Finders keepers, losers weepers

A $10 Motorola pager, a $16 Panasonic pull-out car radio and a $15 cell phone were some of the bargains students and faculty purchased at the lost and found auction, sponsored by the Property Office, on Tuesday.

At the west end of the SPA Building, surrounded by yellow-caution tape, two auctioneers conducted a public sale of items that had been kept at the lost and found for over six months.

"There are a lot of great deals here that are right within the budget of many of us," Terri Gibson, an instructional aide in special education, said.

Gibson purchased a Guess wrist watch, which she said was in "mint condition," for $25.

Nelson Araujo, civil engineering major, purchased a Motorola pager for $10. Araujo said he was "ecstatic" with his new goods. He said the auction lacked organization, but it was a fun way to meet new people. He advised people who need books to come to the next auction.

"It's fun bidding against other people and I love to win," Marina Hang, business major, said. She bought a Fila jacket for $8.50. Hang also purchased other items because she "couldn't stand losing the bid."

Paul Michaels, accounting major, said people do not come to the auction to buy anything in particular but more for the fun of it. Michaels', who lost a bid for a cell phone, said the auction lacked organization. He recommended passing out flyers and providing seating.

"The items should have been laid out swap-meet style," Jonathan Kellogg, business major, said.

The items were in boxes or trash bags and many bidders said they were hard to see.

"They don't let you look at [the product] or turn it on," Monica Tolone, business major, said. She bought a broken calculator and later tried to resell it, to no avail.

Haroldeen Griffin, a lost and found employee, said that each year they try to improve the auction. Cathy Verdugo, an employee in shipping and receiving and auction assistant, said they always start out organized but gradually get a little chaotic.