Treasure Hunting





When someone says 'treasure hunter', I conjure up images of Johnny Depp dressed up as Captain Jack, looking sexy with his black eyeliner and long dreaded locks, and trying to decipher a tattered map in search of an old black leather chest filled with sparkling jewels.

 

(The leather chest would make a cool coffee table.)

 

There are, as a matter of fact, modern day treasure hunters. These brave individuals set forth on a journey to the unknown, following maps and battling for their treasures. 

Regular attendees know first hand how an auction can feel like a modern version of treasure hunting. It begins with a search for the sale. Reading sale bills, searching online and navigating the way to a destination... with the help of trusty copilots, Mapquest and AuctionZip.

 

Upon arriving, be prepared for battle. At times you'll be fighting off other treasure hunters searching and scouring the sale for the ultimate 'booty'. Once the real battle begins, draw your swords (or bidder numbers) and duel it out against others in hopes to win the treasure.

 

The stories of how treasures were acquired at auctions are often retold in an almost a mythical fashion. The battles to win an item, the opponents who out bid you, and the cost of victory. Auctions are the battlegrounds for the new generation of treasure hunters. 

 

(This is my life.) 

 



I am married to an auctioneer. My husband, Erik, is the third generation to work in the family business. He went to auction school, is licensed, and yes, he can talk really fast. (You'd be surprised how many people ask if he can talk fast "like an auctioneer." ... Um, yes? He is an auctioneer.)

Sometimes our children work the auctions, and often I help out too.  As we are working, we occasionally find ourselves drawn to the shiny objects, and end up bidding on items. My sons have bought many treasures including: belt buckles, baseball bats, army gear, basketball backboards, vintage books, and an unopened Michael Jordan Wheaties box. My husband has brought home a truck load of barn wood, a replica of the Brady Bunch sectional couch and my favorite, a bowling ball washing machine. (We don't even bowl.) And, I'm not even going to begin to list all the treasures I have found. Its nearly impossible to go to an auction and not get caught up in the bidding frenzy. It can be really exciting when you find a something rare and unique; a treasure that you never knew you needed.

Become a modern day treasure hunter. Its easy. The first mission: search out an auction this weekend, and buy something. Type your zip code into AuctionZip.com to search for a local auction. Good luck! Share your favorite auction treasure hunting stories here.

(This type of hunting does not require camouflage.)