For those that attended this year or in the last year or two,
What's the cost, transportation issues, hotel, tickets, etc?
What should you do and see while there?
What to avoid?
Myself and a couple freinds would like to go next year and would like to hear from those that have been there.
LP

 

That would all depend on the auction you are attending. Which one are you referring to?
airfare 1,000 booked early per person
300 per night at a good hotel
transport 100 each way
b-j registration fee 500
200 on dinner and drinks
100,000 plus depending on what you buy
500,000 plus depending on if you are married or not

 

Got it!
I need to buy a bus. Stock it with food and liquor and sell transportation, food and liquor.

LP

 

I have attended BJ Scottsdale the last couple of years and really enjoyed it. Understand, I don't go to buy anything, just to enjoy the show. I drive the 350 miles from San Diego, rent a room at the Motel 6, eat a fast food breakfast before entering the venue just as it opens. I always attend on the first day (usually Tuesday) when the crowds are smaller and the admission is cheapest. It takes the entire day to view the cars, visit the "life style" vendors, do some people watching, test drive some cars I can't afford, and have a couple of over priced beverages. When they chase me out at closing I grab some strong coffee and cruise back home or find another cheap motel. Total expenses are usually less than a few hundred bucks but the experience is priceless!

 

It's a lot of fun. Buy a bidders pass. They offer a $100 discount if you buy before December. You get a guest pass with it and 10 free drinks each with each pass plus you get to sit in the bidders area on the floor. The balconys are for VIPs. You also get tickets for Monday night pre auction party. Bidders parking at tents, private bars and restrooms. Hotels from $-$$$$$. There's a huge cruise in near by on the weekend before the auction. Book the hotel early. I recommend Xona Resort close by. Its not cheap but its the experience. The auctioneer company stays there.

 

RT airfare from the Midwest is $300 max if purchased in advance.

Rental car $35-75 day. Do you want a Chevy Spark or a Cadillac?

There are plenty of under $100 per night hotels near by. If its just a bunch of guys all you need to cover is the 4 S's (Sleep, shower, shave and _hit). You can split the rooms. If you are bringing the wife's you may want a resort style hotel which could be $300 a night.

Food and drinks is all up to you. The food at the auction is expensive, the auction takes 35% from the food vendors from their register totals.

If you are splitting room / rental with others you could easily attend on a $1000 budget comfortably. Pre planning is important. You can lock in cheap room, rental and flights if purchased in advance. Many sites now have a price update option you can get emails from to lock in the best price.

 

All the information provided above is great but missing one nice added bonus.....the weather. If you are into cars, and want to get away from the cold, this event is an awesome escape. Scottsdale and Arizona in general should be an easy sell if you need sell the wife on Scottsdale as a destination.

-Michael

 

I'd say you could get all you want in 3 days or less. Once you've been there once, a day is probably enough, like SkyDriver.

There are several other car auctions going on nearby as well, they are kinda fun to check out if you like foreign cars.

 

Ditto on all the above. Eat BEFORE you get there and go out to eat after you leave. The vendor food booths are ridiculously expensive and its crap. Its a hell of a car show. If you want to look at cars...go tuesday wednesday....if you want to see a freak show...go on the weekend. Ive seen it all there. Its fun. Yes on the bidders pass...by the time you buy tickets a few days for you and the boss its gonna cost you anyway plus free booze and a good seat. Go early morning and they auction super cool signs and stuff. We sat in Rick Hendricks seats for that and we felt like big shots. We got there EARLY and he doesnt show up for that. They of course gig you on hotels. So suck it up and go big and get a nice place.

If you cant walk 5 miles ( for whatever reason). They rent golf carts. They are worth it...its a place to sit outside and rest and just people watch. Its a BIG lot. Youll walk your butt off. Trust me. We parked out back on ours and watched it on a giant TV and let the sun bake us. It felt good. Get a bearing on where you parked and make note. Sounds silly but its a SEA of cars and its easy to get lost as to where the hell you parked.

Youll walk thru a mall of sorts on the way into the tents. They sell really expensive clothing and such for women. Its so obvious. We still laugh about it. I was informed by my wife there was nothing in here you can buy me to justify a 100,000.00. Toy. So dont even think about it.

If your a car guy, there is no way you wont like it. If momma isnt into cars....shes gonna get bored in about 2 hrs. Luckily mine likes cars so...

 

You can save a few $$ by buying your admission tickets at Barrett Jackson online. They offer a discount, plus a break for seniors. Print the ticket and throw it in the glove box.

 

Thanks for all the tips and info!
Sounds like about a two day deal to me.
LP

 

Take an extra day and go across the street to the Rousso & Steele Auction . A lot less fluff and a lot of muscle cars .
Last year we stayed at a Casino just outside of town where the Silver Auction takes place . It was reasonable and we had a good meal there at a reasonable price each night .
Bill

 

I take the week to goof off. Sports car market magazine posts a great guide listing the preview days, etc. As many said if you are a spectator you will want to get to the auctions earlier in the week. As soon as a car is sold, it can be removed and shipped and there are trucks on standby all week in AZ. This year Barrett started on Saturday, ending the next weeks Sunday. I attend all 6 of the auctions and the cruise days and nights. The Sunday before auction week begins the Arizona Biltmore host a Concourse. A best of the best cars are shown. The smaller auctions can be lumped together but they do not overlap so some of the preview days are spread out. I think as a first timer if you don't want to be rushed I would go with at least 4 days. If your already paying air fare you may as well see all you can. As crazy as it is on Friday and Saturday evening at Barrett it is an experience to be there live at least once to cross off your bucket list.

 

Indeed! I and two pals took our wives, stayed at the Biltmore (where the RM auction is) rented the wives a car, showed them where the two malls are and off we went to RM, Gooding, Barrett Jackson & Silver.
Weather was like you read about, perfect.


But besides that, here's why I love going to Barrett-Jackson and Mecum auctions....after looking at all those cars you find you love your own car(s) that much more. Besides the salon cars and the Ron Pratt collection, most of the cars are not as nice as the ones we own, because auction cars are no longer wanted and our cars are loved.


Just my observation.


Dan

 

I have to agree with you. Last year at the Barrett-Jackson I heard the quote, "not all cars at auction are bad, but all bad cars go to auction." I see many cars that make me appreciate my car even more.

Two buddies from Chicago, friends for 36 years, come down for the event. They will be back same time next year. They had an incredible time and thought they were in heaven, even outside of the event. Beautiful scenery of all kinds.

-Michael