Ohio University's surplus auctions have had success reselling used items; however, the economic downturn has taken its toll on the service and the auctioneer.
The auctions, held quarterly by the Moving and Surplus Department of OU, have been affected by the poor economy with decreased sales, said Gary Dicken, the Director of Property Management for University Moving Services.
As a result, Shamrock Auction Services, the auctioneer, is making less on each auction. Shamrock Auctions Services is paid 10 percent of the total earnings from the auctions, Dicken added.
Last year we made half as much as the year before
said Wanda Sheridan, a co-owner of Shamrock Auction Services. This year has seemed to pick up already and attendance has been the same at the auctions.
The last auction on Jan. 31 reported average earnings; however, the public auction held three months ago posted the lowest sales ever, Dicken said. Dicken declined to disclose the total amounts earned at the auctions.
Internal sales within the university are up but the auctions to the public are down with the economy the way it is Dicken said.
The 10 percent that Shamrock Auction Services earns goes to pay for their services and for the help of their staff, Sheridan said. All auctions are making less money and sellers have been reluctant to hire Shamrock Auction Services with the poor economy, Sheridan added.
Despite tougher times for Shamrock Auction Services, Dicken said he appreciated their service and that they were disappointed not disgruntled about how the economic climate has affected their work.
They are committed to OU and making things work here
Dicken said. They are working with us because they understand the economy.
The used items sold at the auctions include computers, furniture and televisions from OU. Before items are brought to the auctions they are reused within the university and if the university does not want them, they are offered to state and government agencies, Dicken said.
We want to inspire people to come out and buy things to make some money for OU and to keep things out of the landfills
Dicken said. The auctions are the last avenue to keep things out of the landfills.
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Sarah Beth Hensley
