A?hive of activity spread across the yard of the Sanitation Service Authority in Wildey, St Michael, as scores of Barbadians converged there at a public auction yesterday.
On offer were about 24 abandoned and out-of-service vehicles comprising trucks, pickups and station wagons.
Bidding was hectic, starting from $100, with one purchase going as high as $3 600.
Government auctioneer Alkins Kirton said the reason behind the sale was that it was uneconomic for the Government to maintain the stock.
One man who was happy to be part of the action was Ryan Belgrave, a representative of Owlie’s Trucking.
“When you want something you have to pay for it. If you don’t, somebody will get it. There were so many people out, I was shocked because I was looking for ten or 15 people,” said Belgrave.
He added he would have had better deals if some of the big players were not present.
Renaldo Maughn, of Discount Auto Repairs, who was the first to purchase one of the vehicles for $800, was also surprised at the number of people in attendance. He said a Government auction was the place to be.
“When we take them away we put them back up. It costs us a fraction of what it costs them [to do so],” said Maughn.
It was explained that the buyers would purchase the disused vehicles to strip for parts.
“It was a very good turnout,” said auctioneer Kirton, adding that people had their “uses” for the derelict equipment.
The purchasers have a week to move the vehicles from the SSA compound. (JS)
