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Last modified: Wednesday, September 2, 2009 3:01 PM CDT
Estate auction sees Internet bidders
by Anna Jauhola • Daily News
Bidders from as far away as Pennsylvania and Indiana attended the estate auction of Rudy Dotzenrod Tuesday in Wyndmere. Although the out-of-state bidders weren't present at the auction, they did take advantage of the Web-based bidding offered by Steffes Auctioneers of Fargo since 2005.
"We get people from out of state a lot," said Geri Paul, Steffes Auctioneers advertising and marketing director. "Especially on an auction like this where you have unique items."
Rudy's son, Joel Dotzenrod, said his dad collected old tractors, stationary engines and other old farm equipment, some of which he restored. Rudy and his brothers, Al, Lloyd and Ralph, farmed together and owned Dotzenrod Implement in Wyndmere for 50 years. At the implement, they sold Minneapolis Moline tractors, Studebaker, New Idea, Owatonna brands, among others.
One of the unique items up for sale at the auction was a Minneapolis Moline Double Header, which is two tractors fused together to create more power. It was an experimental model tractor that Rudy and Al built. The Dotzenrods used the tractor for many years on their own farm, Joel Dotzenrod said.
Another unique item on the auction block Tuesday was a Graham Bradley tractor, later purchased by a bidder from Pennsylvania. "It was used for orchards," Joel Dotzenrod said. "Mainly because of its low profile, it could fit under trees."
Online bidders log on like the would on eBay, and sign up for a bidder number and register, Paul said. "They bid just like they are in the audience."
There is no live video of the auction, but the bidder can hear the auctioneer. As they follow the “crying,” they can click their bid and hear the auctioneer move to the next one.
For this particular auction, they brought in a number of collectors. They contacted collectors clubs, advertised with a Minneapolis Moline collector's magazine and just "reached out to people in that circle," Paul said.
"This is really a once-in-a-lifetime auction, to have this many antiques is sure unusual," he added.
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| About 400 people attended the Rudy Dotzenrod estate auction Tuesday to bid on unique items such as the Minneapolis Moline Double Header, pictured. photo by Anna Jauhola |
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