Well this is it - our final blog article in the series of how to use Specialty auctions most profitably. We hope you've learned a few things and are taking advantage of how Specialty auctions can help Power Your Profits. In this article we want to take a look at auction Remarketing Technology, and Condition Reports, along with brief videos to give you a little more background on how these tools help our buyers and sellers.
When an auction receives a pre-owned Specialty vehicle for sale,
the unit is checked in and an electronic condition report is created along with digital images and certification if applicable. In addition the unit is cleaned, minor mechanical work can be performed, and the unit is set for sale.
It is made available online on presale list
s and PowerSearch tools, and can be purchased through Simulcast. Auctions market the product through a variety of channels, including telemarketing calls, faxes and email. This increases the dealers’ chances of selling the vehicle the first time. At Manheim, once the unit is sold the buyer receives a guaranteed title and funds are transferred to the seller.
As always, we want to hear from you. Please contact us at specialtyauctions@manheim.com or 877-704-INFO (4636) to tell us how we can help you get the most out of your auction experience.
Karen Braddy is the General Manager of Manheim's Specialty and Heavy Truck & Equipment business. She has been with Manheim since 1990, and launched the Specialty initiative for Manheim in 2005.
Our current condition report on motorcycle/PowerSport units (available online for Manheim customers to review via PowerSearch - look for a 'CR' button attached to the vehicle) is a comprehensive damage evaluation that we are looking to improve upon this year by adding a mechanical inspection.
We've had some conversations with dealers about whether or not we're capturing
the right information to help them make their buying decisions. Based on those discussions, key components we are considering including in the mechanical inspection are if the unit runs, shifts, odometer operational and a fluid (engine, transmission) analysis and possibly a engine and transmission limited warranty.
We would like your feedback on other items for the mechanical inspection that would help you feel more comfortable buying a unit and increase your bidding confidence. When buying at an auction are there certain mechanical factors you wish we provided more information on? What are the key points you look for mechanically when previewing a motorcycle/PowerSport unit? Tell us your opinion regarding if we should perform mechanical inspections on all units or should they only be performed on units of a certain age/mileage?
Kim Miskotten is the National Motorcycle/PowerSports Manager for Manheim Specialty Auctions
We recently launched a series of blog articles to help Specialty dealers learn how to utilize Manheim online tools to their greatest advantage. In this article we'll focus on the Manheim.com Workbook, which allows you to store a list of Manheim.com inventory items that interest you.
The workbook feature makes it easier to narrow your search to vehicles you're considering purchasing and/or to identify what other sellers are asking for similar units. You may also register via email for our monthly market report featuring recent sale prices.
You can create and access a personal Workbook on Manheim.com by using any of the following paths (please note that you must have a Manheim ID to visit the pages below. You can contact us at specialtyauctions@manheim.com or 1-877-704-INFO (4636) for more information)...
- Workbook selection under the Buy menu on Manheim.com.
- Workbook selection under the My MANHEIM menu
- Link from the PowerSearch listing screen
- Link from the vehicle description page for a vehicle already stored in your Workbook.
Please clck here for a brief overview of how to take full advantage of the Manheim.com Workbook, and Manheim Specialty Auctions also created a brief 'how-to' guide with tips and tricks on working with Manheim.com, Simulcast and OVE.com.
We want to hear from you if you have any questions or would like to talk with us one-on-one about Manheim online tools. Please contact us at at specialtyauctions@manheim.com or 1-877-704-INFO (4636), and let us know how we can help.
Craig Capizzi is Assistant General Manager, Manheim Specialty and Heavy Truck & Equipment Auctions
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
We talk often with dealers about the types of Specialty auctions they find most valuable. While just a few years ago nearly all RV, boat, motorcycle and PowerSports auction sales happened at 
physical auctions, now there are a variety of online options - on Manheim.com alone, Simulcast allows dealers to watch sales real-time on their computers and bid as if they were in the lanes. OVE.com gives dealer both competitive bidding and 'buy it now' options. PowerSearch shows dealers all available inventory, searchable by vehicle type, selling location, whether it's available in-lane and/or online and more.
So what method(s) work best for you, and where do you see the 
online Specialty auction world going? Do you see yourself and your dealership doing more or less online buying over time? What do auctions need to do to make you more comfortable buying online? We look forward to hearing from you.
Craig Capizzi is Assistant General Manager, Manheim Specialty and Heavy Truck & Equipment Sales
So...are you pretty good at guessing motorcycle auction prices? Or are you just interested in winning free stuff like race tickets and Flip cameras? Then try your hand at Manheim Specialty's "Guess the Bid. Get the Prize." contest, which we're hosting in conjunction with DealerExpo February 12-15 in Indianapolis.
To enter, just guess the sale price on a 2008 Harley-Davidson .jpg)
Ultra Classic Electra Glide with approximately 3,000 miles. The closest guess will win a trip for two to the "Big Race" in Indianapolis on July 25, and all entries are eligible for one of three Flip cameras and one of 10 Manheim Specialty transportation assistance vouchers.
We'll auction the motorcycle in March, and if you're looking for some help check out Manheim PowerSearch, which lists all vehicles for sale including some 'buy it now' prices on OVE.com, or email us to receive our monthly market report.
Hurry, the contest ends February 15. Good luck!
Chris Hood is a Senior Marketing Manager at Manheim and has 15 years' experience in auction, sports and event marketing