Barrett-Jackson Auction Fraud Exposed

[OneBadSuperbird]

Hey folks, here's some very interesting reading on the goings-on at the Barrett-Jackson aiuction in Scottsdale this year...

http://fourwheeldrift.wordpress.com/2007/01/27/barrett-jacksons-westworld-tents-turn-out-to-be-a-house-of-cards/

[Shakey]

Interesting!   

I started to read it and then realized how long it was.  I'll finish it in the morning at the office with a coffee.

From what I did read, it doesn't really surprise me and I know that there will be a bunch of "I told you so's" coming soon.   

[694spdRT]

I watched a behind the scenes show on Barrett-Jackson last night and they were trying to orchestrate the whole auction around Speed Channel's commercial breaks to get the high dollar cars the most exposure. This basically shows that it is a time driven event and the value to each individual seller may not always be the top concern. It is obvious that some cars are hammered down quicker or not worked as hard as other's so this article is not really a big surprise to me. IMO if you want to sell your car at Barrett you are taking a big chance. The big dollar cars get all the attention but there are many others that go through for far less than people expect but they don't get very much attention.

In many ways these kinds of auctions seem like the stock market and they go up and down depending on how the big fishes want it to....small fish like most of us are either lucky enough to ride the wave or end up drowned by it. 

Most auctions don't always make sense anyway....I can't tell you how many farm sales I have went to where used tools and shop equipment go for as much or more than new. BTW that usually happens when I have waited all day for that one particular item too. 

[MichaelRW]

Very interesting! It will be fun to see how all this falls out. While watching the auction this year I did notice that the gavel did seem to come down a bit too quick. I just thought it was because they had time limits to get all the cars through the auction. I guess not.

[Shakey]

....I can't tell you how many farm sales I have went to where used tools and shop equipment go for as much or more than new. BTW that usually happens when I have waited all day for that one particular item too. 

My Father-in-Law took some calves to auction and I asked him he is up there hounded the auctioneer, telling him to remind the crowd what a great Mother this little darling had and that she would produce milk for years to come.   

I would think that the "fix is in" in some cases when it comes to these auto auctions.  Nothing surprises me anymore.

[6pkrunner]

I'll bet that it will be next to impossible to prove fraud against them. I'm sure every letter, comma, space and word has been finely combed over be many lawyers, many times. These guys cover their derriere very, very well. While none of this is palatable to the general public, the terms that BJ has would cover off these instances and many more for sure.
So all Craig will have done is burnt a lot of bridges and maybe ruined the game he was playing wanting to make one big payday this year - but to make any legal claims against him stick, will be difficult for sure.
They'll walk away counting their easily gained millions.

[Shakey]

I'll bet that it will be next to impossible to prove fraud against them. I'm sure every letter, comma, space and word has been finely combed over be many lawyers, many times. These guys cover their derriere very, very well. While none of this is palatable to the general public, the terms that BJ has would cover off these instances and many more for sure.
So all Craig will have done is burnt a lot of bridges and maybe ruined the game he was playing wanting to make one big payday this year - but to make any legal claims against him stick, will be difficult for sure.
They'll walk away counting their easily gained millions.

Actually, I read that in more than one case, the cameras caught people trying to bid on cars prior to and as the hammer was being dropped with minimal warning.

I guess time will tell.

[Ghoste]

From what I did read, it doesn't really surprise me and I know that there will be a bunch of "I told you so's" coming soon.   

[Blakcharger440]

If people didnt know that Barrett Jackson is corrupt then they sure will suspect it now. I have always
believed it to be so. I dont think there's a honest "auction" house anywhere.
Lots of smoke and mirrors going on in that place.

[472 R/T SE]

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[TruckDriver]

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[Khyron]

I'm betting page is gone to avoid law suit

[Brock Samson]

i bet your right but it's too late now the cat is out of pajamas...

[hemi-hampton]

Thats very Odd, I was just reading that page/link a few Minutes ago. Was Interesting, Long & never finished reading it. Now it's gone? I'm speculating a Slander or Defamation of Character Lawsuit coming probably???

[Troy]

I read the entire thing and I wouldn't really say that anything was really "exposed". As always, there are two sides of the story and the second side reared it's ugly head after the original article. My guess is there was enough flack and threat of lawsuits to either force them to take it down OR the traffic bombarded the server. It sounded like the word had spread pretty fast. Perhaps the author will verify his sources a wee bit better next time. The part about the lawsuit seems to be legitimate though.

Troy

[hemihead]

I didn't get to read it. What happened? Some rich guy get mad at millionaire Craig?

[evil1]

I watched allot of the auction on speed , really didn't notice them ending auctions early,I seen allot of mistakes made this year tho. The one that stands out the most to me, was the couple, that was biding on a 71 cuda. at around 86,000 the woman started shaking her head and waving off the ringmen, who kept trying to get them to bid again as the car went on to 90000 looking for 92000, then they ended up backing back down to the couples last bid and they got the car for the 86000. that seemed to happen a couple a times.

[tecmopar]

I guess its just me but that show was really a 5 day commercial with a few auctions thrown in to keep you interested.

[Ghoste]

B-J haven't done anything illegal or failed to live up to the contract they have the sellers sign.  Is it pushing the envelope on integrity?  Perhaps but it's no different than going to Vegas and then trying to sue the casino because you lost everything you own at the tables.  In both cases, the odds favor the house.

[DC_1]

Didn't get to read the article....anyone have the cliff notes?

[41husk]

this just proves the rich are going to continue to get richer!

[Shakey]

this just proves the rich are going to continue to get richer!

If you can't beat 'em - join 'em!   

[OneBadSuperbird]

The link was indeed taken down.  If anyone wants to read it, I did save it as a .doc file that I can email. 

[TripleBlackGator]

Interesting!   

From what I did read, it doesn't really surprise me and I know that there will be a bunch of "I told you so's" coming soon.   

I did but not to THIS EXTENT. Christ! Even what I thought pales in comparison to this news. 

[Old Moparz]

I'd have liked to have read it, but based on a lot of the posts here, I have a general idea of what was in it & it's no shock. As for the auction coverage, I've only watched small parts while flipping channels this year as well as in the past. I have never been able to sit through more than 10 minutes of it before getting aggravated & bored & then wanting to go on to something else. To me, it's a lot like a scripted infomercial & also like what tecmopar stated, a long commercial with a few auctions thrown in.

I'm sure in the beginning, the auctions were more realistic as far as having less of a "big show" atmosphere. Television gives way to sponsors, & the sponsors then determine how things are done. Like which commercial slot you want based on cars that will have the most ratings, or which cars should be dragged out to get the most exposure, & which cars should be rushed because nobody gives a rat's ass about a clean 4 door with a six cylinder. It's not much different than watching a reality type show, but even the reality shows are scripted & edited.

I've been to different auctions in person for building materials, farm equipment, supplies, & misc. other items. Sometimes the bidding appears rigged, or maybe people are really just too freakin' stupid. I see people go nuts bidding more than what something is worth. (Ebay is no different.) I guess as long as there are people who "Just Have To Have It At All Costs" then it won't change. I went to an auction at a home center that went out of business & watched a woman bid on, & win a small refrigerator. The sticker was still on it, maybe $235 & she bid more, like $265 & also had to pay the auctioneers commission.

Where was she when the store was still open? They may have stayed in business if she shopped there.