Lansing - Antiques, oddities and the everyday were unveiled for onlookers to put their money where their mouth is.
It was all part of the Michigan Department of Management and Budget’s auction Wednesday at the former State Surplus Property, 3353 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Jewelry, stamps, coins and other unclaimed objects hit the auction block for collectors, bidders and the everyday curious person.
Fraser resident Doug Giard is a jewelry reseller and attends a dozen state auctions a year searching for bargains on mostly watches and diamonds.
Giard bought a diamond for $400 and a men’s Bertolucci watch for $130.
“Some stuff goes for way more than it’s worth just because of the excitement of the auction,” he said.
“There are some deals here though.”
The event attracted 121 registered bidders who spent about $109,000 vying for the top bid on more than 500 groups of unclaimed articles.
A lone class ring sold for $50, while a collection of 187 items, including a pencil, a travel clock and baseball cards of Mickey Mantle and Al Kaline, sold for $300.
Becky Breslin is a receptionist for the department of the budget and was cashiering at the auction. She said the auction items are collected by the Department of Treasury, mostly from unclaimed safety deposit boxes.
Breslin said the Department of Transportation offers cars and trucks for auction periodically.
Most of the money pays for the auction and a fund in case someone claims the property after it’s gone. Money left over goes to the state’s general fund, said Treasury Department spokesman Terry Stanton.
The state auctions are conducted by Clare-based Yoder Brothers Auction Service & Appraisals.
“Sold, a $100 bill to number 14,” auctioneer Willis Yoder said to the crowd before asking his brother Leroy to take over.
He said becoming an auctioneer was a life long dream ever since he was a child.
“I used to practice behind the barn,” he said.
Willis said the 11-year-old business has gone as far south as Florida and as far west as Montana. His brother, John, and father, Eli, also work in the family business.
“We travel wherever we need to go,” Willis said.
Willis said he took a two-week course at the Reppert School of Auctioneering in Indiana.
The training paid off because in 1997 Willis won the Michigan Auctioneer Championships - one year after his brother Leroy claimed the prize.
Bill Cullimore, supervisor of the State Surplus Program, said the Yoders attract bidders to the auction.
“People just follow them like the Pied Piper,” he said.
Still, the Yoder brothers are not perfect.
“I bid on an Omega watch, but the guy didn’t see me until after the hammer fell,” Giard said.
