Couple moves auction office to Marion
Staff writer
Don and Karen Wedd, who live in Peabody, transformed a side gig into a downtown Marion business with Uneek Auctions.
The couple conduct both online and on-site auctions.
They have been doing auctions since 2020 but moved the business to 110 E. Main St. in Marion this year.
The transformation to full-time auctioneers happened after both lost full-time jobs during COVID-19 shutdowns.
“I haven’t worked for a paycheck for years,” he said.
Having more time to devote to their auction business allowed them to grow it.
When they started, they bought inventory online and sold it online. People said they could make a lot more money doing online auctions.
The couple tries to complete an auction every two weeks, Don said. Some recent ones have lasted more than a week.
Each auction is set to close on a particular day. Most auctions are completed around 9 p.m.
“We offer shipping so people can pay online,” Don said.
Some auctions, such as estate auctions, sell items stored in the owners’ homes.
Sometimes families call them in a hurry because a house has already sold, and the contents need to be gone quickly so new residents can move in.
“This year, we got our real estate license as well, so we can be all-inclusive,” Karen said. “We can sell the house and the contents.”
Uneek Auctions also offers consignment auctions.
Their business covers a large area, including most of Kansas.
Their online site has more than 21,000 registered bidders. More than 100,000 potential customers get emails about auctions.
Karen said the couple was trying to set up a lunch-and-learn event, and at some point, might be featured in a documentary.
“We’ve always had a love for antiques and collectibles and grew up going to auctions,” Don said.
Karen is a Marion County native. Don grew up near Great Bend.
This story has been updated to add Uneek Auctions’ address and remove a statement that the business once operated in Peabody.