Feb/Mar 2013

Sickies Garage trading the wrench for a spatula

Page 22

18 Wheels
life behind the big wheel
Page 4

of Thunder

Garage Built
breathing life into a 56 chevy
Page 7

pull-out calendar

INSIDE February

how they run the online auction business

Bid-2-Buy
Page 10 Page 1

Do-Bid.com
The #1 Source to Buy and Sell in the Northland! Affiliate Program

Are you interested in entering the auction industry, or are you currently an auctioneer? Are you interested in accessing thousands of targeted auction bidders? Would you like to create targeted marketing plans to receive the highest returns on assets sold? Are you interested in using advanced software and individualized training to help you succeed? Are you interested in working with one of the top online auction companies? Would you like to own your own business and flourish?

If you can answer yes to any of these questions, email Don Oberfoell at don@do-bid.com or call 218-735-8619 and see how Do-Bid.com can help take your business to the top!!! Page 2 www.auctions-monthly.com January 2013

Scott Robinson scott@wheelsofthunder.net 612-730-3719

OWNER

Vince Griffith vince@wheelsofthunder.net 763-210-5801

OFFICE STAFF

Table of contents
Special Features
The Boiling Point........................................................................4

EDITORIAL STAFF
Tyler Hofstede auctionsmonthly@yahoo.com 763-210-5801

Garage Built................................................................................7 Bid-2-Buy..................................................................................10 Auctions Dates.........................................................................16 Sickies.......................................................................................22

Jessica Kanke jessica@auctions-monthly.com 763-210-5801

PHOTOGRAPHERS/WRITERS
Ceajea Philp Jenna Osterlund Mylie Lavold Erik Tormoen Jessica Kanke

Right now on auctions-monthly.com

ADVERTISING STAFF
SALES MANAGER: Jessica Kanke jessica@auctions-monthly.com 763-210-5801 SALES: Scott Robinson scott@wheelsofthunder.net

January 2013

www.auctions-monthly.com

Page 3

Written by Billy Boyle

18 WHEELS OF THUNDER
Many of our articles are geared to 2 and 4 wheeled vehicles, snowmobiles and watercraft, but all one has to do is to drive down any roadway in America and you pass the biggest mode of transportation on the roadway, the big powerful 18 wheeled semi. In my line of work I often drive hundreds of miles across several Midwest states. Its not uncommon to see semis in a neat file much like C.W. McCalls 1975 song Convoy. Occasionally one of these big rigs gets a bug up their butt and breaks rank. I can assure you this is the driver that is either behind schedule, or is getting the 3rd degree from the companys higher ups to move quicker or face discipline. Yes, in 2011 we still have idiots that wear the hat as a supervisor, manager, or employer that encourages bad behavior in the form on short cuts, speeding, and logbook fraud. For those of you that dont know much about the trucking industry, the drivers are held too much higher standards than the everyday driver both on the road and in their personal life. Getting back to the people responsible for the driver and the rigs in 2011 there is a higher percentage that do follow the regulations to the letter, but it only takes a few to make the industry look bad. The looking bad is rollovers, crashes, and multiple fatalities. Accidents involving large trucks are among the most serious and catastrophic in the United States. Trucking litigation involves claims against negligent truck drivers and the companies who hire them. Many factors may

contribute to accidents involving large highway vehicles including overloaded freight, driver fatigue, speed, substance abuse and many others. Truck drivers do not have the same visibility and quick maneuverability as smaller vehicles, which also contribute to many trucking accidents. I witnessed the aftermath of a horrible accident involving several vehicles and two semis. The accident was in the vicinity of Lakeville, MN in 2009, I-35 was in the process of a highway construction project. The traffic in the northbound lane was temporarily stopped. Coming I-35 was a semi traveling at least the posted speed limit of 70 MPH. The semi failed to recognize the stopped traffic; the semi proceeded to run over two stopped vehicles and struck the rear end of a stopped semi. The accident scene resembled one these terrorist attacks we often see on the evening news. The vehicles were both crushed beyond recognition and the occupants, a 24 year old young lady in route to show her husband and parents her ultrasound of her just found out pregnancy and the other occupant a local mother of 4. To make matters worse the stopped semi was car-

rying approximately 17 million bees which released on the highway crash site. The first responders had to be outfitted in hazmat suits to get near the impact area, as one first responder put it, it was the worse accident that they ever had to respond too. A grand jury returned an indictment charging the driver with three counts of vehicular homicide killing the two people and an unborn child. The root cause according to a State Patrol investigator the driver had been reaching down to the floor of the semi-tractor cab trying to pick up an energy drink, and was unable to stop by the time he looked up. A classic case of distraction, read the Boiling Point April issue Fatal Distractions you will see my point. Keep in mind the semi will win every time. Even though the root cause was negligence by the driver did anyone look beyond the accident? Basically was the driver forced to rush, was he behind schedule that taking a break would only put him further behind schedule, even a moment to stop for a drink? And was everything done on the fly? Do any of you remember an old episode of I Love Lucy in the chocolate factory. In that episode the supervisor threatens Lucy and Ethel with being fired if they couldnt keep up with the pace. The episode is a perfect display of some of the points mentioned in Wheels of Thunder Boiling Point article entitled Fatal Dis-

Page 12

Page 4

Find us on Facebook Wheels of Thunder

www.auctions-monthly.com

January 2013

December 2011

traction, rushing, lack of training, communication, and supervisor intimidation. Unfortunately in 2011 we still have the intimidation factor in almost any work environment. Some of these industries manufacturing, production, shipping, and over the road transportation all tie together and share the responsibility of the end result a major catastrophic accident. I have been personally tied to the transportation industry of over 30 years. Much of my career spent in the airline industry, but the last 6 covering all modes of transportation. I get to look at a lot of the accident details that most people dont get to see and only read about the high points in the paper. We tend to place much of the blame on the operator because they are the ones in control. But if you truly look at the behind the scenes antics by depot managers, shippers, logistics, and the big department stores, yes did I say department stores they are the catalyst that hold these drivers accountable and penalize them for late deliveries. Some the reasons for the late deliveries hazardous driving conditions, but yet the shipper or the receivers have no sympathy for the drivers decision to pull off the road for safety reasons. They are the ones that will be the first to discipline a driver, take routes away, pose a fine and suspend them from driving. So what does the driver do? You guessed it; the driver will take every short cut they can to keep everyone happy. Even if that means jeopardizing the safety of everyone on the road way. Case in point the winter of 2011, a nasty high wind blizzard condition snow storm shut down I-94 and I-90 from the Minnesota border through much of Wisconsin. The weather alerts specifically said stay DO NOT travel on a stretch of the mentioned interstates. As I traveled the next morning when the conditions improved I counted over 50 semis rolled, tipped, listing, or stuck along the interstate. You cant tell me that the drivers didnt have access to the weather alerts. Did they continue on their own accord or were they instructed to keep the load mov-

ing? Strangely at the truck stops along the way many rigs were parked and secured down until the weather improved. Again I will mention the operators are in control so they will take the brunt of a crash, rollover, or getting stuck due to fatigue or inattentive driving. I will guarantee you the forces behind the scenes in most cases will put the blinders on and place the blame on the operator. Why because as one driver puts it, There are two very known and stated rules in the trucking industry: 1. It is always the drivers fault! 2. If there are any questions refer back to rule number 1. As I interviewed the well seasoned driver that I will call Dean, I was in awe on what the drivers see as the problems with over the road driving. As Dean pointed out, Greed of some drivers, the shippers, bigger trucking companies, and the Department of Transportation, (DOT). They all play a role in what is currently happening to drivers in the industry. Greed of the drivers are a big part of what brought on the need for regulations, the greed was associated with the stereotype trucker popping pills and energy drinks to keep moving. You know to get that next hundred miles in, and the next hundred, and so on, so they can clear a fat paycheck. With the regulations applied over the last ten years that driver has been choked out of the business. But accidents are still on the rise, we still have fatigued drivers WHY? Some of those regulations implemented to prevent the so called driver fatigue. Drive time verses rest time, the regulation states that a driver must complete a break of 10 hours after having driven for 11 hours or having worked a combination of driving and non-driving for 14 hours. The companies interpret that to mean those wheels will roll for all but those ten hours. If the driver needs to eat, take a shower, stretch-out, exercise, get a hair cut, watch TV, or feel human it will happen during the 10. That doesnt leave much time for sleep. All is one has to do is to follow this mathematical nightmare for a week and you find that the driver eventually has their days and nights reversed. Have any of you readers heard of 3rd shift syndrome? This is a classic example of how the lacks of sleep factors greatly in many of trasportation disasters we see across our US Roadways. As my new friend put it, how many of us could

do this day to day in a regular job routine before you burnt out? As far as the trucking companys go the larger companies tend to get a green light through the weigh stations and inspection stations, while the smaller companies get the full meal deal. This is good example of the smaller company or the independent driver that takes the hit at the weigh and inspection stations while big brother trucking company gets the get out of jail free card. Hearing this from the drivers, I cringe as I travel several thousand miles month for my own business. I am all for over-the-road driver safety and inspections, but this is another example of putting the little guy behind schedule and I hate to say it encourages bad behavior as in short cuts. From a employee transportation perspective we have put more novice and inexperienced drivers on the roadways in the last five years, and why is that? Take a look at the unemployment in the United States, there are unemployed workers in the US that no longer have a career path in the occupation they set out in, companys downsized, dissolved, work went abroad. Some of the unemployed that I often sit with a Job Workshop, have sought out seeking their commercial drivers license (CDL). These are the guys and ladies that never even gave a thought of over the road hauling. These are the guys and ladies that are not conditioned for this type of workload, hours on the road, horrible sleeping and eating conditions, and the pace needed to keep up. Yup like the Lucy video these drivers are the ones that are more apt to have catastrophic event. Now lets intimidate them with job loss, suspension, fines, citations, and discipline, now we have the recipe for disaster. As I write this article, a semi truck carrying milk, rear ended a tanker carrying 7700 gallons of diesel fuel in Phoenix Arizona. The tanker carrying the fuel literally blew up in a massive ball of flames. The milk driver was killed. The immediate business and residential area was evacuated for several hours. The root cause has yet to be determined, but the traffic was at a dead stop. You can figure this one out. I am a supporter of everyone one of you out there that sits in the drivers seat of one of these big rigs that we call 18 wheelers. I am sympathetic to every rig I drive by in the middle of the night knowing that most of you have left your families for several days as you put the miles on. You are truly an American Institution, I just hope you get recognized by your employer, the loading docks you deliver too, and us casual drivers on the roadway that need to give you a break every once in a while. For the drivers that pass these rigs give these guys and ladies a toot and a thumbs up (thats thumb) once and while, they are what makes America grow every single mile traveled.
www.WheelsofThunder.net Page 13 Page 5

December 2011

January 2013

www.auctions-monthly.com

Page 6

www.auctions-monthly.com

January 2013

1956 Chevy
Another Junkyard Project Turned Beauty Written By Ceaja Philp Car Owner/Enthusiast:

Vern Schafer

Stock Original
This is where it all started!

Sound Familiar?
Do you have a story of your custom ride? E-mail editor@wheelsofthunder.net and you could be featured with your ride in the next issue!
Page 6 Find us on Facebook Wheels of Thunder January 2013 www.auctions-monthly.com September 2011 Page 7

A diamond in the rough...ok, if you're from a small town in North Dakota it's more like...a rusty piece of metal and a good idea with a ton of creativity, experience, and skill. There is no diamond in the rough, there is a vision and the right person to make it happen. The rusted old cab that Vern Schafer started with for $50 out of a junk yard was just that. He picked up his 1956 Chevy 1/2 ton cab in about 1990. He started doing a little work on it, but because of his day job and his many other projects, ended up setting it aside for about 6 years. Finally, Vern was able to pull the Chevy back into the work bay in late 1996. The cab sits atop a stock frame and a '78 Z28 sub front frame. The rear has been cnotched to set it all together nicely. He added fiberglass front fenders and made a custom box with hours of molding and welding involved. The floor of the box is stock wood. It has a tilt wheel, stereo and a bench seat from a '69 Ford. There is a 9 inch Ford rear end to support play time off the line at the drag strip or from the stop signs through town. The back tires are 275 6015s on 15x10 rims and the fronts are 215 6515s on 7" rims.

This red beauty runs 8.53 in the eighth mile with a 468 engine with about 400hp. Vern spent many hours forming and shaping the perfect body work, and most of the paint was laid down by close friend Brian Hopfauf, owner of Central Dakota Customs in New Rockford. Vern has done many builds through the years, most of it was out of necessity and because it was just part of life. He recalls never having anything 'new', instead always built or rebuilt. He needed to keep his daily driver running and making it from point A to point B. It comes natural to him though because his Dad, Bill was a 'builder' to say. Schafer Machine has been a long time part of history in New Rockford, ND. Vern was instilled with 'make do with what you have'. So....with the skills and experience through the years building trucks and cars, he didn't just 'make do'...he made and continues to make amazing hot rods, muscle cars, rat rods, race cars and more. This truck is just another of Vern's long list of successful builds that draws attention everywhere it goes, and be assured there is always another project in the works (maybe like a drag racing wagon sporting a big block;)

Page 8 September 2011

www.auctions-monthly.com

January Page www.WheelsofThunder.net 2013 7

January 2013

www.auctions-monthly.com

Page 9

Curt Werners cell phone rings with the consistency of a steady heartbeat. The short and stocky owner of Bid-2-Buy Online Auctions fields phone calls with the cadence of a seasoned auctioneer, negotiating with clients from the Bid-2-Buy headquarters in Elk River, MN. Werner, a 27-year veteran in the auction industry, has been a licensed auctioneer since 1985. He founded Bid-2-Buy in 2003 when he recognized that the advances in digital technology, especially the Internet, signaled online auctions as the way of the future. Today, Bid-2-Buy conducts several auctions per week, selling merchandise that ranges across diverse markets, such as: automotive, agricultural, real estate, tools, restaurant equipment, office equipment, furniture, and collectibles. Bid-2-Buy especially excels at selling vehicles and large equipment. But regardless of the auction, Bid-2-Buy is committed to fostering an auction experience that is enjoyable for bidders and sellers alike.

Page 10

www.auctions-monthly.com

January 2013

Bid-2-Buy greatly values its sellers. Accordingly, they emphasize the importance of customizing each auction to accommodate the needs of the seller. Understanding that each project poses a new set of circumstances, Bid-2-Buy strives to tailor their services to match the unique demands of each situation. In this regard, Bid-2-Buy is more than willing to conduct auctions either on site at the sellers personal/ business location or at Bid-2-Buy auction headquarters. Promotion is a vital component to the success of any auction and, in order to ensure the optimal promotion of each auction, Bid-2-Buy offers sellers a wide array of different marketing packages. Sellers have the opportunity to promote their auction through various different media, including: newspapers, magazines, online auction forums, online business forums, social media websites, banners, and signs. Recently, Bid-2Buy has especially focused on expanding their presence in social media. In the coming months, the company plans to offer promotional giveaways (e.g., tickets to sporting events, gift cards, apparel) for people who like their company Facebook page. Additionally, those who like the Facebook page now enjoy the benefit of having exclusive access for previewing upcoming auctions in their entirety.

January 2013

www.auctions-monthly.com

Page 11

In an altogether different venue, Bid-2-Buy has recently expanded its promotions to an international level by teaming up with Cottew Motorsports, becoming a proud sponsor of snocross racer Bobby The Rage LePage at X-Games 2013. Moving forward, Bid-2-Buy is committed to further building substantive partnerships with community organizations such as Cottew Motorsports. While Bid-2-Buy constantly strives to provide its customers with the utmost flexibility, the company is unbending in its commitment to providing a comprehensive and timely service.

Bid-2-Buy prides itself in having a knowledgeable and responsive support staff. Because of its reliable staff, Bid-2-Buy is proficient in facilitating all facets of the auction process. Every auction is subjected to a thorough preparation phase, during which all items are organized, tagged, cataloged, photographed, and then uploaded to the website. Bid-2-Buy especially takes pride in providing bidders with accurate descriptions and detailed photographs. In addition to managing the set up process, Bid-2-Buy also offers its responsive administrative staff as an open line of communication for addressing any auction-related inquiries. Prior to the closing of each auction, bidders have the opportunity to come in and preview merchandise under the supervision of Bid-2-Buy staff members. Once an auction has closed, Bid-2-Buy facilitates the collection of payments and oversees the secure removal of all merchandise. When asked how he accounts for his companys success, Curt Werner responds frankly, From the beginning, our company has tried to stick to a few core values. Personalizationwe try to custom fit each and every auction; innovationwere always trying to find new ways to be better; and integrityas a small business, we pride ourselves in being open and honest with our clients. Keeping sight of those core values has made all the difference. Whether youre a seller or a bidder, Bid-2-Buy has the resources to fulfill your auction needs. And by sticking to their core valuespersonalization, innovation, and integrityBid-2-Buy has distinguished itself as one of the premier auction firms in the Midwest. Check out Bid-2-Buy.com for all your auction needs!

Page 12

www.auctions-monthly.com

January 2013

January 2013

www.auctions-monthly.com

Page 13

Page 14

www.auctions-monthly.com

January 2013

January 2013

www.auctions-monthly.com

Page 15

Auction Dates
4-Bid
Ramsey Warehouse Snowblowers and Tools Monday, February 4th, 2013. - 6:00 PM 7060 143rd Ave N.W. Ramsey, Mn 55303

Bid-2-Buy

Surplus Tractor Equipment Ends: February 11th, 2013 4437 Hwy 212 Montevideo, MN 56265

4-Bid

Common Cents#15 Equipment, Tools & More Tuesday, February 5th, 2013. - 6:00 PM 4155 Viking Blvd NW Oak Grove, MN 55304

Bid-2-Buy

Surplus Auto & Furniture Auction Ends: February 11th, 2013 9569 County Rd 16 Pequot Lakes, MN 56472

Hiller Auction

Public Auto Auction Thursday, February 7, 2013 - 1:00 PM 830 Barge Channel Rd. St. Paul, MN 55107

Bid-2-Buy

Auto & Estate Auction Ends: February 13th, 2013 3385 State 210 SW Pillager, MN 56473

Bid-2-Buy

Auto & Antique Auction Ends: February 8th, 2013 216 Railroad St. St. Clair, MN 56080

Bid-2-Buy

Auto Auction Ends: February 13, 2013 1420 West 3rd Ave. Shakopee, MN 55379

Bid-2-Buy

Shed, Auto Shop Tools, Snowmobile, Semi Trailers Ends: February 8th, 2013 216 Railroad St. St. Clair, MN 56080

Bid-2-Buy

1999 Triton Bass Boat Ends: February 13, 2013 720 4th St. NW Elk River, MN 55330

Bid-2-Buy

Bid-2-Buy

Auto & Antique Auction Ends: February 8th, 2013 1004 1st St. NE Buffalo, MN 55313

Framed Art Ends: February 13, 2013 720 4th St. NW Elk River, MN 55330

For More Auction Dates Visit: www.auctions-monthly.com

Page 16 www.auctions-monthly.com January 2013

Bid-2-Buy

Customer Returned Tools Ends: February 14th, 2013 16038 Jarvis St. NW Elk River, MN 55330

Henslin Auction

Live Fundraising Auction Saturday, February 23rd, 2013 - 5:00 PM 500 19th Ave. SE Willmar, MN 56201

Henslin Auctions

Toy & Collectable Auction Saturday February 16th, 2013 - 9:00AM 770 W Hwy 23 Paynesville, MN

Zielsdorf Auction

Boehnke Waste Management Online Auction Monday, February 25, 2013 - 7:00 PM 409 4th St. N Marietta, MN 56257

Bid-2-Buy

Semi Trailers, Tractors, Equipment Ends, February 19th, 2013 - 1:00 PM 1741 Raddison Rd. NE Blaine, MN 55449

Henslin Auction

Land Auction Wednesday, February 27th, 2013 - 1:00 PM 413 Bluejay Ave. Mayer, MN 55360

Bid-2-Buy

Bath & Tubs Ends, February 20th, 2013 16038 Jarvis St. NW Elk River, MN 55330

Bid-2-Buy

Auto & Tractor Auction Ends: February 20th, 2013 Monte Used Equip. Sales Montevideo, MN 56265

Hiller Auction

Public Auto Auction Thursday, February 21, 2013 - 1:00 PM 830 Barge Channel Rd. St. Paul, MN 55107

For More Auction Dates Visit: www.auctions-monthly.com

January 2013 www.auctions-monthly.com Page 17

Page 18

www.auctions-monthly.com

January 2013

Your # 1 Source To Buy And Sell In The Northland!

January 2013

www.auctions-monthly.com

Page 19

Page 20 Page20

www.auctions-monthly.com

January 2013

January 2013

www.auctions-monthly.com

PagePage 21 Page21

Page Page22 22

www.auctions-monthly.com

January 2013

January 2013

www.auctions-monthly.com

PagePage 23 Page23

Page Page24 24

www.auctions-monthly.com

January 2013

January 2013

www.auctions-monthly.com

PagePage 25 Page25

Page Page26 26

www.auctions-monthly.com

January 2013

January 2013

www.auctions-monthly.com

PagePage 27 Page27

Page Page28

www.auctions-monthly.com

January 2013