any - first ever visit to an auction | Motoring discussion | Back Room Forum

Tue 4 Aug 2015 14:39

any - first ever visit to an auction - Eddy56

I dropped into a car auction last night. I've been meaning to go to one for years, just to see what it was like. It was a general sale and seemed a bit quiet but I suspect that's the school holiday factor. It was an interesting experience, it was lower end stuff - seemed to be mainly trade ins 10 years old or more, but also some better stuff from local main dealers as well. Plenty of "sold as seen" sheds, too. It was entertaining to observe the way people behaved. Some of the local traders liked to show that they spend a lot of time there by leaning or sitting on each car as it was queueing into the auction room. Another chap insisted on turning the steering wheel of each car as it went by, I have no idea why. I also liked the fact the auction house drivers in the queue into the room just pull off with no warning, even if someone has his head stuck in the window giving the interior a once over. I heard plenty of trader talk - "that Merc's just right except no leather, nah, you can't sell a Merc with no leather". "I missed that Mondeo, that was good money for that Mondeo. Who got it? Dave? cheeky git". And so on.

Some of the prices were surprising. You could have had an early 2000s main agent trade in petrol focus, fiesta, corsa or zafira with service history and a long MOT for a song. I saw at least three very clean, good history, low owner runabouts categorised "no major faults" go through for a couple of hundred quid, barely more than scrap prices. Also a clean and tidy 2005 mondeo, one owner, full main dealer history on 110k for £750. I almost took a punt on a scruffy but one owner, full history 2004 Avensis 1.8 petrol which also went for £700. Surprising was how much older german cars went for - an example was a very scruffy 2004 BMW 320d estate which I think went for about 2k. It was a right state, budget tyres, paint scratched, dented and faded, and the sill on one side was taped up with gaffer, filthy interior.

Overall it was an enjoyable and informative evening. I think it was worth going to just observe, I'd feel a lot more comfortable to go again in future as a buyer having had the chance to see how it all worked

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Tue 4 Aug 2015 15:07

any - first ever visit to an auction - RobJP

I love car auctions. I've had some absolute bargains from them.

Had the odd horror story too, of course !

I went for a local auction a few months ago with a friend who was looking for a car, had £2k to spend. He'd been around various used car lots, and was utterly horrified when he realised that he could get a car they were advertising for £3k, on the block for £1.2-£1.5k. Didn't buy anything on the night, on my instructions.

He ended up buying a Skoda Fabia 1.4 diesel (I think) for £800 a couple of weeks later. Pile of receipts with it, never wanted for a penny, one owner from new. He's done about 10k miles in it since March, and, as he says, if it dies tomorrow then it owes him nothing.

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Tue 4 Aug 2015 16:23

any - first ever visit to an auction - Chris M

I too love auctions although the last time I bid was 10 years ago at Blackbushe. Met HJ there as a green Punto was being driven into the hall. He advised me against buying a green car as they were hard to shift and the Punto didn't sell.

Later, the Punto went round again and I bought it. Sold it last year. Whilst I can't say we didn't have to spend anything on it, it proved a good little car and both my sons learnt to drive in it. HJ was right though about the colour, personally I didn't mind it, but I can imagine some would have.

In the past I've bought two year old repmobiles to 200 quid bangers. Only once got something I wish I hadn't, but it was at the cheap end, so not complaining. I suppose it's a bit like gambling - know your limit and stick to it.

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Tue 4 Aug 2015 17:05

any - first ever visit to an auction - RobJP

Last time I was down at Blackbushe I was still involved in the trade, I'd guess about 2005 or so.

Bought a 2002/52 330ci coupe 'clubsport' there for myself. Ran around in it for 6 months (all registered in my name and taxed, not 'on the trade'), and then sold it - to a BMW dealer - for £1,500 more than I paid !

I must admit, I'd avoid BCA like the plague as a private buyer these days. Their fees are ridiculous. There is a auction place about 20 miles away though, just on the outskirts of Chester.

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Tue 4 Aug 2015 19:34

any - first ever visit to an auction - Rumfitt

I reguarly go to the Queensferry auction, that's a few miles from Chester - possibly the one you refer to?

There's a father and his daughter who take it in turns to auction the cars, and there's plenty of 'banter', especially from the gent - who belongs to the Les Dawson school of Mother-in-Law comedy gags.

There are some lovely cars that go for (mostly) peanuts, but many are there because they're not of retail quality - too old, bodywork blemishes, unpopular makes and models. Even at the banger end the indemnity fee and VAT adds a lot to what should be a cheap car.

The traders don't have sheepskin coats anymore, or hats like Honest John, but they strut around like confident peacocks, pronouncing their views or shaking their heads.

There's a good cafe attached to the auction house, and the whole place reeks of the smell of the internal combustion engine - lovely!

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Tue 4 Aug 2015 21:39

any - first ever visit to an auction - RobJP

That's the place. You've only got to sniff the air from the 'greasy spoon' cafe and your cholesterol will go sky-high !

If you want crazy indemnity fees, go to BCA. They make Queensferry look positively cheap.

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Wed 5 Aug 2015 21:56

any - first ever visit to an auction - oldroverboy.

That's the place. You've only got to sniff the air from the 'greasy spoon' cafe and your cholesterol will go sky-high !

If you want crazy indemnity fees, go to BCA. They make Queensferry look positively cheap.

In the 60's when I was a mere 15 years old, I used to go to AE Bernie's (Queensferry Motor Auctions) on a friday afternoon after school to watch the auctions and once i had proved i could confidently drive the cars into the auction place first of all drove them to the door and after a few weeks allowed to drive them through, no licence though.. Later on when the auction was finished would often go with the transporter driver to Liverpool docks with a load Irish bound, Got a couple of bob or half a crown at the auction and the transporter driver would treat me to fish and chips on the way back. Remember one car had no key, but ignition worked and driver just stuck any old key in it,, Remember the jokes about the car traders coming up in convoys from aberystwyth and going back with a separate lot, remenber driving a jaguar with a push button gearchange auto on the dasboard ??

The pub by the river got a hammering and was often sent up to get bottles for people, and usually got a tip too.

Happy days 50 years ago next year....

Must drop in next time i go and see my sister..

Edited by oldroverboy. on 05/08/2015 at 22:01

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Wed 5 Aug 2015 09:07

any - first ever visit to an auction - Eddy56

I reguarly go to the Queensferry auction, that's a few miles from Chester - possibly the one you refer to?

My auction visit earlier this week was to one of the Hobbs and Parker twice weekly general sales in Ashford, Kent. It sounds similar to place the two posters above mention. Must sit in a niche below BCA in terms of fees as they are nor far away in Paddock Wood.

Edited by Eddy56 on 05/08/2015 at 09:20

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Wed 5 Aug 2015 10:40

any - first ever visit to an auction - John Boy

I've been to a few in the past and got bargains. It surprised me how dealers could carry on a conversation with each other whilst bidding for the same car. There are bargains to be had, but you definitely need to able to exercise self control. I saw someone pay well over the odds for a car after saying to his mates, "Gotta have it! Gotta have it!"

I took a female friend to one once and she loved the atmosphere. I found out later that she had a thing about "bad" boys!

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Wed 5 Aug 2015 10:51

any - first ever visit to an auction - Andrew-T

Fascinating thread. I've never experienced a car auction, but as Q'ferry is only about 20 miles from here i'm almost tempted. But I don't need another car ....

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Wed 5 Aug 2015 11:24

any - first ever visit to an auction - RobJP

Fascinating thread. I've never experienced a car auction, but as Q'ferry is only about 20 miles from here i'm almost tempted. But I don't need another car ....

There's a trick to that. The deposit on the fall of the hammer needs to be paid in cash in Queensferry (I think). No cash in pocket, you can't put your hand up !

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Wed 5 Aug 2015 13:27

any - first ever visit to an auction - Galaxy

I visited the BCA Auction in Chelmsford several years ago. I went with my brother who was looking for a car for himself and was hoping to get a bargain! We looked around at all the cars beforehand and decided there was only one car which was likely to be suitable in terms of what it was and price. It was a white Ford Escort with some very light body damage.

When it was finally auctioned we waited for the bidding to start to see what would happen. We couldn't believe how much people were offering and it wasn't an immaculate vehicle, either. I told my brother not to bid on this car, it was far too dear. It finally went for just under £2000; you could have bought a much better one straight off a dealers forecourt for less money, and it wouldn't have been sold with that amount of damage, either.

I knew it was going to be a big mistake going to the auction on a Saturday. It was full of private buyers and there were repeated warnings from the auctioneer for parents to stop their children from running around the auction hall. A car auction is certainly no place to take small children, I'm surprised they were allowed in, Health and Safety and all that!

I told this story to a chap some years later who was a car dealer and a regular customer at BCA at Chelmsford. He told me everything I'd said was true and it was quite usual for people to purchase cars at the weekday auctions and then put them up for sale on a Saturday, when they knew all the private buyers would be there paying apparently silly prices for stuff.

The moral of the story is, don't go to a car auction on a Saturday!

Edited by Galaxy on 05/08/2015 at 13:29

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Wed 5 Aug 2015 13:58

any - first ever visit to an auction - RobJP

A few years ago, myself and a friend in the trade would buy Discoverys, X5s, Range Rovers up in BCA Manchester, Preston and Brighouse, and run them down to Blackbushe to sell a couple of weeks later. We'd buy Defenders, Fourtraks, Troopers 'darn sarf', and sell those back 'oop north'.

And yes. Buy on a weekday, sell on a weekend.

Was easy money !

Edited by RobJP on 05/08/2015 at 14:00

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Wed 5 Aug 2015 23:20

any - first ever visit to an auction - Smileyman

good tip for the private seller - sell on a Saturday!

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Fri 7 Aug 2015 01:02

any - first ever visit to an auction - daveyK_UK

I have been to BCA alot recently.

Less and less private buyers and im not suprised, the private buyer fees and fee add ons are horrific.

Its only worth buying a car frm BCA if you dont have a trade card is in the £7,000+ price bracket.

I have on my phone a recent picture of the BCA private buyer fees poster, am I allowed to link it to this thread?

Its worth pointing out the poster doesnt include the DVLA and BCA assurance fees they add to a sale.

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Fri 7 Aug 2015 09:53

any - first ever visit to an auction - Galaxy

So, it would appear that private buyers aren't wanted at BCA auctions these days, then!

I'd be very interested to see what their private buyer fees are, I'm sure others would, too.

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Fri 7 Aug 2015 10:16

any - first ever visit to an auction - RobJP

I'd imagine that you would be able to post a link to the picture, yes.

BCA say this on their website :

A table of buyer's fees is available at all BCA auction centres. All buyer's fees are subject to VAT. The table makes it easy to see your total cost, including VAT.

So it's not as if it's some massive secret.

Of course, if BCA did object to such a picture being posted, and Avant (or others) had to remove the link, then the information could just be typed in.

EDIT : found this linky for another post on here, thought I remembered putting up some info on BCA fees :

www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=107964

Edited by RobJP on 07/08/2015 at 10:19

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Fri 7 Aug 2015 12:06

any - first ever visit to an auction - Eddy56

Out of curiostiy, I had a look at the catalogue for next week's auction and I was surprised to see a good number of the same cars listed. Now I know that at the sale I visited a few didnt make reserve, I heard the term provisionally sold used. However, most of those that have been re-listed are those at the bottom end of the market, the ratty trades ins sold as seen and these all were clearly sold while I was there. I'm puzzled to see so many going back through. Is this commonplace?

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Fri 7 Aug 2015 17:59

any - first ever visit to an auction - MrDanno

Provisionally sold means the vehicle has not met the reserve, later the buyer gets the offer to pay the minimum required by the seller or auction house. If the buyer doesn't want to pay the extra the vehicle goes back into auction.

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Fri 7 Aug 2015 19:37

http://postimg.org/image/439kmg485/ - daveyK_UK

BCA fees, shameful

And don't forget the DVLA and BCA assurance fees on top!

postimg.org/image/439kmg485/

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