Bring A Trailer..Was Fun...

[slow&rusty]

So what happened to B-a-T, I've been a member for 10+ years, it was such a great place to pop in and start the day while sipping a coffee.

Now with the overwhelming auctions it cranks out each week plus the overly cynical and even nasty comments it has lost much of its appeal. It was so unspoiled, fun and interesting.

[lgb240]

I tapped out back when they decided to be an auction site... I was a regular commenter for many years and enjoyed the community of a bunch of fellow car guys trading facts and fiction.

I rarely visit any more... the site has lost it's appeal to me. I check into 'Barn Finds' occasionally and hope it grows into what BAT used to be.

[onewhippedpuppy]

It's an auction site which means the impartial commenting will eventually be censored. After all that would be bad for business. I still enjoy browsing but it does appear to be evolving into a niche EBay. I've considered selling cars on there but their fees are high, and I really wonder how many of the lookers and commenters are actual serious buyers.

[widebody911]

What y'all said, plus the fact that there's a lot of nothing-special cars on it now. Just looked and there's a 2004 WRX. Really? A 1990 Jeep Cherokee. Really?

[Brian in VA]

I wondered if it was just me. Guess they figured out they could make more $$ this way. I still check out barnfinds, but that seems to go too far the other way sometimes, just rusted pieces of specialty junk.

[McLovin]

I find it very interesting, having followed it from the beginning. And having sold a couple cars through it.

One thing for sure, they are taking in the dough right now. By my calculation the are pulling in around $500,000 per year in just the $250 seller auction fee. To that add the 5% buyer fee (capped at $5k) and the money is obscene. Millions and millions per year in profit.

That's why you see 1990 Jeep Cherokees etc. It's hard to turn down the money.

It will be interesting to see what happens with it long term.

[lgb240]

Perhaps they will spend more time building a bigger following then sell the site to a bigger auction site for many $$$$$

[pavulon]

Saw your Mazda 323 turned up on there.

[jhynesrockmtn]

I enjoy looking through the ads. That 2004 WRX is a one owner STI. The original STI is often cited as a future collectible and ones in good unmolested condition are on the rise. A buddy has a 2005 version and that thing is a beast.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Someone should start a new site using the old formula, barnfind.com or whatever.

[slow&rusty]

Originally Posted by pavulon

Saw your Mazda 323 turned up on there.

Very observant

[KevinTodd]

Ahhh c'mon! You guys are being just a bit too critical now, aren't you? You do realize you can simply scroll past the offerings you don't like, don't you?

Yes--I question some of the offerings--and here lately there has been a run on certain models, but I still enjoy the hell out of the site overall....and frankly most of the comments are well directed and informative, but you have to do your own editing, so to speak---just like in another forum I occasionally visit, which shall remain nameless.

[Seahawk]

I was not early to BaT...I learned about the site through PP a few years before they became an auction house.

I do like two specific aspects of the site, even now: One is the comments section. There have been a number of Mercedes listed in the past 12 months or so and I have frankly learned a lot about the SL560 I own. I may be selling next year and the presentation advice, what to present, etc. has been helpful.

The second is the price tracking and final sales tally. While not definitive, I am better able to get a sense of what price point I can expect if I sell the 560 as well as what the ballpark is on older BMW 2002's and Porsche Targa's, which I'll be looking for if I sell.

[speeder]

I hadn't visited it for a while until now, (it's a dangerous site), looks more or less the same other than the fact that they are auctioning cars. People are still allowed to comment frankly on the offerings, unless I'm missing something and they are deleting comments they don't like.

The quality of offerings may not be what it once was but there are some sweet cars still. The 2004 Subaru STi would have made the cut at any time since I started looking there many years ago.

[mreid]

I love BaT! Yes, there are some crappy cars, but also some very interesting ones, plus the comments are great. Who doesn't love some of the comments/stories from Sludgo.

[sugarwood]

comments are now moderated heavily.

[Otter74]

I've only been reading BaT for a few years (and I found the experience good as a buyer) and in my observation it has changed, but not fundamentally. I love the comments section, and like others have pointed out you can learn a lot from some people there. I try to contribute when I can share something of value. The cars are all over the map, and I love all of it, and I love *that* it is all over the map. Like anyone else I have my preferences when it comes to cars, but I love cars no matter what. Cheap-fun stuff is as interesting to me as nicer stuff that I have a special interest in.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by slow&rusty

Very observant

How was your experience as a seller? Worth the money?

[JeremyD]

I sold my 1974 there and I would say it was worth the money times 100. There are some interesting cars on there - and of course there are some piles of whale dung. I appreciate the comments although they did make me a little nervous (you never know someone's motivations) Had a seller call me from France and a guy that was going to run down in his private plane (and asked if he won would I drive it to his hanger) all in all a better experience than I have had on craigslist or ebay.

[slow&rusty]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

How was your experience as a seller? Worth the money?

My eBay auction was picked up by B-a-T, so not one of their auctions.

Free advertising I guess but way too many comments on my picture quality (use of HDR) from their peanut gallery.