DFW International Airport Online Auction Already A Record-Setter With Two Weeks To Go

(DFW INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT – January 19, 2007) – DFW International Airport’s latest online auction is already breaking records with another two weeks of bidding still to come. The Airport has set a record for web hits on the auction site with more than 9.4 million page views. Additionally, the Airport’s previous record for earnings in an online auction is $538,000, but the current auction is poised to overtake that sales figure in the next day or two. 

DFW is auctioning hundreds of surplus vehicles and equipment that were used to build International Terminal D and the Skylink people mover system. The auction also includes portable buildings, office equipment and a variety of audio-visual and computer equipment in prime condition and ready for use. 

“We are amazed at the response we have had so far,” said John Wesley White, vice president of procurement at DFW. “With 14 days of bidding left, we’ve already set a record for web hits, and we’re already on the verge of setting a new sales record. And we’re seeing very strong interest in construction equipment and vehicles of all types.” 

The leading bid item so far is a 1997 Fiat Allis road grader (Lot #1015), which is currently going for a price of more than $21,000. 

The Airport’s goal is to raise more than $3 million in the auction, which would make it the largest-grossing online auction in DFW history. Lots opened for bidding on January 8, and the auction will start staggered closings of the lots on January 29th. All of the merchandise is available for browsing at www.dfwairport.com or at www.renebates.com, the web site of Rene Bates Auctioneers, Inc. of McKinney, Texas, the firm that handles DFW’s online auctions. 

In addition, interested parties may also come out to DFW and view the lots from 7 a.m. until 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at various locations during the auction period. Interested individuals may call 972-574-4741 or 469-323-0100 for directions. 

The Airport began utilizing online auctions as a pilot program in 2003, with 70 lots of merchandise netting $50,000. Each proceeding auction has set a new record, with the last auction generating more than $500,000 in sales and over five million hits to the host Web sites.