Compare Auctions- Non Numismatics and Numismatics

mrearlygold · January 12, 2017 8:06PM

Just "won" a car at Mecum yesterday. I've been looking for exactly this make, model, color combo, options etc for about a year. Lost one on ebay and another one is still on ebay but it has aftermarket crap which I'm trying to avoid.
So far the experience has been great. The people I spoke to prior to the sale are the people following up with the delivery, have been very helpful and so far I'm pleased as as a plum. Anyone else buy cars or other stuff from auction? What's been your experience?

roadrunner · January 12, 2017 9:24PM

I trust you saw the car (Vette?) before the auction or had an agent look at it for you? If you think this is important in coins, it's probably more important with classic/performance cars. Rebodies, restamping numbers on engines, after market tags and build sheets, bondo, aftermarket parts, repaints, altering mileage, bogus appraisals, shill bidding, etc. are the typical pitfalls when buying that make things quite a soup to determine exactly what you have. Mecum works for the consignor, not for the bidders. Never won a car at auction but I'd have to be there in person to inspect it. Mecum has a decent rep as far as I know from reports I've read over the past 10-15 years.

My own experiences in going to look at or buy a car based on other people's inputs (particularly the sellers) they always seem to fall way short. There's been a few exceptions, but not many.

ricko · January 13, 2017 9:13AM

I have purchased firearms at auction, but always had a chance to review them prior to bidding. Cheers, RickO

craZ4coins · January 13, 2017 9:20AM

Like with numismatics, caveat emptor.

Some people look at auctions as a means do dump their "cats and dogs." A careful pre-auction inspection, by the prospective buyer or his/her rep, is essential IMO. That applies to coins too.

roadrunner · January 13, 2017 9:37AM

I think the auto auctions have a lot more shilling, stumping, puffing, and back room dealing going on than coin auctions do.

mrearlygold · January 14, 2017 2:14PM

@roadrunner said:
I trust you saw the car (Vette?) before the auction or had an agent look at it for you? If you think this is important in coins, it's probably more important with classic/performance cars. Rebodies, restamping numbers on engines, after market tags and build sheets, bondo, aftermarket parts, repaints, altering mileage, bogus appraisals, shill bidding, etc. are the typical pitfalls when buying that make things quite a soup to determine exactly what you have. Mecum works for the consignor, not for the bidders. Never won a car at auction but I'd have to be there in person to inspect it. Mecum has a decent rep as far as I know from reports I've read over the past 10-15 years.

My own experiences in going to look at or buy a car based on other people's inputs (particularly the sellers) they always seem to fall way short. There's been a few exceptions, but not many.

Nope, T-Bird! My 1st Ford!

Really a positive experience thus far, let's see how it closes:)

mrearlygold · January 16, 2017 1:55PM

Wow, I just won the car and 1st thing this morning I received a phone call from Mecum's truck driver, the car was coming to me around noon! They have not even received my check yet and the car is/was being delivered? Well about an hour ago this huge transporter was in front of our house and sure enough that bad Ford V-8 is in my garage now

jdimmick · January 16, 2017 1:57PM

Way to go Tom!

roadrunner · January 16, 2017 2:04PM

Let us know how it turns out....after you've had a chance to fully inspect it, wash, wax, detail and drive it. When I've bought classic cars before, I didn't find most of the flaws until a few months in. Sometimes, paint issues can very subtle and only show up in just the right light, at the right angle.....just like coins.

drwstr123 · January 16, 2017 3:31PM

'Nope, T-Bird! My 1st Ford!"
I hope, for your sake, it isn't a '55.

ms70 · January 16, 2017 3:58PM

@mrearlygold said:
Wow, I just won the car and 1st thing this morning I received a phone call from Mecum's truck driver, the car was coming to me around noon! They have not even received my check yet and the car is/was being delivered? Well about an hour ago this huge transporter was in front of our house and sure enough that bad Ford V-8 is in my garage now

Wow! Congrats! How much time passed between the auction and delivery?

For me, once back in the early 80's I got a car at a state auction so I really can't compare to how things might be today. But at that time we could inspect the car on the Wednesday before the Saturday auction and there was a one hour window just before it started. 10% deposit that day, have it paid in full and out of the lot by the end of the following week.

AmazonX · January 16, 2017 5:26PM

I'm waiting for the photos. Congratulations!

bkzoopapa · January 16, 2017 7:41PM

My wife 's 1985 Seville with 19,790 original miles on it had been garage kept since she got it new. Locally nobody wanted to pay much for it.I put it in Auction America's Labor Day sale and it brought $12,600. More than double what I was offered. Very pleased with the whole operation from pick up to check delivery.

mrearlygold · January 16, 2017 8:47PM

@AmazonX said:
I'm waiting for the photos. Congratulations!

Thanks, I just drove it around the block and it's a MOOSE! Quite an operation. The driver told me they have to move 1900 cars! He said that's not how many sold, just how many have to be moved . They won't even get my check till tomorrow and I'm already enjoying it . Wow

pennyannie · January 16, 2017 9:29PM

This came from the mecom November auction in Dallas TX. 2008 twin turbo Vette with lamborghini doors. Both turbos failed after 2000 fun Miles. Oh well...

pennyannie · January 16, 2017 9:46PM

I always expect some problems wihen buying at auction and bid accordingly. Picked this up last week 2014 with 85 hours. Bought for under 20k so room for repairs if needed

I bought a county owned dump truck 10 years ago with 2000 miles. I did a light check over. It started, went forward,backward, bed raised and lowered and everything worked. Bought and paid for it, headed off the lot once I hit 15 miles per hour realized the rear axle had broken ring gear. 2000 dollar repair before I could use it. Still I bought it for 50 cents on the dollar.

Sorry for bad pics I just figured out how to post them a few days ago. Need to take pics on the PDA and not the cell phone

mrearlygold · January 16, 2017 10:50PM

@AmazonX said:
I'm waiting for the photos. Congratulations!

Thanks, manana

ricko · January 17, 2017 8:57AM

@mrearlygold ....Glad to hear you have had a great experience.... Cheers, RickO

originalisbest · January 17, 2017 10:24AM

@drwstr123 said:
'Nope, T-Bird! My 1st Ford!"
I hope, for your sake, it isn't a '55.

What's the matter with a '55 T-bird (vs. a '56 or a '57, before they made 4-seater squarebirds) -- I assume you mean since it was the first year of production. I take it that the '55's had build or quality problems when new?

AmazonX · January 17, 2017 12:13PM

@mrearlygold Awesome! Too bad about the turbos

BillJones · January 17, 2017 12:18PM

Buyers' fees seem to matter to coin collectors. For political collectors they seem to be mostly ignored. the Heritage political items department charges a 25% buyers' fee, which often makes purchases there very unattractive to me. Bidders there bid as if it doesn't even exist.

mrearlygold · January 17, 2017 1:43PM

Can't seem to post an image. Where do I copy and paste a url?

mrearlygold · January 17, 2017 1:49PM

no caN DO

mrearlygold · January 17, 2017 1:53PM

mrearlygold · January 17, 2017 1:56PM

mrearlygold · January 17, 2017 2:01PM

mrearlygold · January 17, 2017 2:01PM

Big bad ol American Made V-8 Baby!

1630Boston · January 17, 2017 2:25PM

I'm not much into cars but that looks very nice

mrearlygold · January 17, 2017 2:42PM

Looks even nicer with the top off

mrearlygold · January 17, 2017 7:04PM

mrearlygold · January 17, 2017 7:05PM

a little dusty from being under the cover inside the truck. VERY impressed with Mecum auctions and I give them an A-1+++++++++++++ to da moon

mrearlygold · January 17, 2017 7:07PM

@BillJones said:
Buyers' fees seem to matter to coin collectors. For political collectors they seem to be mostly ignored. the Heritage political items department charges a 25% buyers' fee, which often makes purchases there very unattractive to me. Bidders there bid as if it doesn't even exist.

I paid a $3,000/25K purchase price fee to Mecum for this car, had never purchased a car this way and am as excited as a teenager when I start it up:)

mrearlygold · January 17, 2017 7:34PM

@ms70 said:

@mrearlygold said:
Wow, I just won the car and 1st thing this morning I received a phone call from Mecum's truck driver, the car was coming to me around noon! They have not even received my check yet and the car is/was being delivered? Well about an hour ago this huge transporter was in front of our house and sure enough that bad Ford V-8 is in my garage now

Wow! Congrats! How much time passed between the auction and delivery?

For me, once back in the early 80's I got a car at a state auction so I really can't compare to how things might be today. But at that time we could inspect the car on the Wednesday before the Saturday auction and there was a one hour window just before it started. 10% deposit that day, have it paid in full and out of the lot by the end of the following week.

I won the car on Wednesday the 11th and I received the car on the 16th .

I never inspected the car. I just took a shot on the strength of Dana Mecums name . Looks like it turned out great. The car is every bit the 25k mileage T-Bird like in the pics with no dings, dongs , and it runs like a bull. In terms of payment I sent them a check a couple days prior to the auction for 5K and I sent them the balance on Friday the 13th .So they never even had my payment yet delivered the car.I'm tickled and the whole experience thus far has left me smiling from ear to ear. One of the best auction experiences I've ever had be it coins or anything else.

roadrunner · January 17, 2017 8:46PM

I just assumed we were looking at a classic Ford Thunderbird from the 1950's or 1960's. Didn't even consider the last model made. If the miles are really low, there is an excellent chance you can ball park the price of the car just on mileage and photos. Still, I wouldn't go there on anyone's name, especially on a classic car.

Looks like a nice car. Hope you enjoy it. I picked up my "toy" back in 2012. A 1999 Camaro Z28/SS with 12,400 original miles, 1 owner, 6 speed manual transmission for $11,950. Keeps me occupied when I'm not thinking about coins.

mrearlygold · January 17, 2017 9:09PM

Well, the collector in me now tells me that I have to buy a 55

You know, 1st and last year SET ?

But first I need a larger garage and that is in the works:)
( something to do besides coins when I................er..........ummm........... retire? LOL WTHIT) ( WTHIT= what the heck is that? )

mrearlygold · January 17, 2017 10:37PM

@jdimmick said:
Way to go Tom!

Thanks Man!

mrearlygold · January 19, 2017 6:32PM

Sorry to keep posting here but this Mecum Auctions has really gone the extra mile here .Bear in mind I have NEVER done business with them before this . I received a packed from them today containing the temp tag AND all the necessary papers to get new tags/registration, transfer of title, etc in other words I do not have to do anything. They are handling it all . Wow.
I whole heartedly endorse Mecum Auctions as a great place to buy a car.

originalisbest · January 19, 2017 7:01PM

Glad you had a great experience! I was sure you were talking about a vintage Tbird. The ones from the '00s are nice too, and yours looks cherry.

Compare Auctions- Non Numismatics and Numismatics

Comments

Leave a Comment