Tips To Bid Better at a Car Auction

Many auto auctions are available to the public these days, which many people are simply not aware of. However, the good news is that since no dealer’s license is necessary at public auto auctions, almost anybody may purchase vehicles at auction rates. Buying a car at auction, on the other hand, is not the same as buying a used automobile from a dealer or an individual. Here are a few pointers to help first-timers through the auction process.

Have a Budget

It’s easy for you to get carried away when on a used car auction site. Used car auctions are a lot of fun. It’s tempting to get caught up in the excitement and make emotional decisions. Determine a dollar amount before going to the auction lot, and stick to it. This predetermination will aid first-time (and seasoned) auction visitors avoid overpaying for a vehicle based on sentimental value. As a reminder, some experts recommend that customers write the number on their hands, just in case.

Do Your Research

Use auction information systems to your advantage. Create your final buy list the night before the auction using the database search option on the auction’s website. Check the database from the kiosk on auction day for any last-minute consignments. Finally, save the consignment database for that particular auction and carry it about with you in the parking lots and lanes.

While you’re at it, don’t forget to read the fine print. In fact, read everything. Make careful to read the vehicle auction catalog’s small print. In the descriptions of secondhand autos, copywriters are skilled at minimizing defects. Because the goal of those catalogs is to sell vehicles, avoid flowery language and hyperbole. Inquire once more.

Also, make sure that the auction house costs are included in the budget. Many auction houses charge a fee on automobiles acquired, which may be as much as 12% in some cases. Keep in mind that taxes are included in the price of an automobile purchased at an auction. Having a solid budget and strategy in place before going to the auction might help you avoid unpleasant surprises once you’ve committed to buying a vehicle.

In a word, ‘as is’ is exactly what it means – no assurances or warranties after you drive that car away, and thus no going back if you subsequently realize you’ve purchased nothing more than a pile of metal wreckage. You should avoid bidding on such vehicles if you don’t want to get stuck with a melon.

Educate Yourself

Of course, reading the fine print will not mean anything if you don’t educate yourself on the vehicles you are interested in or the online auction process first. Learning as much as possible about autos is an effective method to prepare for an auto auction. This suggestion does not imply that you should be able to disassemble and reassemble an automobile while blindfolded; nonetheless, you should have some fundamental understanding of the types of vehicle auctions out there.

For instance, auctions of government vehicles mean that auctions are a great location to get a great price on a well-kept vehicle. Ex-government agencies, councils, and state and federal governments provide these vehicles. Always double-check a vehicle’s mileage since it can range from extremely low to quite high. Ex-fleet auctions offer the most options. These automobiles come from former commercial fleets for corporations and vehicle rental organizations. The service records for fleet and ex-hire cars are typically thorough and up to date.

You should be familiar enough with automobiles to recognize whether there is a serious problem that will necessitate costly repairs. Remember that you’re purchasing the automobile “as is,” which means you’re responsible for any damage or repairs needed to get it running again.

Never Bid First

The majority of automobiles are sold with a reserve (a minimum price the seller would accept), and the auctioneer’s initial bid is generally more than the reserve. The auctioneer will be forced to decrease their starting bid if there is a period of stillness without bids.

Inspect the Vehicle

The VIN is written on the bottom of the windshield and should be copied for every automobile you want to buy. Next, look for the VIN on the trunk lid or door labels, among other locations. A discrepancy in the statistics might indicate that the automobile was repaired after a severe accident and that it is not the finest vehicle to buy.

Don’t Drink and Buy

You will want to have control over all of your senses while you are buying a used car at an online auction for obvious reasons. While downing a few beers before an auction might help with nervousness, it can also lead to emotional spending and bids. Before you buy that dream automobile, don’t drink any drinks.

Surprisingly, the counsel given to auction house sellers is frequently the polar opposite. It’s a good idea for sellers to keep the auction house stocked with alcohol to urge people to open their wallets. Keep that in mind the next time the auction bar beckons. That’s how it’s intended to work.

The Winner’s/Losers’ Curse

Even the most experienced auction buyers can make mistakes and fall into some very common psychological traps. What we’re talking about is the infamous winner’s and loser’s curse.

The Loser’s Curse: Some people have a pattern of bidding less than an ideal strategy would suggest, and as a result, they frequently lose a car to another bidder. Low-bidders are sometimes wary of taking chances or are just conservative. In any case, he’s not going to win.

The Winner’s Curse: Some people bid just for the sake of winning. They spend too much on a car, eroding or eliminating any possible profit. Furthermore, if they overpay for a car, they are less likely to invest in cosmetic or mechanical repairs, making the vehicle less appealing to a retail client.

Ask any frequent online car auction site user, and they will admit to having fallen into this trap at least once. So, what can you do about it? For starters, potential buyers can nowadays find current auction values using search engines on auction websites, printed market reports, and reference books.

It’s also crucial to make an accurate assessment of a vehicle’s condition. If a buyer does his homework and establishes the true worth of a car as well as the cost of the acquisition before the auction, he is more likely to walk away with a car that they want and even profit when it comes to reselling the vehicle down the line.

Visit RideSafely.com an online auction site for all types of vehicles. The platform is also a great resource for information on using online car auctions, vehicle financing, shipping options, and a plethora of other useful information.

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