Friday, June 15, 2007

Tips for Success at Auto Auctions by Ashley Bigham

A car auction can be thrilling if you have the right equipment going in. There are a few things you should know about auto auctions to tip the scales in your favor and allow you to find the best possible value. Buying an auction car always come with a bit of risk; you won't be positive it's a good car until after you've bought, and by then it's too late to take it back. If you want a risk-free car the only option to you is buying a brand new one. If you're into saving money then you can find a quality vehicle at an auction and be fairly sure you're getting quality if you play your cards right. Whether you're looking to attend a live auction or join the new wave of online buyers, these tips will aid you in getting the best deal and a quality car to boot.
Live Auctions 1. Inspect the car on preview days if possible. Many auction hold a preview or inspection day the day before the actual auction. If at all possible, go to it! You'll get a good idea of what's being offered and the option of checking out the car before bidding on it. Also if possible, bring along someone who knows cars pretty well to help you 'see' potential problems. Ask to look all over the car, under the hood, and hear it start up. You probably won't be able to test drive any of the selections, but if you can do a thorough check you'll be much better off.
2. Arrive early on auction day. Arriving early lets you observe other buyers, see what cars they are going for, and also another chance to check out the cars you're interested in. If the auction you're attending didn't have a preview day, use the time before the auction to inspect the cars as thoroughly as possible.
3. Pick more than one car as 'interests.' If you are setting all of your hopes on only one car, you might be very disappointed when someone goes over your budget. There is a lot of variety at auto auctions depending on which you choose to go to. A good number of interests is 3. You can favor one more than another, but try not to get your hopes up. Having more option increases your chances of getting a good deal on a car.
4. Know the worth of a car. You can look up the retail value of the different cars offered to make sure you're truly getting a good value. If you have no idea what a car is worth, how do you know if you're overbidding or not? Depending on the age and make of the car, the value can range a lot of over its lifespan.
5. Stick to your budget. You should always go to an auction with the mindset that you will not go over a certain price. Be realistic, but stick to that number!
Live auctions can be a great way to find a used car. If you don't hit big at one keep in mind that there are many many more out there that you can attend.
Online Auctions 1. Find cars that are in your area. When you look online for auctions, you are going to be surprised at how many cars are listed. Private owners can also auction off their cars, not just the government. You might have a better chance at getting a specific car you want if you search for it. By staying in your area you won't have to pay for the car to be delivered and you can take advantage of some other tips.
2. Ask to see the car before you buy. Staying your area will allow you to do this. Always see if you can inspect the car before buying it. See if you can get the car checked out or bring someone who knows cars with you if they let you. Some dealers won't let you do this, but you've lost nothing in asking.
3. Ask questions about the car. You have the chance now to find out anything you can about the car before you buy. Don't be shy; ask whatever you want to know and decide if you believe their propaganda or if they give you truthful answers.
4. Know the retail price of the car and stick to a budget! Same as live auction, never overbid or go over the price you're willing pay.
About the Author
Ashley writes on how to find the best deals at online and live auto auctions. For more information and useful auction sites visit her blog Car Bargains and Auctions.

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Take Advantage of DEA Auction Deals Today by Ray La Foy

If you've ever wondered what Santa's workshop might look like a few days before Christmas, visit a DEA auction. With items up for grabs that run the gamut, it's likely just about anyone who goes will find some they just can't live without.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency finds itself in possession of an odd variety of things. When these things are seized from the bad guys, they very often end up at DEA auctions for anyone to have a chance to bid on. But what exactly can be found at DEA auctions? Let's take a look.
Vehicles: DEA auctions are famous for the selection of cars, trucks, SUVs and even motorcycles. The makes, models and years of these cars will range greatly, but what's offered is generally at a very good price. The quality, too, can range greatly, so it is up to buyers to be wary enough to check into the deals. While the DEA won't knowingly mislead, it's still a good idea to check records, take a look at the vehicles closely and research models you're interested in for price comparisons and so on.
Recreational vehicles: Boats, ski jets, RVs and more can also all be found at DEA auctions. When these are used in the commission of a felony, they can be seized and resold for tax payers' gain. The deals on this end can also be quite impressive along with the selection.
Computers: Since computers very often are used in the commission of felonies, these, too, can be found at DEA auctions. From laptops to PCs, the deals can be amazing.
Electronics: Everything from camera equipment to televisions, radios, DVD players and beyond will find their way into government auctions. The quality and selection will vary from auction to auction, but when they can be had, the deals can be huge.
Real estate: Houses, land and even condos can sometimes find themselves in government auctions, such as DEA auctions. The pricing here will vary, but generally there are some pretty darn good deals to be had.
Looking for government and DEA auctions can take a little savvy. These are not all the time. When they are, they tend to be pretty big events. Generally, there will be advertisements for these auctions in newspapers or online.
Auction finding programs can come in handy for locating these, too. Since these programs are designed to hunt down all kinds of possibilities in a set area, they really can take the guess work out of finding DEA auctions before they happen.
Remember, when you're looking at DEA auctions or any auctions for that matter, it's important to be a little picky about what you bid on. Since the items are used, it's up to you to check them out as much as possible and decide what's a good buy and what's not. Research the possibilities when you can in advance.
DEA auctions can be very good places to look for just about anything under the sun. Finding these auctions when it's time to buy a car, boat or even a house can save you some serious cash. Plus, they're just fun to watch.
About the Author
Save on great cars and trucks with easy access auction discounts Truck and auto auctions. http://www.vehicletopics.com

Locate Used Car online by Alan Lim

For most people who are only beginning to use the internet, using an online service to find their dream car may prove to be a daunting task. Fortunately there are those who have been there and done that. And from their experience here is a list of online car searches and their archetypes that would make your online used car search experience a whole lot more exciting (and convenient).
Some of the More Trustworthy Sites
Here are some of the better used car online sites. This is not a definitive list of the best sites around, but a template to help you choose a site that is trustworthy, reliable, and comprehensive. When engaging used car online web sites, it would do good to take a look first at the features the following list provides. You will then have a better idea of what to expect from other used car online sites.
Carmax - This site is a stockpile of data from most of the used car dealers in most states. This site makes it easy for users to get information on the available used cars and car dealers in their immediate vicinity and even in other states.
Auto Trader - The good thing about this website is that they are a well-established organization that has been in existence well before the internet age. They used to offer magazines and car listings in the older days. Today, they use their wealth of experience to bring what consumers want to the table over the internet.
Kelly Blue Book - This site is recognized as one of the best used car online resources for car information. They have some of the most comprehensive and easily searchable sites around. This makes it easy for users to input certain characteristics on what they are looking for. The website then generates an exhaustive listing of possible matches in no time at all.
eBay - eBay has a popular and varied listing of cars for auctions. Users will sometimes be able to get great deals on used cars. Unfortunately, it is not scam free. You will have to look out for yourself not to get into shady deals and con artists since the transaction is basically your responsibility. But if done properly, eBay can be a great source of used car auction details.
There are other websites that offer good services on used car deals. Browsing through the above mentioned sites will give you a great idea on what to look out for and what

You are about to go to your first car auction.

You are about to go to your first car auction. You can feel the excitement in the air. There are so many cars to choose from. But do you really know what to expect at a car auction? Do you know the legalities that occur at a car auction? Most people get in way over there heads at a car auction. If this is your first car auction, you better come prepared.
There are a lot of things you need to do and a lot of things you need to pay attention to at a car auction. First off, before you go to a car auction make sure you have enough money in your bank account. All cars purchased at a car auction must be paid in full. You also need to bring your drivers license and any other form of ID to the car auction. This is needed to buy the vehicle and to do the title work and registration.
When you first get to the car auction you should make notes of the cars you are interested in. Then, if you can, go to kellybluebook.com and check the retail value of the vehicles you would like to purchase. This way you know what to go with when you make your bid. At a car auction, many vehicles have a reserve price. This means that the vehicle has a minimum price t be sold at. If it is too high, do not bid on it. Be sure when you do bid that you do not get into a bidding war. Never bid more than you can afford. If the bidding war begins, just walk away. At a car auction, it is every man for himself.
Before you begin to bid on cars, you need to see if the vehicle is a good buy or not. Many vehicles at a car auction could have been previously damaged. An example of this is in Texas and Louisiana many cars were severely damaged by flooding during a hurricane. These vehicles were sent to a car auction and the buyers more than likely had no idea the vehicles had flood damage. You may also wish to take a mechanic to the car auction. A mechanic is a good idea at a car auction because they can see where someone may have tried to hide repairs and damage that the vehicle might have incurred. Lastly, you can get a free Carfax vehicle history report on the vehicle if you get the vehicles identification number (VIN).
Remember, at a car auction vehicles are sold "as is" and they do not come with a warranty. Keep all of these tips in mind to protect yourself from a bad purchase. You are supposed to go to a car auction to get a great deal on a car and to save money. With the proper frame of mind, this is easily accomplished.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jay Moncliff is the founder of http://www.caronlinecenter.info a blog focusing on the Car, resources and articles. This site provides detailed information on Car. For more info visit his site at:Car