The August Long Weekend Online Auction is back again for another year — a promising opportunity for people to turn equipment, household goods, and more into cash with a little help from the experts.
2024 marks two years since Pembina Valley Auction Services has taken over this auction that was originally led by Bill Klassen Auctions.
“We understood that it was Bill’s last year,” Pembina Valley Auction Services owner Joel Heide explains. “So we approached him and asked him if there would be an opportunity for us to take it over. We met with him numerous times to learn more about how to deal with an auction of that magnitude. He was very helpful, and we really, really appreciate what he’s done for our business.”
Heide also thanks auctioneer Doug Penner for his help in setting up such a large sale.
Pembina Valley Auction Services does appraisals, as well as consignment, household, acreage, and farm auctions. A consignment auction is defined as a service where anyone can bring any amount of items and have the auction house sell the items in exchange for a portion of the proceeds. Item-wise, anything and everything can be brought to the block.
“It’s a quick, easy way to get fair market value,” Heide adds.
Big sellers in the local market include farm, acreage, and lawn and garden equipment.
While Heide is new to the auctioneering scene, he admits that he’d been interested for quite some time.
“I’ve always been intrigued by auctions. When I was younger, with a young family, there was an auctioneering course in Alberta that I was interested in, but I couldn’t justify going out to Alberta for two weeks. Then, three years ago, there was a similar course in Winnipeg. So I decided to take this course, start a company, and see where it would take us.”
Heide is pleased at how well his plans have turned out. The business is growing faster than expected, and he’s greatly enjoying learning on the job. Blown away by community support, he is both proud and eager to help local people who may feel overwhelmed at the thought of either downsizing or selling large items.
“It’s surprising even in 15 to 20 years how much stuff a person can accumulate without realizing it.” Heide says. “When people are moving [or] retiring from the country . . . and don’t want to be bothered with taking care of everything, they give me a call. We go assess what’s available, especially if it’s a large volume of stuff and it’s not worth them bringing it to the auction site. We try to make it as stress-free as possible for people.”
The August Long Weekend Online Auction happens July 30th to August 3rd. Items will be accepted July 24th to 30th. Those with items to consign are invited to bring them to Pembina Valley Auction Services during regular business hours. Off-site sale services are also available for larger items that may be difficult to transport.
“We just want to help people,” says Heide.
The auction lot is ¾ miles south of the junction of Highways 3 and 4, south of the Boundary Trails Hospital. Those familiar with the auction will note that it is the same location as the Bill Klassen Consignment Auction.
To consign or learn more, call Pembina Valley Auction Services at 204-362-4786, find them on social media, or visit their website.