Bidding is brisk for Aud seats
Seats from Memorial Auditorium saw brisk bidding during the first day of their online auction.
As of late Tuesday afternoon, nearly all the seats had bids, with seats 1 and 2 from Row U attracting the highest bid of $355. The bidding, which opened at 8 p.m. Monday and runs through next Monday evening, is going well, according to Brian Weinstein, an auction manager with Showcase Sports Marketing of Amherst.
"It's been a strong first day. We expected there would be good numbers at the start and anticipate it will be very competitive in the final day," Weinstein said.
A total of 100 sets of seats … primarily pairs with a handful of triples … are up for auction. Some 30 of the seat groups have been autographed by a range of Buffalo sports celebrities, including the French Connection, Randy Smith, Ernie DiGregorio, Jim Lorentz and members of the world champion Buffalo Bandits lacrosse team.
Among the seats still waiting for a minimum 99-cent bid nearly 24 hours into the auction was a pair of seats signed by former Buffalo Mayor Anthony M. Masiello and current Mayor Byron W. Brown.
"It's a one-of-a-kind, so I'm sure it will attract decent bids as the auction continues," Weinstein said.
Buyers should also be aware that seats purchased through the Internet bidding will come with hefty shipping costs. Winning bidders will be required to tack on a freight charge of $114 for sets of two and $144 for sets of three.
Showcase Sports has also added items sold at last weekend's "Farewell Old Friend" event in the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center. That list includes commemorative pennants, T-shirts and other small merchandise.
The site is also selling adapter brackets needed to allow the formerly wall-mounted seats to stand up on their own.
