Have you ever thought about winning a car at an auction? Car collectors, flippers, and people who want a great deal can find what they’re looking for at car auctions. They’re a great place to test your car knowledge, and the process of bidding and competing can be fun.
However, there’s a slight problem with car auctions: winning isn’t always everything. Car auctions are also about not going over your budget and getting a good deal. Here are our team’s tips on how to avoid getting saddled with an overly expensive vehicle.
Winning a car auction is about knowing the vehicle.
The best advice that you’ll ever get for a car auction is to do your research. Before you go to a specific auction, you should look into what vehicles are going to be available. Look into these vehicles and what their common problems may be. Going in with a better idea of your target’s actual value can help you bid more confidently, signaling to other bidders that you know what you’re doing.
Does the auction you’re attending not release their vehicles ahead of time? In that case, make sure you get to the auction early! This is a good idea anyways, because you’ll be able to inspect the vehicle yourself, allowing you to apply your newfound knowledge!
Walking away happy is about staying within your budget.
Winning a car at an auction can be amazing. You could walk away with a sweet new ride in good condition for less than its market value if you bid smart. However, it’s easy to get swept up in the process of bidding and wind up going over your budget. This could leave you paying more than you’re comfortable with, or even more than you have!
There are ways to protect yourself from having this happen. The best way to do that is to set a hard cap on the amount you’re willing to pay for a vehicle. If you never go above your budget, you’ll never wind up paying more than you’re comfortable with! This does mean that you might walk away without buying a car, but this might be a blessing. It’s important to remember above all else that it’s okay to walk away empty-handed. Keeping this in mind can help you avoid the worst of a car auction.
If you do walk away with a new ride that you love, you’ll still need to get it home. Auction cars can be in all sorts of conditions, and you won’t want to risk damaging your new ride by driving it home yourself. Our auction shipping service is the perfect way to get your win home in great shape!