Car Auctions

It's easy to find discounted car bargains at car auctions. Not only can great deals on used cars be found there, but also some incredible higher model cars too.. Whether it's for personal use or resale, a lot of people acquire automobiles in this manner. This pleasant experience, however, can quickly turn sour if you don't know a few things.

Some of what can go wrong includes buying a bad car. There are lemons at auctions too. Keep in mind that what you see at an auction is what you get. Remember the old Sesame Street skit in which a man looks over a car with "as is" in the window. The salesman responds "as is" to every question. Finally the man agrees to buy the car, pays for it, but when he opens the door to get into the car it falls to pieces. The unfortunate buyer shouts "I want the car as was!" Nobody wants to become that guy.

Car auctions generally give potential buyers time to look over the cars. If an auction won't do that, run. Arrive early. Inspect and take a spin in the interesting autos. If you don't know anything about cars, bring someone who does. If not, then during the test drive bring the car to a mechanic for inspection. It doesn't take long to check key components like the engine and breaks. Check other elements for damage. This includes the body, upholstery, and bumpers .

Another problem is inherent in auctions. People assume that the auction price will be a great deal, but often it ends up being more expensive than purchasing the item through a normal sales process. It's no different at car auctions. The bidding can easily escalate to well over the car's value. There are also fees to pay, so pay close attention. Know the prices of similar models in similar conditions from Kelly Blue Book or other sales data. No need to even look it up in advance since the information is online and phones can access it. Don't pay more than the car is worth, even if it's a coveted antique.

Keep in mind there are deals to be found. But keep your eyes and ears open. There's a sucker born every minute. Don't be the minute man at car auctions.



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