It was a novel, and for many, a profitable way to buy and sell cars Saturday at the first ever Duke City Auction.
Hundreds showed up to the public vehicle auction in northeast Albuquerque. For car shoppers like Steven Ludi, it was the first time they bypassed car dealerships and the classifieds to buy at an auction.
“This kind of gives it a new spin on how to buy a car,” he said.
Organizer Mike Holley said auctions are a win-win for buyers and sellers.
“This is the simplest, easiest way in the world to sell your car and get the most money, instead of running an ad in the paper and having 20, 30 people look at it. You’re going to have 2 to 3 hundred people here to look at it at one time,” he said.
Saturday’s auction was the first of what organizers hope to be many. They want to hold auctions every second and fourth Saturday at their lot near Gibson and University.
Hundreds of cars were up for bid Saturday, from high-end luxury cars to the fixer-uppers. Some cars went for as little as a $1,000.
Ludi said he wanted a good car without the litany of car payments.
“We’re hoping for something we can pay off right away, not have to pay no interest or a bill or anything like that, just get it with cash and be done with it hopefully,” he said.
Holley said buyers need to bring a small deposit and then can bid on any cars they choose. Sellers need to bring the title and the minimum price they would accept for the vehicle.
The auction owner said the whole process is a hassle-free way to buy and sell a car.
Car auctions continue to be a big draw in the Duke City. In January, the City of Albuquerque auctioned off 150 cars seized from DWI offenders. That auction drew about 500 people.
The city also auctions off surplus vehicles at this website.
By Eyewitness News 4
Sunday, February 15, 2009
source: kob.com