Hampson Auctions and Collecting Cars

[Ross16v]

Hi folks, hopefully this is in the correct forum!

I’m looking to sell my car and am planning to go with Hampson auctions or Collecting cars. Does anyone have any feedback on either?

Both of them offer zero selling fees but I like the idea of having the car physically at the auction (Hampson) so people can have a look over the car before bidding. The only additional cost of Hampson is delivering the car from Scotland, which isn’t a massively bigger cost of the photography cost from Collecting cars.

Would be good to hear from people with experience with either option.

Thanks
Ross

[Krikkit]

I would also assume the transport down the country would open up a bigger pool of buyers.

That said, collecting cars seems to be very popular and well trafficked.

[Ross16v]

Yeah that’s true r.e. transporting the car down the country.

CollectingCars does seem very popular but am not sure where the extra value is as they seem a bit like a more popular version of ebay, but post sale they maybe just collect their fees and move on, not having to deal with the sale itself. I maybe wrong though.

[jason61c]

I'd do lots of checking about how collecting cars work.....

However I've never heard of Hampson's. I think collecting cars would hit a wider market, so out of the two I'd go there.

[Ross16v]

Hmmm, ah ok, I’ll read more into Collecting Cars before doing anything.

I thought Hampsons might be reasonably well known but this maybe isn’t the case. Does anyone have any other good auction house recommendations, preferably where they don’t charge too high a fee(s).

[samoht]

Ross16v said:

CollectingCars does seem very popular but am not sure where the extra value is as they seem a bit like a more popular version of ebay, but post sale they maybe just collect their fees and move on, not having to deal with the sale itself. I maybe wrong though.

CC may not get involved in the sale itself, however that may not be a wholly bad thing - having heard some experiences of sellers who have sold through other auction houses and then struggled to get their money.

I think eBay is a fair analogy for CC, however if it ends up getting you the best price for your car, then all to the good.

Look at previous auctions for similar cars on each site, and see which seems most likely to result in a good price?

[Ross16v]

That article about Coys is slightly scary reading.

I did have a quick look on CC and a couple of auction sites recently but will do a bit more research.

[Mr_Megalomaniac]

My only reservation about CC is the notable behaviour of staff or friendly parties bidding up prices. Something I can't stand.
Bonhams (The Market) seems more transparent on this.

[jason61c]

also, anything you say negative or honest tends to get banned/removed from here.

[KTMsm]

You fell for the "no selling fees"

If I'm looking to pay £100k for a car and the auction house has a 10% fee do you really think I'm bidding £100k or will I take the fees into account and bid £91k ?

So who is really paying the fees ?

I struggle to see what value Collecting Cars add - copy the format of their sales and stick it on ebay - as it has a wider reach

[lornemalvo]

Ross16v said:

Hmmm, ah ok, I’ll read more into Collecting Cars before doing anything.

I thought Hampsons might be reasonably well known but this maybe isn’t the case. Does anyone have any other good auction house recommendations, preferably where they don’t charge too high a fee(s).

Trade Classics present cars very professionally, do a weekly auction and do not charge sellers fees

[lornemalvo]

Ross16v said:

Hmmm, ah ok, I’ll read more into Collecting Cars before doing anything.

I thought Hampsons might be reasonably well known but this maybe isn’t the case. Does anyone have any other good auction house recommendations, preferably where they don’t charge too high a fee(s).

Trade Classics present cars very professionally, do a weekly auction and do not charge sellers fees

[Ross16v]

Hi folks, just wanted to post a quick update to complete the thread.

After the responses about Collecting Cars, I did some more research and decided against using them, and instead sent the car down to Hampson Auctions for their sale at Matlock at the end of Sep. They were very helpful, the car did well at the auction and the money was transferred to me on time.

Anyway, just wanted to post my experience in case anyone was in a similar position.