A seasoned bargain hunter, I don't usually get too excited when stores announce their going-out-of-business sale because most of them last 60 to 90 days and the initial discounts are modest. Didn't Linens N Things start its GOB sale at 10 percent off everything? Yawn.

So I thought I'd wait a couple of weeks before heading to Home Valu to share the current discount percentages. I tried to reach the stores by phone first, but the connection is a fast busy signal. I went to the Bloomington location which has a sign on the door to call 763-571-6100 or go to Auctionmasters. Well, the 763 number to the headquarters doesn't work, but the Auctionmasters site indicates that the auction begins at 7 p.m. Feb. 8 at the Bloomington location next to Savers (1901 American Blvd. W.). Inspection is from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Feb. 6 and Feb. 8 at the store.

The Fridley location is also closed. I did not check the Minnetonka location but the phone does not work. i assume that those locations will also have separate auctions on Auctionmasters.com. By the way, the Home Valu website is under construction....at least as of today.