• Article Photo. Crowds gather around the auctioneer as he makes his way among the items offered at Geiger's sale.
    Crowds gather around the auctioneer as he makes his way among the items offered at Geiger's sale.
  • Article Photo. Hundreds come from all over Iowa and beyond to Geiger's auction twice each year.
    Hundreds come from all over Iowa and beyond to Geiger's auction twice each year.
  • Article Photo. John Lehman, and the Hoge brothers help with the auction calling at Geiger's auctions near Vinton.
    John Lehman, and the Hoge brothers help with the auction calling at Geiger's auctions near Vinton.
  • Article Photo. A bidder signals to the auctioneer while trying buy this trailer.
    A bidder signals to the auctioneer while trying buy this trailer.
  • Article Photo. A friendly reminder to buyers to not disturb the staff as they document the sales and prices.
    A friendly reminder to buyers to not disturb the staff as they document the sales and prices.

 

For the past 13 years, hundreds of people from all over Iowa, and even some surrounding states, have been making the trek to Vinton for the Geiger auction.
Twice each year, in the spring and the fall, Jeff Geiger holds a consignment auction at his property just north of Highway 150 on 24th Avenue Drive.
This year’s spring auction also included auctioneers John Lehman and brothers Kenny and Andy Hoge of Coggon.
“We usually run 600 to 800 bidders,” said Geiger.
Geiger began doing the auctions in 1997. He said he decided to get involved in the business after Dell Hanson stepped down from the role.
“I went to auction school that year,” said Geiger. “I thought it would be a good way to start.”
People come from Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Illinois to the Vinton auction, said Geiger.
“We usually have something unique each time,” he said. “A good auction catches everything”
Antique farm equipment, and even rocks have been sold at auction at Geiger’s place. Most of the items sold there are farm-related.