Even the shelves are up for auction!
The contents of a famous farm and hardware supply shop in Ballinagh are set to be auctioned off in a two-day online auction beginning on Tuesday, March 28, at 1pm
B&F Stores, which shut down in 2018 after 46 years of business following the retirement of their owners William Foster and Frank Brady, was described as providing a ‘one-stop shop’ for builders, farmers, householders, and the general public.
The premises of the shop was purchased in 2022 by Cavan County Council to be used as a multi-purpose community space and remote working hub.
The auction will be conducted by Ballyjamesduff Mart, whose manager John Tevlin that there is a wide range of products available for purchase in the sale.
“It’s amazing what’s available. There’s a serious variety. People can purchase items from household goods and ornaments to DIY to fencing to angle grinders, tools, and gardening equipment. We also have shower units and parts for stoves and cookers.
“Everything is for sale, there is a change of use on the premises so everything is for sale, there’s no reserve on anything, we need to get rid of everything. The shop is closed, and the premises are undergoing a change of use. Even the shelving is being sold.”
The auction is being held entirely online, which is a format that is proving to be popular among members of the public according to John.
“We held an online auction for a different client in Cavan last year. There were 2,000 lots and it was very well received. For this sale, we have a pictured catalogue where people can see what is for sale and all of the stock can be viewed in person on March 21 from 4-7pm, but most just view it online.
The Marteye app will be used to hold the sale, which John says a lot of people, especially farmers will be familiar with.
“The Marteye app is being used. It is already used to sell machinery and livestock, so people have used it before. It was used to conduct sales a lot during Covid. It means people view sales and bid from the comfort of homes, or even if they are on holiday. In the past, we’ve had bidders from New York. It means the world is a small place. It’s one of the few positive things to come out of the pandemic. Sometimes the sales go on until 1am.”
Some people feared that the move to online sales would prove difficult for older people who might find it difficult to adapt to the new technology. However, John says this isn’t the case as he says that older members have proved themselves to be more than capable of making the change to the new platform, which he says came as a surprise.
“Older people have embraced online sales. Many of them that were unable to go to the mart so they began watching online. They’ve tuned in and it would surprise you how well they’re able to cope and do their business online, whether they’re buying or selling. A lot of older people wouldn’t be able to do business if it wasn’t for the app, it’s extended their time for buying and selling lots they’re interested in.”