The city's largest-ever annual police auction will showcase everything including jewellry, golf clubs, CDs, and a kitchen sink this weekend at a fraction of their original cost.
The Vancouver Police Recovery Auction is boasting a record number of bikes -- 650, on the auction block, and is dedicating Saturday as a bike-only auction day as a result.
Auction organizer Rob Kavanagh says he thinks many of the bikes are high-quality mountain bikes stolen from North Vancouver and recovered by Vancouver police.
"I've got way more bikes this year," he said. "Two-thirds of the sales are bikes ... including (ones) with full suspension, disc brakes ... Kona, GT, we've got Rocky Mountain, all top-quality names."
The vast array of other auctionable goods, including a sailboat, fur coats, scuba gear, electronic goods and power tools will be available for purchase on Sunday.
The annual auction is a Vancouver tradition, selling stolen items recovered by police that have not been claimed by their owners within six months.
The auction usually generates between $200,000 to $250,000, all of which goes back to the Vancouver Police Department.
Shoppers are able to preview the auction items on Thursday 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., Friday 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., or pick up a hard copy of the auction catalogue.
Kavanagh recommends potential buyers decide ahead of time what they want to spend.
"Come to the preview, and if you see an item you like, do some research on it," he said. "Establishing a maximum price you want to pay, that's the best way to do it, so you don't get over-excited and keep raising your hand and paying too much."
Many shoppers go to the auction searching for items they used to own. In that case, they are asked to provide proof of ownership, such as a receipt or photo, and the police will pull the item from the auction and return it to them.
Kavanagh says bikes are always a big seller and he is confident this year will draw crowds.
Every year, the number of bikes continues to increase. In 2007, 500 bikes were on sale.
The auction will be held at the Able Auctions warehouse, 1500 Lougheed Highway, Coquitlam. For more information go to
http://www.ableauctions.ca.
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I'm going on Saturday to look for some deals on bikes, anybody else heading out? I went a few years ago and they had sweet deals, I'm sure they will again this year. It's recommended to go to a viewing before hand so you know what you want. If you guys bought anything, post up what you picked up and for how much!
Brendan
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