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Real-time online buying
Page 70
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Manheim's Simulcast webcam link allows dealers to take part in auctions in any part of the country... without actually being there
MERE WAS one stand that gave show visitors the chance to buy a vehicle from the other end of the country. Manheim Auctions launched its Simulcast which allowed some visitors to leave with more than a blue plastic bag.
The webcam link to a live auction is restricted to trade buyers; specifically dealers looking to pick up the odd vehicle travelling the length of the country for a van only to be outbid on the day is an expensive exercise.
The first site to go live will be Colchester, followed by Leeds; Manheim plans to introduced this service at all its van auctions.
The system has been trialled at car sales for the past nine months so it has been effectively 'debugged', says sales director Alex Wright,The computer link is designed to interface with the physical auction, so bidders can't put a pre-arranged price on a vehicle. instead they use the mouse to place bids.
There is still an issue over what information will be supplied in terms of scratches and scars,but the VW, date of registration and mileage will be available as part of a vehicle data list. Wright is still researching what other information buyers want.
Derek Kennedy, partner of Mann Motors at Sutton-in Ash.field in Nottinghamshire, tried out the online auction link; after more than an hour he walked away having bought a 2004 (04-registered) TI-ansit 350 with just 550 miles on the clock and a 2004(04) Connect with just a little more mileage.
Kennedy was more than happy with the new system. " It was very interesting," he says. "I watched the first part to get the hang of what was happening. Once I got into it, it could save a lot of time in travelling down to Colchester for two vehicles.
"I had confidence in the vehicle because I knew the source Ford Motor Company.
"The process is straightforward, just a question of clicking. It definitely is the future."
Kennedy would like to see more data for vehicles that might not come from such a trustworthy source, but accepts this is part of buying at auction. •