| I've always been a bit disappointed in the way Public | | | | you. But let's look at both the pros and cons to |
| Car Auctions are hyped on the internet. You've | | | | establish realistic expectations. Then you can be in a |
| probably seen the grandiose ads or maybe even | | | | better position to decide if this is something you'd like |
| visited some of the auction websites. | | | | to pursue or not. |
| You know, "cars for as little as $100". Or, "cars 90% | | | | First of all, there aren't a ton of open-to-the-public |
| off retail". I can assure you that this is a very unlikely | | | | auctions to begin with. This means it's likely you're |
| result for any decent vehicle. | | | | going to need at least some amount of patience. |
| This is not to say that there aren't great deals at | | | | Some auctions are quarterly, some are monthly and |
| auctions because there are. But the result of such | | | | there are a few that are weekly. They've got to |
| hype is twofold. People with false expectations go to | | | | build up an inventory of cars so it justifies the cost |
| an auction and are disappointed. And secondly, many | | | | of putting on an auction. And this takes time. |
| people are just plain turned off by the hype and | | | | So, unless you're a bit lucky, you probably won't run |
| don't bother to participate at all ... thereby missing | | | | out to an auction to get your car this afternoon. I |
| some genuine saving opportunities. | | | | guess what I'm saying is it's not like visiting as many |
| Even searching the topic on Google to get good | | | | Dealerships as you want in a single weekend. |
| information is a challenge. Most of the information is | | | | Next is pricing. There's going to be other shoppers |
| hype-filled, trying to get you to signup to one auction | | | | bidding ... maybe even some Dealers. You're not going |
| site or another. | | | | to get a "good", late-model car for a few hundred |
| Frankly, I think the internet can do with some more | | | | dollars. That being said, it's not unheard of to get a |
| realistic and objective information on these auctions. | | | | $20,000 car for $10,000 to $14,000 ... or a $15,000 |
| This will better serve people to develop more realistic | | | | car for $7,000 to $9,000. You can indeed get |
| expectations. It will also help them decide if going to | | | | excellent buys below trade-in values, and sometimes |
| public car auctions is something they want to pursue. | | | | way below. But just forget about real nice cars for |
| Again, I'm not saying that there's not really good | | | | "under $500", as is often the hype. |
| deals at these auctions. But they make it sound like | | | | Are there cars for under $500? Of course there are. |
| you join today, either bid on an online auction or go | | | | And often good buys too. But they are not the |
| to an auction this afternoon and then drive off in | | | | late-model cars. |
| your beautiful 2005 Audi TT for $500 ... zip, zap, | | | | Next, you may have to go a distance. The good |
| zoom, you're done. | | | | auctions may not be right next door to you. Many |
| I can tell you from experience that this just isn't | | | | auctions do not have online bidding. They're at a |
| going to happen in the real world. Can you get a | | | | physical location. So, bear in mind that it may not be |
| great deal on the Audi TT? Absolutely. But it will likely | | | | be particularly convenient. |
| take some time and it's not going to be practically | | | | All of this being said, it is true that there are |
| free. | | | | excellent, money-saving deals at public car auctions. |
| So, lets talk reality here. Auctions CAN fit into your | | | | But please be prepared to both spend some time at |
| strategy for getting a great price on a car. And | | | | it and to pay more than the hype implies. |
| these auction web sites CAN make this easier for | | | | |