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                                                                      EXHIBIT 24


                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

                                    FORM 10-K

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: That each person whose signature appears below
has made, constituted, and appointed, and by this instrument does make,
constitute, and appoint Robert M. Wilson, Glenn E. Morrical, and Robert T.
Wilson, and each of them, his true and lawful attorney, with full power of
substitution and re-substitution, to affix for him and in his name, as
attorney-in-fact his signature as a Director or Officer, or both, of ROBERDS,
INC., an Ohio corporation ("Company"), to the Company's annual report on Form
10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998, pursuant to the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended, and to any and all amendments and exhibits to that Form
10-K, and to any and all applications and other documents pertaining thereto,
giving and granting to each such attorney-in-fact full power and authority to do
and perform every act and thing whatsoever necessary to be done, as fully as the
undersigned might do or could do if personally present, and hereby ratifies and
confirms all that each of such attorneys-in-fact or any such substitute shall
lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. This power of attorney shall
survive the death or disability of the undersigned.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Power of Attorney has been signed as of this 16th day
of February, 1999.



/s/ Melvin H. Baskin                    /s/ Jerry L. Kirby
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Melvin H. Baskin                        Jerry L. Kirby

/s/ Robert M. Wilson                    /s/ Gilbert P. Williamson
- ---------------------------------       ------------------------------------
Robert M. Wilson                        Gilbert P. Williamson

/s/ Carl E. Gunter                      /s/ Donald C. Wright
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Carl E. Gunter                          Donald C. Wright

/s/ Michael A. Bruns                    /s/ Howard W. Smith
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Michael A. Bruns                        Howard W. Smith

/s/ James F. Robeson
- ---------------------------------
James F. Robeson