Wednesday, 18 March 2009

Why Seized Cars are a Better Buy then Used Dealership Cars

By Gary Newman

There are advantages and disadvantages to purchasing a vehicle at a government or police auction instead of going to a car dealership. Many people don't realize it, but the police seize thousands vehicles every month and in most cases auction them off to the general public at greatly reduced prices.

Government auctions are a well kept secret that dealerships would rather you not know about. They purchase these vehicles themselves for very low prices and sell them to the rest of the public for good profit. The more consumers become educated about police auctions, the more competition they face at the auction plus car dealerships sales they could potential lose that business.

Yet over 90% of the population still goes to car dealerships to purchase their vehicles. People are simply not aware of the great deals that police auctions have to offer. The government isn't about to spend any budget publicizing the auctions either. Below is a list of pros of advantages versus disadvantages in buying vehicles at these auctions:

Advantages:

- Business model is much more conducive to lower prices

- Police auctions are held everywhere in US and Canada.

- Information regarding government and police auctions with vehicle listing detail is now available on the web

- There is usually a wide selection of vehicles that can be found at government auctions - sports cars, SUV's, pick up trucks, motorcycles, jeeps, etc.

- No middleman for you to have to deal with or pay

- No annoying commissioned salesperson to deal with

- Seller is motivated and doesn't want to handle inventory, everything has to be sold!

- Better income tax advantages (run as a business)

- Usually pay less car taxes

- Once you understand process you can do as a side business (i.e sale cars in Autotrader.com or eBay)

Disadvantages:

- You'll probably have to pay it all in cash (which for some is a blessing)

- No extended warranty beyond what the manufacturer offers. Most used dealerships give only 30 days

If it's not a problem paying cash, or you can get credit elsewhere, then the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. Just remember to bring a mechanic or car expert who understands vehicles with you to the auction. They will inspect the vehicles that you're interested in to make sure you get a great deal.

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