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Old 03-25-2012, 09:06 PM   #1
JohnnyHowDoO'duya
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Default Anyone been to a Calgary car auction?

Anyone been to a Calgary car auction, like this one?

http://www.regalauctions.com/

I would like a somewhat reliable car for under $5000 and was thinking about a car auction.

I dont know much about mechanical things, I probably shouldnt take the gamble but I do know you can get some smoking deals if you know what you are doing or get lucky!

Will I get slaughtered by the Pro's who troll these auctions?


ps ... first post!
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Old 03-25-2012, 11:17 PM   #2
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nice reception .... le sigh
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Old 03-25-2012, 11:18 PM   #3
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Anyone been to a Calgary car auction, like this one?

http://www.regalauctions.com/
I have not been to a car auction.
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Old 03-25-2012, 11:44 PM   #4
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If you're gonna sign up for a board to ask this, may I recommend beyond.ca?
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Old 03-25-2012, 11:58 PM   #5
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nice reception .... le sigh
I have been to this and other auctions on several occasions, purchased 2 cars through Michener Allen (Hyundai Accent and a BMW 328i Cabriolet), none at Regal.

That said, my advice is reserved for those who are patient and don't use "le sigh". I am serious, it RGMG.
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Old 03-26-2012, 12:29 AM   #6
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I visited Regal once, and wasn't really that impressed with what they had there. The cars at the time looked like they were just dumped off there because repair bills were too expensive or something. Problem was also the people who consigned their cars there didn't care if they were clean or not. Not sure if other places mandate the cars are detailed or at a bare minimum, vacuumed before they are allowed to be left on the lot. Also that you were only allowed to drive the car around the parking lot wasn't much help.
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Old 03-26-2012, 01:51 AM   #7
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nice reception .... le sigh
Because you didn't get a reply in 2 hours ?

Looked at a few of their lists online. Never went to the actual auction. Hope that was useful.
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Old 03-26-2012, 02:13 AM   #8
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I used to be in the auction business, my experience for cars is you can get great deals on good beaters around $1000.00 or save thousands on a vehicle worth 20k+. the 5-10k range is a big risk IMO as most are high miled company cars or dealer trade-ins that after inspection they don't seem fit to offer even a 6 month warranty from their used lots.

Beaters are beaters(some people love em) but most of the 20k+ vehicals(most are bank repossessions with no reserve) can be had on a good day for half price.
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Old 03-26-2012, 10:26 AM   #9
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There is so much junk at those, you have to be really risk tollerant. I helped my friend buy his Cadillac CTS at Michener Allen. He got it for super cheap, but soon after discovered it had likely never seen an oil change on 100,000km and had to spend a decent amount of money getting it back in running shape.

Part of it was his fault, he wasn't able to make it the day before to check things out so missed things such as the driver's seat heater not working. Looking under the oil cap would have shown a massive amount of sludge, but we were there past the inspection time and had to just chance it. Overall I'd say he's probably saved a very small amount of money if you factor in repairs.
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Old 03-26-2012, 10:27 AM   #10
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Can you even look/drive the cars before buying them? or are you taking everything at face value?
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Old 03-26-2012, 10:31 AM   #11
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nice reception .... le sigh
You didn't get an answer between 9:15pm and 11:15pm on a Sunday night and you are already complaining? Is that you again Michael Ha?

le sigh? Use your big boy words.

I have never been to a car auction, but I've watched a lot of TV. If you just yell yuuuuup lots of times you will buy an item that everyone else missed out on and it will be worth about three times what you paid for it.
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Old 03-26-2012, 10:52 AM   #12
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Originally Posted by squiggs96 View Post
You didn't get an answer between 9:15pm and 11:15pm on a Sunday night and you are already complaining? Is that you again Michael Ha?

le sigh? Use your big boy words.
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Because you didn't get a reply in 2 hours ?


You guys are sensitive!

Actually there were like 40 views and no reply, so just a commentary.

Thanks for everyone else's advice as well.
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Old 03-26-2012, 11:03 AM   #13
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Let me guess, you're an SEO specialist for regalauctions..

If you're being serious, yeah you should have someone with you who either a - knows stuff about cars and or b: knows stuff about auctions.
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Old 03-26-2012, 11:22 AM   #14
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Pro Tip: Make sure to try the car in reverse before you bid.

I had a friend who bought his car only to realized the transmission no longer worked in reverse. Had to replace the transmission on a car that was worth 2k to begin with. Ouch.
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Old 03-26-2012, 11:27 AM   #15
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I bought a beater at Osman Auctions in Edmonton when I was in University, and got a couple years out of it. It was cheaper (even factoring in a new muffler and some sort of fan it needed) than getting something comparable anywhere else. Basically, I kept my budget the same and upgraded from a ~15 year old car to a ~9 year old car.
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Old 03-26-2012, 11:27 AM   #16
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^That is rather hilarious because it wasn't me.

There are sooo many things that can easily be missed in a quick once-over though, it is slightly scary.
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Old 03-26-2012, 11:53 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by calumniate View Post
Let me guess, you're an SEO specialist for regalauctions.. .
Nope, what gave you that idea?

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If you're being serious, yeah you should have someone with you who either a - knows stuff about cars and or b: knows stuff about auctions.
2 strikes for me here. I need to carefully consider the cost benefit of just buying a certified dealer car or not.




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Pro Tip: Make sure to try the car in reverse before you bid.

I had a friend who bought his car only to realized the transmission no longer worked in reverse. Had to replace the transmission on a car that was worth 2k to begin with. Ouch.
This is the kind of thing I am worried about for sure. Penny wise, pound foolish.
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Old 03-26-2012, 01:22 PM   #18
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I think the price/junk heap ratio maximizes in your favor at private sales.

Auction: Low price/high junk
Dealer: High price/low junk

Private, nice happy medium.
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Old 03-26-2012, 01:39 PM   #19
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I've been to the Michener Allen auction a few times. A lot of used car lot dealers go and bid up the cheaper cars, then mark them up for sale on their lots. The competition tends to be pretty tough.
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Old 03-26-2012, 02:35 PM   #20
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I've been to several Michener Allen auctions.

It comes down to what you know, you have to be able to assess and analyze a car and it's many possible problems with a very quick once over, listening to it, etc. Making a big decision based on very little information.

You also have to be comfortable that you can repair all the minor stuff or that you can live with it, but I've found several very good vehicles at the auction for very reasonable prices.
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