Bringatrailer.com experience?

[gcranston]

Anyone ever purchased through bringatrailer.com? Got any insights you'd care to share? Things to watch out for?

Thanks,

[TunaNoCrust]

Never used it before, but curious to what you are getting?

[gcranston]

Something that will be a little easier every day, and let me put a cage, seats, and harness in the BRZ. We'll see...

And if you've never checked it out before, sorry about your productivity.

[TunaNoCrust]

Sounds like a good plan.

AH, yeah I have to avoid those sites...too much temptation.

[91rs13]

I bought a car from BAT just about 2 years ago. Impulse buy, so anyone lurking there be careful.
Ask any and all questions from the seller before you bid. The audience/members are usually good about picking up any issues, but you never know.
Seller did not disclose everything to me which resulted in additional expense for me, but hey it was a used car -- I expected to have some issues.
If you can have a pre purchase inspection done--or at least someone knowledgeable to see the vehicle in person.

Shipping was not too much fun. Found a good broker, but the trucks themselves are more gypsy like and are not direct employees of the brokers. Cost is higher but you would be better off with the more reputable shippers ( Reliable, Horseless carriage, Intercity etc)

BAT charges their fee to your CC when they declare you the winner. Most sellers want and BAT recommends Wire transfer for funds--which protects the seller more than the buyer.

Good luck

[gcranston]

Thanks for the insights. I did manage to get an inspection done the morning before the auction closed. There were a few surprises and set my ceiling accordingly. Took a swing at it and wound up going $1000 over that ceiling before I called it what it was. In the end I think it was the right decision to pass on the car, but losing an auction is still losing. Gotta keep searching I guess.

I think the inspection is important, but if it comes back with anything you might as well pass on the auction because you'll be bidding against people who don't know there's a problem with the car.

[brakeharder]

One unique thing about BAT is that if you are the high bidder on a car but the car does not meet the reserve price of the seller BAT will send your contact information to the seller and they can choose to reach out and see if a deal can be made. BAT sends that information along seemingly as a "goodwill" gesture as they do not collect any fee from the "high bidder". I was in that position this fall - I was the high bidder on a car but it did not meet the seller's reserve price. At that point, I didn't know if my bid was close to the seller's reserve or if we were far apart on a "number". The seller and I ended up making contact and were able come to an agreement on the terms/conditions of a sale and I bought the car.

[gcranston]

See? That's a nice thing to do.

Bloody dangerous website though. If I spend anymore time there I'm likely to buy an old Datsun for nostalgia. My grandfather had one. It was about the only "indulgence" he ever got for himself. I feel like one day I need to have one...

[TXBDan]

Most cars seem pretty overpriced on there. If it's anything remotely common, i'm sure you could find a better deal elsewhere.

[91rs13]

Bloody dangerous website though. If I spend anymore time there I'm likely to buy an old Datsun for nostalgia. My grandfather had one. It was about the only "indulgence" he ever got for himself. I feel like one day I need to have one...

I agree--very dangerous.
If looking for a 510 -- might be able to help you in the springtime.....

[gcranston]

No it'd be a 240Z or a 280Z. And I'm a loooong way away from that bad decision.