On line auction?

[z3skybolt]

Do any of you have experience with bidding for a collector car via an online auction?  Any experience with something called CLASSIC PROMENADE?   Buying a car sight unseen makes me very nervous.   Any experiences or opinions would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

Bob R.

[Mike Josephic CLC #3877]

I'm on the E-Mail list and see their cars for sale updates
often. However, I have no direct experience with them.

That said, I would NEVER buy something like an antique
car on line without a "hands on", in-person inspection.
There are just too many things that pictures don't show
well enough to find flaws in an otherwise shiny, pretty
and desirable car.

If you cannot be there to personally scout the vehicle or
if you do not feel knowledgeable enough, then I suggest
hire a professional appraiser to do the job.  Also, the Club
has many who sometimes volunteer to do this, especially
if they know the vehicle in question and it's in reasonable
driving distance from their home.

Mike

[James Landi]

I've had some email conversations with Harry,the owner,of Classic Promenade Motors,  who is apparently partnering with several others in this enterprise. He appears to be genial, knowledgeable, articulate, and enthusiastic about his business and his cars, some on the showroom, they own. As mentioned above, YOU must inspect.  His central showroom is in Arizona, but this month, they started doing consignments, so while they are somewhat picky about what they present, there are no implied guarantees.  His emails are interesting and well crafted, and many of the cars are of interest and attractively priced.  James

[cadillac ken]

I have to agree with Mike.  Cars always look better in photos than in person.  If you are a detail person a lot can be overlooked just viewing select photos.  And to be sure a lot can be discerned by driving and experiencing the car is person.

$6000 rule for me to buy an unseen (in person) car.  Anything more, not happening without me viewing the car in person.

I recently bought a car from CA of which I had a person who owned one just like it (and lived near in CA) go and do a PPI of sorts. I did not fly across the country to see it personally.  It was an expensive low production car.  While the person who inspected it for me did the paint meter thing as well as a complete visual inspection, there were issues that I found after the car was delivered to me that I was a little disappointed with that he missed. Nothing that was a deal breaker, but certainly would have armed me with a few extra bargaining chips.  And once the deal was done, there were promises to make one of the biggest issues I had, "right" by monetary compensation.  That never happened.  And it is important to add, he was a high end dealer.

[wrench]

I am always reminded of that horse trading scene in True Grit.

Unless I can get Mattie Ross to negotiate on my behalf, I have to do it myself.

I would never buy a vehicle any type, any value, without seeing it in person or using an appraiser that has good insurance and a lousy lawyer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVpnKtF0Lzk

[chrisntam]

The weird thing for me about auctions (mecum, etc) is how do you test drive them?  The car may be pretty, but does it actually all work?

[wrench]

The weird thing for me about auctions (mecum, etc) is how do you test drive them?  The car may be pretty, but does it actually all work?

Ya know? That was why auction prices were historically lower.

But nowadays? The traditional rules of thumb have been tossed out the window.

(For some folks)

[Eric DeVirgilis CLC# 8621]

I bought a total of five sight unseen. Just the first (62 CdV) was a disappointment owning to the car being represented as being all original paint when in fact the entire passenger side had been repainted. Hemmings seller.

Second was another 62 CdV (Hemmings seller) which exceeded my expectations. Still have it.

Another was a later model 92 with mileage in the teens from a reputable CLC member whose description was spot on.

Others were 79 & 80 CdVs found on eBay - each of which also met or exceeded my expectations.

I rely on any number of small clues in order to make a judgement on whether a car is worth pursuing. It's difficult to categorize these in any particular order of importance- it's sort of an instinctual thing that comes after doing it for so many years. Number of owners is another important gauge where less is almost always better than more. 

I also avoid restored cars completely (sight unseen) since the odds of disappointment are significantly magnified.

[Big Fins]

I purchased my 59 SDV, the 70 DVC, both Eldorado's and the 72 FWB, sight unseen. I knew what I was getting into with all of them, plus what I always put into a car that I want to drive. Much of what I do to a car is for me. I'm getting too old to push it off to the side of the road.

I'd say the '70 DVC was the biggest disappointment. Had I put a magnet to it before I bought it, I wouldn't have bought it. While it looked good, I sold it. The Eldorado's have been the best cars. Both came via this board from other CLC members or friends of.

[robert G. smits]

I just purchased my second car on Bring a Trailer.  I much prefer this format to a in person auction.  You have seven days to view the car and ask questions of the seller.  Others who are following the auction also offer constructive and non constructive comments and are frequently very knowledgeable about a particular car/model.  You can inspect the car or have it inspected by someone.  I found talking to the seller by phone very helpful.  Questions you couldn't ask at a Mecum or similar venue like why are you selling it and what upgrades would you consider if you were keeping it were answered.  Listing information is very complete along with 150 t0 200 detailed photos.  Pick a car you are interested in or knowledgeable about and follow it until sold, I think you will find it interesting
Bob Smits #2426