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Treasure hunters converging on Fergus Falls
Published Thursday, November 13, 2008
Antiques Roadshow is a popular program on public television. Next week something similar will make its stop in Fergus Falls, all week long. The Treasure Hunters Roadshow will run from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, Nov. 17-21, at the Bigwood Event Center, Fergus Falls.
“What treasures are stashed around Fergus Falls? We’re about to find out,” said Shannon Stott, director of public relations for Treasure Hunters Roadshow that’s based in Athens, Ill. “During our free event, people have the opportunity to talk to world renowned antique and collectible experts.”
People in the Fergus Falls area and throughout Otter Tail County are welcome to bring in items such as coins and paper currency issued prior to 1965, toys, dolls, trains, vintage jewelry, old and modern musical instruments, war memorabilia, gold and silver jewelry, costume jewelry, advertising memorabilia, swords, knives and saggers, to name a few.
“You or your next door neighbor just might be the next person to find a jackpot in the attic,” Stott said. “We encourage people to start digging and be ready to have some fun and make some money this coming week.”
She was asked why Fergus Falls was selected as the stop for Treasure Hunters Roadshow this coming week.
“We have a Minnesota branch that operates from the Twin Cities,” Stott said. “With Thanksgiving the following week, and people wanting to be home with their families, it was logical for us to book an event fairly close to the Twin Cities — a three-hour drive from Fergus Falls.”
Since 1996 the Treasure Hunters Roadshow has visited more than 600 cities throughout the United States and Canada. Organizers offer some tips for people bringing in their collectibles this coming week to the Bigwood Event Center.
Don’t clean the antique or collectible. You could do serious damage to any finishes or the item itself.
Expect to wait a few minutes, depending on the crowd. Bring a book and also enjoy watching other Roadshow appraisals at the event.
Bring along all broken jewelry. Gold prices are higher than ever right now. Bring as many items as you want. There is no limit.
Any gold, silver and platinum coins are extremely sought after by collectors. All silver dollars, halves, quarters and dimes made before 1965 are surprisingly valuable today.
“Additionally, our show manager will share with you the many inspiring human interest stories that you can expect from the Treasure Hunters Roadshow while we’re in Fergus Falls,” Stott said. “During a recent show in Sturgis, Mich., two sisters brought in a Gibson guitar that belonged to their father. They walked away with $2,000.”
Treasure hunters make offers based on what collectors are willing to pay. When someone decides to sell, they get paid on the spot. Treasure Hunters Roadshow representatives then send the item to the collector — at the collector’s expense.
Inside the Bigwood Event Center this coming week, tables will be arranged in multiple stations where individual associates are sitting. Sellers will be asked to come to a table where an associate will examine an item. The items are then laid out on the Treasure Hunters Roadshow buyers table for viewing, appraisal and purchase offers.
“Have fun with your search,” says Stott.
Comments
The Daily Journal is happy to host community conversations about news and life in Fergus Falls and the surrounding area. As hosts, we expect guests will show respect for each other. That means we don't threaten or defame each other, and we keep conversations free of personal attacks. Witty is great. Abusive is not. If you think a post violates these standards, don't escalate the situation. Instead, flag the comment to alert us. We'll take action if necessary. It's not hard. This should be a place where people want to read and contribute -- a place for spirited exchanges of opinion. So those who persist with racist, defamatory or abusive postings risk losing the privilege to post at all.Posted by sametoyou (anonymous) on November 13, 2008 at 1:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This is no more then a company that rips off people! Never get an appraisle from someone that then wants to buy it from you(red flags)!Get a local appraisal, and sell it locally! These companies thrive on ignorance. There are local consignment auctions. If you consign locally early enough, your item or items will get advertising. I suggeest contacting Aasness Auctions for top dollar and great advertising. There are other local appraisers and auctioneers also. The type of company in the article are great at conning the elderly!
Posted by watermelon (anonymous) on November 13, 2008 at 2:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You "suggest aasness auctions for top dollar and great advertising." You're no better than the people you admonish. But you are correct in your assumption about a company that appraises, and then offers to buy all in the same show-. I've also had auctioneers tell me to throw valuable stuff into the trash, because all they're interested in is the quantity of items to auction off, not quality.
"Two sisters walked in with a gibson guitar....they walked away with 2000." Sad...depending on what it was, they could have gotten ten times as much. But we'll never know the specifics.
Be careful folks...if you want to know the value of your items, there is a wealth of information on the internet for free. Don't be the person that gets hosed.
Posted by werty (anonymous) on November 13, 2008 at 3:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I suggest the daily journal remove the comparison to the Antiques Roadshow.
Posted by sametoyou (anonymous) on November 14, 2008 at 8:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
watermellon, sorry you had a bad experience with an auctioneer. They are not all like that! My experience with Aasness has only been positive, that's why I used them for example. Apparently you read more into what somebody comments then what they are actually saying. If you were to ask Cary Aasness about the quality vs quantity, I'd bet a pay check, he would tell you the opposite! He has told me many times, he wants quality over quantity!
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