Friday, 25 September 2015

Why Go To Franklin County Govt Auto Auctions In Ohio?

Residents of Ohio and the surrounding area are afforded an excellent opportunity to attend Franklin County government auto auctions.  These auctions offer an excellent opportunity to save money on a reliable, quality used vehicle.  While these auctions are similar to any other government auction in a variety of ways, Franklin County does feature a handful of factors which make it a unique opportunity.

Low Prices

The first reason people attend Franklin County government auto auctions in Ohio are because of the prices.  As with all government auctions, the average purchase price of a vehicle as well below market value.  In many cases, the winning bidder pays 30 percent to 70 percent less than they would at a used car dealership for the same vehicle.  Additionally, the listings are exceptionally large which ensures bidders have a lot of options.  As with any auction, the more options available, the lower the prices.  This is because more options necessarily mean bidders do not have to run up the price on a particular vehicle when so many similar units are also available.

Complete Vehicle History

Another benefit of attending Franklin County government auto auctions in Ohio is vehicle history.  Nearly every government, at all levels, across the country dictate how a vehicle must be maintained.  What makes Franklin County unique is it has noticeably stricter maintenance repair standards than many other areas of the country.  Additionally, it has an excellent track record of documenting each repair and maintenance session.  By consistently having access to a complete vehicle history, bidders can feel much safer and secure every time they bid.  Since they have access to the complete vehicle history and maintenance records, it is easy to see which vehicles have historically been reliable and which ones have been well maintained.  This eliminates much of the risk associated with attending auto auctions.

Huge Listings

An overlooked benefit of attending Franklin County government auto auctions is the size of the listing.  Columbus is the County seat of Franklin County as well as the state capital.  This means Franklin County government auto auctions will often include vehicles from both the city, county, and state level.  Plus, these vehicles come from all branches and departments of each level of government.  As a result, the auction listings are typically much larger than other government auctions in the surrounding areas.  Plus, Columbus is part of the eighth largest Metro statistical area in the country.  In order to manage the infrastructure to support such a large Metropolitan area, the city and county must maintain an extremely large fleet of vehicles.  To maintain such a large fleet, local governments purchase more vehicles annually than the surrounding areas.

Easy Access with Online Auctions

Franklin County was one of the first levels of government in Ohio to fully embrace online auctions.  They did this to reduce overhead as well as make it easier for residents to access the auction.  Since then, a number of popular and reputable online auto auction websites have joined in.  This makes accessing Franklin County auto auctions easier than ever.  Plus, many of the most reputable online auto auction websites provide users with a full suite of tools to make finding the perfect vehicle a snap.

Popular with the GSA

The final reason Franklin County is an ideal spot to attend government auto auctions is because it is popular with the GSA.  The GSA is the federal government’s department responsible for amassing and distributing government fleet vehicles.  Since Franklin County consistently sells a majority of the vehicle offered on each listing, the GSA sends them a larger percentage of cars than other surrounding areas.  This further increases the size of the listing and makes it easier to take advantage of low prices on quality used cars.

Reputable Online Auto Auctions in Yonkers NY

There are a growing number of online auto auctions in Yonkers NY; however this doesn’t mean all of them are reputable.  Online auto auction sites have proven to be an enormous benefit for consumers looking to save money on a quality, reliable used vehicle.  At the same time, it is essential to only work with reputable online auto auction sites.  Not only do they offer the greatest selection but they also have a variety of rules and regulations built to protect buyers as well as sellers.  There are a few telltale signs which will help you identify reputable online auto auctions in Yonkers NY from the fly-by-night establishments.

Listings are Constantly Updated

One of the first signs that an online auto auction site is reputable is the listings.  Online auto auction sites work extremely hard to ensure their listings are constantly up-to-date.  If you notice a website rarely updated listings, there’s a good chance they are not investing the necessary amount of resources to provide you with the best information.  In most cases, this is because they rely on the publicly available listings rather than working directly with local auction houses.  The best online auto auction websites spend years developing relationships with auction houses across the country so they always have the most up to date listings.

Reputable Online Auto Auction Sites Have Solid Track Record of Success

While you shouldn’t arbitrarily avoid new online auto auction sites, a majority of the best options have already established themselves and develop a positive reputation among buyers.  In many cases, a positive reputation goes hand-in-hand with implementing policies to protect buyers and sellers.  Another key characteristic of online auto auction sites with solid reputations is excellent customer service.  This is a huge benefit to first-time buyers because it gives them a resource to help them learn more about the buying process and complete the first transaction.

They Provide Tools to Make the Entire Process Easy

Along with investing time and money into developing relationships with local auction houses, reputable online sites also invest significant resources into providing buyers with a variety of tools.  These tools are designed to make the research and purchasing process easier.  For example, there are a number of tools which allow users to filter the available listings in order to identify a handful of target vehicles they are most interested in.  This will save you a lot of time and energy and significantly increase your chances of getting a great deal on a quality used car in Yonkers, NY.

Reputable Online Auto Auction Sites in Yonkers NY Often Include Listings from Surrounding Areas
Unless the online auto auction site is managed by a single auction house, a majority of sites will include listings from surrounding areas.  Depending upon how large of appropriate the website has, surrounding listings could be from nearby metropolitan areas, the entire state of New York, or the entire country.  While Yonkers is known for holding regular auctions the best online auto auction sites try to include nearby listings in order to give users the best chance of finding exactly what they want at a price they can afford.
Examples of Previous Deals Found at Reputable Online Auto Auctions in Yonkers NY

2009 Mercedes-Benz SL63

At a recent online auto auction near Yonkers NY a 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL63 was sold for only $65,000.  It had less than 14,000 miles on it and only normal wear and tear.  This beautiful convertible was white with a 6.2 liter V8 engine and rear wheel drive.  What really makes this car stand out was it part of the IWC Edition in which only 200 were manufactured.  While it sold for $65,000 the estimated local market value was closer to $126,000.

2013 Toyota Avalon

This maroon 2013 Toyota Avalon recently sold at an online auction near Yonkers, NY.  It had less than 1,500 miles on it.  It featured a 2.5 liter inline 4 hybrid E engine and was front wheel drive.  There were a handful of noticeable minor dents and scratches but nothing to suggest more extensive damage.  While the estimated local value of this car was nearly $60,000 the winning bidder paid only $32,500.
2007 Nissan Maxima SE

Another great example of what you can find at reputable online auto auctions in Yonkers NY is this 2007 Nissan Maxima SE.  It came with a clean title from New York and had only 50,000 miles on it.  This 4 door gray sedan featured a 3.5 liter V6 engine and was front-wheel drive.  While the estimated local retail value as nearly $16,000 the winning bidder paid only $6,700.

2004 Infiniti G35

This 2004 Infiniti G35 was all wheel drive and boasted a 3.5 liter V6 engine.  It was a blue, 4 door sedan with only 65,000 miles on it.  There were some noticeable minor dents and scratches but they appeared to be from normal wear and tear.  This type of damage should be expected on a vehicle nearly 10 years old.  If there was no noticeable damage then getting a vehicle history becomes even more important.  While the local estimated retail value of this car was $9,500 the winning bidder paid only $5,200.

Find Cheap Car Deals at Bay Area Police Auctions

There are so many different ways to try and lock down a deal for a cheap car in the Bay Area that the entire process can quickly become overwhelming.  The best way to save time, money, and a lot of frustration is by quickly identifying the best places to consistently find cheap cars.  Bay area police auctions are one such option.  They are held at regular intervals which makes their timing predictable and they boast a wide variety of different makes, models, and conditions to choose from.

Two Ways to Approach Finding Cheap Car Deals at Bay Area Police Auctions

While you can utilize a variety of different strategies at an auto auction, there are two primary ways to approach finding a cheap car at a Bay Area police auction.  The first is a reactionary approach.  The key to making this work is research and due diligence.  Since the listing of a police auction will have a lot of variance, there is little chance there will be more than one or two of any particular make and model.  As a result, it is impossible to predict which cars will go cheap and which ones will get a lot of attention from other bidders.

With the reactionary approach, your goal is to create a fairly long list of potential target vehicles to bid on.  For each vehicle, you should complete fairly extensive research in terms of vehicle history and current market value.  Keep in mind that most Bay Area police auctions will provide VIN numbers as part of their auction listings.  This will make it easier to begin your research.  The benefit of this approach is you remain flexible throughout the auction.  Instead of target only a handful of vehicles, your strategy is to essentially sit back and wait for car to slide through cracks.  At every auction there will be a series of cars up for auction that get a lot of attention.  Immediately following this event there will be a lull in the bidding.  This is when you will find someone of the best deals on cheap cars.

The second strategy is more proactive.  Instead of targeting a large number of vehicles, you are going to be extensive research on only a handful.  With more detailed research you can easily identify the best potential deals.  Unfortunately, it is impossible to predict exactly which cars will get the most attention from other bidders, so there is a real possibility you would need to attend several auctions before landing one of the cars you are targeting.  The benefit of this strategy is you are guaranteed a great deal once you start bidding.  The drawback is risk.  The fewer cars you target, the greater the risk all of them will have multiple competing bidders to drive up the price.

Two (2) Examples of Cheap Car Deals Recently Found at Bay Area Police Auctions

1) 2004 Infiniti G35

This 2004 Infiniti G35 was valued at nearly $12,000 when the auction began.  There were some noticeable dents and dings; however they appeared to be entirely cosmetic.  The winning bidder paid only $3,500 for this black coupe.  One of the reasons there were few competing bidders was because the car had over 110,000 miles of wear and tear.  At the same time, the car had a spotless vehicle history so the new owner will likely get a great return on their investment.

2) 2004 Acura LT
Another savvy bidder at a recent police auction brought home a 2004 Acura LT for only $2,500.  Before the auction began, this gray 4 door sedan was valued at just over $11,500.  The reason some bidders were hesitant is because there was noticeable hail damage on the vehicle.  Plus, it had over 100,000 miles on it.  Considering the market value of the car, this still presented itself as a great deal.

Thursday, 24 September 2015

Should You Buy American Cars or Imported Cars? (Part 2)

Benefits of Buying Imported Cars

When considering whether or not to buy imported cars there are several key benefits to take note of. One of the biggest benefits of buying imported cars lies in the wider variety of luxury models. While this benefit is only applicable to people who are in the market for a luxury vehicle, it is something worth considering.
Another benefit of buying imported cars is their resale price is often higher. This means if someone wants to purchase a new car and plans on trading it in or reselling in the near future they will suffer from less devaluation than if they bought a domestically manufactured vehicle.

Anyone in the market for a compact car will typically look at buying imported cars first. This is because American manufacturers have the luxury of building much more spacious cabins for their sedans and midrange vehicles. As a result, they are overall interior design of compact cars is often lacking compared to the imported alternatives. Additionally, imported compact cars are often lighter which means better gas mileage.

A final benefit of purchasing imported cars is the ability to modify them easily. Body mods or mod kits are typically more readily available for imported cars. There are a variety of reasons for this but one of the most notable reasons is imported car manufacturers often develop their overall design with the understanding that multiple body mod kits will be made available as well.

Drawbacks of Buying Imported Cars

While there are a number of benefits there are certain drawbacks of buying imported cars to consider as well. While they are built lighter, which means getting better gas mileage, they are also less powerful. In terms of overall horsepower and acceleration capabilities, imported cars typically lag behind domestically manufactured alternatives. The obvious exception to this is the large number of sports cars developed internationally which emphasized power and maneuverability.

Another potential drawback of buying imported cars is the long-term parts and maintenance fees. While the overall maintenance costs have been decreasing over the last decade, it is still more expensive to perform general maintenance and purchase parts for imported vehicles. This is particularly important to consider for people who want to buy an imported car and plan on keeping it for 5+ years.

The final drawback of buying an imported car is the miscellaneous fees and costs built into the price. As a result, the initial purchase price of imported cars are often higher than their domestically manufactured equivalent.

Overall
Overall, it is difficult to say that either domestically manufactured or imported car should always be considered the best option. There are a number of variables which go into the decision of purchasing a vehicle as everyone is looking for something a little different. Based upon your specific preferences it should be clear which option is best for you by simply

Should You Buy American Cars or Imported Cars? (Part 1)

One of the first questions car buyers must answer is whether they want to buy American cars or imported cars. There are a variety of potential benefits and drawbacks to both options. The key is considering what your priorities are and select a vehicle which best fits them. It is important to note that all of the benefits and drawbacks of buying American or imported cars are broad-based issues which are generally true but may vary from one make and model to another.

Benefits of Buying American Cars

There are several notable benefits of buying American cars. One of the most obvious benefits is they are significantly larger and more spacious. The width of roads and highways in America is far wider than in many other countries. This has afforded American manufacturers the luxury of building a wider cars with more spacious interiors. Not only does this make cars more comfortable but provides specific advantages for sedans and luxury cars. It is also why many of the best SUVs are American-made.

Another benefit of buying American cars is the insurance rates are moderately lower than many imported cars. While this will vary from one model to another to equivalent cars, one American-made in one imported, may have differing insurance rates based upon where they are manufactured. While this is not necessarily a direct causal link there have been several studies noting domestically manufactured cars are often less expensive to insure.

A subtle benefit of buying American cars, especially if you are buying a new car, is the long-term financing. Domestic manufacturers go to greater lengths to provide consistent, long-term financing for new car buyers. While this benefit rarely extends to the secondary market, it is something to consider if you are purchasing a new car.

Drawbacks of Buying American Cars

There are two primary drawbacks of buying American cars. The first is they devalue faster on the secondary market. For people who buy new cars and want to trade the man in several years a domestic car returns a lower bang for your buck. On the other hand, if you are in the market for a used car than American cars typically offer better savings opportunities.

A well-known issue of American manufactured cars, especially over the past few years, is the significant number of recalls from Detroit automakers. This bad press is often considered a drawback from purchasing domestic cars, however several studies of noted that the total number of recalls over any given 10 year period are fairly similar between domestic and international manufacturers.

Why Are Luxury Cars Are So Cheap At Government Auctions

Anyone who is attended a government auction may have noticed that luxury cars are exceptionally inexpensive. While government auctions are known for providing excellent deals in general, over the past few years’ luxury cars in particular have become very cheap. There are several factors which, when combined, lead to luxury cars being sold for even less than normal.

A Majority of Bidders Are Focused on Commuter or Family Cars

At a standard GSA fleet vehicle auction the majority of the bidders are focused on commuter or family cars. This is because a majority of the listing is composed of cars the government bought because they offer excellent gas mileage and reliability. Plus, there are typically multiple makes and models in which multiple units are available. This allows bidders to focus on getting the best value for each purchase rather than targeting a specific car. As a result, savvy bidders are targeting popular commuter cars because they know they will have multiple opportunities to bid on similar units. As a result, they don’t focus on any particular vehicle but rather a type of vehicle.

Few Luxury Cars Are Listed at Government Fleet Auctions so Few Luxury Car Bidders Participate
Another reason luxury cars are so cheap at government auctions, especially fleet vehicle government auctions, is because very few luxury cars are listed. Since so few luxury cars are available at these types of auctions, a majority of bidders ignore them. They are more focused on the types of vehicles which dominate the listings because they know it will give them the best opportunity to land a great deal. This mindset has shifted so far in the direction of emphasizing commuter or family cars that luxury cars are now nearly ignored it some auctions. 

Even though the listing of luxury cars is minimal the number of potential bidders for these vehicles are in short supply as well. This results in a situation where there are very few people bidding against each other for luxury cars. As with all auctions, the fewer bidders competing against each other, the lower the end price is.

A Massive Amount of Luxury Vehicles are Listed at Federal Government Seized Vehicle Auctions
On the other end of the spectrum, there are a massive amount of luxury vehicles listed it federal government seized vehicle or seized property auctions. The United States Marshals Service is most well-known for this type of auction. At these auctions nearly every item is considered a luxury good including vehicles, jewelry, and a barrage of private property. All of this property was seized by the federal government. 

A similar situation arises as at fleet vehicle auctions. The only difference is that there are a significant number of luxury cars to bid on so potential buyers are comfortable waiting until they get the right vehicle at just the right price. This results in lower competition per unit, even though the competition for luxury cars in general is high.

There are a variety of different ways you can save money on a quality, reliable luxury car at government auctions. The key is choosing the type of auction you are most comfortable with. If you would prefer to focus on only a few luxury cars at a time, then her general fleet vehicle auction would be a better choice. On the other hand, if you a wide variety of luxury vehicles to choose from than a broader seized property or seized vehicle auction is the best choice.

See Online Gov Auctions for Cheap Car Deals

Government auctions are auctions sponsored or organized by federal and state agencies, as well as their affiliated organizations or institutions such as schools and health care facilities.
They also have assets such as cars that they need to unload in order to save money, raise funds, or get rid of surplus that may be draining their budget.

Auctions are a good way of selling multiple vehicles in a short span of time because they always attract crowds. These events may be live, which means you have to be really there, or online, which allows you to bid for vehicles at the comfort of your own home.

Joining an online car auction is very easy and quick:

  1. Look for online government auctions. Websites like Gov-auctions org. have a comprehensive list of both live and online auctions.
  2. Create your online account. You need an online account so you can bid and keep track of the bidding. You will also be notified usually through a phone call and an e-mail if you’ve won the bid.
  3. Check out the list of cars that are up for bidding. One of the biggest drawbacks of joining an online auction is you won’t be able to inspect the vehicles yourself. That’s very challenging since these cars are sold as is. That’s why you have to do your utmost due diligence:
  • Read the descriptions very carefully.
  • Compare the VIN (vehicle identification number) using the databases of National Motor Vehicle Title Information System or Carfax to make sure that the vehicle hasn’t been tampered, has not been reported stolen or lost, or if there’s no other issues that may come along with the purchase.
  • Study each of the photos.
  • When in doubt, ask for more information from the auctioneer.

  1. Bid! There’s a minimum bidding price for every vehicle, and it can be as low as a hundred dollars. As more bids come in, you may have to increase that in the hopes you win.
  2. Get the vehicle. If you win, then you can now get the vehicle from a determined location. The auctioneer’s representative will be there to help you process the paperwork and pay for the vehicle.
Tips
  1. Learn as much as you can about the cars. Read the reviews and determine the features or warning signals to look for.
  2. Be sure of your bid. Usually, once you’ve made a bid, you can no longer cancel it. Avoid making the mistake of spending more than you can afford for a vehicle.
  3. Remember, you don’t have to give your credit card information upon signing. You give cash or check only when you have won the bid and have personally met the auctioneer and processed your paperwork.
  4. Have yourself pre-qualified or pre-approved for a loan. This ensures that you can always have some money to rely on once you’re ready to make a bid.
  5. Keep track of bidding. See to it you have access to a reliable Internet connection. Besides, bidding usually lasts for only a few hours or days so it’s not much of a hassle.