Anyone ever attended or bought anything from one of these auctions? They have a decent XJ sitting there that looks like it could be something with a little tlc. Looking to get this for my 17 year old stepson. Just curious if anyone has any advice for me, never bought from an auction before.

 

Get to the auction early and take a look at it, but keep a poker face. If you show too much interest it may cause bidders that are on the fence to jump in and drive the price up. Set a bidding limit and don't go over it. Auctions can be great for getting something cheap, but they can also cost more than retail depending on the crowd.

 

I have been to a few car auctions like that over the years,Like said get there early sign up get a bidding number.Look over a few cars so it don't look like you just want the jeep other people will watch you.Before you go look up its book value and set a max price you will spend on it.The down side to most donation car auctions they do get a lot of junk that should have been sent to the junkyard so don't set your hopes super high.

 

One thing i forgot some auctions will charge you a auction fee its a percentage of whatever you buy the car for.And some will ask for a deposit to get a bidding number ask about both when you sign up they will tell you.If you do buy it they will give you the papers to get it transferred in your name they won't let you take it tell its in your name.They will give you a list of dates and times you can pick up the car once you get it in your name,Most give you a week to do it.

 

Thanks for the input guys. I ended up going to the auction and watching to see how it goes. The Cherokee was not on the auction list so it didn't get auctioned off. It looks like you can probably get something decent for around a thousand bucks. Something that might need a little tlc but could end up being a good car. Most of them just looked like they had sat for awhile.

 

Some times you can get a deal and sometimes you get screwed.My step dad has bought a few cars that needed just a fuel pump for next to nothing.And once he bought something nice for almost book value and the trans gave up 5 miles down the road lol.