A fever came over the crowd of about 400 who gathered to bid on what's left of the museum. Laughter erupted as used iPods sold for $100 more than the price of a new device and cabinets sold for twice their retail value.
"Auctions are typical like that," said Joey Milla of Milla Vineyards in west Fresno County. "You really have to be careful and do your homework."
Milla was looking for some office furniture for his business, but like many bidders, he just watched as others drove the prices up. But the adrenaline-fueled bidding also delivered some deals.
Bob McClung spent $6,500 on a baby grand piano for his grandson, and he would've gone higher. "I was willing to pay until my wife pulled my hand down," he said.
The piano is a 1936 Mason & Hamblin, the same style played by the composer Rachmaninoff, and McClung tested it out during the preview on Monday.
"They don't sell them around here, but I happen to know Mason & Hamblin so I think I made a good purchase," said McClung.
Kristie Serimian proudly posed by the marble Fu Dogs that she'll take home with a $21,000 bid. The 5,000 pound statues were donated by the Taiwanese government and they guarded the museum on opening day in 1984. Now, they'll guard Serimian's home.
"I had a Fu Dog and it was in front of my home and it was stolen," Serimian said. "So it was comical. My husband and I were joking around and I said, 'I'm going to get these Fu Dogs and let's see them carry these off my doorstep.'"
But they could be targets for trouble.
Fresno Attorney Bob Rosati has asked the State Attorney General to stop the Met from selling off its art, claiming that as a non-profit, the Met shouldn't sell donated pieces to pay off debts.
The Met's board is still planning to auction of all the artwork. They'll decide by the end of the week which auction company to use and where it'll be done, but they already know it won't be done in Fresno because most art buyers are in the Bay Area or New York.
