Semutimatt buoisen
Page 26
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MAY I make same observations on the letter "Why auction these buses" (CM, October 27)?
The technicalities of vehicle disposal are often considered without awareness of the real implications of the subject. In the first place it is essential to get the best possible price.
The tender system is becoming more costly and less reliable, hence the move by the Passenger Transport Executive and National Bus companies, together with other national bodies and local authorities, to offer their vehicles by public auction.
Many of these authorities have for years preferred selling by public auction, and have spurned the tender system. My own company has for many years held regular weekly auctions throughout the country selling for many authorities, and recently successfully sold vehicles for the National Bus Company and others.
I feel no comment is needed on prices quoted at Cardiff or Reading. What I would say, however, is that all vehicles sold by public auction are secured by the highest bidder at the sale, but any offer by tender is not a guarantee that it would be successful.
We are all opposed to competition in all our businesses, but surely we would not be as efficient if there were no competition.
For the .vendor to secure the best possible prices for redun dant vehicles at any time, they should be offered by public auction through a reputable and recognised organisation, which can present the vehicles in the best possible way, at the most convenient sites, and with maximum publicity obtain the best prices.
Professional organisations like ouselves and BCA, and in deed others, are qualified both to collect, dispose, value and . sell any motor vehicle.
It is no problem for any major auction company to dispose of large numbers of buses.
I am still at a loss to understand on whose behalf the writer is wielding the cudgel — is it for the passenger transport authorities or the dealers and dismantlers of used and redundant coaches? It certainly is not on behalf of motor auctioneers. ANTHONY MYERS, General Motor Auctions, Leeds. •