Recently I asked about info relating to the BRING A TRAILER auction site and was referred to CARS & BIDS. While this is a smaller volume auction it is less expensive for both seller and buyer and their sell-through rate appears to be around 75-80%. Also it would appear that their "qualifying" process is less restrictive. Within the last 10 days or so I've watched 2007 XK w/45K sell for $16,750, a 2008 XKR w/121K sell for $18,250, a 2010 XKR w/80K bid to $19,000 ( no sale did not meet reserve) and a 2011 XKR 75TH Anniversary Edition w/46K bid to $30,500 ( reserve not met) and this car had numerous cosmetic issues.

I was in contact with another member recently who expressed surprise at these numbers compared to what he paid for his car not too many years ago. It would at least appear with this small sampling that Jaguar XK/XKR prices are being dragged upward with the rest of the market. So. since I'm relocating I'm putting my 2009 XKR Portfolio w/42K on the CARS & BIDS auction site in the next week or so. Any insight into the pros/cons of this auction site would be genuinely appreciated. Thanks!

 

This recent sale might make you reconsider Bring A Trailer:
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2009-jaguar-xk-9/

 

Yeah, I saw this too and even though my coupe has 11K more miles it is encouraging. I did not catch the part of the country however.

 

Note that $40,850 was for a 2009 XKR Portfolio convertible that was not equipped with Adaptive Cruise Control, a $2,200 option, or the Alcon Performance Brake Package, a $5,000 option.

 

If it were me. I would probably got with BAT as opposed to CARS & BIDS. Main reason bigger audience and more potential bidders. You can look up past sales going back several years. There is a reason the costs are lower on on CARS & BIDS. I don't know what that is, but my guess is it is for competitive reasons and a smaller participation base. As a matter of fact I intend to put my 6.0L 94 XJS vert up on BAT in the not too distant future.

 

BAT seems to maintain a higher sale pricing level (on average) than C&B. They also have pride of place on high-end cars (Mcclarens, Porches, Ferraris, Bentleys et al). That said, all used car prices have jumped, and both have responded to the market change. C&B's XK pricing ranges have certainly come up.

On C&B, you could set a reserve that reflects your comfort level and stick to it -- but I don't know if you get a refund of whatever fees you paid if the car doesn't sell. Also, I don't know what the terms are for a relist after a no sale.

I assume there's some pressure to drop the reserve as the auction gets hotter (but less than reserve), since the customer wants to get the sale done, after all, as does C&B.

 

I’ve followed BaT and C&B closely for a couple of years now. I would say that prices have recently weakened, after a tremendous run-up over 1.5 years or so. So if anyone wants to sell a car on one of these platforms, I would say to hurry up and get it on there.

I suppose this applies to selling a car on any platform.

 

I looked back into the sales archives over the last 12 months of both sites and the increases seem to have begun within the last 12 months with the best results strangely enough on mid-priced XK/XKR models listed on C&B. Might be a result of the actual clientele C&B attracts? You bring up a good point about the reserve. The reserve cannot be dropped once it is set and there is no notification on the ad site during the auction once the reserve has been met which is difficult to understand. However, if the reserve is not met C&B then puts the seller and the highest bidder in contact and if an agreement is reached the buyer then pays only 2.5% instead of the 4.5%. And C&B does not charge any fees to the seller so in the scenario where your car does not sell at all you may resubmit at a later date perhaps eliminating or lowering the reserve.

 

The 2010 XKR w/80K bid to $19,000 was my car.

I first wanted to list it on BAT, but they denied my cars due to the mileage. (They like low mileage cars, 50k and under).

I think BAT is the best place for low mile cars is good condition. BAT has been around longer and they are known to be more "snotty" about what they choose. They also charge you a listing fee, BUT prices almost always go for top dollar.

Cars&Bids is hit or miss. Sometimes the car gets bid up like crazy, but most of the time they sell for about what you could buy them for on Autotrader or Craiglist.

Last year it seemed cars sold for top dollar almost everywhere but the market is starting to soften.

I'd definitely choose BAT for your car. I think you'll get more money.

 

Figure out your net cost after comissions and the spread may not be that big between the two.

 

Yep. I have twice tried to list cars on BaT that were right in the ballpark of other listings they had but was rejected both times with no explanation.

Right at this moment, there’s a 2007 XKR with 82k miles listed.

I have no clue what their algorithm is for accepting or rejecting cars. It sure isn’t only miles.

 

Wow, that 2007 XKR with 82k miles is a mystery. It's listed by a dealer too. Makes me wonder why they didn't like mine. Very strange.

 

I wouldn't list with Cars and Bids just because it is affiliated with Doug De Muro, who just rubs me the wrong way. Don't like his reviews, don't like his personality, don't like anything about him. just my worthless opinion.

 

Ok, but how do you really feel???

 

The fact that the listing belongs to a dealer is probably the first clue. Dealers will tend to advertise multiple times ensuring an ongoing income stream for the auction site.

 

Or you could simply run it on C&B first with reserve and if nothing is accomplished then turn around and try it on BaT. If they refuse the ad nothing lost.