Benton County Auction Attracts Bargain Hunters

STAFF PHOTO JASON IVESTER Auctioneer Dwayne Craig calls for bids Saturday on items during the annual Benton County surplus property auction in Bentonville.
STAFF PHOTO JASON IVESTER Auctioneer Dwayne Craig calls for bids Saturday on items during the annual Benton County surplus property auction in Bentonville.

BENTONVILLE -- The bargains were in the eye of the beholder Saturday at Benton County's annual surplus property auction.

The auctioneer's chant drifted out over the crowd as Dwayne Craig alternately bantered with, prodded and teased bystanders to become bidders. Some items drew enough interest from the crowd to raise the price Craig asked, others started low and went down as he disposed of one lot after another. A carpet cleaner was sold for $40 while a digital television went for $25. Four shop vacuums and a light fixture sold together for $25 and a group of 15 office chairs went for $5.

At A Glance

Surplus Property

Benton County holds an auction of surplus property once each year. The county and other entities, including city governments, put surplus vehicles, office furniture and equipment up for sale to the highest bidder on an “as is” basis. In 2013, Benton County received more than $57,000 for the items it sold.

Source: Staff Report

Craig, with Dwayne Craig Auction Service in Gravette, has been working auctions for 32 years and practicing his craft as an auctioneer has taken him around the world. He ticked off a list of countries, including England and Ireland and the Philippines, where he's worked. He's done the county auction several times and was confident before the event everything would sell.

"It'll all sell," he said. "The vehicles will be the things that draw the most interest. There's a surplus of office furniture so that won't be worth much."

Finding a good deal was first on the shopping list for most of the people attending the auction, held at the county Road Department at 1206 SW 14th St. in Bentonville. Harold Libberton of Decatur said bargain hunting is what brings him to the auctions.

"I trade a few things, it's just a hobby," Libberton said as the looked over the rows of surplus office furniture and equipment and other small items. "I'm just looking for a good deal. In years past I've bought some surplus diving equipment and other miscellaneous stuff. Some people come to buy and a lot of us just walk around looking for something. It's a good way to spend a day."

Rachel Paquin was at the auction with her husband, Paul, her son Logan and her mother, Cookie Weber. They had made the drive from Grove, Okla., in search of a vehicle for Weber.

"This is my first auction," she said. "My husband is looking for a car for my mom. We were eating at The Wooden Spoon in Gentry and she saw the flier about the auction. She needs a car so she showed it to my husband. We're looking for an SUV, something easy to slide in and out of."

As the high temperatures Saturday were expected to reach the mid-90s some thought was given to providing a place for people to keep cool. Tables, chairs and fans were set up in one of the Road Department buildings and the Benton County Employee Care Committee was on hand with ice-cold water, soft drinks, hot dogs and snacks.

Rosemary Goines, executive assistant to the county judge, said the Care Committee is a group of employees who volunteer their time and efforts to raise money to help employees in need of assistance. The group holds silent auctions twice a year and does other fundraising events, such as the snack bar at the auction, to raise the money it dispenses.

"We've had employees who have lost a spouse and we try to help them through that time," Goines said. "We've had people who have had a husband or wife lose a job and have had trouble paying a gas bill or electric bill. We've helped people buy medication."

NW News on 07/27/2014

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