Located just north of Barrie, Ken Sowman and his son Corey, are now operating family run, online antique auctions.
“Two Guys Online” is a successful online liquidation company, and Ken has a long history with antiques, antique auctions and the antique business in general.
So if you have questions concerning consignments you can contact Ken and Corey directly 705-716-4894 or email 2GuysOnlineAuctions@gmail.com, you can contact me at rob@robsageauctions.com or Rick 705-725-4071 lasales4@gmail.com
Retirement Post
It’s official now. Our final auction was our June 11-14 2023 online auction….and what an auction it was!
Over 900 lots, and by far a record auction for us, live or online!
I could not have imagined, or asked for, a better final auction. I wanted to go out on a high note, and we certainly did!
It took about two weeks to take care of the customer pickups, shipping, and deliveries, but we managed to pack up, clean the hall and turn in the keys June 30.
Lots of hugs, handshakes and best wishes from buyers and consignors…some of whom have been with me for over 20 years.
I think of the final auction, and of course then go back to our first auction in Bond Head, July 1996. Mom and Dad, David Beasley, Don Garner and myself, set up the auction. Carol Beasley & Patti Vanderdonk did registration and payment. My brother Brian helped hold up during the auction, and my sister Kris and brother in law Gerry Jansen did the food booth. (and would continue doing the food booth until 2020).
Right from day one, the auctions were large, and well attended. We packed them into the Bond Head hall for 14 years, most of the auctions were Friday nights, and then Saturdays in the winter months.
We then started doing huge May to September sales in the Cookstown Curling club, and then moved to Pottageville for our final years of live auctions. Final auction in Pottageville was March 2020, just one day before the pandemic lockdowns started!
Over the years we sold over 150,000 pieces and had 1000’s of people register for the auctions. Never a shortage of good items to sell, and always lots of good buyers. I consider myself very fortunate.
The pandemic forced us into online auctions, which was something I never thought I would do. The first few sales we operated out of three storage units in Barrie, then moved to a large former nightclub (ok, it was a swinger’s club but the pandemic put them out of business!). 8 months later we moved to the nice facilities in the Bayfield Mall, and that was our final location.
The online auctions were successful beyond my expectations, and eventually exceeded all previous sales records on a regular basis.
I did the photos and created the auction website listings, while Rick Osborne acted as my right hand guy (mother hen), looking after deliveries, pickups and everything else I needed to keep the business running. My brother in law Gerry looked after the shipping. With just the three of us, we managed to increase the sales dollars, by over 50%.
The final three years were hard work…60-70 hour weeks, and often 7 days a week, but it paid off. I estimated I shot and edited over 150,000 photos for the online auctions. Basically, my days and evenings were spent doing photos, but that’s what it takes to do successful online auctions.
So, without regret, our final auction was June 2023. The timing was right, I felt like I had done everything I could do with the online auctions, and at my age, I was not interested in expanding the business any further. It was time to move onto a new chapter in my life and catch up on the things I had missed out on the last few years.
I plan on taking it easy the first few months. We have a nice property in the country, and I want to spend time working on landscaping, and getting back to enjoying the property. Spending more time with family and friends is a big priority as well.
I will be helping a few auctioneers with their auctions, and probably doing a little buying and selling myself. Occasional small live auctions are not out of the question, so everything is on the table right now. The important thing for me, is to keep busy doing the things I want to do, without any real commitment. Focus on the fun stuff!
One of the things I am most proud of over the last 27 years, is my incredible staff, many who have been with me since the beginning.
Many thanks to my mother Audrey Sage, my late father Norm Sage, sister and brother in law Kris and Gerry Jansen, brother Brian Sage, Carol and David Beasley, Patti Vanderdonk, the late Donnie Garner, Charlie McAteer, Rick and Lynne Osborne, and Lisa Ferrie. Family and friends always there when I needed them on this 27 year journey.
Of course, I also want to thank the 100’s of consignors and customers. Great sellers, great buyers…that’s what makes for great auctions!
So now I embark on new journeys and look back without regret. It’s been a good run. There’s an old showbiz adage “always leave them wanting more”. I hope we’ve done that.
Thank you for everything.
Rob
NEW FURNITURE AUCTION MAY 7 2023
SUPREME FURNITURE & MATTRESSES
LIVE! LIVE! LIVE! AUCTION!
320 BAYFIELD STREET BARRIE ONT.
SUNDAY MAY 7TH 12:00 NOON SHARP!
The Lease Has Expired And Everything Must Be Sold To The Bare Walls!
Furniture, Mattresses, Vacuums And Home Décor
Viewing From 11:00 am Day Of Sale And Also Saturday May 6th 10:00-4:00 pm
Approx 300 Lots Including Up To 50 Assorted Vacuums, Brand Names Including Bissell & Hoover.
SUPREME FURNITURE 320 Bayfield Street (Bayfield Mall) Beside Dulux Paint
Barrie Ont L4M 3C1
CALL RICK OSBORNE, AUCTION CONSULTANT FOR DETAILS: 705-725-4071
QUALITY OFFERING INCLUDING: Mattresses, King, Queen And Double Including Nova Form, Bay Rest, Serta And Kingsdown.
Leather & Material Sectionals; Reclining Sofas; Loveseats & Recliners, Accent Tables; Lamps; Dining Furniture And Home Décor!
Bring Your Van, Truck Or Trailer….OR Delivery Is Available At A Reasonable Cost. Items Can Be Removed Up To Four Days After Auction
TERMS: 10% Buyer’s Premium. Cash, Interac/Debit, Visa, Mastercard.
Valid ID Required To Register
Subject To Additions Or Deletions. Everything Sold “As Is”, “Where Is” With No Guarantees Unless Otherwise Stated. All Sales Are Final.
FREE COFFEE AND SNACKS!
Final Auction! June 11-14
On-Line Antique Auction…Our Final Auction!
Yes, this is it…after 27 years of live and online auctions, I’ve made the decision to retire!
You can read more details below
THANK YOU FOR AN INCREDIBLE FINAL AUCTION!!!
Bidding Opened Sunday June 11 6:00 Pm
Soft Closing Wednesday June 14 7:00 Pm
I Am Wrapping It Up With Our Largest Offering Ever…OVER 900 Lots!
Featuring Original Artwork & Prints; Sterling Silver; Country & Formal Furnishings: Quality Glass, China, Moorcroft Pottery; Collection Of Antique Banks: Inuit Soapstones; Early Electric And Coal Oil Lighting; Cameras; Crocks Including Barrie Canada West; Grandfather & Mantel Clocks Including Pequegnat,; Bronzes; Primitives & Country Décor Items; Quilts; Jewelry Including Sherman; Porcelain And Tin Signs; And Much More!
Thank You For 27 Great Years Of Live And Online Auctions!
THIS AUCTION IS NOW FULL.
I would like to thank the 100’s of consignors over the last 27 years, who have allowed me to maintain the quality and variety our auctions became known for.
Especially my long time regular consignors, some who have supported me for over 20 years. We weathered the highs and lows together, and I have always appreciated that!
If you have items you wish to sell, please contact me, and I will try and offer suggestions for appropriate auction houses to contact.
Discover The Fun & Excitement Of Our ONLINE Antique Auctions!
For Past Auction Results Click Below
Yes, I Am Retiring In June Of This Year!
(click for more details)
April 30-May 3 Online Antique Auction
On-Line Antique Auction
Sunday April 30 6:00 Pm-
Closed Wednesday May 3 7:00 Pm
Over 600 Lots Featuring Antique Country & Formal Furnishings; Original Artwork & Prints; Wayne Gretzky Rookie Card; Singer 221 Sewing Machine; Early Electric & Coal Oil Lighting; Porcelain & Tin Signs; Stained Glass; Crocks; Primitives & Country Decorating Items; Clocks; Sherman Jewelry; Quality Glass, China And Pottery; Inuit Soapstones; Bottles And Much More!
Our Second Last Sale Before Retirement In June!
THANKS FOR ANOTHER GREAT AUCTION!
Check out the auction results.
Discover The Fun & Excitement Of Our ONLINE Antique Auctions!
For Past Auction Results Click Below
Yes, I Am Retiring In June Of This Year!
(click for more details)
March 26-29 On Line Auction 2023
On-Line Antique Auction
Sunday March 26-Wednesday March 29
Auction Closed Wednesday March 29 7:00 Pm
Another Quality Offering Featuring Formal & Country Furnishings; Original Artwork & Prints; Jewelry Including Nice Offering Of Sherman; Bronzes; Sterling Silver; Stained Glass; Early Electric & Coal Oil Lighting; Nice 
Offering Of Primitives And Country Décor Pieces; Decoys; Steiff Bears; Porcelain & Tin Signs; Glass & China And Much More!
Discover The Fun & Excitement Of Our ONLINE Antique Auctions!
For Past Auction Results Click Below
Yes, I Am Retiring In June Of This Year!
(click for more details)
Feb 26 2023 Antique Auction
On-Line Antique Auction
Feb 26-March 1 2023
Thank you all for another record breaking online auction! Check out the auction results!
650 Lots Featuring A Nice Selection Of Country, Formal & Mid Century Modern Furnishings Including Oak Stacking Bookcase And MCM Teak Revolving Bookcase; Accent Tables; Small Chests Etc; Original Artwork Including Mary Ella Dignam; Limited Edition Prints; Quality Glass, China & Pottery; Vintage Advertising; Porcelain Signs; Large Offering Of Sterling Silver; Crocks Including Blue Flower Brantford CW; Early Electric Lighting Including Stained Glass And Mid Century Modern; Coal Oil Lamps; Nice Selection Of Sherman Jewelry; Singer 221 Featherweight Sewing Machine; Wide Variety Of Primitives And Country Décor; Nice Selection Of Cups & Saucers; Inuit Soapstone Carvings & Native Art; Variety Of Good Pyrex Including Some Nice Rare Pieces; Coca Cola Collectables; Hunting Knives; Bottles & Sealers; Funeral Lanterns; Fishing Lures; And Much More!
Discover The Fun & Excitement Of Our ONLINE Antique Auctions!
For Past Auction Results Click Below
Discover The Fun And Excitement Of Our ONLINE Antique Auctions!
Retirement June 2023!
Click on photos more details
Jan 22-25 2023
On-Line Antique Auction
Our First Auction Of 2023!
Bidding Opens Sunday Jan 22 6:00 Pm
Closes Wednesday Jan 25 @ 7:00 Pm
We welcome in 2023 with another nice offering featuring a selection of antique country and formal furnishings; original artwork and prints; Sherman jewellery; early electric and coal oil lamps; clocks; nice selection of glass, china and pottery; wide variety of primitives and country decorating pieces; fishing tackle; Inuit soapstone carvings; porcelain and tin signs; scales; bottles; sealers; toys and much more!
Discover The Fun And Excitement Of Our ONLINE Antique Auctions!
This Auction Is Now Full. I Am Accepting A Limited Number Of Consignments For Our Late Feb. Auction
For A Very Early Look At The Auction Click Below
Retirement June 2023!
Click on photos more details
For Past Auction Results Click Below
EMAIL:
PHONE:
rob@robsageauctions.com
(705) 305-5662