

What happend to Coghill's auctions? Just wondered why they stopped.....were they getting enough trade?

[Torvaig]

Thank you for all your great comments guys..keep them coming?

So Thurso best place you think?

Yes. I think Thurso would be best! ;) Please.....I don't have a car...:~( (does tears work?)

[badger]

The Thurso and Wick auctions were always popular but I thought Watten was a very good location - convenient for both. Yes do try it, used to love going and really miss it. The Quoybrae ones are not so good for reasons already stated. They would be better if they had smaller auctions more frequently.

[Frey]

Thank you for all your great coments guys...keep them coming. Getting everything in my head now an dlooking into planning. Does anyone have any input into exactly what they would want from teh auction experience? weekend, weekday? Early morning, evening? categorized, mixed?

[Torvaig]

A Saturday during the day I think; makes for a good day out and impulse buying! Mixed mostly but categorised specials now and then......can accommodate most folks that way.

[Frey]

Thanks for comments..all taken on board.

Anyone else have any othe rviews..it really does help, any ideas on location?

[katarina]

Yes. I think Thurso would be best! ;) Please.....I don't have a car...:~( (does tears work?)

well i think watten would be best or somewhere else in between - fairer for everyone. And for those who don't have a car - have you ever heard of a BUS?

[Frey]

A further idea..to hold auctions every weekend in different locations.
One weekend in Thurso, next in wick, then Castletown etc. obviously if there is a big demand in a certain place, then maybe think about setting up there. Im thinking end of May..end of Spring cleaning so lots of opportunities to either sell after your big cleanup or buying the bargains and also the more special antiques.
what does everyone think?

[Torvaig]

well i think watten would be best or somewhere else in between - fairer for everyone. And for those who don't have a car - have you ever heard of a BUS?

Bus is fine if the auction is on the main routes; Quoybrae certainly isn't. I have used the bus for the Coghill's Auctions but it depends on what you have bought; delivery adds to the cost.

I like the idea of the different locations though; that way you give everyone a chance to visit....good idea Frey and good luck.

[katarina]

of course it would have to be on the main route and i get your point about delivery, tho you wouldn't get larger items in your car anyway. Having it town about is an excellent idea - fairer on everyone.

[Frey]

Just a wee update for those who are interested.

Developing is under way for grand opening aiming for beginning of June.

Will post website link when it is up and ready and all those who were really helpful with your useful comments when I first posted the concept will get a wee discount thak you!

So start dusting off your antiques or look out the odd bits from your junk cupboard..Caithness Auctions is coming!!

[Torvaig]

Well done; looking forward to it.....:)

[Penelope Pitstop]

Have you got any venues/premises lined up yet????????

[YummyMummy]

Great idea. Like the idea of different locations. I've got loads of stuff to sell, taking up my garage - needing a clearance for the summer.

Can you keep us posted?

[Geo]

Brilliant, I've missed the auction in Wick/Watten. Must start working on my willpower, ie not bidding too much for things! :)

[funkypumpkin]

Well done Frey! So glad you have managed to take your concept to the next level. I used to run the snack bar at Watten and really miss the buzz of the auction! Bring it on!

[nannydip]

Well done Frey, look forward to hearing more about it:)

[Frey]

Just a wee update..Thurso wil be the first venue, taking place late May early June. Almost confirmed but do not want to commit to date/venue yet and let you down.

Obviously if the auction does well then we will definately be moving for developing a permanant auctionhouse, bringing in more services and more specialist sales and fingers cross we will manage to reach this level. All depends on how we do over the course of the up coming auctions around the county. So spread the word everyone!

Who knows, could even have Bargain Hunt up here one day, then I can retire!!!!!

[funkypumpkin]

Thanks for the update Frey, looking forward to it very much!

[anneoctober]

WOO HOO :lol: Can't wait for your first auction Frey, well done. Consider me there ! [lol]

[Fran]

how about the old auction hall in watten which is half way between Wick and thurso? I beleive it is empty, but I could be wrong. I used to enjoy the auctions there, good entertainment too.

[katarina]

What happend to Coghill's auctions? Just wondered why they stopped.....were they getting enough trade?

they were doing well enough, but decided to go into furniture removal as they were doing that as well and found they didn't have enough time for both.

[the_count]

yeah Frey go with the old coghills place out at watten i know where that is lol. and its sort of midway between wick and thurso and you should get interest from both places....... Great Idea:Razz

[rockchick]

The only problem with the Watten location is the lack of parking. On street parking is frowned upon, and the parking spaces at the hall itself and at the school went very quickly when Coghills did it.

[anneoctober]

The only problem with the Watten location is the lack of parking. On street parking is frowned upon, and the parking spaces at the hall itself and at the school went very quickly when Coghills did it.
Yes, rockchick parking is a big problem at Watten, we've been fortunate enough to be there in reasonable time to get our car parked and not had to be named and shamed by an irate villager wantin oot because the punters have blocked him in.....:eek:

[Frey]

Hi guys,

Yes I did look at Watten , but parking would be a big problem there although Watten is on the Auction calender. all depends on how successful it all goes before we think about a permanant location, hopefully we will!

A wee update also.

I will be giving details over the weekend to orgers first before it goes public. You all have first go with registering all your items up for auction as a thank you for all your views and great encouragement. If I had no response I would not have gone ahead so thanks again. Also we offer courier for items so do not let size limit what you put up.

Will hopefully have contact number to register for you all tomorrow. Keep spreading the word!!

[SunsetSong]

I'm new to the 'Org' but I think its a fantastic idea!!
Will definetly be contacting you regarding places some items up Frey!
Well done on rejuvenating a fantastic venture and something that is sorely needed.

[Frey]

Hi guys

In case you didnt see, have started new thread with all the news!!