The veteran 7th month auctioneer !

[kopiuncle]

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Mr Tan Chew Lee, 65, is a veteran auctioneer during the Hungry Ghost month, with 40 years of experience under his belt.

When Mr Tan takes the stage, he uses a cocktail of flattery, force and good wit in a showy display of the art of persuasion.

During the seventh month, merchant associations, grassroots organisations and resident committees for the community will organise auctions to raise funds for Hungry Ghost festivities like getais and offerings as well as for staging dinners. Fu wu (lucky items) are sold to bidders in return for good fortune. The items range from prosperity urns, to big bottles of alcohol to childrens' toys and plants. Bids can run from hundreds of dollars and even up to $500,000.

Popular auctioneers like Mr Tan are well sought-after because they are able to work the crowds, persuading audience members to place higher bids

 

[kopiuncle]

you auctioned for all these things and you kept for one year and then returned to the organiser to be re-auctioned??? this is uniquely singaporean. plenty of drinks and plenty of makan....how come all the uncles and ah cheks so rich ?

 

[kopiuncle]

how many of you go to hungry ghost dinners , getais and shows? very interesting and very colourful. i really enjoy myself.

 

[GoldenDragon]

SSB visited at least 4 of these dinners and recorded down the particulars of those phai kia bin as if they suddenly realised these dinners are linked to SS/triads. Listen to some of the bids carefully - bid amount, whatever the amount, will end with 08, 18, 21, 24, 32 etc.