Is it worth it to buy from auctions lots

Thanks guys. Yes I plan on making about 10x my money on this one, maybe more. UCSD, you're right, I'll have to sell some parts to get that much because scrapping them may not do it alone.

CTscrapman, it's really more about timing. I know this because I have a benchmark on this one. I went to the same auction at the same school last year. They had the same type stuff there and I bought it for close to 4 x what I paid this time. Also, the last year's load included 40 CRT monitors and about 20 less towers, no cameras and way more VCRS and record players. So it wasn't as good of a load for circuit boards as this year. I think the difference is purely the shred price being down kept a lot of fair weather scrappers home this time.

Be at an auction when no one wants the items you want and you can set your own price. I really had only one bidder after the same stuff I was. I didn't talk to him, but just didn't bid on the first stack of towers. He noticed that and didn't raise my starting bid on #2 stack. This went back and forth until we bought them all except a few that "civilians" bought to tinker with. I got the same size load as last time (full truck and trailer).



The other bidder had a limited budget, so he didn't want to get into a bidding war with me. My limitation wasn't the money, it was what I can get on the truck and trailer as I can only make one trip to this auction during the time they let you load out. Other people are checking out items to see if they work, I'm out there measuring piles. I did get a little help loading the heavy stuff at the end. A school kid came by wanting to help and loaded the UPS machines and helped with the smart board and a few printers. I gave him a couple of VCRs a computer, wires, two keyboards, two monitors each CRT and flatscreen and two printers. He was thrilled and I hope he got enough working stuff to build the system he wanted.

I have a suggestion. If you want to really cut down on the time spent at auctions. Work on cultivating a friendship with the auctioneer. Once established, go look around and just leave your maximum bids with the auctioneer. They are happy to have any bid, absentee or otherwise. Keep in mind no buyers remorse allowed. If your bid won it, you better pay for it. As with most communities, word gets around fast. If you fail to pay for an item, rest assured you won't be buying any more auction lots even if bidding in person. Several years ago I was buying and selling a lot of antiques. Myself and a buddy would go and leave bids at 3-6 auctions every weekend. We'd pick the best one to stay at in person. Write your bids with lot numbers or other description on your bidder number card prior to the start of the auction. Then get with the auctioneer and walk around with him/her pointing out exactly which lots your bids are referring to. At the end of the auction if you've won some items, the auctioneer will give you a call. At that time you must drop what you're doing and immediately go settle up and pick up your wins. I've done this for more than 20 years and saved myself many, many hours of wasted time.