Marilyn Miller
The Akron Beacon Journal, Ohio

WADSWORTH -- Local officials have found a more profitable way to sell outdated equipment and vehicles.

They have turned to eBay.

So far the city has used the Internet site to sell a fire engine and two ambulances.

"We are no longer confined to local buyers; when we go to eBay, we have the world," Wadsworth Fire Chief Ralph Copley said. "It has been very profitable for us."

Usually, bids are limited to local agencies that might be in the same situation as the community trying to sell. They, too, might need newer equipment or vehicles.

"We found that we get a far better response over the Internet," said Councilman John Sharkey, who sponsored legislation last week to allow the city to sell two police vehicles this year.

Two years ago, the city sold its 1975 fire engine for $5,760 to an independent firefighter, Chris Gantz, who has a part-time business remodeling and renting out fire apparatus for parties and parades. Some engines are equipped with toaster ovens, and the water hose area is replaced with a hot tub.

The company, Big Red Fun, used the Wadsworth fire engine for parades andbirthday parties for children.

When the company started to downsize, it placed the engine back on eBay and resold it two months ago.

Enter firefighters Rob Schreiner and Doug Reno, who belong to the Newport Township Fire Protection District, which covers five communities, including, coincidentally, the Village of Wadsworth, Ill. The two firefighters bought the old Wadsworth, Ohio, fire engine off eBay for $5,000.

They collect older fire apparatus, then refurbish it for fire competitions. They are members of the Society for the Preservation and Appreciation of Antique Motor Fire Apparatus in America. So far, the two firefighters have restored two antique fire vehicles they purchased from their fire district and the old Wadsworth engine.

Schreiner said they also will use the Wadsworth engine for public education and parades.

"The company left the Wadsworth name intact on the engine. Everything is in its original condition, but we plan on reapplying the gold leaf applique across the top of the cab that's a little worn off and to take care of some of the rust."

New standards

Copley said Wadsworth turned to eBay because the Fire Department had to upgrade its equipment. "The truck didn't meet today's standards," he said.

Copley said the older model didn't have seat belts, which are required now, and holds only 500 gallons of water. A 1,000-gallon tank is required now.

Wadsworth replaced the fire engine with a 2005 vehicle.

The replacement cycle for city vehicles is 25 to 30 years.

The city sold an ambulance to a construction company, which uses the vehicle as a tool truck. The other ambulance was sold to a small southwestern Ohio community that needed a second vehicle. Each sold for $3,000 and was 12 years old.

"We don't put a lot of miles on them, just a lot of hours," Copley said. "Most of the time the ambulances are there on the scene just idling."

Wadsworth has been selling its wares online for two years.

The fire chief, whose hobby is collecting post cards, made the suggestion to turn to eBay after seeing other firefighter paraphernalia there in his personal search.

This year, the Police Department has two cars to place on eBay.

Broker used

Wadsworth uses a broker, Chase & Co. Ministries of Seville.

"We've been selling for government agencies for the past four years," said Paul Eash. "Pictures are worth a thousand words. We post 60 to 100 photos on a vehicle, [so] people see exactly what they are getting. If there is rust, we will show it."

Chase & Co. Ministries has also done business with other local communities, including Doylestown and Sharon, Chippewa, Westfield, Granger, Chatham and Wooster townships.

Eash said the government doesn't put just vehicles on eBay. There have been listings for air tanks with masks, pagers and used radio equipment for communities. Some of the latest fire equipment on eBay went to a fire academy in Texas for half the cost of new equipment.

"Size and weight doesn't matter for the items we list," Eash said. "The goal here is to help both the buyer and seller -- for those who can't afford to pay top dollar for the latest technology and to put funds back into the pockets of communities."

Copyright 2009 Akron Beacon Journal
Akron Beacon Journal (Ohio)
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Business News
February 25, 2009 Wednesday