One of my favorite TV shows is "Cash in the Attic" on HGTV, and I'm often amazed at both the process and the turnout of the program. If you've never seen it, the homeowners have some project they want to complete, and have a certain dollar amount they are hoping to gain by selling items in their house that they no longer want or need. Then the items are taken to auction, and sometimes they make their goals or better, and many times don't even come close.

I think one reason I love it is that it's a convenient way of laughing at yourself without being too painful......as you watch them refuse or at least hesitate to send things to auction that have either been hidden for YEARS in a closet or basement, or they have some crazy attachment to. For instance, today's guest had a hard time giving up 4 mugs with whales and his name on them.....and 2 out of MANY baseball caps with the same team names...and not a championship team, I might add. They actually sold at auction....the mugs 4 for $1 and the pair of hats for $2, and that's pretty amazing in itself. Still, the labor involved in his coming to the decision to let them go was hilarious to me, but I know I do some of the same things! How many times have I put a higher price on some object that I FINALLY put out at a garage sale, just because I might not "really" want to get rid of it? Usually I didn't, and then later, wondered why in the heck didn't I just give it to them to g
et it out of the way?!

Other days, I've watched them load lots of what I'd call really quality antiques into the van, expecting a wonderful auction! Instead, many things sold way under what had been estimated they would get, or else not even meet the reserves if they set one. I think the latter is a wise move if they are really valuable and you know it. Obviously, sometimes the right crowd is just not at the auction to appreciate your items.....That's the kind of auction we antique lovers hope to attend....where our competition isn't present, and we get great buys...but a sad state for the merchandise owners that have brought their items to sell. And then again, sometimes the owners are pleasingly surprised when all their goods sell for far more than they ever dreamed.....Sometimes it's not even the fine antiques that bring these successful auctions, just the "stuff" that collectors are looking for!

All this is a reminder that the value of an item for sale at auction depends on how badly at least 2 people want it! I've found this out firsthand when I have been caught up in a bidding competition and spent more than I planned....Even the best made plans take discipline to carry out! Plus, I've been to several auctions where the bidding just went way overboard because of family members fighting over their loved ones' heirlooms....Now I think that's a sad state of affairs, and would rather give stuff away than to fight over it...But this happens all the time.

It's just fun sometimes to watch a lighthearted TV program that you can relate to.....I miss those good old ones like "At the Auction," and "Appraisal." Here's hoping "Antiques Roadshow" never goes off the air, even if many of these are old, old, reruns! At least there's no scandal involved....and there's no battle between the networks. If you haven't enjoyed "Cash in the Attic" yet, you collectors/sellers might enjoy it! That's my free advertisement for HGTV :)

And who knows......perhaps I'll see YOU.......At the Auction!!!

Marsha Beaton - The Loft Antiques

http://loghomeantiques.rubylane.com