What are Simulcasts and Why Are They Important?

Openlane

Are you thinking about selling or buying a car in auction? Are you looking to purchase larger goods at auction? Are you unable to travel to live auctions? If yes to any of these questions, you should consider online auctions, like SmartAuction, which specializes in car auction software, Openlane, which is another vendor for selling automobiles, or GSA auctions, which is a government-sponsored auction. GSA auctions include automobile lots as well as other larger appliances, ranging from communication equipment, hand tools, or lab equipment. Additionally, with new technology, like simulcasts, there now exist a multitude of ways for you to successfully sell or bid at auction, without having to be physically present at the auction itself.

What are the Benefits of Using Auctions in the First Place?

As a seller, cost barriers tend to be lower for auctions than typical retail; no goods need to be stored for long amounts of time and overhead costs tend to be lower. Additionally, auctions provide great exposure; with the large crowds that are usually present at auctions, you’re sure to find a buyer for your goods. If you’re a buyer, there’s almost a guarantee you’ll find a bargain at auction. Auctions usually have a large variety of items up for sale and there’s sure to be something that fits your price range. Auctions also give bidders an equal opportunity to compete for the items they want–no surprises! Online vendors like SmartAuction can often provide a larger variety of material to choose from.

What is a Simulcast?

A simulcast is used by online auctioneers like SmartAuction and GSA Auctions, which broadcasts a live auction online in real time, combining the advantages of both a live auction and an online auction. All the lots for that auction are posted online (usually about a week before the auction takes place), with a brief description and picture of the item. Potential bidders can view the items before the auction even happens, usually a week before. During the live auction, bidders can bid and buy just as if they were at the live auction, competing against a pool of online buyers and buyers who are in attendance at the live auction.

What are the Benefits of Using a Simulcast?

If you’re a seller, simulcasts help promote your vendor brand to a wider audience, and can expand base buyers. Since it’s available to more people, the chances of sales increasing also goes up. In addition to revenue increasing, it provides an economical method of auctioning off your items, since you don’t need a warehouse space. If you’re a buyer, you don’t need to be physically present at the live auction and can bid from the comfort of your own home or office. Your bidding is also anonymous, so if you get anxiety about bidding in front of others, this allows you to bid within the privacy of your own home. You’re also potentially able to view items a week or so before they go up for auction, in order to make a selection even before bidding.

The Most Unlike Place to Get Your New Car

Openlane

Shopping for a car can be a really challenging experience. With so many options out there, and such a variety of price points, it’s hard to justify spending 300% more for one car if, at the end of the day, any car will get you from point a to point b. Instead of hashing out all of your decisions in front a sales person whose commission is on the line, don’t you wish you could car shop from the comfort of your own home? Well, guess what? You can! Online auto auction software allows you to do just that!

When you search auto inventories using auto auction software, you are viewing cars that come from a variety of places: bankruptcies, business liquidations, police confiscations, estate sales and more. Prices for a car are generally lower in this format because cars purchased in these situations are cheaper for the seller and because overhead prices for sellers are so much lower. No cost to store a vehicle, no need to tidy it up and make it look ready for retail and no need to pay a salesperson. Dealer auto auctions are a multi-million dollar business, and growing, mostly because it saves consumers money and headache.

A feature to consider when looking into online auto auction software like smart auction or openlane is Simulcast. Simulcast gives you the chance to compete, unidentified, again other people in an auction hall. This way, you are participating in a live, physical auction without ever attending. Simulcast helps auctioneers get more interested people involved, and it lets you bid from wherever you’d like. The advantages of a live and internet auction are combined with this feature. So, go ahead and bid on a car while laying on the beach or commuting on the train. Hopefully soon, you can skip the train for your new four wheels!

Buying a car is a big step and there are so many ways to do it right. Online auctions are just another tool to consider when you are looking for the best vehicle for you. Research more here.

Selling Government Fleet Vehicles

Manheim

If you are in the market for a new car, you may be interested in a GSA auto auction. A GSA auto auction is run by the U.S. government. It is very easy and also economical to buy a vehicle through a GSA auto auction run by the U.S. government. Thousands of people purchase vehicles through government auto auctions. The U.S. General Services Administration or GSA is the federal agency that purchases new bulletproof military humvee for sale and leases them to federal agencies. After their lease term is complete, GSA runs a GSA auto auction to renew the government fleet. Is leasing a car cheaper than buying? Continue reading to know more about car leasing.

All of the vehicles that is offered for sale at GSA auto auctions are detailed, clean, and ready to drive away. The vehicles are sold as is, so be sure to inspect the vehicle before making a bid. The vehicles are almost always no more than three model years old and they will have been used for general transportation by government agencies. These vehicles will not be specialized military or repossessed vehicles. Most of the vehicles sell at wholesale prices and there are no buyer’s fees.

Vehicles sold at GSA dealer auto auctions typically feature:

* Low mileage
* Excellent maintenance
* Popular styles and colors
* Power steering
* A/C
* Power windows
* AM/FM cassette decks/CD players

A current list of vehicles for sale, the locations and the times of auctions, as well as a complete description of the bidding and buying process can be found on the GSAs website. The website can offer online auto auction information about the GSA auto auctions. There are more than 50 auction houses listed on the web that you can call and simply find out the time and place of the next GSA auto auction. Then for other government updates visit the eDistrict UP. Sales representatives at the GSA auto auctions cater pretty much only to auto dealers, they will be happy to help the general public in buying United States Government vehicles at GSA auctions. Great references here.