Since Manheim Specialty Auctions launched in 2005, we've seen steady growth in online sales. Currently almost 40% of our volume
sells via Simulcast or OVE.com - including
Thursday Thunder sales. Although many dealers are gaining confidence previewing and buying online, we also hear from a lot of customers who still have questions or concerns with going online for Specialty inventory.
To help our customers' online comfort levels, we're kicking off a blog series that helps you understand how to get the most out of http://www.manheimspecialtyauctions.com/. We'll walk you through everything from finding and sorting inventory to saving units in a ‘workbook' so you can review them periodically and receive emails when that type of inventory is available at a Manheim Specialty branded location.
As always, we encourage your feedback and have staff dedicated to.jpg)
each type of Specialty vehicle who can help you - please contact us at specialtyauctions@manheim.com or 877- 877-704-INFO (4636) and let us know how we can help. Also please check out our Online Quick Start Guide, which walks you through utilizing Manheim's online channels in more detail.
Getting Started - Finding and Sorting Inventory
When you're ready to start looking for Specialty inventory, we recommend you turn to one of two pages:
- The Manheim Specialty Event Calendar shows you all upcoming Specialty sales which can be filtered by category and location, and allows you to link to that location's pre-sale inventory. From there you can see specific units available for sale, along with condition report and vehicle description information.
- Manheim PowerSearch allows you to make a broad or targeted inventory search among all Manheim locations. Search categories include vehicle type, make/model, geography and more.
Once you begin pulling up inventory on PowerSearch, you can dig deeper into the units that pop up. What condition is the vehicle in?
What location offers it, and is it available on OVE.com or just in-lane and via Simulcast? You can also sort search inventory by a variety of options to narrow your search to specific vehicles you want to target. All this information and more, including pictures and features, are available.
Manheim also offers insight into helping you estimate vehicle prices. To receive a monthly market report including sale prices for Specialty units, please contact us at specialtyauctions@manheim.com.
We encourage you to spend a few minutes with the Manheim Specialty Auctions event calendar and PowerSearch to become more familiar with the inventory available to you. Be sure to check back soon for an overview of how to set up a Workbook of inventory to monitor periodically so you can continue making the most of your time online. We'll look forward to seeing you soon - in lane and/or online!
Chris Hood is a Senior Marketing Manager at Manheim and has 15 years' experience in auction, sports and event marketing
One of the coolest things about working at Manheim Specialty Auctions is testing a new sale and seeing it improve each year thanks to customer feedback and hard-working, creative auction staff.
I was able to experience a small part of this process last week when I spent a few days
with the great folks at Manheim Missouri. Plans are well underway for Manheim Missouri's 5th Annual Boat/RV Auction at Indian Point Marina at Table Rock Lake on Friday, May 7, 2010.
We held our first in-water boat sale five years ago, and it has grown consistently thanks largely to customer feedback on how we can best present the units to dealers buying in person and online. Our mobile rigs house all the technology we need to run an auction at any location. This unique event will bring the Manheim Missouri team and its mobile trailer to Indian Point Marina for a Boat/RV auction.
Check out the Manheim Specialty Auctions calendar to keep up to date on all of our sales and the Boats and RVs that will be offered in our Indian Point Marina sale on May 7. And as always, please tell us what we can do to make our sales work harder for you.
Kelly Miller is the Business Manager at Manheim Specialty and Heavy Truck & Equipment.
As someone who's been fortunate to have personal and family experience with motorcycles and PowerSports at both the retail and auction level, I often hear from dealers who are experts in retail, but are looking for additional inventory sources.
Auctions are the answer.
Auctions are a terrific source of used inventory, and a key ingredient in building and growing a profitable used business during busy sale months, or when new model production is off.
They provide:
- Knowledgeable staff
- Inventory management that allows greater flexibility and comfort for trade-ins you don't typically sell
- Several sales per month to fill inventory needs or to sell aged inventory timely
- Multiple locations to choose from, making transportation simple
- Online buying options when you can't leave your shop.
To learn more about the ins and outs of auctions, check out our Auction Handbook.
Kim Miskotten is the national Motorcycle/PowerSports manager for Manheim Specialty Auctions.