They were after a bargain and virtually cleaned out every lot at an unique motor vehicle and memorabilia auction in Whanganui yesterday.
The centrepiece of the auction was property from the estate of the late Horice Guildford including some classic cars.
While the cars didn't sell, everything else on offer under the Guildford name did.
The auction was held at Boyd's Auto Barn and owner Ed Boyd said it was a "huge success".
"Some vehicles did sell including a Commonwealth Games Holden and couple of Fiats," Mr Boyd said.
But there were no bids for a partially restored 1933 Cadillac that Mr Guildford owned.
"I've heard someone maybe interested so we're expecting an approach," he said.
It was the third such auction at his property and Mr Boyd said there will probably be another in about a year's time.
While the classic cars didn't sell on the day virtually everything else that was on offer did find a new home.
And what stuff there was. It included old kerosene lamps, tools, old bottles and drill presses. One lot was simply identified as "34 boxes of old tins". And bidding even got some dollars for a Readers Digest Do-It-Yourself manual.
About 20 people had items lined up for the auction and Mr Boyd said it attracted buyers from as far north as Auckland, Taranaki, Manawatu and Hawke's Bay.