Pocatello - The Idaho Association of Professional Auctioneers held its annual convention this year in Boise on Jan. 18-19.

This annual event included an auction, auctioneer and bid spotter contests, classes and seminars about the auction industry and an awards banquet.

IAPA members from all over the state gathered for the event to attend the business and board of directors meetings.

The Pocatello company, Prime Time Auctions, was in attendance at the event.

Roger Stockwell, sales manager and 2007 IAPA President was there to pass the gavel to new president, Reed Nord of Rigby.

Stockwell also participated in the auctioneer competition and was awarded the honor of first-runner up.

Prime Time General Manager, Tanner Hernandez won the auctioneer competition last year and this year was the emcee for the awards banquet festivities.

The annual convention also hosts a marketing contest for the auction companies to be judged on their web pages and print advertising.

Of the nine categories in the competition, Prime Time Auctions won six first-place awards this year and three second-place awards.

The companies' website, www.primetimeauctions.com, won first-place for the second year in a row.

Roger Stockwell, left, and Tanner Hernandez, of Prime Time Auctions, pose with one of the many awards the Pocatello company won at the Idaho Association of Professional Auctioneers annual convention recently in Boise.

Next year's convention will be held in the northern region of Idaho. Last year's event took place in Pocatello.

Source: Idaho State Journal

Preston - Joyce Williams closed her business doors after 32 years of arranging flowers for wedding, funerals and husbands in trouble. Then there were flowers and crafting. Then flowers, crafting and scrapbooking, then slowly it was just scrapbooking.

Most of her business career has been on State Street. In 1990 she swapped buildings with Doris Foster, who also closer her State Street Styles doors in November.

For Williams, when she locked the doors, most everything was gone. Shelves, inventory and even some cabinets, anything not mounted to the floor, walls or ceiling were gone by day's end.

It wasn't an easy decision going with an auctioneer. After some reservations, she decided to do it. She said she wanted it to be fast, fun and be done with it.

"I wanted it to be a celebration, and I wanted it done quickly, not a long, drawn out sale, " she said.

The advantage to the auction was they took care of the advertising and contacting people who may be interested in the unique inventory of a scrapbook store. Roger Stockwell and his crew set up tables and took care of the registration, and of course the quick tongue of the auctioneer.

Mike Bosen, who was on hand to help his friend and fellow auctioneer of Prime Time Auctions, said there is more of a party doing it this way.

"After all those years of being in business, owners have a hard time letting go of some things. But with an auction, it's hard to be sentimental when everything goes so quick," he said.

About 60 people showed up with money in hand. They registered, took a number and sat down as the auctioneer began his banter.

"People have the mistaken impression auctioneers bid things up. Generally people pay what they think it is worth, and some things are practically given away. It all evens out," Bosen said.

The auction company found potential buyers from in and out of the county who had an interest in Joyce's inventory.

Roger Stockwell of Prime Time Auctions added energy to the closing of Joyce Williams' scrapbooking business. They emptied out the store in a day and sold things that might otherwise be sitting there when she closed the door for the last time. Stockwell was aided in his efforts by fellow auctioneer Mike Bosen.

Stockwell does some 50 or so engagements a year. Only about 20 percent of his gigs are business closings.

After over three decades of business, Williams is letting go. As with most of the business owners who have worked for that length of time and developed a client base, it's tough to walk away.

"I feel good that most of the inventory was bought by three other businesses in town. I want to thank all of my customers who have supported me through the years," she said.

Williams said she wasn't sure what she was going to do now.

"She wanted to travel. Maybe we can get her a paper route," her husband, Robert, said.

Source: The Preston Citizen
Story By: Rodney D. Boam

Pocatello - Four employees at Prime Time Auctions, 3330 U.S. Highway 30, have new roles in local auction business.

Vicki Root is both customer service representative and receptionist. A Pocatello native, she attended Pocatello High School and has two certificates from vocational-technical training.

Tanner Hernandez recently completed 96 hours of continuing education to become a GRI's or Graduate of Realtor Institute, a designation given to real estate professionals nationwide. He took classes on contracts in real estate transactions and negotiations, business planning and technology, sales and marketing and tax and investment property among others. He is a licensed real estate

agent at Prime Time and has 10 years of real estate experience.

Sylvia Crockett has also completed 96 hours of continuing education to earn the GRI's designation. She took classes on tax and investment properties, sales and marketing, real estate transaction and negotiations, as well as business planning and technology with other classes. She is a licensed real estate agent with Prime Time and has 10 years real estate experience.

Michelle Baker is Prime Time's advertising assistant. She is a Pocatello native and gradated from Highland High School. She brings a background of advertising sales to the business, and will be in charge of building and maintaining the company's web site along with other marketing duties.

Prime Time Auctions specializes in real estate, businesses, estates, and Autos.

Source: Idaho State Journal

IAPA Auctioneer Convention Results in Local Winners
Monday February 5th, 2007

Pocatello - This year the Idaho Association of Professional Auctioneers annual convention and contest was held in Pocatello, ID for the first time. The event included continuing education seminars, a board of directors meeting, and an auctioneer's competition. The convention was a huge success, not only for Pocatello and the association, but for local company, Prime Time Auctions. Prime Time's General Manager, Tanner Hernandez, won the competition and was named the Idaho State Auctioneer Champion for 2007. In addition, Sales Manager, Roger Stockwell, was voted President of the Association.

Stockwell said he was extremely pleased with the support shown by those in attendance.

"It's a great way for auctioneers to network with others in their profession," said Stockwell. He went on to say that Pocatello was a great place to hold this convention.

"We had a great group of contestants and judges here in Pocatello. To have our own local talent win top honors was the icing on an already sweet cake!" he said.

Prime Time also won two 1st place awards in the advertising contest, one for their website (www.primetimeauctions.com), and another for their print advertising. They also won a number of 2nd place awards. Next year's convention will be held in Boise.

Source: Idaho State Journal

Pocatello - Prime Time Auctions to host annual event in Pocatello. Every year members of the Idaho Association of Professional Auctioneers gather for their Annual Convention. This year the event will be taking place in Pocatello, ID for the first time in the convention's history. Local company Prime Time Auctions is hosting the convention and anticipates a great turn out of auctioneers from across the state.

The event begins the morning of Friday the 19th at the Red Lion Hotel for convention attendees and continues into Friday night with a public auction that starts at 6pm. Auctioneer and bid caller contestants will take turns auctioning items as part of the contest. The public is invited to bid on these impressive estate and antique items and for their favorite auctioneer.

On Saturday, classes and speaker meetings will be held throughout the day, ending with an awards banquet Saturday night. Prime Time Auctions' own Sales Manager, Roger Stockwell, took first runner up at last year's event. For more details about this event, go to www.primetimeauctions.com

Source: Idaho State Journal

This is one of the items to be featured in the auction of the estate of Emil and Helena Neu Saturday in American Falls. Visit this link for details and photos.

American Falls - This Saturday the community will have the opportunity to purchase items from the estate of Emil and Helena Neu. The items will be sold by auction, and will feature a variety of original artwork as ell as real estate, furniture, antiques and much more.

Neu, a well-known local artist, passed away in 1998. Mrs. Neu has since moved to Utah to be closer to family.

The home that will be auctioned was purchased by Emil and Helena Neu in 1970. Both were active and well-known throughout the community.

"Almost everyone knew them, unless people were new to the area," said daughter Rita Atkinson.

Neu's artwork was celebrated throughout the area. He was most renowned for his scenic paintings of farms, as well as other locations, around American Falls. Neu was also a gifted still life artist. A variety of these beautiful works will be up for bid Saturday.

Helena Neu was known for her sewing, crocheting and embroidering work. A few of her lovely pieces will also be included.

Source: Idaho State Journal

By Debbie Bryce - Journal Writer
Pocatello - The estate sale of Pocatello broker and entrepreneur Nick Koseris sold for $1.3 million Saturday.

The one-day event attracted bidders from Utah, California and Arizona, as well as hundreds of Southeast Idaho investors and treasure hunters.

Prime Time Auctions spokesman Tanner Hernandez said estate items ranged from prime commercial and residential properties and vintage cars, including, a 1957 Ford Thunderbird that sold for $19,000, to a Greek record collection that sold for $250.

"The family benefited well," he said. "It was a really successful event, we all walked away with a good feeling."

Tanner said he was confident in the preliminary figure, but said mortgages, taxes, utilities and management fees will still have to be paid.

Among the trinkets, antique tins and collectable tavern paraphernalia, was an assortment of gaming items including old dice, cards and coin rollers dating back to the 1950s, most carried a Club 30 logo.

The Koseris Family owned the nightclub, named for its location on Old Highway 30 and once a popular gambling destination.

More than 500 bidders preregistered for the real estate auction.

Each real estate buyer agreed to provide a deposit of $3,000 for each residential property and $10,000 for commercial. The winning bidders deposit is held as earnest money until the sale closed.

Tanner said an apartment complex on Pershing Avenue sold for $460,000.

Retired Pocatello attorney John Looze said family member Freda Rock, of Utah, hired him in November to act as a personal representative for the estate.

Koseris died of cancer more than two years ago.

Looze said proceeds from the auction would be held in trust for Nick's mother, Sophia Koseris, who resides in a long-term care facility in Pocatello.

Upon her death, half of the trust goes to Rock and the other half to the Greek Orthodox Church in Pocatello, he said.

As well as Koseris' personal affects, Looze said the estate included two liquor licenses and a corporation

"It's my job to sell it for the family, collect the money and set up the trust, it will be managed by a trustee after that," he said.

Looze commended the Prime Time crew.

"They just did a great job, they got people in the mood to buy," he said.

Looze said it was the first estate sale he's been involved in and he was happy with the results. Looze plans to travel to Hungary in August to teach English near Budapest.

"I've always wanted to work overseas and I did my research," he said. "I'm looking forward to it."

Rebeca Stokes, an advertising manager with Prime Time, said coordinating such a large estate auction is labor intensive and online bidding makes it a nationwide event.

Prime Time Auctions does about 24 estate auctions a year, she said. A video auction of real estate included in the estate drew investors and developers, while hundreds of collectable items were sold online.

Drew Billeter drove from Sandy, Utah, to pick up a set of china she bought online. Billeter paid $250 for the china.

The complete service for eight was a birthday present for her daughter.

"It's nice china, my daughter found it and liked and I wanted to buy it for her," Billeter said.

Source: Idaho State Journal

Pocatello - Roger Stockwell and Doug Herbert, both of Pocatello-based Prime Time Auctions, traveled to Post Falls for the 2006 annual Idaho Associate convention and competition Jan. 20-21.

Stockwell took second place in the professional auctioneer division of the competition.

He also was elected as vice president of IAPA.

Approximately 30 auctioneers and auction staff attended the convention, which includes continuing education seminars, a board of directors meeting and an auctioneers' competition.

Stockwell said that attending conventions is essential in keeping Idaho auction companies competitive.

Source: Idaho State Journal

Pocatello - Prime Time Auctions has hired Evan Roper as webmaster and network administrator.

Roper has taken part in internet promotions and assisted in the advertising of various local auctions. His skill and knowledge in networking and web design has played a vital role for the company.

Roper is also in charge of the the company's online bidding. This will allow bidders to take part in live auctions from the comfort of their home computer.

His work can be viewed at www.primetimeauctions.com. He is currently attending Idaho State University pursuing a degree in electrical engineering.

Source: Idaho State Journal

Pocatello - Cody Barfuss has been promoted to marketing director for Prime Time Auctions Inc.

Cody received his bachelor's degree in advertising and public relations this spring from Idaho State University. He has been an asset to Prime Time Auctions since he started 2 1/2 years ago. Cody was a good fit in the position of Web promotions and design layout, getting hands-on experience part time, while getting his college degree.

Cody will now lead a team to promote upcoming events. He will use all forms of media to bring a large variety of sellers' goods to the right buyers.

He has played a key role in auctions as far away as Omaha, Neb., for Union Pacific Corporate Headquarters. Through advertising campaigns he has brought buyers in to Pocatello from all over the Northwest.

One of the most important aspects Cody will work toward is educating potential customers. He will help them understand why the auction method works for both the buyer and the seller.

In the last year Prime Time has moved to a larger and more visible location at 3400 S. Fifth Ave, off I 15, Exit 67.

He will be building on past successes to offer residential and commercial real estate, equipment, vehicles, estates, business liquidations at auction. See his work at www.primetimeauctions.com and join the e-mail notification list.

Cody is married to Mandy Barfuss and they have a daughter, Amaya, 3. He is a graduate of Marsh Valley High School.

Source: Idaho State Journal

A 20-year collection of equipment, gathered from farms and ranches in four western states, will be auctioned Friday and Saturday.

The collection belonged to the late Melvin Wheeler Jackson, an educator who died here on Oct. 26, 2003, at the age of 86. He taught at the University of Illinois, Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta and University of Colorado in Boulder. He retired in 1983 from the Argonne West National Lab as senior plant engineer.

The two-day auction of western, glass and antique collectibles will be 5 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. Saturday at the Jackson home at 5101 Whitaker Road in Chubbuck. Anyone desiring to preview the collection is welcome to stop in Thursday between 1 and 6 p.m. and Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

There are three acres of horse-drawn farm and fire equipment, an antique blacksmith collection, tools, western gear, horse-drawn buggies, metal sculptures, wagon wheels, railroad memorabilia and more.

Sarah Jackson, one of Mr. Jackson's three children and the only daughter said, "My father's collection is an accumulation of over 30 years attending farm auctions and other sales. He had a great interest in American history and particularly Native American history. He had an appreciation for the hard work and challenges of those who came West."

For more information, call 208-232-4912.

• What: Auction of western, glass and antique collectibles owned by the late Melvin Wheeler Jackson.
• When: Friday at 5 p.m. and Saturday at 9 a.m. at the Jackson home at 5101 Whitaker Road in Chubbuck.
• Preview: Anyone desiring to preview the collection is welcome to stop in Thursday between 1 and 6 p.m. and Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
• Questions: Call Prime Time Auctions at 232-4912.

Source: Idaho State Journal

Pocatello - Out with the old in with the new; That has been theme around the Pocatello Industrial Park, a property soon to be developed by a well-known national chain as part of an exciting new development for the Pocatello area.

In order to liquidate his remaining inventory, building owner Gary Cooper has decided to hold an auction and would like to invite the entire community to take part in this opportunity. "I know this was the most convenient way to get it all done in the fastest way possible," said Cooper. "It was also the most fair for everyone. It would have been impossible to deal with everybody one on one in this time frame."

Some of the items included in the auction range from Fork Lifts, Backhoes and a variety of Industrial Equipment to Household Items.

The auction will be held on Saturday December 11th at 9:55 AM and is open to the entire public. Prime Time Auctions will be conducting the sale and has spent the past couple months in preparation for the event.

The purchasing of the Pocatello Industrial Park property will be the first step in developing this new area of the city that has received much attention over the past year. "Having this auction will clear the way for

new development," said Cooper. "It will be good for the area, the community and also the economy. We're excited to participate in it."

Those interested can preview the items up for auction on Friday December 10th from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM or on the day of the auction starting at 8:00 AM. More information is also available at www.primetimeauctions.com.

Pocatello - After six years as an auctioneer for Prime Time Auctions, Roger Stockwell has become Prime Time's sales manager and commercial specialist. Stockwell will be attending The Reppert School of Auctioneering in Auburn, Ind. There he

will be instructed by the country's top auction specialists in many different aspects of business in the auction industry.

Stockwell recently took part in the company's first live online auction, which allowed people to participate not only from the local area, but from all over the

United States.

Stockwell's knowledge and experience in many aspects of the auction business continue to be a valuable asset to the auction company.

Source: Idaho State Journal

Pocatello - With a growing popularity in live auctions, Prime Time Auctions has been busy this past year providing customers with an alternative to the traditional way of selling personal items or liquidating a business.

After more than 15 years in the business, Prime Time Auctions has decided to move from its original location on 3330 Highway 30 West to a new location of 3400 S. Fifth Ave. in Pocatello, according to a press release.

As busy as they have been, one would hardly think that relocating to the other end of town would be in their immediate plans. "The new location will give Prime Time the ability to conduct more auctions on our own facility rather than relocating so many items to an off-site location," said Sales Manager and Auctioneer Roger Stockwell.

Prime Time Auctions is not the only business to have seen a great opportunity surrounding Pocatello's South Fifth area. "Business is growing there," said Stockwell. "It's only going to continue to grow. and we are excited to be a part of it."

In addition to relocation, Prime Time Auctions will also be auctioning its 2.16-acre Warehouse Facility containing a 4,000 square foot building. "We believe in the auction process," said General Manager and Auctioneer Tanner Hernandez.

"That's why when it came time to sell our own real estate we knew that this would be the best way to do it."

Source: Idaho State Journal

Funds raised from sale of Mildred Ames's estate items will go to aid the university's College of Business

Pocatello - An auction of items from the estate of the late Mildred Cederberg Ames, a benefactress to Idaho State University, will begin at 6 p.m. Thursday in the ISU Pond Student Union Building Ballroom. Proceeds will go to the ISU College of Business for scholarships and other purposes.

"We are grateful to Mildred Ames and her family for the generosity they have shown to the university," said Dr. Carol Mahar, assistant to the dean for development for ISU's College of Business. "Mildred Ames was an amazing woman, and this auction will help her legacy live on at ISU."

Pocatello's Prime Time Auction will run the auction.

"There are treasures to be found, with many rare, interesting and fun items, including antiques and memories for every one," said Tanner Hernandez of Prime Time Auctions. "I expect it to be a short auction and items will go quickly. Be there early."

Included in the auction are two automobiles, a 1948 Pontiac and a 1961 Lincoln Continental. Other items range from diamond jewelry and ornate sterling silver flatware to antique steamer trunks and record players.

Pictures of some items can be found on Prime Time Auctions' Web site, www.primetimeauctions.com, and a complete list of items is available on the Web site.

Early bids will be accepted on the automobiles. More information on the auction is available by calling Prime Time Auctions, 208-232-4912, or by visiting its Web site.

Additional items can be donated that can be sold at the same time to benefit ISU.

A scholarship in Mildred Ames' honor was endowed at ISU in 2002 by her nephew, Ron Carlson.

Ames was honored with a posthumous degree Saturday at ISU's spring commencement at Holt Arena.

Ames was born May 18, 1907, and grew up in Firth, Idaho. Mildred met Franklin Ames while she was working at First Security Bank in Idaho Falls.

They married and worked together in the jewelry business for six years until Frank's death. Mildred continued to run the jewelry store for 30 years.

In 1983, at age 76, she sold the business and enrolled as a student at ISU.

She took classes until the age of 87, when failing health and eyesight forced her to stop.

She had accumulated more than 300 credit hours, even attending summer terms from 1983 to 1985.

Contributions may be made to: Mildred Cederberg Ames Scholarship, ISU College of Business, Campus Box 8020, Pocatello, ID 83209.

Source: Idaho State Journal

Pocatello - Prime Time Auctions won a major award and Roger Stockwell of the firm was named a regional director at the winter convention of the Idaho Association of Professional Auctioneers in Boise, according to a press release.

The award was second place for the "One Color" ad "In-House Designed" brochures in the advertising category.

The convention drew auctioneers, their spouses and associates from Idaho, Washington and Oregon, who gathered at the AmeriTel Inn in Boise.

Featured speakers were Jeff Stokes, 2003-2004 international auctioneering champion, who spoke on "Exploring The Chant of the Auctioneer," and Susan A. Doyle of the National Auctioneers Association, who discussed "Staying Service Oriented."

The IAPA inducted into the Hall of Fame the late Dick Davis of Emmett and Bill Downs of Auction Service Inc. in Nampa.

Source: Idaho State Journal

Pocatello - It started with a handful of railroad assets to be liquidated at an upcoming Prime Time Auction. Yet when Omaha caught wind of the sale, Union Pacific's Asset Manager Christian Tamack called and inquired about doing a larger sale at the Maintenance of Way Shop that had been closed in Pocatello. The arrangements were made and the sale conducted in Jan of 2003 was a huge success.

"Hundreds showed up to bid" the Idaho State Journal reported in the article covering the sale.

Tamack, pleased with the auction in Pocatello, invited Prime Time to handle a locomotive auction in California. The auction was successful with 60 locomotives selling to the highest bidders.

Prime Time was again invited to sell retired U.P.R. locomotives, this time in North Platte, Neb. Juan Hernandez, owner of Prime Time Auctions, arrived in North Platte three days early to finalize the work on all the assets sold on Dec. 9.

In North Platte the sale was conducted by video display at the Hampton Inn. Refreshments were served and classic train music was played over the loud speaker. An hour before the live auction began, Internet bidding closed, and preparations for getting phone bidders on the line were made.

Locomotive buyers from California, Texas, Ohio, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, New York, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Arkansas and Louisiana registered to bid at the auction. Patrick Lhermitte and Dan O'Brien, asset managers for U.P., traveled from Omaha to answer questions.

The auction began and the excitement mounted as Tanner Hernandez continued to lower the bid increments until a card went up in the air. The bidding continued hot and heavy until the last bidder won at $9,000. Roger Stockwell, the second of the two man auctioning team, sold the highest at $34,000.

Two Pocatello natives purchased locomotives, Henry Fernandez of Golden Valley Sales, an investor in heavy equipment, and Henry Buescher of Pacific Recycling.

Online bidders at primetimeauctions.com won nine locomotives. Buyers from five other States purchased the remaining twenty-six locomotives. North Platte local buyers purchased retired trailers, forklifts and trucks that were also offered at the same time.

The purchasers not only buy these locomotives to make money, they enjoy what they do. They love the history, the power and the shear tonnage of these locomotives. There are chat rooms and magazines where train lovers referred to as "Foamers" (foaming at the mouth) discuss the latest train news.

Prime Time photo - Looking over Locomotive SD 40-2 are Terry Kerler, Julie Snow, Sylvia Crockett, Cody Barfuss, Angie Hernandez, Juan Hernandez, Glenda Hernandez, Deborah Jones, Roger Stockwell and Tanner Hernandez

Wow! The diversity of niche markets in the American economy. Many people ask why not sell outright? "Competitive bidding and obtaining the maximum return on UPR Assets," That's The Why.

During the auction, U.P.R. calendars were handed out. Majestic trains were pictured in serene winter wonderlands, against rolling green hills and fruitful farmlands. It's true these beauties travel across our great nation from coast to coast.

Union Pacific's next anticipated locomotive auction to be in Texas in March 2004.

Pocatello - Cody Barfuss and Deborah Jones have joined Prime Time Auctions.

Barfuss takes up the Web site designer position. He is a senior at Idaho State University pursuing a degree in public relations and advertising. His expertise with many software programs along with his Web design skills will be a great benefit to the economy.

He has been involved in auctions in Pocatello, Soda Springs, Rigby and Idaho Falls since his arrival. He resides in Inkom with his wife, Mandy, and daughter, Amaya.

Jones will fill the office assistant position. She brings with her 13 years of experience in the office management and administration fields. Her expertise with many software programs along with her communication and organizational skills will be a great benefit to the company.

She has been involved in auctions in Pocatello, Soda Springs, Gooding, Rigby and Idaho Falls since her arrival. She resides in Malad with her husband, Vernon, and has two adult children, Rhonda and Jason.

Source: Idaho State Journal

Pocatello - Angie V. Hernandez of Prime Time Auctions of Pocatello has successfully competed two of three courses necessary to earn the Certified Auctioneers Institute designation, the highest designation awarded in the auction industry.

The program is an extended study executive education program designed for decision-makers in auction firms and is offered by the Auction Marketing Institute at Indiana University in Bloomington, Ind.

Hernandez is one of 91 auctioneers throughout the United States and Canada who are candidates for the CAI designation. A total of 827 auctioneers hold that designation.

Source: Idaho State Journal

Pocatello - Prime Time Auction of Pocatello was awarded four first-place and two second-place awards for its advertising, according to a press release.

They received the awards at the Idaho Association of Professional Auctioneers convention, which took place Jan. 17-19 in Boise.

This year two members of the Prime Time Auction staff took part in the convention.

Source: Idaho State Journal

By Sean Ellis, Journal Writer
Pocatello - The old adage, "One man's trash is another man's treasure," was on full display Wednesday during an auction inside the Union Pacific Railroad Maintenance of Way building.

Several hundred people, many from outside Pocatello, bid on material and equipment considered no longer useful by Union Pacific.

The sale, conducted by Prime Time Auctions of Pocatello, was the third in the past four years at the Pocatello yard, according to Mike Furtney, UP's Western spokesman.

The 477 items auctioned off came from various parts of UP's rail system.

"UP has (auctions) all over the place. This is one of the smaller ones," said Prime Time Auctions owner (Juan) Hernandez.

Just like items being auctioned, many of the people who attend came from various places.

Robert Perry of Utah bought a revolving hydraulic hose reel rack for $125. Weather he got a bargain remains to be seen.

Auction featured property from Union Pacific system

"I don't know whether it's a good deal or not," he said. "You never know until you've had it hanging around for a few years and had a chance to use it."

Denise Merritt came to the auction with friend Chan Underwood, who owns a crane service in Jackson, Wyo.

"He's looking at all kinds of stuff," Merritt said of Underwood. He dabbles. If it's equipment and if it's greasy, he wants to buy it."

The Last time the pair were in Pocatello for a Prime Time auction, they bought an RV and a Ford Thunderbird, she said.

"Anybody who has a shop should be here," said C. Cutler, who had her eye on some of the machines, tractors and hand tools. She was pleased to bid a total of $2,500 to obtain them.

Merritt said she and Underwood don't come with a preset limit on how much they will spend.

"If he wants it, he's going to bid on it. When (Prime Time officials) see me, they're happy because they know I have the wallet."

Chubbuck Farmer Jim Webber said curiously, more than anything else, brought him the auction.

"I'm kind of interested in one of those warehouse ladders," he said. "Just to use out on the farm. They're kind of handy to get up on roofs."

Items sold included two 2 ton overhead cranes; complete torch repair station; portable battery power unit; grease pump and sprayers; 200 horsepower hydraulic test bench with hoses; 150-ton press; dry ice machine; utility vehicles; fire hose; and utility buildings.

Source: Idaho State Journal

Pocatello - Dave Langston has joined the Prime Time Auctions Team. He is an anticipated addition at the Advertising Associate Position.

He will be instrumental in the marketing and promotions of a variety of upcoming auctions, creating plans and promotions that will inform interested purchasers regionally and nationally.

He will spearhead the advancement of Internet promotions and on-line bidding.

Source: Idaho State Journal

By John O'Connell, Journal Writer
Pocatello - Local collectors got to bid on precious glassware Saturday seldom found for sale in the Gate City.

Art glass from famed companies such as Tiffany, Tiffany Favrile, Steuben, Victor Durand, Quezal, Pate de Verre and Alexandrite fetched prices ranging from hundreds of dollars to several thousand dollars at the auction, hosted by Prime Time Auctions of Pocatello.

The collection of about 450 items was assembled by an attorney and his wife, who traveled the country and the world purchasing Indian relics and glassware at auctions. The attorney died, and his widow, who asked not to be named, is moving from her home on Satterfield Drive in Pocatello to a smaller house.

Indian artifacts from the Navajo, Apache and Zuni tribes were also sold. The auction drew collectors from surrounding states, and auction workers took bids from throughout the country by phone and the Internet.

"These type of auctions don't happen here. They happen in Chicago, New York and California," said Sylvia Crockett, Prime Time office manager. "You can't find this type of glassware in Pocatello."

Jane Spall, of Pocatello, attended the auction in hope of finding a Steuben art glass piece to match one she purchased for a song at a Blackfoot auction. Spall said most people at the Blackfoot auction were bidding on horse equipment and tools, and she got the Steuben piece valued at more than $800 for $45.

"These people look much more polished than the ones we were bidding against (in Blackfoot)," Spall said.

Lynn Murdoch, anthropology collections manager for the Idaho Museum of Natural History, collects glassware and porcelain.

"They have such a variety this time, and all of it's so high quality, if you took anything home you'd be doing OK," Murdoch said.

Saturday, however, she was looking to buy a piece of furniture to store collectibles.

Louise Crawford, an antiques dealer with Her Alibi in Pocatello, said she was impressed with the art glass collection.

"They have some excellent, excellent items," Crawford said.

Source: Idaho State Journal

By Joy S. Morrison, Journal Community Editor
Pocatello - The 21st Idaho State University Bengal Auction on Saturday turned out just like Foundation Director John Colaianni had hoped.

The crowd at the at WestCoast Hotel was one of the largest ever, 10 short of 500 people. The handmade decorations, Mexican menu and music just fit the Bengal Fiesta theme. And Prime Time Auctioneers Tanner Hernandez Jr. and Mario Hernandez, returning by popular demand for the second year, knew how to keep the crowd excited during three hours of auctioning 80 main items.

Colaianni has been involved in all 21 Bengal Auctions, first as a volunteer and then as director twice. "Everything has gone like clock work this year," he said, crediting the hard work of a 45-member committee co-chaired by Mari Tusch and Donna Hays.

Colaianni admits he still enjoys being involved in the auction after all these years. Longtime Bengal Foundation secretary, Marva Grigora left that position last fall but was back as a volunteer to help with the preparations. Many of the same volunteers like Bob Peyron, Ted and Debbie Flandro can be counted on every year.

Colaianni thinks the reason the auction stays vibrant is because the people who work on it really enjoy it.

Emcee Bart Rankin, dressed in Mexican attire, called special attention to longtime Bengal Foundation supporter, Dave Kirkpatrick, who will be 86 on Monday.

When it came time for the auction to start, the auctioneers got off to a good start. A piata stuffed with sports items went for $100. ISU Coaches Larry Lewis and Doug Oliver were called on to help with auction item No. 20. This was a day of golf with the coaches.

Greg Romriell and his wife, Leslie, had hurried back from Boise to attend the dinner. Romriell recalled a story of a past Bengal Auction when Tom Jewell, former ISU athletic director, and his wife, the late Carol Jewell, were bidding mistakenly on what they thought was a bargain item for their cabin. To their surprise, the item on which they placed the top bid was an old-fashioned fish bowl.

Journal photo by Bruce Twitchell From right, Mark Harris, Ramona Awes, and Joe M. Garcia entertain the crowd at the 21st annual Bengal Foundation Auction at the WestCoast Hotel Saturday night.

The main auction was only part of the event. The silent auction, featuring everything from a bright green child's car to paintings, attracted much attention. Businesswoman Brigette Adams put her bid in the silent auction on a soccer camp for her daughters.

The goal for the auction was $50,000. Colaianni is hopeful the proceeds will exceed that amount. However, it will take about a week before all the figures are totaled.

Source: Idaho State Journal

By Emily Jones, Journal Writer
Pocatello - Like many children, Dan Rowe loved toys.

Because his family was large, Rowe was always getting new toys from aunts and uncles.

It was like Christmas every day, he said.

As he grew older, however, Rowe loved toys enough to make a living out of them. Over 30 years, he has collected thousands of toys, some of them worth thousands of dollars.

On March 3, Rowe will sell all of the toys at auction and retire from the business.

Most of Rowe's playthings are cars. He has a Volkswagen Bug with a sun roof, and a Greyhound bus from 1930 with a door that opens and closes. He has cars children can ride, and cars that hold whiskey. One of his cars, a light blue 1950s Japanese tin Buick, is extremely rare, and worth nearly $4,000.

Its one of the few in the world, he said.

The Japanese tin toys are his favorite, Rowe said, because the tin makes the cars look real. American toys are better quality.

I like the colors and the artistic looks, he said.

While Rowe found many of his toys at antique shops, he found some of them in dumps. He spent time restoring some of the rusty cars, making them look new.

In addition to his cars, Rowe will be auctioning old signs, metal lunch boxes and trays, Disney character memorabilia, board games, coloring books, paper dolls and thousands of other toys, many in mint condition. Toys are worth more if they have never been played with and still have the original box, he said.

The auction will be handled by Prime Time Auctions. Owner Angie Hernandez said it was hard to tell how much Rowe would make from his toys. The auction was advertised in national magazines, and people from across the country have contacted Hernandez about the auction.

Its always hard to tell with an auction, she said. We've never sold this many toys, ever.

After he retires, Rowe plans to move on to bigger toys, working on his antique car collection.

Source: Idaho State Journal