LOCK HAVEN - Dozens of people turned up at the Hope Hose Fire Hall on East Church Street Thursday evening for the city's annual bike auction.
Many of those people came away with a deal on a bike, or a computer, or an air conditioner... while the city made out as well, with about a $1,000 profit toward its general fund, about $200 more than normal, according to City Manager Rich Marcinkevage.
About 70 people turned up for the annual auction, which is more than normal.
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SCOTT JOHNSON/THE EXPRESS
Approximately 60 bikes, as well as other items, were on the auction block at Hope Hose on Thursday.
"The turnout was awesome," said Hope Hose driver Randy Gillen. "There are about two times the people as I thought would be here. I think it was because of the signs out front, and we had an ad in the newspaper, in their Auctions Section last Thursday."
The approximately 60 bikes up for auction went for between $2 and $82.50, Marcinkevage said, while the two laptop computers went for $85 each.
"Our net was about $1,000," he said. "That's more than what we've seen before. Usually it's more around $800. There were several bikes that went for good prices. The one for $82.50, then some for $50, $45, $60 and $75, they went for pretty good amounts. Then, the laptops went for $85 a pices. That adds up pretty quick."
Some items, however, were left unsold, like some old computer monitors and a couple of computer towers, Marcinkevage said. The items left over will likely be scrapped, he said.
The first bike went to Jon Dale of Lock Haven, who paid $75 for a Gary Fisher bike.
"It is the best of show," he said, noting that he can probably sell the bike at a flea market for between $200 and $250.
However, he may just hold onto it.
"All I have to do is pump the tire up, and I'll be riding it," he said. "Another bike I have will cost more to repair it than what I just paid for this bike."
Susan Seymour of Woolrich bought the most expensive bike, for $82.50, for her brother-in-law, Arthur Seymour Jr.
"He lives in Maryland now, but he used to be a volunteer fireman in this area," she said. "He heard we were having a bike auction and he wanted a mountain bike.
"I think it was a good price. He said to go to anything under $100."
Meanwhile, Rande Walters Sr. of Lock Haven was able to buy a bike for his 8-year-old grandson Rande Walters III for $27.50.
"It's a nice small bike for my grandson," he said.
