Hello:

Is it just me or was the B-J Show this week a little off base. First, even on Saturday, attendance was less then 50%. Do you think this was due to the economy? Second, the car selection was less then exciting. Half the show was Corvette's and Camaro's. Not saying that is bad, but the show brings out the cream of the crop. When Speed channel showed the outside of the auction, you could only see about twenty people.

Everyother auction they would stop the bidding and say "that is half the price or value", or is it now the real price?

My two cents, but now is worth one cent.

Voxxer

I wanted to say some things about this as well, but was afraid it may be too off topic.

I told my wife a week ago that many sellers were probably trying anything they could to NOT bring their cars to this auction because of being No Reserve and the economy in the tank.

It would not surprise me one bit if some owners sent shills there to either run the price up or buy the car back so they wouldn't get raped.
I wish I new someone with the pre-sale catalog to see if in fact some cars did not make the auction block.

The crowd was non existent and even alot of the heavy hitters of past were no where to be seen.

There were many cars that I watched go for way less then the owners put in them yesterday.
If you have the money to burn, now is a great time to buy.
I don't unfortunately.

Thanks,
Keith

Never did like the "see me and what I can buy on TV" schtick - Kind of like a cash bloodbath in the Roman Colliseum, with the gladiators only too happy to hand their money over to the flacks in the blue blazers. Financially I equated it to the way "investors" flipped condos down my way. Lots of cash to flash, until somebody calls in the paper. To me buying a dream car should be a much more personal, and certainly less shrill, experience.

If you have the money to burn, now is a great time to buy. I don't unfortunately.

so very true, and I am in the same boat, but it is the best time to think long term and take small steps, so one day you can have the cash :)and choose NOT to blow it on TV.

I think there are a few things working right now that probably kept that show less than favorable. First and most obvious, the economy - no brainer there. Not many people are looking for "luxury vehicles" or cars made to just have fun in or sit. Second, yes, having to set the car on an auction block and go with no reserve will definitely separate the men from the boys as far as putting up and letting the chips fall where they may. I for one would not put my car on that auction block right now. Third, if you take a look at car auctions across the nation (not just B-J's auctions) alot of cars have taken a hit in value. I personally owe two, 1963 Corvettes and where they were fetching at least $50K on average last year (some times the prices were must higher) they now appear to be valued from about $35K up to a maximum of $50K. This is a trend that happens every year regardless of what is going on in the economy - reminds me of when Dodge released the Charger and all of a sudden you had Cuda's going for over $100K that the year before you could not even GIVE them away! Market swings violently and it is all driven by what the buyers are looking for that year. Finally, we must not forget the B-J's largest show is just around the corner. Every January/Februray B-J has their big show in the desert that TONS of people flock to. With that being about 3 - 4 months away, it stands to reason that many will pick and choose which auctions they attend and bring their vehicles to as that big show should bring out the best of the best.

My $.01,
PD2:thumbsup:

I talk to a guy online at a Muscle Car Forum who was there and bought one of Kyle Busch's stock cars. He said the place was packed despite the appearance. I guess the venue was larger than previous shows. His comments last night:

I know some people were looking at the crowd at Barrett and saying it looked sparse. You would have had to be there to see the size of that place. First of all, that arena where they had the auction was gigantic. Like a basketball Arena. Then you had the Expo area with cars and exhibitors. then you had the outside tents and cars. It was overwhelming. You know you can go to the Year One experience and it looks like a paltry crowd. But it's so spread out with those huge venues and the drag strip and road course going on at one time it just looks like a small crowd since everyone is so spread out. I will venture out to say within less than 5 years, the Las Vegas venue will be as big or bigger than Scottsdale. I really think the crowd there was almost as big as Scottsdale already. Not in registered bidders, but the actual people there. I heard the Mandalay Bay people were elated with their gambling revenue that had been increased due to Barrett Jacksons audience.

everytimt I watch the show... most of the cars seem to go unsold.
I would say that is directly related to economic fears.