bostonbubble.com

[Jim F]

I went to an auction and no one showed up except for me. Let me give you a disclaimer, the auction was scheduled at 9:00 am, Monday morning during the snowstorm. I figured the auction would be canceled, but to make sure I called the attorneys handling it. They said it had not been canceled and would go on, so I went.

I got to the site around 8:50 am and waited. By 9:12, the only people I saw were some plow truck drivers, a few residents and one guy that just drove by and didn't slow down, probably another resident think, what is this idiot doing standing around in the snow. Idon't feel too bad, he was wearing a sleeveless sweater.

Feeling like an idiot I called the attorneys office again. They said it was still on. I asked them to call the auctioneer or who ever was suppose to show up and make sure. A few minutes later they tell me that he is delayed and will be there in about 10 minutes and to please wait.

I few more minutes go by and I call them back to ask a really stupid question. Am I in the right spot. They say yes and to please be patient and wait. A few more phone calls and it is 11:20 am. I give up and go home. (Anyone looking for dedicated idiot. (I am already happily married.)) At least the plow truck driver I talked to got a laugh.

I go home, take a warm shower. Standing around for 2 1/2 hours with nothing to do other then kick snow off the front steps, during a snowstorm, isn't the best way to stay warm.

I called the attorneys again a few times and eventually get someone who told me that the representative(s) showed up at nine thirty something. I give them a hard time. The only footprints in the front of the property were mine. I eventually get a hold of the auctioneers. They tell me that the representative(s) were there at ten minutes before nine. (Thank goodness I am happily married to offset the rest of my life.)

No part of this story is made up, especially the happily married part.


Regards,
Jim F.

[Guest]

If their is no equity in a home,
which is usually the case ,
no one shows up .

Same thing that happened to you
has happened to me , and many others .

They just lie , and pretend they were there .

The auction has simply become a phantom formality .

The bold face lying right to you
is what irks the heck out of you .

[Jim F.]

[Guest]

I cannot remember which one it was .

It has likely been more than one.

I have attended dozens of auctions over the years
and this has happened several times .

Sometimes it's a case of the auction being cancelled
at the last second , and I didnt know .

More often than you think ,
a "pretend" auction happens .

The auction company pretends they held an auction
and the Bank rep or law firm pretends he, it was there ,
and was the high bidder .

It saves on GAS this way .

You do know the lawyer and auction company
are often affiliated .

Bay State Auction for example
works with the same Law firm over and over .

Unless a house has equity ,
which you determine by looking at the mortgage
at the Registry of Deeds site (or similar)
dont bother showing up ,
because no one else will be there .