Goodrich – Online auction has come to town.
At Repocast, 7285 S. State Road, everything from large items such as boats, trucks and cars to slot machines or smaller merchandise can be bid on at 1800lastbid.com. The website also has pictures and detailed information about each item.
Every Thursday is auction day. It’s similar to a live auction, except the bidding is on the internet. About 90 percent of the bidders just stay home. However, all of the merchandise is stored at the village location and may be inspected by prospective bidders during the week.
Repocast, a spinoff of Miedema Auctioneering Inc., sells up to 700 items each week, and has sold as many as 4,000 vehicles a year. Sometimes there are reserves on certain items, because those items have bank liens and require a confirmation from a bank.
There will be a chance to see some of the merchandise, learn how to register for the auctions and talk to managers, Tim and Janell Zirnhelt, at Repocast’s upcoming open house from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. on Dec. 6. Customers will get the chance to win some great door prizes, too.
Owner Scott Miedema said the open house should be a lot of fun. ‘We are going to give away 10 great door prizes, a few navigation units and there will be some other surprises too.?
When Miedema decided to host an on-line auction at Jan’s Sport Shop in August of this year, he knew Tim and Janell would be just the right managers to take care of the new business.
‘I chose Tim and Janell to be the managers for Repocast because they have a great reputation in the community, and for that reason I knew they would help to make this business succeed. We also want to treat people right and I knew that Tim and Janell would be able to do that,? said Miedema.
Most of the clients Miedema said he works with are banks, credit unions, court officers and United States bankruptcy courts, however he will take some private items.
Miedema said that the success of Repocast is being stimulated by tough economic times right now.
‘We try to do the best we can for them and get the most money for them,? Miedema said. ‘We are very sorry when people give us their merchandise because they can’t afford to pay for some things. That’s why I try to make sure I get as much money as I can for them. The more money we can raise means banks will have less losses. It becomes a win-win for my clients and customers.? Details: (810) 636-2241.