Has ebay killed off normal car auctions?
Discussion
I used to love nothing more than heading the auctions and sit and watch and every now and again bid.
I am thinking of heading to my local car auction but it suddenly occurred to me has eBay killed it off or does it mean even bigger bargains are to be had due to the ebayers not wishing to leave their warm houses?
I am thinking of heading to my local car auction but it suddenly occurred to me has eBay killed it off or does it mean even bigger bargains are to be had due to the ebayers not wishing to leave their warm houses?
I don't think so. In fact if anything, it has made the general public more comfortable with auctions.
I'm also not convinced that EBay is a great place to sell judging by the number of cars that fail to sell there.
Even those that do, suffer a high level of buyers remorse and the sale fails to go through.
I went to one auction in the summer and was surprised how high cars were going for, I'm sure I'd be able to negotiate better deals from the classifieds. In fact, that's what I did.
I'm also not convinced that EBay is a great place to sell judging by the number of cars that fail to sell there.
Even those that do, suffer a high level of buyers remorse and the sale fails to go through.
I went to one auction in the summer and was surprised how high cars were going for, I'm sure I'd be able to negotiate better deals from the classifieds. In fact, that's what I did.
I think it depends on the auction house. Ive always been of the opinion that the larger ones ie manheim, bca are not selling bargains especially when the buyers fees are added into the price. The smaller local auctions may be cheaper, but the quality is not as good. At least with ebay you stand a chance of inspecting the car alot more before you place a bid. Still buyer beware with all three venues though!
I went to my local car auction few weeks back. It was mostly filed with motobility cars (cars for those considered unable to work, or move for that matter)
Some a little over 2 years old with plenty of scratches and dents.
Mostly Hyundai and Kia but some BMW X3 and X1
Just think buying privately is a more attractive option. You can get an honest motor with FSH and you can see it close up and have a test drive.
With most auctions you barely get a look and most are sold as seen.
If they're accident damaged repaired it just says CAT C or D and nothing more specific
In saying that a 2010 Honda CR-Z Hybrid went for £5k with 20k miles and it was CAT D repaired
Some a little over 2 years old with plenty of scratches and dents.
Mostly Hyundai and Kia but some BMW X3 and X1
Just think buying privately is a more attractive option. You can get an honest motor with FSH and you can see it close up and have a test drive.
With most auctions you barely get a look and most are sold as seen.
If they're accident damaged repaired it just says CAT C or D and nothing more specific
In saying that a 2010 Honda CR-Z Hybrid went for £5k with 20k miles and it was CAT D repaired
When looking for a car to make money from I don't bother with car auctions. They usually sell for higher than on ebay and at least with a car on ebay you can test drive it, if it's not up to scratch, you can pull out/negotiate. With an auction, you take a gamble and have no comebacks.
The only auction I would consider buying from is a local one that usually does house, garden, push bikes, etc. Every now and then they have a car. They go cheap as there isn't a big audience for them.
The only auction I would consider buying from is a local one that usually does house, garden, push bikes, etc. Every now and then they have a car. They go cheap as there isn't a big audience for them.
Escy said:
When looking for a car to make money from I don't bother with car auctions. They usually sell for higher than on ebay and at least with a car on ebay you can test drive it, if it's not up to scratch, you can pull out/negotiate. With an auction, you take a gamble and have no comebacks.
The only auction I would consider buying from is a local one that usually does house, garden, push bikes, etc. Every now and then they have a car. They go cheap as there isn't a big audience for them.
Not the case - most auctions offer two types of car. Those sold as seen (risky) and hose that are declared to have no major mechanical faultsThe only auction I would consider buying from is a local one that usually does house, garden, push bikes, etc. Every now and then they have a car. They go cheap as there isn't a big audience for them.
Escy said:
When looking for a car to make money from I don't bother with car auctions. They usually sell for higher than on ebay and at least with a car on ebay you can test drive it, if it's not up to scratch, you can pull out/negotiate
That's not how its meant to be. Auctions are risky, that is why they're cheaper than other places. It doesn't matter what kind of auction you use there is an element of risk, eBay has bent its rules to meet the needs of buyers who can't gamble and to mitigate the impact of sellers who are either deluded or outright liars.
I've only ever been to one proper auction - A BCA jobbie
Went on a research mission as I wanted to find out how much profit could be made buying and selling
After 2 hours sat recording what stuff went for I came home and researched prices on Autotrader and Ebay and came to the conclusion that car dealers either do it for fun or make money some other way - the margins were tiny or nonexistent.
After seeing the grade of scrap that went through for strong money I'd much rather take my time finding the right car from a dealer or privately
Went on a research mission as I wanted to find out how much profit could be made buying and selling
After 2 hours sat recording what stuff went for I came home and researched prices on Autotrader and Ebay and came to the conclusion that car dealers either do it for fun or make money some other way - the margins were tiny or nonexistent.
After seeing the grade of scrap that went through for strong money I'd much rather take my time finding the right car from a dealer or privately
Lots of the smaller car auction sites have been sold off for housing etc
The bigger places have very few bargains IME - just the odd car that doesn't suit trade buyers
Generally you can buy cheaper out of the classifieds but Traders go to buy more than one and can't be bothered driving all over the country.
All the people I know only put cars with serious problems into auctions - no test drive, no comeback - no thanks
The bigger places have very few bargains IME - just the odd car that doesn't suit trade buyers
Generally you can buy cheaper out of the classifieds but Traders go to buy more than one and can't be bothered driving all over the country.
All the people I know only put cars with serious problems into auctions - no test drive, no comeback - no thanks
POORCARDEALER said:
If you are buying cars in the 5-10 years bracket, out of 10, 5 will have serious expensive issues.
If you buy the cars with the auction 1 hour warranty and no serious defects you will pay fortunes for them.
Not the best place for dealers to buy used stock these days for sure.
Interesting PCD, where do used car dealers buys their stock from other than auction houses?If you buy the cars with the auction 1 hour warranty and no serious defects you will pay fortunes for them.
Not the best place for dealers to buy used stock these days for sure.
Do they search the usual websites and forums like us private buyers? Or do they have working relationships with large dealerships to take their px stuff from them?
Ive always been intrigued about car buying and selling
I work for Sytner, and we have an in house auction site, where all our trade cars get 3 day listed. They get a quick valet, then photographed, then a thorough check over by our dedicated trade guy, he loves nothing more than finding problems as it makes his life easier as customer are aware of problems before they bid, so he doesn't get as much agro if they find something upon collection. The purchaser can also return the car or reject it if they aren't happy
Works well, as people in the trade pay a subscription, but know its pretty good stock
It's called sytnernet
Works well, as people in the trade pay a subscription, but know its pretty good stock
It's called sytnernet
Faxo said:
I work for Sytner, and we have an in house auction site, where all our trade cars get 3 day listed. They get a quick valet, then photographed, then a thorough check over by our dedicated trade guy, he loves nothing more than finding problems as it makes his life easier as customer are aware of problems before they bid, so he doesn't get as much agro if they find something upon collection. The purchaser can also return the car or reject it if they aren't happy
Works well, as people in the trade pay a subscription, but know its pretty good stock
It's called sytnernet
Buy the odd one off it myself but don't pay subscriptions, cars do very very strong money on thereWorks well, as people in the trade pay a subscription, but know its pretty good stock
It's called sytnernet
lord trumpton said:
Interesting PCD, where do used car dealers buys their stock from other than auction houses?
Do they search the usual websites and forums like us private buyers? Or do they have working relationships with large dealerships to take their px stuff from them?
Ive always been intrigued about car buying and selling
The best source is usually Main Dealer part exchanges that they have underwritten prior to the deal being done. Do they search the usual websites and forums like us private buyers? Or do they have working relationships with large dealerships to take their px stuff from them?
Ive always been intrigued about car buying and selling
I went to my local one (Wandsworth bridge in Fulham) on Friday night for a 20minute look. Absolute rubbish; they must have had 40 cars tops and most were the kind of thing that people buy and use as unlicensed minicabs. Everyone there apart from me (all 20 people) looked like the people who drive unlicensed minicabs.
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