Online Auction

Antiques, Auctions, and Unexpected Adventures: Embrace the Surprises at Pick-Up!

Bidding on antiques in online auctions is an exhilarating adventure filled with excitement, anticipation, and the thrill of discovering hidden treasures.  however, the journey doesn't end when you successfully win an item.  In fact, the real adventure begins at pick-up, where you must expect the unexpected.  In this fun-filled post, we'll dive into the world of online auctions, highlighting the unexpected surprises that can occur during the pick-up process.  So buckle up, fellow antique enthusiasts, and get ready for a delightful ride!

I thought taking a break from recipes this week and sharing a road trip and online auction where I will share our adventures would be a nice change up this week.  I will let you be the judge of that decision.  

Last week my husband was excited to share an online auction with me.  He indicated there was a lot of antique glassware that he thought I would like, plus he was interested in a few pieces himself.  It's not often that he shares his interest in pieces at auction.  It is mostly me who has the problem, er, umm... I mean the one who likes to search unique items out.

This particular auction had a pick up destination approximately two hours from where we live.  I will say, it is not uncommon for us to drive to locations to pick up those cherished pieces we seem to accumulate around here.  We like to look at it as an adventure, and that is exactly what we got.

Winning the Bid: A Moment of Triumph!

My husband can keep track of multiple bids and where each piece is at on the list.  Me?  I like to bid on my laptop where I can have 20 or so pages open all at once in the order in which each auction will expire.  There is a method to my madness afterall. 

After I meticulously bid on my wares, competing against fellow collectors, and finally see the time limit on the auction run out, declaring me the winner, I feel a rush of triumph as I celebrate the win and move on to the next cherished, must have piece while awaiting the pick-up phase.  

The Pick-Up Adventure Begins:

• Treasure Hunt: Arriving at the designated pick-up location... no two pick-ups are the same.  We have had to enter the home, and locate our items, pack up, and load in our car, there have been pick-ups at the auctioneer's warehouse, and sometimes they have everything tagged and in one location for you to load in your car to get in and out as quickly as possible.  We have even experienced movers fetching our wins from the home and loading into our vehicle for us (how nice!).    

My favorite used to be picking up at the warehouse since I did not have to go into the homes.  Then I decided I kind of like to know where my items are coming from.  I haven't gone in for a pick up in a long time, but I still like to see the homes at pick up. 

• Friendly Encounters: You can engage with fellow antique enthusiasts during pick-up and exchange stories.  
  

Last week, there was a gentleman from New York picking up items from this particular auction.  When my husband relayed the information, I was floored someone would drive that far!  The auctioneer explained recently there was another collector who had come from Minnesota.  You can expect to meet new folks near and far during the pick-up process and perhaps make a new friend or two.  

Expecting the Unexpected:

• Unique Challenges: Pick up can present unexpected challenges, such as the sheer size and weight of certain items.  Prepare yourself for an impromptu workout or enlist the help of friends and family to tackle the more substantial pieces.  

We once had to drive two hours back and forth twice because we were not prepared for our dining room table when we went to pick it up.  No where did it state that the legs were actually welded as one large metal piece that the table rested on.  It was a mess, but in the end everything worked out, and we have one very unique table.

• Quirks and Flaws: As with any second hand items, imperfections and quirks are part of their charm.  During pick up you may come across surprising details.

When I was an inexperienced bidder, I once bid on navy leather wingback chairs.  I was so darn excited to pick them up myself.  When I arrived at the warehouse, I was lucky enough to have a gentleman help me load them into my car since hubby was still at work.  Right away I could smell cigarette smoke on the chairs and was so disappointed!  

I went home to go over the listing, and low and behold, it was stated on the auction the home was a smoke friendly home.  Shame on me for not taking a closer look.  It took me forever to get the smell of smoke from those chairs, but they look nice in our spare bedroom now.  

Embracing the Adventure:

• Flexibility and Patience: As with any adventure, a flexible mindset and patience are key.  Delays, last minute changes, or minor hiccups may occur during pick-up.  Embrace them as part of the journey and remain adaptable.

Homes can be in interesting locations and you need to be prepared for anything that may come up.

We had a new experience on this adventure, one we had not encountered before.  The home was located back a one lane drive half a mile off the road.  We drove down this dirt road, praying another car would not be coming from the other direction.  There was not a way to allow two cars down the lane since the trees were growing right along the side of the road as you can see below.   

• Cherishing the Story:  Each unexpected twist and turn during the pick-up process adds to the story behind your purchases.  These quirks and surprises become cherished memories, making your collection even more special and unique.  

My oh my... online auctions can be so much fun, even the pick up process can be included as part of your adventure and story for the pieces you accumulate in your home.  We have many stories of bidding and picking up items from auction, but the dining room table really did make me want to cry.  Our French Provincial chest of drawers was an entirely different story, but memorable none the less. 

I do not usually take pics of the places we visit when purchasing online, but this adventure seemed like a good example of expecting the unexpected. 

Of course, if you are anything like me, you may be wondering what treasures can be found in this lean-to barn?  I know I was curious!  If you would have seen this auction's contents, you would understand my curiosity.  We were able to score 100 year old glassware, along with a few rare pieces I have never seen before.

We look at each pick up as an adventure since you really need to be prepared for whatever may come up.  Be sure to take packing materials if you purchase breakables.  We take totes and plenty of towels to wrap around items.  At this particular auction, we took two 18 gallon totes and several beach towels so we were sure to keep items from touching on the way home.  

You would have to know Bentley was invited to join in the fun as well.  We always pack treats, his traveling water dish, water, and a few toys to play with in the backseat for him.  Surprisingly, he behaved and only barked at one person when we were leaving the home.  He enjoyed getting out for a walk about once we had the car loaded up and was heading home.  We always plan a place to stop for him to take a break since he likes to get out and explore too.

I will be sharing our treasures as I display them in our home, but wanted to give a sneak peek of some of our finds.  

This flour, sugar, and tea canister set will be used in our kitchen when we finally get our rehab project completed.  I do plan on putting our flour in it, along with sugar, and as you can see, I already placed tea packets inside the tea canister.  

This bottle has Juice printed on one side, and Water on the other.  There are no makers marks on it, so if anyone has any information, please share.  We thought it was unique and decided to take a chance on it.

We were able to pick up a few Sneath sugar canisters.  Sneath Glass initially started in Tiffin, Ohio in the 1890's which I found interesting.  My own hometown is known for it's glassmaking.  

We also plan to use these canisters in our kitchen and pantry.  I love vintage and antique finds, but I also like to use them instead of just sitting them on a shelf and staring at them.  What fun is that?

We thought this Water bottle was a unique find.  When my mother visited, she indicated my great grandmother had one just like it in clear glass.  That's all for now, stay tuned for more glassware that we plan to display in our home.  It has been a lot of fun searching for information on a few of these pieces, and creating new vignettes.

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Ciao,

Cara