Please reach me at steve@batmanmotors.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.
Selling Vehicles on Digital Auction Platforms
I have vast experience in the vintage and modern collector vehicle market and would welcome the opportunity to support you.
I will professionally represent your vehicle without it leaving your garage and work with you to determine the best course of action, then generate a suitable marketing plan.
Let my expertise and reputation work for you, getting your vehicle prepared, marketed, and sold for top dollar.
By using my comprehensive marketing services, you receive:
If the decision is to offer the vehicle to Bring a Trailer or another online platform, I will do the submission, front the online listing fees, confirm, and follow the auction from start to finish including replying to all comments, submitting additional photos and information requested (such as paint meter readings), offering shipping quotes, and communicating with the bidders in the final minutes of each auction.
Post-auction services include being your single point of contact (SPOC) assisting (as needed) with the monetary transactions, DMV paperwork, shipping arrangements, and being physically present as the vehicle is loaded and shipped to the new caretaker.
Over the recent years, collector cars have appreciated through the stratosphere and 1-week auctions using a digital platform have become the "go-to" for buyers and sellers to trade.
Bring a Trailer (BaT) www.bringatrailer.com is arguably the best of these auctions with their worldwide member base, uniquely tailored service, and restrictive submittal process that only allows select vehicles that meet their criteria.
My seller name on BaT is BaT-MaN.
Throughout the 1-week auction, BaT's “Comments” section provides a forum for critical questions to be asked and answered by experts, and enthusiasts. Potential buyers carefully read and post questions while I (BaT-MaN) stay fully engaged in this forum and steer the conversation to maintain a positive presence on your vehicle.
This process successfully vets the car and by the end of the one-week auction, everyone has a better understanding of its GENUINE condition which builds trust among buyers who feel more confident and excited to bid top dollar for your car!
Here is my detailed process for selling vehicles on Bring a Trailer:
My role with BaT is critical in the following areas:
It all starts here...
Let's talk about your vehicle
First, I'll gather some basic information (by phone or email) about your vehicle, including the condition and value (what price you’re hoping to sell). Then I'll do a little market research by checking comparable sales data to verify if we can sell it for a price that should net you (at least) that amount after my marketing costs are paid.
Next, we'll discuss what services would best be suited to get your vehicle prepared, professionally photographed, and presented to the world market. Once we settle on a marketing plan, I’ll send you a Listing Agreement and Vehicle Submittal Checklist to complete.
Financed vehicles
If your bank or finance company is holding title to your vehicle, you would not have to pay off the loan before we list it for auction. Upon your authorization, we will facilitate the payoff of your loan, handle all money disbursements, and transfer the title through our licensed and bonded dealership (more details on this process later).
Let's meet!
Next, we’ll schedule an optimal date and time to visit your house or place of business to photograph your vehicle along with all parts, accessories, and supporting documents. If you want to have it detailed to ensure it looks 100% presentable prior to the photoshoot, I can recommend a good mobile detailer.
During our meeting, we’ll discuss extensive details about your vehicle and record any/all documentation, restoration, modification, ownership history, provenience, originality, etc. to establish every sellable feature.
Photo & Video
I am a professional photographer and videographer who knows what to capture to get you top dollar out of your auction. I will take over 200 photos of your vehicle, including every angle, top to bottom, inside and out. (There is no limit to the amount of photos I can submit, the more the merrier). Whether it’s just a full photo set with an interesting backdrop or a fully produced walk-around and driving video with aerial drones and owner interviews, let’s shoot some magic!
Documentation
Please be prepared to share any/all documents including service records, ownership history, books, manuals, literature, old photos, etc. This info is extremely helpful to build value in your vehicle. I will scan the documents, edit, and remove your personal information, and upload them along with a 200+ photo/video presentation to Bringatrailer.com.
Market Research
I will also conduct extensive make & model research from various car clubs, websites, discussion forums, and experts to gather and include valuable details about your vehicle on the submittal form.
Disclosure
We will also need to disclose all issues including rust, collision history, mechanical problems, etc. Identifying, photographing, and accurately disclosing the vehicle history, any mechanical issues, and structural or cosmetic flaws (major or minor) encourages potential bidders to become REAL bidders. Interested people will fall in love with your vehicle which translates into higher bids.
Submission
Once I gather everything above, I will organize, edit, and submit everything to BaT. Over the next day or so, a staff member will review the submission to determine if your vehicle (and reserve price if requested) are acceptable.
Listing Approval & Curation Process
Once BaT approves our submission, I’ll work with an assigned staff member to curate a very detailed description of your vehicle, including all options, modifications, specifics, historical provenance, etc. This normally takes 3-4 weeks before a final draft is sent to me for approval. Then, the listing gets scheduled to go live.
Selling your vehicle
BaT's policy only allows a "factual description" of your vehicle in the listing. Statements that try to “sell” your vehicle like "Runs good!" are not allowed. But don't worry, there is a special place in the "Comments" section for selling - which becomes a unique "forum" about your vehicle.
This is where my 40+ years of experience will effectively smart sell your vehicle throughout the 1-week auction by staying engaged with the commenters in the following ways:
These proven methods require careful thought preparation, and time but will effectively build buyer confidence which translates into the highest bids!
After your vehicle has sold
The task of getting you paid IN FULL and arranging for the vehicle to be delivered to the new owner requires a great deal of additional time and expertise. You will have a seasoned pro working on your behalf to:
I will represent and protect you throughout the entire sales process to ensure that the vehicle doesn't leave your garage until you have been paid in full and the money has cleared your bank.
I receive an upfront fee for pre-listing services (below) and a final value fee that is based on a % of the sale price.
Basic pre-listing services include:
Premium pre-listing services include:
Additional services provided:
Choosing the best services to ensure that your vehicle reaches its top market potential will vary depending on its age, condition, value, and location. After gathering these details from you, along with your sales expectations, I will build a cost-effective package with detailed pricing that creates the best media presentation for your vehicle.
Whatever package is selected, your vehicle will be professionally presented for sale, and receive the full benefit of my services.
Contact me and let's discuss your goals and create some magic!
Choosing to market your vehicle on a digital auction platform like Bring a Trailer is exciting and rewarding but requires an upfront financial commitment and significant time (at least a month). Also, during the 1-week auction, collectors in a world forum will sing the highest praises and bid the highest prices for clean and original, or fully reconditioned vehicles. They will also voice their negative opinions about anything that doesn't meet their standards. If the thought of that seems too stressful, (especially if your car needs work!) or you simply don't want to spend any more time or money, fortunately, you have other options to sell your older, collector vehicle.
Here's one!
I'm always looking for new projects to buy, fix up, and resell, and would love the opportunity to buy your vehicle today. I will pay you cash on the spot, running or not!
Play violin music...
Has that special car that was purchased by you or a loved one become difficult or impossible to start? This is a common problem when older cars that are not driven daily can quickly deteriorate. Even if they are stored inside; within a year, the brakes can freeze up, the gas inside the tank and carburetor turns to sticky goo, the tires and the battery go flat, and it often gets worse from there!
I've seen countless collector cars that have sat for years while the owner waited for a specialized mechanic to fix it, or a loved one’s health improved, or a grandkid graduated... Over time, circumstances change and the car that once brought joy to an owner has become a storage problem that’s deteriorating daily, incurring insurance and registration costs, and is in need of a new home…
The good news is that many collector cars have appreciated and that old jalopy in your garage may be worth more than you think! Even if it’s non-running or in pieces! I’m always looking for a new project and will travel far and wide to pick up your vehicle from your home, office, or auto repair shop.
Just complete the short online form for a quick response.
I’m looking forward to hearing from you!
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