Bodnar’s Auction Reinvents Itself During COVID-19 Pandemic and Is Selling Off Most of Its Live Auction Supplies!

On August 4, 2021, Bodnar’s Auction will be selling off a surplus of live auction supplies! COVID-19 forced Bodnar’s to move operations to an online-only auction due to New Jersey restrictions. Then, the state of New Jersey took over their location at the New Jersey Convention & Expo Center as a COVID-19 hospital and vaccination center. This forced Bodnar’s, like most in the auction industry, to move operations to online-only auctions. “The past year and a half have been quite successful,” stated Joe Bodnar, owner of Bodnar’s Auction. For the past 28 years, Bodnar’s has run live auctions in several large facilities like a traveling carnival. At one point, Bodnar’s auction ran six auction rings at one time when they were based in Somerset, NJ.

In 2004-2008, Bodnar’s got a taste for online auctions when they were one of the first auction companies to partner with Liveauctioneers and eBay as a part of eBay Live Auctions. In 2008, eBay did away with this service, and many parent companies emerged, but Bodnar’s stayed true to the excitement of the live event. The pandemic forced Bodnar to move once again to online sales. Now with better technologies in play, they can broadcast the sale live on the internet. “This is a game-changer,” Bodnar explained.

Now, instead of a boring computer screen, you can view the sale live on your computer. You will find live auctioneers and callers describing all lots in the sale. This keeps the feeling of the excitement of the live auction process. With this new technology and the worldwide reach, Bodnar explains how prices have been better than ever! “Granted, in one way, there is more work with cataloging and photographing. Now we are shipping hundreds of items every month, prices for the sellers are better than ever! We have reinvented ourselves in this COVID-19 world, and we have raised our standards.”

All auctions in the past were as-is, where-is, and buyer beware. With Bodnar’s now selling online, they catalog and stand behind everything they sell. This is a big plus for buyers and sellers alike. Buyers can bid with confidence knowing the items are guaranteed to be what they describe. Bodnar had to make the decision to stay online or move back into the traveling show. Bodnar decided to stay online for the next few years and, in doing so, needed his own services to liquidate auction supplies. This sale is packed with microphones, sound systems, showcases, rolling racks, carts, 4-wheel dollies, tubs for transporting the goods to the sale, office equipment, moving pads, miles of extension cords, jewelry supplies, TVs and AV equipment, and anything else you can think of to run an auction. Whether you are looking to start an auction, are a DJ, deal with transporting items, or sell in flea markets, there is something for you!

They are even selling the original wooden bidding paddles they used to use 20 years ago, which was a staple at their auctions for many years, reminiscent of the $5.00 deposit for the paddle because everyone would want to take them home! Close to 30 years of nostalgia from the traveling show days is about to cross the auction block. “This is not the end of the live auction or the auction service we provide,” Joe Bodnar explained. “In fact, our first live auction event is in Cape May, NJ, at the Cape May Convention Center on Beach Ave. on September 11, 2021. However, the days of a 6-ring auction every month at the NJ convention center, I do not see us returning to.” He explained.

As of today, they have enough estate collections to fill every sale for the rest of this year with a 6-month waiting list for drop-offs! The auction will take place on August 4, 2021, at 11:00 am. You can bid online on multiple platforms, including one on their website, Invaluable Auctions, Auction Zip, or LiveAuctioneers. They offer local pick-up in Monmouth Junction, NJ, or shipping worldwide on most items. You can preview the items in person by appointment only also in Monmouth Junction, NJ, on Tuesday, August 3, 10:00 am-4:00 pm. Buy, Sell, Consign, Get in the Action! Call 866-349-7378 to find out more.