hexstatik

this morning, crystal and i got up early (7:45am) to go the annual vancouver police auction held by able auctions in coquitlam. it’s a two day event, with the first day dedicated to auctioning over 600 bikes, and the second day for everything else.

we arrived before 9:30am with just enough time to register and do a complete once over of the catalogue before the 10am start. the auction room was filling up fast and the action got off to a quick start.

the 2^nd lot was for a huge downhill bike that sold eventually for $1750. i missed the showing of 3^rd lot because i was explaining to the nice people behind me that it was indeed $1750, and not $17.50. i finished in time to turn back around and see the gentleman standing right in front of me win the bidding for the 3^rd lot with a bid $250. as he left, i stepped up into his position and took a look at the 4^th lot of the day.

i was prepared to spend up to $300, and the bike that was lot 4 was a decent looking bike made by brodie, a local company i knew and recognized. bidding started at $200; i raised my paddle. at this point, i’m guessing that the auctioneer didn’t see or hear the ring man call out my bid, because he then proceeded to start dropping the price.

“175, 175, 75, 75, do i hear 175.” he called out at light speed.

no takers.

“150, 150, 150, 50, 50…” he continued. “150 over here!, 175, 175…”

i raised my paddle again, this time making sure to make clear eye contact with my ring man.

“over here, 175. 200, 200, do i hear 200?”

again, no taker at $200.

“sold for 175!”

i had just bought a new bike.

after taxes and a 15% auction fee, the total came up to $211. i paid for my purchase and went to pick it up outside. it had two flat tires and needed some work on the brakes, but nothing that a simple tune up wouldn’t be able to fix.

on our way home, we picked up crystal’s bike and took them both to the bike doctor for a tune up and have mine “ghetto-ized” (lose the quick release skewers in favour of a secure type and buy a new kryptonite lock) and “urban-ized” (adding some fenders, a riser handle bar and a carrier).

can’t wait to pick it up on wednesday. :)