Buying at auction

[Rick Brooklyn]

Stupid noob question: if you buy a car at an auction (I mean the real auctions like bonhams, not the dealer auctions like mannheim) you're supposed to have it picked up within 48 hours. If the auction is at some far away location and if it takes several days to arrange for a pickup by the likes of Relaible or intercity, how does it normally work for remote buyers who can't just show up with their own trailer?

[christiandk]

Dont dont do it. You will pay too much!

[dienstuhr]

Perhaps s question best directed to the auction house itself? They have client service areas who presumably would be able to answer this.

My guess would be that buyers would be accommodated to some reasonable extent, with a charge depending on how good a customer you are. But why ask here? We can't really answer this question.

[Jay993]

Rick, most of the big companies are already there. Don't forget the cars had to get to the auction and most of them weren't driven. Also they tell you 48 hours, but the trucks and auction staff are there much later cleaning up and loading cars, etc. You'll be fine

[Rick Brooklyn]

Originally Posted by dienstuhr

But why ask here? We can't really answer this question.

I thought someone might have some experience

Originally Posted by Jay993

Rick, most of the big companies are already there. Don't forget the cars had to get to the auction and most of them weren't driven. Also they tell you 48 hours, but the trucks and auction staff are there much later cleaning up and loading cars, etc. You'll be fine

Thanks, I'll give them a call

Originally Posted by christiandk

Dont dont do it. You will pay too much!

Not necessarily... Auction results sometimes show what looks like a bargain. I have a number in mind that I wouldn't go over anyway.

[mattC2993]

Rick I've been to all of the Scottsdale auctions the past number of years. There are lots of "auction" cars out there. These are cars restored or gussied up by their owners to try and sell in the mix of nice cars (very few) for top dollar. I mean #3 cars the owners and auction houses hope to sell as #2 cars or better. I see lots of obvious defects (especially in the 356 cars) that a relative amateur can pick out in 2 minutes. I wouldn't buy something without being there or having somebody who knows what they are doing look over the car for you.

[Rick Brooklyn]

Originally Posted by mattC2993

Rick I've been to all of the Scottsdale auctions the past number of years. There are lots of "auction" cars out there. These are cars restored or gussied up by their owners to try and sell in the mix of nice cars (very few) for top dollar. I mean #3 cars the owners and auction houses hope to sell as #2 cars or better. I see lots of obvious defects (especially in the 356 cars) that a relative amateur can pick out in 2 minutes. I wouldn't buy something without being there or having somebody who knows what they are doing look over the car for you.

That' s sound advice. I'll see if I can do some due diligence on the car ahead of the auction.