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SOME ATTENDEES AT a classic car auction were less than happy with how the event went down in Swords yesterday.
They’ve taken to Done Deal to vent their frustration, claiming the auction was poorly run and only sold one of the 81 cars on offer – something that has been disputed by organisers.
One attendee labelled the event as “nothing more than a money-grabbing exercise by ignorant scam artists”.
Another said people “couldn’t make out what the fella with the mike was saying” [sic], adding that it was a “disaster from start to finish“.
Dermot Flynn from CarShows.ie, who organised the event, said no one has been in touch with him directly to criticise the show.
Flynn said it was his first time organising an auction and admitted there were some “teething problems”.
“We definitely do apologise for the sound quality. The PA system was not up to it. It was difficult to hear, but you could hear,” he told us.
Flynn said he couldn’t understand why some people labelled the event “money-grabbing” as there was no fee for people to apply to sell their cars, just a “small commission charge” if they did.
There was a €10 entry fee, and about 100 bidders paid a deposit of €200 which Flynn said was returned if they didn’t purchase a vehicle.
He said the claim that one out of 81 cars was sold is incorrect, adding that about six of the 70 lots on offer were sold.
Flynn said the reserve on several cars was too high, although this was a factor outside his control.
People there expected to get things an awful lot cheaper.
Flynn said “eight or so” people have been in touch with him since the auction to follow up on buying cars – with one man purchasing a vehicle this morning.
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I heard the auctioneer opened bidding on a 2.8 litre 98 bmw 3 series at 4k.
Did not know what he was at
Really ? Was it a yanky style reverse auction ?
Yep, pretty much. The auctioneer was jumping down in 1000s and then up in 500s. Crazy for what the auction was and the cars that went up for sale.
I had a genuine one lady owner e46 328 saloon fully loaded 99 for sale for 1000 2 years ago ….. I how have a 99 328 fully loaded breaker …. who would pay 1300 euro tax on a 10 year old 3 … or why for that matter
I heard that everything was over priced along with the entrance fee
The sec I read the advert for the auction I knew it would bring out lots of ”barn find” idiots ….
These Arthur daly types buy the cars in the Uk and ramp up the prices here, 3,5 10 times.
Don’t buy classic cars in Ireland, it’s a scam. They’re not investments, they’re meNt to be driven. Looders!
I worked in classic car industry here for years and can tell you there are some real advantages to owning and driving a classic, also there are plenty of classic car people that I would and have gladly done business with and have no problem recommending them to anybody.
Also with how our got rob us blind for motor tax owning a early to mid 80s with 56 euro tax has a undeniable argument
But also Kevin I know your point there are a lot of scammers out there too as I said above the ”barn find” brigade should be avoided at all costs
Pity as the classic car scene in Ireland has a lot going for it lots of great clubs events and people who would be friends for life.
Could I suggest Irish Vintage Scene magazine and its sister publication Retro Classics. Also the IVS and IVETA websites are useful.
Where bouts in the country are ya fake ? Better to find local events ….
Vintage scene and retro are great sources great magazines for anyone with any interest in a wide range of vehicles. Plus there is loads of club info and decent classified section
Profit made from entry fees me thinks
Yeah and unfortunately setting it up from that point of view is what drew out the I’m going to make a mint sellers
Terenure annual classic car show is very well organised. Not an auction, but some real quality classics…
Terenure is a great show well run… amazballs location…. great entry’s.
I stayed until lot 33, the only car that I saw being sold was a Lancia Beta…
A lot of overpriced stuff
We’re ya looking for a stable mate for the dedra?
He described some of the reserves as “outrageous”, noting that one Mercedes had a reserve of €45,000 when it was “worth a fraction of that”.
Why did he accept it into the auction if this was the case?
Greed pure greed. The auctioneer is not to blame for greedy owners. Anyone who owns classic cars live in the past anyways. There going true a whole life crisis.
Check out the retro modding scene, some really awesome blends of past and present to be found there. A classic car with a modern diesel and auto box is a really sweet daily
have your say