Barrett Jackson
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,116
Likes: 6
From: Waynesville NC
It seems like Barrett Jackson auctions seem to bring premiums on a lot of cars - especially the "custom" stuff. I personally avoid anything custom because I like factory original automobiles. Yea, the guy was nuts, or he could be referred to as having "more money than brains..."
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,780
Likes: 314
From: Morris Co. NJ
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18,'21
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 5,606
Likes: 88
From: Sammamish WA
I'm going to go out on a limb here and simply express my opinion with no facts nor data to support my view.
Generally I can't help but feel a certain sort of "sleaze factor" as I watch the event. I'm not suggesting B-J or the consignors or even the buyers are doing anything dishonest, but I feel the TV exposure and maybe the "cachet" of a broadly televised event makes the buyers sometimes do silly things and the spectators (including TV viewers) get an incorrect view of the market at large.
It may be the best opportunity to see some amazing cars in a single venue. There's something to be said for that. Indeed, as much as dislike the broadcast, it has become one of my guilty pleasures and I simply can't resist watching it at every opportunity.
But any given car is worth what somebody is willing to pay for it and there is probably no better venue than Barrett-Jackson to see the best - or at least the "perceived" best to be seen and offered for bid.
I will admit there are some cars that go across the ramp on the earlier days of the event and many of them would seem to be bargains. Still, buying at auction is not the same as buying from a private party and one typically does not get the opportunity to drive the car in question, much less take it to their local mechanic for a pre-inspection check.
I bought one vintage car at auction some years ago (not B-J) ad got so caught up in the hype and the "Bidder's Assistants" encouraging me to bid higher I bought a car that I had no business buying. I liked it at first view, but after the auction was over I realized I had not done my homework and owned something that was in poor condition and not worth the price of restoration. You don't get a lot of time to closely inspect every vehicle that is up for sale.
I also see a lot of people year after year on the program which suggests to me they are either dealers or moneyed collectors. That's okay; there nothing wrong with that, but as a casual buyer looking for a bargain, do you really think this is the place to buy one? Maybe, but I'd rather buy elsewhere, especially when you consider the after-bid taxes and fees. In addition, I will not let the realized sales become the benchmark for anything I'm trying to buy.
So, yes, I will continue to indulge myself in the guilty pleasure of watching the B-J auction, but there is no way I would actually attend the event in person or bid on a car unless I'd done a lot of homework and study. Well, unless you have more money than you know what to do with and want to be seen on TV.
I do like the event more than any sort of "drifting" competition or the US version of Top Gear though.
Just my opinion
Generally I can't help but feel a certain sort of "sleaze factor" as I watch the event. I'm not suggesting B-J or the consignors or even the buyers are doing anything dishonest, but I feel the TV exposure and maybe the "cachet" of a broadly televised event makes the buyers sometimes do silly things and the spectators (including TV viewers) get an incorrect view of the market at large.
It may be the best opportunity to see some amazing cars in a single venue. There's something to be said for that. Indeed, as much as dislike the broadcast, it has become one of my guilty pleasures and I simply can't resist watching it at every opportunity.
But any given car is worth what somebody is willing to pay for it and there is probably no better venue than Barrett-Jackson to see the best - or at least the "perceived" best to be seen and offered for bid.
I will admit there are some cars that go across the ramp on the earlier days of the event and many of them would seem to be bargains. Still, buying at auction is not the same as buying from a private party and one typically does not get the opportunity to drive the car in question, much less take it to their local mechanic for a pre-inspection check.
I bought one vintage car at auction some years ago (not B-J) ad got so caught up in the hype and the "Bidder's Assistants" encouraging me to bid higher I bought a car that I had no business buying. I liked it at first view, but after the auction was over I realized I had not done my homework and owned something that was in poor condition and not worth the price of restoration. You don't get a lot of time to closely inspect every vehicle that is up for sale.
I also see a lot of people year after year on the program which suggests to me they are either dealers or moneyed collectors. That's okay; there nothing wrong with that, but as a casual buyer looking for a bargain, do you really think this is the place to buy one? Maybe, but I'd rather buy elsewhere, especially when you consider the after-bid taxes and fees. In addition, I will not let the realized sales become the benchmark for anything I'm trying to buy.
So, yes, I will continue to indulge myself in the guilty pleasure of watching the B-J auction, but there is no way I would actually attend the event in person or bid on a car unless I'd done a lot of homework and study. Well, unless you have more money than you know what to do with and want to be seen on TV.
I do like the event more than any sort of "drifting" competition or the US version of Top Gear though.
Just my opinion
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 5,277
Likes: 6
From: (d/fw) tx
my cousin built this one that's going on the block tomorrow.
http://www.barrett-jackson.com/appli...&aid=443&pop=0
http://www.barrett-jackson.com/appli...&aid=443&pop=0
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 57,408
Likes: 164
From: queensbury ny
BARRETT-JACKSON has always been over the top at this particular auction venue.Some high rollers with some very unique,special,truly rare and one of kind vehicles.I'm sure they get caught up in it when it starts going,especially on Friday and Saturday night.They have that kind of money so more power to them.A few years back the GM something or other LINER WENT FOR 6 MILLION I THINK IT WAS.That's nuts, but there's nothing else like it so what the hell!I enjoy seeing all the cars go thru,some I would never ever see were it not for this auction on TV.I enjoy the entertainment factor and that includes watching these nuts spends a million or 3 on some cars!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 5,606
Likes: 88
From: Sammamish WA
