Archive for the ‘auto auction’ Category

Car Auctions

auto auction | Posted by rosita dian
Feb 12 2010

Good And Bad Deals In Car Auctions

vintage car auctions

Good and bad deals in car auctions have their equal share. Some first time buyers who’ve had a good deal may call it luck, but others who are more experienced at car auctions are just responding to some good opportunities. Here are the pros and cons of buying at an auto auction:

PROS

People with limited budgets and who want to buy a car find that there are a lot of choices in car auctions as compared with conventional car distributors and dealers.

For regular cars sold at auctions, buyers could secure reliable if not the best cars at very cheap prices. In most cases, organizers make it a point that the cars they sell are checked well for any damages or malfunctions and are in good condition.

At car auctions, even the best and most popular models are being sold with an added perk- they come at lower prices.

For car collectors, there are available auctions where vintage cars are featured. This may be a good opportunity to obtain some of the best cars without having to go through negotiations with owners who are unwilling to sell their vintage cars. Also, car auctions present great opportunities for buying really old cars without having to pay premium prices for the “vintage tag”.

CONS

Cars at auctions are sold at relatively lower prices because the items are typically second-hand autos repossessed by the mortgagors or the federal government. There is an added danger to this- there are cars labeled as second-hand but are not at all second hand, some of them could be third hand or more.

A lot of cars at auction are not in mint condition, many of them even have mechanical flaws. Such flaws may not be apparent during the auction due to refurbishments, repaints and fixes that were made on the car to make the item look their best. These flaws will start appearing once the buyer uses the car.

Some cars that are being auctioned are “hot” cars, meaning these may be smuggled or stolen. Chances are you’ll have problems regarding the car’s ownership.

Unlike autos being sold at regular distributors and dealers, those sold at auction usually do not have insurance coverage or warranties.

Different car buyers have different opinions on whether it is good or bad to buy a car at an auction. Thus the buyer has to rely on his best judgment backed by a considerable amount of research and use of gut feelings.

Check out the other information on reverse auction or reverse auction bid

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Car Auction

auto auction | Posted by rosita dian
Feb 11 2010

Must-Know Things about Car Auctions

salvage car auctions

Investment wise, buying a car at an auction is a smart move. But this should be done with extreme care because public car auctions have inherent risks and benefits. So before you jump in with your bid it is best that you are equipped with necessary knowledge about auctions. It is not all about finding great deals, it is also about dodging the possibilities of getting not-so-good ones.

First with the cars. Cars at auction are generally cheap. However, the mechanical condition of the cars suffers. You won’t know whether the car has mechanical defects or whether the paint is original or not until the buyer tests it. The problem with car auctions is that not all auctions have a viewing time.

Meaning some auctions will not allow the potential buyers to inspect the cars they are eyeing. Also, many organizers do not allow test-drives. Thus, any potential buyers are not certain whether the deal they are getting is good or bad.

Also, the cars are auctioned as-is. If the car has a dent then you’ll be buying that dent along with the car. Nearly all auction organizers do not bother on fixing the car before they bring it to the auction site.

Second, the extra charges. These may be small and can be easily dealt with however, for many buyers paying extra cash for some fees that they were not prepared for could spoil the deal. Paying the buyer’s premium, a fee charged to the person with the highest bid, could sometimes cost a couple of hundred dollars.

Third, the type of car auctions. There are several types of car auctions and these provide features that may not be had from other types. For example, there are auctions specializing only on second-hand cars, there are those that sell vintage cars and there are others that attract people wanting to buy salvaged cars. The buyer will then have to decide the options that suit him best which will let him get the best deal.

Fourth, knowing where to look for auctions. Different auction houses have different mediums for relaying their activities to the public. In short, there are many places to look for when wanting to find auctions. Advertisements are commonly found in radio announcements, local TV networks and car sale magazines.

Lastly, the car auctioneers. A lot of car auctioneers are reliable and reputed for their good services but some of them are not. So ensure to it that you go to auctioneers that operate on regular basis but sometimes, even that is not an assurance that you are getting the best deals.

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Auto Auction

auto auction | Posted by rosita dian
Feb 10 2010

What You Really Need to Know about Auto Auction

car auction

If you are planning to buy a car at an auction, you are likely to buy a car ‘in its present condition’. This means that if in case you have discovered later on that the car you have bought has certain defects, no one will be held accountable for the expenses you made for the repairs (unless the contract gives a special condition or if the manufacturer warranty is still valid). Thus, it is your responsibility to know exactly what you are buying so that you will not regret your purchase if you encounter any problem.

First things first: do not expect perfection. No matter how much the final price is, expect the possibility that the car needs some repairs or some parts need to be replaced. To avoid frustration, include in your budget the amount that may cost you on possible repairs. Inspect the car’s condition before bidding for it. It is wise to come early before the auction starts so that you have enough time to make your car selections. Make a shortlist and inspect them one by one.

Check the papers of the car you want to buy including the mileage, repair record, VIN, and safety ranking. Test drive if the auction house permits it.

Beforehand, do some research on the current market value of the car you are interested in. This will give you a clear idea on how much you will have to set aside on each car you see at the auction site.

The highest bid price you should set for each car of your choice must include the possible repair costs you may have. For example, the current market value of the car is $2,000 and the possible repair cost is at about $400, bid at the maximum of $2,000 minus the repair cost, minus the extra fee you have to pay at the end of the bidding.

Bring an expert if you can so that you can get an impartial assessment on the condition of the car you are interested in.

Things happen very quickly in a car auction so be attentive. A car can be sold within 30 seconds. And before you know it, there are no more available cars for you to bid on. Again, stay within your budget. You should not pay more than the actual market value of the car.

Remember, you can get great deals at a car auction but make sure that you know exactly what to expect in order to increase your chances of getting the best for your money.

Check out the other guide on fundraising auction or fundraising event

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