Tulsa to sell surplus property at Saturday auction
BY KEVIN CANFIELD World Staff Writer
Friday, November 02, 2012
11/02/12 at 4:54 AM
Patricia Cummings isn't sure how long the city of Tulsa has held its surplus property auction, but she does remember that tub grinder that sold one year.
No single item has brought in more money in the eight years she has been overseeing the auction than the industrial-size grinder.
"I think, as far as I can recollect at this time, we sold one for $176,000," said Cummings, the city's purchasing services coordinator.
On Saturday, no tub grinders will be for sale, and Cummings' expectations for the auction are a bit more modest.
"It would be nice to get $500,000," she said.
The city's last auction six months ago raised nearly a million dollars - a record.
"But we had a lot of bulldozers and backhoes," and things like that, Cummings said.
Saturday's auction won't have as many big-ticket items, but visitors can bid on a violin or a piano or a used fish aquarium from the Tulsa Zoo.
"The violin is not a Stradivarius," Cummings said. "It is nothing spectacular. It is in good condition and has a case and a bow with it."
The city also will auction off trash carts used by residents in the northwest quadrant before a new trash service provider took over this year.
"We are selling 350 at this auction, but we will have many more at our next auction," Cummings said.
Also for sale will be pickups, knives, computer components, service trucks and lawn equipment.
Cummings said she expects about 2,200 lots to be sold. Most items come from city departments or related agencies.
"They are basically used equipment that they no longer have use for," Cummings said.
The auction has been growing in popularity, she said, with registered bidders often topping 1,000.
Auction attendees must be 16 or older.
The proceeds go primarily into the city's general fund.
Cummings encourages people to stop by the auction site Friday to view the items that will be sold.
Her parting advice: "Don't bid on something more than what you feel comfortable paying because you will be held accountable for it, so do your research."
City surplus auction
When: 9:30 a.m. Saturday; facility will open at 7:30 a.m. to view auction items
Where: 108 N. Trenton Ave.
Viewing items: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday at auction site
Merchandise list: tulsaworld.com/citysurplus
Registration: tulsaworld.com/cityauctionregister or day of auction
Payment: cash, Mastercard, VISA. Checks accepted only with letter of guaranty from financial institution on which check is drawn. Payment required in full within one hour after auction ends. All sales "as is."
Original Print Headline: City lays out surplus goods to sell at Saturday auction
Kevin Canfield 918-581-8313
kevin.canfield@tulsaworld.com
Associated Images:
Terrie Hollen looks over computer components Thursday in preparation for the city of Tulsa's surplus auction, slated for Saturday. STEPHEN PINGRY/Tulsa World
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