ISTANBUL (AFP).- "Going, going, gone!" resonate the enticing chants of auctioneers in the narrow streets of a trendy Istanbul neighbourhood, fascinating onlookers who are surprised, not so much by the fast pace of the bidding, but by the prices in such economically troubled times.

Auctions may have a reputation for being the staid preserve of the wealthy to joust politely for rare collectibles or master paintings that can go for millions of dollars.

But this is not the case in Balat, a historic neighbourhood on the shores of the Golden Horn estuary frequented by tourists and locals alike who enjoy the hipster cafes and historic churches.

Here, secondhand objects, from used furniture to toys, go for knockdown prices.

Istanbul doesn't have a tradition of jumble sales, although there are secondhand shops.

But, about five years ago, low-price auction houses began to spring up in Balat, giving residents another way to rid themselves of unwanted goods.

And with shop prices rising as the Turkish lira has tumbled, losing nearly 30 percent of its value against the dollar last year, the auctions offer a welcome alternative.

Auction houses now regularly pack in the crowds, and for many, it is their first time.

"I came here for a walk with my son but when I heard the chant and saw the sign that it is free to join, we popped in out of curiosity to see what an auction looks like," said Murat, standing in front of the cashier, having won the bidding for a laser pen for his son at 10 lira ($2, 1.7 euros).

"I have never been to an auction before. I always thought it is for rich people.

"I really like the ambiance here. It was quite fun and the prices are very reasonable.

"I will definitely come again," he said.

'Dynamic ambiance'
The auction houses go all-out to create an experience that draws people in.

Auctioneer Ali Tuna invites those who hesitate at the door to come in and take a seat.

Cracking jokes to put people at ease, Tuna banters with the audience like a standup comedian.

Wearing a black fedora style hat and a clip-on mic, he skillfully describes every item to the crowd, walking it around to give people a closer look, be it a simple pen, dagger or silver mirror.

"I must keep the ambiance dynamic," said Tuna. "I cannot let the energy die down."

To some, "the guy with the hat" is half the reason for coming back.

"You meet different people, some are coming to satisfy their appetite for antiques and some merely for five-penny items," said Tuna.

Outbid
An entertaining atmosphere, almost like a show, is important to the business model.

As the commission charged for selling bargain items is low, the houses need to auction a large volume of goods, so having a room packed with clients is critical.

Some auction houses double as cafes, adding to the attractiveness of the atmosphere and provide organisers with another revenue source.

"It's really fun here," said Hulya Sahin, a middle-aged woman.

"I join the auctions as a social activity."

Then there is the excitement of bidding, and getting a good deal.

"Ten lira, 10, but I am looking for 15, now 20, now 35, 40 and 50," Tuna chanted with increased tempo, holding up a blue Ford model car.

"It was very competitive," remarked Nil Su, a university student, who paid 50 lira to get the model for her younger brother.

"I could have bought it at a much lower price but for that man," she said, smiling, as she pointed to an older man sitting in the front row who kept raising the bid.

'Affordable prices'
Still, many believe the auctions offer a good deal, which isn't something to be sniffed at, given that Turkey has faced a sharp surge in its inflation rate, which hit a 15-year high in October at more than 25 percent.

"With the current state of the economy, people's purchasing power has drastically dropped," said Yavuz, who both buys and sells items at the auctions.

"Here they can find products at more affordable prices."

Ercan Altan, who has transformed his coffee house in Balat into an auction house, said that not all starting prices were as low as $2.

"There are some products you cannot start the bid from $2, like this gramophone," he said.

"We start, let's say with 1,500 lira ($280) and sell it to the closest bid."

Arda Gurler, who runs an online auction website for old documents and engravings, said the Balat auction houses were not for serious collectors -- but acknowledged that wasn't the point.

"It is like a spontaneous theatre over there. When you stay five minutes, you enjoy the ambiance."

© Agence France-Presse