Posted: 11/25/07 Section: Diversions

Media Credit: Gene J. Puskar, The Associated Press Dave Kauffman, who traveled 220 miles from Marysville, Ohio, in search of vintage, remote-control model airplanes takes one of five loads of purchases to his car during an auction Nov. 2, 2007 in Waynesburg, Pa. Kauffman, 49, has trolled the Internet for live auctions east of the Mississippi, selling his finds at flea markets and online. The volume of goods and services sold at live auctions totaled $257 billion in 2006, a surge of 7 percent over 2005.

WAYNESBURG, Pa. - His chanting is rhythmic and rapid, a staccato string of numbers that quickly grows hypnotic as auctioneer Kevin Teets scans the audience, eyes darting between buyers on opposite sides of the room.

Perched in the front row is Dave Kauffman, who has come 220 miles from Marysville, Ohio, in search of vintage, remote-control model airplanes and accessories.

Within hours, Kauffman has so many planes and parts, to be resold at flea markets and online, that it takes five trips to load his hatchback at the Greene County Fairgrounds.

"I can tell from the first sale if it's going to be a good night," he said. "Tonight was a very good night."

Although auctioneers initially considered the Internet a threat, its growth and development of searchable Web sites like AuctionZip have contributed to a boom in the live-auction industry, with one-time rivals forming partnerships that produce bigger audiences for sellers, often by simulcasting live auctions on the Web.

Buyers emboldened by success on eBay and other sites are seeking live sales in search of lower prices - and the thrill of competing in person.

Sales of goods and services at live auctions totaled $257 billion in 2006, a surge of 7 percent over 2005.

A study for the Kansas-based National Auctioneers Association found residential real estate auctions have grown 39 percent since 2003, agricultural real estate grew 33 percent, and sales of commercial and industrial property surged 27 percent. Car auctions increased by 10.5 percent and charity auctions rose 16.5 percent.

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