" If you don't gamble, you cant win, and you cant win, if you don't gamble " That being said, @Ryan, you have done your homework, and in depth research about the auction site, you have invested in. I have been following the auction site, and indeed, its very well done, no question about that. If you didn't think it would work, and if you didn't believe in it, YOU, would have never invested in it! Give it time, it will be worth the time and patience it requires to see it prosper! You have a solid gold reputation world wide! It just takes time for the rest of the world to catch up to you! Thanks from Dennis. It's a vast, diversified audience that are potential bidders and successful, honest, transparent buyers and sellers, just sayin!
It's still early, don't lose faith in it. As a frequent buyer/seller of old cars for many years now, I've dealt with excellent buyers and sellers, and terrible ones. I think the Auction House weeds out the majority of the latter, and that's a good thing.
No reserve auctions will have it in the title... However, if an auction is a reserve auction and that reserve has been met, it will be listed on the page....
No 2 hot rods are the same. Before buying it takes thought and consideration maybe even a visit. It is not a commodity item 911 Porsche. You have chosen a tough course. Good luck with it or know when to pull the shoot.
You can see that i have a car listed, my avitar, i have a top number on it but it is only a number that does not have to be met. Title is clear and my name. will answer any and all questions here on hamb or personal e/m.
I too think more cars being listed will help with the sales. I’d suggest a consideration of adding a few quality project cars that are popular. How many cars do you have in line now to go on auction @Ryan.
I’m leaving for work so haven’t looked at the replies, may have been mentioned. Why not make a “checklist” for sellers? ie Here’s the best way to market your vehicle 1. 2. 3. Etc. Make the list as if it’s something you would be looking at/for if you went to look at a vehicle. Just my thoughts, y’all have a great day.
I have wondered several times if @Ryan wanted us to create early on activity. I, for one, am not in the market for a car. That being said, I would have no problem registering , if for nothing else, to boost the price past $1 . The Riviera sat at $1 for a few days. Should we bump that to $100 or $500 early on to show activity. Would that help the situation ? Create a problem ? The site is very top notch. I hope it becomes the. Bench mark for traditional hot rods and customs .
I really like the discussions part of the listings. That is something you don't get on the big auction site. You can ask the seller questions and the Q&A is visible to everyone.
Let's not forget, the only thing that makes auctions work is a couple of bidders who get serious. I hesitated to say "go crazy". Most of us have been to auctions and seen unbelievable results. 2 "motivated" bidders are necessary for that to happen. If you are buying a car from the classifieds, very little emotion is involved, it's about logic and desire for that car. The auction world changes that to a competition. It takes lots of people for this to work. We all know that whether it's a hot rod or street rod, personal taste is a large part of this. How many times have you heard, "if it was a different color" I'd buy it. Selling a car isn't easy for most of us.
A couple of observations, I think if cars from the classifieds are in an auction that most people can guess the reserve based on the asking price in the classifieds. The classified ads should probably be deleted while the auction is live. If people know the neighborhood of the reserve it takes a little "bidding excitement" out of the equation. I agree that there could be more ads up too but Ryan is doing this by himself and with all his other obligations this auction is a large undertaking. As far as the Bring a trailer auction site, I am quite sure that it was a very long road to get to where they are today. I think I read somewhere that they have something like 150 employees. I didn't start looking at the site until last spring sometime. If you sign up, they send an email daily that lists the 100 or so auctions that are ending that day along with the 100 or so that are starting. I look at it first thing in the morning with coffee, pretty enjoyable and while most of the cars are European sporty cars and not really what I am into, there were just enough hot rods and muscle cars to keep me interested. Besides I was in no way shape or form in the market for another car so I thought it was pretty harmless.... Until early last September a car that so PERFECTLY fit my car collection popped up, A car that I had wondered what had happened to it and it was all over, I instantly signed up as a bidder and was a total rookie not knowing how the site worked. I was nervous as hell about bidding on a car without seeing it but the fact that there were 270 very good high res pictures , not to mention some of the people that were on the discussion forum that knew the shop that had done the body and paint work helped me a lot. I was the high bidder on the last day and not knowing if the reserve was met or not was driving me crazy (BAT doesn't disclose that until after the auction is over) The auction ended and the smoke cleared and I am the proud owner of the Ron Hing custom 56 chev convert. When the car arrived here I was completely thrilled with the condition of it... All those pictures and the discussions are part of what makes BAT work, I am sure that once Ryans site gains a little traction and sells some cars that he will want to require people to submit lots of great pictures with their listings
If I’ve learned anything about selling cars it’s that it takes time. That is, you might not have people beating a path to your door right away. Also, when posting your ad make sure you list all the parts and pieces you have for the vehicle . And last but not least pictures, pictures and more pictures cause not everyone buys a vehicle sight unseen. But that’s just me.
I don’t do car auctions. Never been a gambler, either. Fun to look at and watch, but would never buy a car that way. Maybe I’m out of the norm, I don’t know. Hope it works out, will give me something to look at and dream a bit.
Ok Fellas ….. STEP UP ! RESERVE IS OFF !!! https://jalopyauctionhouse.com/index.php/product/1955-ford-f100/ You can get a decent truck for not much !
Anyone that has spent anytime around the JJ or Hamb knows that trust is not an issue. @Ryan has major credibility and doesn’t screw around with flakes. One observation which you’ve already addressed is that most of the pictures just plain suck. I feel this may go along way to making some auctions complete. But the writing is superb! That’s what keeps me coming back to check every day. Even though I’m not in the market to buy. Although that shoebox is really perfect. And it’s close to me…hmmm…
I was holding my tongue in this conversation, but I've been thinking a few no reserve cars could be a spark to light the flame. I understand not many people want to do that, but buyers want to think they're getting a deal, but for my part I know once I've made a bid, I start to want the item, and I'm much more likely to bid up, and go higher than I would have.
@Ryan ,When an auction ends, you don't put a huge banner saying "Sold!" and the price it sold for? Also, don't understand why the Ford truck says the auction has ended but there is still time left on the clock.
I'm just giving feedback. There are a bunch of little things like that that he has to iron out, I'm sure. Just trying to help, not being critical.
I know you will... but keep at it. You and I are on similar paths, at the moment, I just launched a summer camp and, like your site, it's probably the best in the state if not the greater area from the foundation on up. And, also like you, it's been a stressful, expensive launch. I spent a while creating an awareness campaign for the reasons you mention. I love that you're still growing and learning. It will be successful, just keep learning and improving. I am rooting for you!
I’m with you on the selling/ending price. That’s how many gauge of what they have of like-kind, better shape, worse shape, etc is worth putting it up for auction. eBay will give the ending bid price (used to anyways) also will add if the reserve wasn’t met. So when an item ends at say $100.00 you have an idea of what yours will fetch with or without a reserve. How many times have you read here on the HAMB “put it on eBay with a high reserve and you’ll have an idea what it worth”?
Have a look at what Adam and co are doing over at Iconic. Its a different model although with some similarities. In just a few years they are growing the business rapidly. I sold a 6 figure bike via them and was very happy with the process. https://iconicmotorbikeauctions.com/
One other observation that I don't think has been previously mentioned is the reasonableness of the reserve price. I have registered on the new site and "won" an auction as high bidder, but did not meet the reserve price. For many of the cars that have been listed, we at least have a glimpse into the mind of the sellers in that many of the cars have been listed in the For Sale classifieds already, and in the case of the car I bid on, had been listed for quite some time. But in those cases, there is an asking price. The seller had to blink so-to-speak, and put an asking price out there. However, when a car sits for months and months and months in the classifieds with just BTTT, the message to me is clear; the seller wants too much money for the car or it would sell. My point is, if a seller is listing a car in a for sale ad with a known asking price, and the car isn't selling, then why would listing the car in a auction format with a (likely) substantially similar reserve price yield a different result? Cars are selling. It's not as if there is no money out there. In fact, I think it was Scooterville in MD that recently listed a 56 Mercury for what I thought was a very fair price, and the car sold. But I think there is also an element of folks trying to take advantage of a high market with wishful asking prices and then being surprised when fish aren't biting.
^^^ Sellers can be stubborn for many reasons and won’t budge. We all know the reasons. But I agree with you 100%. An auction with a reserve at or near a year old asking price is a hopeful sales for the person.
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