BCA Possible no more physical auctions

[Register1]

Hi all,

I was reading in the news that BCA are considering that they will have no more physical auctions.
All buying to be on line.
To buy on line, you must be a motor dealer.
So perhaps there is no way for Mr. J. Public to pop along and buy a car now and then.

Gloomy days.
I used to like popping along after browsing their online catalogue, amd putting in a bid or two.

Any one know any different, and will there be a way for public to buy still ?

[bennno]

Its a minefield as you are then entirely dependent upon their assessment and description.

We handed back a truly mint low mileage Skoda Yeti which was grade 1, yet it got listed as grade 3 - no doubt so somebody would get a better price.

On the flip side Ive seen cars described as grade 1 which were tatty and i'd not touch.

As a private buyer you can get much better value privately imho.

[Mikebentley]

It could be part of their WBAC and Cinch plans to dominate the market and kill the dealer network.

[Trevor555]

I always wondered how BCA got away with selling cars to the public but not having to abide by the same rules that car dealers do.

You can argue "auction rules " all you like.

But it was still a car sales business selling cars to the public.

[KungFuPanda]

Trevor555 said:

I always wondered how BCA got away with selling cars to the public but not having to abide by the same rules that car dealers do.

You can argue "auction rules " all you like.

But it was still a car sales business selling cars to the public.

Only deluded members of the public would expect any comeback from buying a duff car at auction. If you want consumer protection, buy from a dealer.

[jjr1]

Mikebentley said:

It could be part of their WBAC and Cinch plans to dominate the market and kill the dealer network.

Right now I would not doubt it. A friend has a Smart ForFour which they are looking to sell. I went to look at it this afternoon. After a quick look on WBAC I saw that they could probably get £5750. For that spec, age and mileage you can pick one up retail for £5,500.

I could not suggest anything other than get it booked in with WBAC and even if they knock them a couple of hundred, snap their hand off!

[CSLM3CSL]

It hasn't really been viable for private buyers to buy from auctions for a long time.

[ahenners]

Mikebentley said:

It could be part of their WBAC and Cinch plans to dominate the market and kill the dealer network.

This. Presumably the decent stuff can go into the Cinch network for them to sell directly at a higher retail price.

[Register1]

CSLM3CSL said:

It hasn't really been viable for private buyers to buy from auctions for a long time.

Possibly,
Depends on if Mr. Public is buying to keep for themselves, or sell on.

If the former, then they can raise the bid above the dealer bids, as the dealer must have some sales margin in it.

I have bought a few over the years,
Strictly to keep, and not to resell later.

[t400ble]

BCA and other auction sites don't was Mr Public buying from them anyway

Too many don't understand the way it work, then cry afterwards

[Trevor555]

t400ble said:

BCA and other auction sites don't was Mr Public buying from them anyway

Too many don't understand the way it work, then cry afterwards

This is correct, and I'll explain why.

I used to send my part X's to auction, along with any other car that didn't drive right, or well enough for me to be confident in retailing it/selling to the public.

They go through the auction on sale to the public with no mechanical checks.

Public then drives away in a car that's had zero checks for roadworthyness.

So I agree entirely, BCA should not be selling to the public, and never should have been.

[Maxbw]

What utter nonsense from quite a few people here. BCA was incredible. My dad taught me at 17 how to buy a car at auction, and since then I’ve bought 13, all in mint condition and paid anywhere from 1-6k less than private sellers. He wasn’t a mechanic but showed me how to listen to the engine when it was started in the forecourt and if your brain said, ‘something doesn’t sound right’ then walk away to the next one (there’s usually 25 of the same make/model in different styles and colours/interior outfits. I have literally never had an issue with one of them and actually made money after using it for a year or two. It just takes balls and having your wits about you. Ironically I took a mechanic friend of mine to purchase a vehicle for another friend because I knew auctions but as it was around 11k and not for me I thought it best to see what the mechanic thought and it was the only vehicle that had issues from day one. Anyway, it is a real shame they have closed to the public.. I’m not looking for another reputable auction house - it is exciting having a little real world auction that you can waltz into and leave with a vehicle well under market value. Side note - don’t sneeze when walking through the auction house - you might end up bidding 25k on an Aston Martin at 21 yrs old.. that really gets your juices flowing and not for the right reason

[Trevor555]

Maxbw said:

What utter nonsense from quite a few people here.

don’t sneeze when walking through the auction house - you might end up bidding 25k on an Aston Martin at 21 yrs old.. that really gets your juices flowing and not for the right reason

How many cars have you bought with sneeze bids then?

[123DWA]

Maxbw said:

What utter nonsense from quite a few people here. BCA was incredible. My dad taught me at 17 how to buy a car at auction, and since then I’ve bought 13, all in mint condition and paid anywhere from 1-6k less than private sellers. He wasn’t a mechanic but showed me how to listen to the engine when it was started in the forecourt and if your brain said, ‘something doesn’t sound right’ then walk away to the next one (there’s usually 25 of the same make/model in different styles and colours/interior outfits. I have literally never had an issue with one of them and actually made money after using it for a year or two. It just takes balls and having your wits about you. Ironically I took a mechanic friend of mine to purchase a vehicle for another friend because I knew auctions but as it was around 11k and not for me I thought it best to see what the mechanic thought and it was the only vehicle that had issues from day one. Anyway, it is a real shame they have closed to the public.. I’m not looking for another reputable auction house - it is exciting having a little real world auction that you can waltz into and leave with a vehicle well under market value. Side note - don’t sneeze when walking through the auction house - you might end up bidding 25k on an Aston Martin at 21 yrs old.. that really gets your juices flowing and not for the right reason

Tonight on things that didn't happen...

Your dad... Was he called Arthur and had a mate called Terry who drove a white Capri?

[Unreal]

Those of us of a certain age will remember car auctions with considerable affection

Row after row of rusty deathtraps, various Dads with their daughters looking for a first car, a few blokes in overalls and best of all, the dealers. Every Arfur variation known to man. Plenty of sheepskin coats and memorably at Shoreham, a regular that carried a Pulp Fiction style briefcase chained to his wrist. Lots of people like me - blokes who couldn't afford dealer cars and were looking for a bargain.

One of the key checks was oil under a car (most had it) but some of the bodges were great. Biscuit tins and pop rivets and lashings of Isopon. You expected anything you bought to need some work. You didn't dream of trying to return a car if you bought badly.

I nearly forgot the freezing cold, fags, tea in polystyrene mugs and the smell of burgers and onions.

I'm sorry that's all gone but today's snowflakes would never cope. Bit like the proper breakers' yards. Petrol head heaven.

[______]

Trevor555 said:

t400ble said:

BCA and other auction sites don't was Mr Public buying from them anyway

Too many don't understand the way it work, then cry afterwards

This is correct, and I'll explain why.

I used to send my part X's to auction, along with any other car that didn't drive right, or well enough for me to be confident in retailing it/selling to the public.

They go through the auction on sale to the public with no mechanical checks.

Public then drives away in a car that's had zero checks for roadworthyness.

So I agree entirely, BCA should not be selling to the public, and never should have been.

My son worked for a jag dealer and said any problem cars were packed off there. Similarly wbac don’t check cars mechanically.

It’s why when I’ve bought from them it’s always been in the ex Mercedes / bmwfs / ex arval sales