Car Auctions 101

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Car auctions are a good place to get good a bargain on cars. But buying cars from auctions can be very complicated. This is particularly true for the uninitiated. Of course the cars in auctions are generally cheaper. But they are cheap because they lack the guarantees that come with cars bought from dealers. The rules in auctions are simple, you bid an item, you pay for it, and you own it.

It is therefore not advisable for persons without much experience in motor vehicles to just go to an auction and buy a car.

What you’ll need if you’re planning to buy a car in an auction is a good eye, good observation skills and a willingness to learn the car auction process.

You can even make it a business by buying cars at auction and then selling them at a profit. There are several people who have made huge profits by buying and selling cars at auction.

There are basically two kinds of car auctions, local car auctions and online car auctions. Each of the auctions works differently. Each has a different set of rules so you must study them very carefully if you are planning to buy a car from either kind of auction.

If you want to buy a vehicle in a car auction you must first pre-register with the local auction you want to join. The pre-registration process won’t take much of your time and will provide you all the essential information that you will need in order to buy a car. An auction site will often have an auction staff who will explain to you the rules of their auction site and the procedures and instruction on how to participate and bid on the cars.

It is wise to inspect the cars before the actual bidding begins. Ask the auction organizer or staff if they can allow you to take a closer look at the cars before the start of the actual auction. Another wise decision is to set your payment limit before the actual sale. This way, you won’t fall victim to the trap of overbidding.

As in other auctions, it is very important that you signal your bids carefully to the car auctioneer to avoid confusion. Settle your transaction as soon as the auction ends. Look for the block clerk and settle your accounts with him. A car auction staff will usually be available to assist you when you are ready to pay for the vehicle you have won. He should also be able to guarantee you a good title for the vehicle.

You must also check the vehicle after you have won and settling your account. Take the vehicle for a test drive and make sure that it conforms to the guarantee and representation made during the auction.

Most auction sites would accept check or credit card if you cannot pay the car with cash. An auction staff will also usually give you a third party financing offer. It is advisable though to have your own finances ready before entering a car auction. Outside financing is usually cheaper than most in-house financing of auction sites.

Ask for an invoice copy from the auction staff. This will enable you to drive or ship your newly bought car to your location. Most car auction managers will give you good deals on shipping arrangements so inquire about this.

There really are no significant differences between a local auction and an online auction. Online car auctions work more or less the same way as local ones. The only disadvantage of online auction sites is that you won’t be able to inspect the car as you would in an actual car auction. In participating in online car auctions be sure that you will be provided with all the necessary information about the car upfront and that there is an actual photograph of the vehicle.

Cars bought from an online auction are usually shipped to the buyer for a minimal fee. Inspect the car immediately upon arrival at your location to minimize risks.

You are now ready for your first car auction. Happy bidding!

Where To Find A State Car Auction

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State car auction gatherings are car auctions specific to a certain state or a few states. Only authorized state dealers can participate in a state car auction that is good for the car buyers.

You can find various types of vehicles at a state car auction. There are brand new as well as used cars.

Information about the upcoming state car auction venues is often published in the local newspapers as well as in the specialized vehicle magazines. Information is also available online and often it is even more detailed tan the press one.

The state cat auction venues are always public. Some of them are also in fact a government state car auction gatherings at which surplus or seized vehicles are being sold.

Usually a state car auction is a big car marketplace. That is why it is recommended that you go there only if you have enough experience in car auctions. If you are a first time buyer, take somebody experiences along to help you.

Another thing to remember is that you should check the auction conditions before you start bidding. You should also gather enough information about the car brand and model you want to purchase and be informed about its market value and price trends.

Set a budget and do not be tempted to overspend. The fact that you are at a state car auction means that there are hundreds of suitable car deals so there is no need to jump for the first car you are bidding on. Remember – a state car auction attracts all sorts of buyer and most of them are really knowledgeable ones.

The same rules apply to an online state car auction websites. There are many but it is best to stick with the ones that look professional and big. You can get an idea if a state car auction website is good by reading the recommendations of other people that used the site. Joining an online auto club should give you enough information for the good online state car auction as well as some useful tips on how to participate in such auctions.

Buying Dirt Cheap Cars from Government Car Auctions

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It is becoming harder and harder for people to find affordable prices for new or even "pre-owned" vehicles. The cost of extras continues to rise, and even basic models can set an average person back for several years. If you are interested in buying a car, but feel as though you simply do not have the money, a government car auction might be the best opportunity for you. You can find incredible deals, and it is not uncommon for people to save thousands of dollars.

The majority of vehicles at a government car auction have been repossessed from criminals or people who have failed to make payments on government loans. There are also government car auction vehicles that are "retired" police cruisers or other government vehicles that are no longer in service. You can usually find a wide range of makes and models, and it is even possible to find classic cars that are not readily available at most dealerships.

There are government car auctions across the country, and you locate one in your area by simply contacting local government agencies or searching online. In fact, the Internet has greatly affected the government car auction. There are a number of sites that allow you to bid on vehicles from the comfort of your own home. They can also direct you to parts for salvageable cars at auction. The best sites allow you to quickly search available vehicles, so you can find exactly what you are looking for.

Whether bidding online or in person, it is essential to be well-informed before entering into an auction. The point of a government car auction is to save money. If you do not know the true condition of a vehicle, you can end up paying more money than it is actually worth.

Beware of Hidden Clauses in Online Car Auctions

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Online car auctions offers interesting and unique car deals to a car enthusiast, but there are aspects that one needs to watch out for. In case you have never used online car auctions before, you might want to check out a few other sites to get some information before delving into one yourself. You need to be prepared mentally and must be in control of your actions to avoid spending money and getting the wrong end of the deal. As they say better safe than sorry, that applies 100% while using the online medium to make big purchases. Since it involves a lot of background checks and research combined with sensible decision making, you need to be wary and tread cautiously.

Some of the aspects that one needs to watch out for are what will help them while making use of online car auctions site.

1. Once the bell rings, the sale is complete-
In an auction, the interested people will make their bid based on the list price, which is the start price. And once the price reaches a high point, the company knows they might not get a better price, they will close bids. The person who has made this highest bid will become the owner of the car upon making the payment. So, be aware of this, for once you have made the bid, you cannot go back on your actions.

2. Appearances can be deceiving-
While using online car auctions, the person will only see the picture of the car and not the actual car itself. The picture posted might look very stylish and in excellent condition, but in reality the car might be worn down and missing a few parts. Therefore, it is essential to try to get some inside information before making the bid. This will save you from unpleasant surprises and wasting hard earned money on a car that is not worth it.

3. Incorrect details-
Sometimes people in an attempt to sell their car might supply false information about their cars on these auction sites. Since the person who wants to buy it cannot inspect the car, they will have to follow what is mentioned there blindly; unless they get a hunch that something is wrong. The car model or the kilometers the car has gone might be different from what is real. It is better you do a check on the car history using one of the websites available before proceeding further.

4. Delivery Cost-
While buying products on the net, one must realize that even though payment is made instantly, delivery of goods takes time. Similarly, while making bids on the auction sites, and if you win the car, you will be expected to make at least a portion of the payment right away. But you will have to wait a couple of days for the car to be delivered, and there might be extra charge levied for this service, which is why at times local auctions are much more convenient.

Online Car Auctions – 8 Great Reasons To Buy Online

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Online Car Auctions – 8 Great Reasons To Buy Online


Are you tired of the hassle of trying to buy a car through a dealer? Haggling with the salesman to get what you think is a great price only to find out from your buddy the great price he paid for his car. Or worse yet seeing the same car advertised at a lower price a day later. Have you ever heard of someone getting a car at an incredible price, or wondered what happens to cars seized by the banks, police agencies or government. Are you curious about what happens to t pre-owned government vehicles?
These cars are sold at auction; some at onsite auctions and some at online car auctions. Buyers can get these cars for thousands less then retail and some starting at bids of $100.00. If saving that kind of money isn’t a good enough reason to visit an online car auction then here are six more.

1. Online Car Auctions are Fun

Online car auction can be a lot of fun. First there is the excitement of bidding for that car you’ve always wanted. Then there is the thrill of getting your dream car at a dream price. You could even practice by guessing what the top bid will be and see how close you come. How much would you have saved?

2. Online Car Auctions Are Convenient

What a better place to shop for a car then in the comfort of your own home. Or if you have a laptop then you could bid anywhere. You could bid at your favorite coffee shop, or at the office (during lunch of course). In addition you can be researching your car, the seller, loans, insurance, or surfing your favorite sites while waiting for your winning bid to come through.

3. Online Car Auctions Save Time and Effort

Driving from dealership to dealership, or from private owner to private owner can waste a lot of your precious time and play havoc with your nerves. What if your schedule just doesn’t give you the time to run around? At today’s gas prices who wants to do all that driving. With online car auctions you set your own schedule for research and can bid at home or during coffee break or lunch.

4. Online Car Auctions Make Paperwork Easy

Many online car auction sites provide services to make your buying experience as simple as possible. They have automated forms to allow the processing of your sale to happen as quickly and easily as possible. They provide courses on proper bidding procedures. Online car auction sites provide access to companies that help you with finances and insurance. For your sense of peace many sites offer the ability to check the V.I.N number of the car you wish to purchase. There is a lot of competition out there so they do what they can to provide that great customer service experience.

5. Online Car Auctions Are Where You Get Your Car At A Bargain Price

Online car auctions are one of the best places to get a great car at a bargain price. Thousands of cars, trucks, motorcycles and SUV’s end up in auctions. Many of these vehicles are in prime condition; being either repossessed by banks or law enforcement agencies, or pre-owned government vehicles. Many sites boast cars sold for savings as high as 90% of retail. While this is possible most vehicles go for around wholesale or blue book value. Still a sizeable savings over anything you can get from a dealership.

6. Online Car Auctions Help You Stay On Budget

A major problem faced buy most buyers is letting your emotions influence your buying decision. Something the average car dealer knows how to exploit. Online car auction sites protect you from the heat of bidding by allowing you to place a maximum bid level before starting the auction. This way you can only bid as much as you common sense will allow. That is as long as you don’t let your emotion decide the maximum bid to begin with.

7. Online Car Auctions Offer Great Choice

There is thousands of seized and pre-owned cars at auction. You can find almost any make or model of vehicle at online car auctions. Even if the car is unavailable in your area it may be available in the near future or in a city close to you. Depending on the site they may offer access to vehicles in your immediate area or across the country. There are free online auction sites and sites where you purchase a membership for a small one-time fee. These sites offer instant access to large databases of online and conventional auctions across the United States.

8. Online Car Auction Sites Provide Peace of Mind

It’s very important to online car auction sites to maintain a good reputation. To this end many sites provide services such as vehicle history reports for a small fee, or programs to protect buyers from fraud or misrepresentation. You may even be able to check out the sellers rating if they have sold on that site before. There are also resources on how to purchase a car online and how to bid to your advantage.

Give Online Car Auctions a Try... Kust Remember

Information is your friend. Like any major purchase you should do your homework on the vehicle you plan to purchase. Once that homework is done familiarize yourself with the policies and guarantees offered by the online car auction site. Find out what you can about the vehicle and the seller. Look into insurance and financing options. Prepare well and you should have a very enjoyable experience and own the car of your dreams for thousands less than the guy next door.