- Norman GrindleyA section of the crowd of competitive bidders vie for electronic appliances and furniture during the Gleaner auction at the Cinema II venue, New Kingston, yesterday.
Lynford Simpson, Staff Reporter
MICHAEL CHANG, a farmer and father of two admitted yesterday that Christmas had come soon this year - and with good reason.
With well over one million Gleaner dollars stuffed into his pocket, bag and wallet, he walked away from the second Gleaner Auction held at Cinema II, New Kingston, with a truck full of appliances. Among his targeted items were a freezer, washing machine and refrigerator. Mr. Chang was adamant he would not leave without a stove.
The Stony Hill, St. Andrew, resident who works a 30-acre farm in Bog Walk, St. Catherine forked out a whopping $1.4 million in 'Gleaner Money' for a washing machine and $400,000 for a toaster at the previous auction held in October at the Marketplace, Constant Spring Road.
On that occasion he spent more than J$17,000 buying copies of The Daily Gleaner and turned up with $2.5 million in Gleaner dollars. He was severely tested then by a crowd that filled and overflowed the Marketplace on Constant Spring Road.
For yesterday's event, Mr. Chang spent more than J$14,000 and admitted every cent was "money well spent". He forked out $240,000 in Gleaner money for the freezer, $340,000 for a Mabe washing machine and $510,000 for the refrigerator.
"The last time the bids were high but I'm an expert at these things," Mr. Chang said afterwards. He added that "I know what it's all about. I have been going to many auctions here and overseas. When I leave here I'm going to a C.D. Alexander auction". When asked what he will be doing with two washing machines, Mr. Chang, who is married with two children, said he will be giving one to his father who, he said, taught him how to bid at auctions.
When Pauline Crooks' baby is born around February 4, 2002, the chest of drawers she bought yesterday for 400,000 Gleaner dollars will suit her just fine. A librarian at Immaculate Concep-tion High School, Mrs. Crooks thanked her colleagues at work whom she said helped her clip Gleaner dollars with just that purpose in mind. She admitted to spending around a J$1,000 out of her own pocket stacking up on The Daily Gleaner.
"This is better than the first one. That time I came with about $100,000 and got nothing," the Shortwood resident said. Any amount of money you have you can get something this time," she observed.
Yesterday's bid price started as low as $1,000 in an attempt at satisfying those persons who had complained that only the "big money" people were able to make a purchase the last time. Additionally, there were incentives for special groups, making it possible for children under 10 to bid for items like bicycles and persons over 60 being allowed to bid for items like fans and standing lamps.
Many more items were up for grab yesterday including computers, a living room suite and small appliances. Fabian Robertson, a 20-year-old student of Windward Road, Kingston spent a total of $620,000 for a television set and VCR.
Like the last time out, MCs Jenny Jenny and Ity, of Ity and Fancy Cat fame kept the crowd in stitches.
Norman Marshall, The Gleaner's circulation manager, admitted afterwards that yesterday's event was better organised in terms of crowd control. "I think more people will leave here happier than they did at the last one," he noted.
