11:21 pm, December 3, 2010
BCA and Manheim have reported its buyers are not being put off from buying despite the snow and ice.
The company has revealed that its buyers are logging onto Live Online, Bid Now and Buy Now in the comfort of their own homes and offices, and bidding for vehicles over the internet.
Due to the weather, many customers have been put off from attending the sale rooms. But BCA has not missed a single sale since the cold snap began, says the firm.
BCA’s Tony Gannon said: ‘We have seen big spikes in internet buyer numbers over the past few days. Live Online buyers typically account for around 18 per cent of the sold vehicles at BCA and this has risen to average over 23 per cent nationwide, with some centres reaching 50 per cent or more.’
Meanwhile Manheim Remarketing’s live online broadcast of physical auctions, Simulcast, has also experienced similar activity from buyers.
More than 2,000 buyers have logged onto Simulcast in the past few weeks, with the firm saying business is booming.
Online sales usually account for up to 25 per cent of all vehicles sold, but this week that rose to more than 50 per cent for several auctions.
Mike Pilkington, managing director, Manheim Remarketing said: ‘It’s at times like this that the convenience of Simulcast really comes into its own. Earlier this year it came to the rescue and has done so once again. Simulcast just continues to grow and grow and is an integral part of the remarketing ‘landscape’.
‘It is now recognised throughout the industry as a well established, trusted and reliable business tool that complements physical auction by bringing benefits to both buyers and sellers and has certainly kept the wheels of business turning during this period of extreme weather.’
