| Have you ever dreamed of owning one of those high | | | | The auction goes at a fairly quick pace. Most are |
| end luxury cars but just couldn't fit it into your budget? | | | | vehicles are sold in under 5 mins. If you plan on bidding |
| Now you can. | | | | get near the assistant or auctioneer and signal (head |
| How, you ask? | | | | nod, hand movement) to indicate you want to get in on |
| Answer: Government and Public Car Auctions! | | | | the bidding. If someone bids against you, signal again. |
| Each year the federal government sells billions of | | | | Don't jump in on the first figure the auctioneer throws |
| dollars of seized and forfeited surplus. A large chunk | | | | out. He knows what the seller is asking for the vehicle |
| of this is vehicles. Here you can find the high end | | | | so he'll start asking for bids above that. If he can catch |
| luxury cars (BMW, Lexus, Cadillac, Mercedes, Ferrari, | | | | someone off guard and get the bidding started high all |
| just to name a few) and even custom made Hummer | | | | the more better for him. He probably gets a |
| Limousines. You can even find Motorhomes and | | | | commission on each vehicle sold and the higher the |
| Motorcycles. | | | | price the more money in his pocket. Unless a vehicle |
| Its an enormous cost to store these vehicles so the | | | | has a minimum set price you can start the bidding as |
| government will hold auctions throughout the year to | | | | low as you want. If the bidding is going lets say $100 |
| get rid of these as fast as they can even if the vehicle | | | | increments and you want to bid half that or even a |
| brings a fraction of what its worth. This is where you | | | | quarter, tell one of the assistants or auctioneer. |
| can grab a bargain. | | | | Some Do's: |
| These vehicles are usually seized and confiscated | | | | I : If this is your first time at a auto auction just go look |
| from illegal drug dealers and other criminal activity. As | | | | around and observe the operation before buying. |
| you know these people don't drive around in cheap | | | | II : Inspect the vehicle prior to the sale. |
| compact cars. They drive the expensive high end | | | | III : Read all the rules and regulations. |
| luxury cars, SUV's and custom made vehicles. | | | | IV : Find out what fees are involved. |
| Incredible deals are waiting for buyers just like you at | | | | V : Check any warranties or guarantees. |
| auctions held year round. | | | | VI : If possible buy at a day sale. You can inspect the |
| There are a number of different auctions. | | | | vehicle better. |
| You have:a : Federal Government Fleet and Seizure | | | | VII : Set a price you are willing to pay for a vehicle and |
| Auctions:b : GSA (General Services Administration) | | | | stick to it. |
| Fleet Auctions:c : State and Local Government: Police, | | | | Some Don'ts: |
| Sheriff, City and County Fleet Vehicles:d : Public | | | | I : Buy a vehicle unless you are convinced it is reliable. |
| Auctions:e : On-Line Auctions: | | | | You don't want to sink money into a lemon. |
| Auctions can consist of one lane to two or more | | | | II : Get into a bidding war with another buyer and bid |
| lanes. They can all be auctioning off vehicles at the | | | | way over your head. |
| same time and it gets quite noisy. There's a lot of | | | | III : Go over your budget. |
| moving and crowding around the auction block. The | | | | IV : Get over anxious. |
| auctioneer will usually have 1 or 2 assistants down on | | | | Auto auctions can be fun but they can also be |
| the auction block helping him pick out whose bidding. If | | | | stressful. To make it more fun and rewarding go |
| you have a question ask one of them. They will help | | | | prepared and stick to your plan. Each auction has its |
| you. Sometimes its hard to understand the auctioneers | | | | own method of operating but the basics are pretty |
| words. | | | | much the same. |