Bonhams

[TDE1again]

Hi all.
Anyone had any experience selling through Bonhams?
Good/bad/indifferent opinions welcome.
I've never sold via auction.
It's not a fire sale, so would I be better to advertise through usual channels first?
They seem keen, their adverts are attractive, and there's no seller's fee anymore.
Would appreciate any advice

 

[Slartibartfast]

Hi all.
Anyone had any experience selling through Bonhams?
Good/bad/indifferent opinions welcome.
I've never sold via auction.
It's not a fire sale, so would I be better to advertise through usual channels first?
They seem keen, their adverts are attractive, and there's no seller's fee anymore.
Would appreciate any advice

Just out of interest, what may you be listing with them?

 

[neilrr]

...there's no seller's fee anymore.

Sounds unlikely.
Auctions are expensive things to stage. How do they make any money?

 

[TDE1again]

Nothing I thought they'd be interested in, tbh. My 2005 E55K.

 

[TDE1again]

Sounds unlikely.
Auctions are expensive things to stage. How do they make any money?

£150ish photoshoot upfront for standard service, but more for their Concierge option - when they keep the car on site, so viewers see it at their location.
That's my understanding.

 

[TDE1again]

Sorry, it's for thier online auction.
I should have said.

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

It's an expensive operation. Your car is petty cash to them, but it's a useful filler for their high value sales which are what really keeps the wheels turning.

You'll be paying set up fees as well as sales fees, and the buyer will be paying his.

If you look at the auction performance through them and houses like Historics, are you sure the prices, net of fees, work for you?

Ref 69 2005 Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG

 

[TDE1again]

It's an expensive operation. Your car is petty cash to them, but it's a useful filler for their high value sales which are what really keeps the wheels turning.

You'll be paying set up fees as well as sales fees, and the buyer will be paying his.

If you look at the auction performance through them and houses like Historics, are you sure the prices, net of fees, work for you?

Ref 69 2005 Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG

Thank you, and good points.
Their suggested reserve was a tiny bit lower than I'd be comfortable with.

Apparently they've just changed their pricing structure, but I'm sure it all evens out for them.
Their adverts are good, though..
Thanks, Mike.

 

[TDE1again]

Mercedes-Benz World 23rd November 2019 Sale

Auction Details - Specialist Classic & Sports Car Auctioneers

www.historics.co.uk

I did look at that one. The speedometer is in kph, which doesn't fit with the UK spec, if I recall correctly, and no mention of service history..
Nice looking car though.

 

[Darrell]

Have a look at Collecting Cars. Mate of mine just sold his Alfasud through them.

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

Mercedes-Benz World 23rd November 2019 Sale

Auction Details - Specialist Classic & Sports Car Auctioneers

www.historics.co.uk

I did look at that one. The speedometer is in kph, which doesn't fit with the UK spec, if I recall correctly, and no mention of service history..
Nice looking car though.

Understood. Imported, classic Japanese spec / low mileage, the MoT history began in 2018.

Only included as a benchmark. Some think low mileage Japanese are at a premium to normal UK but "other opinions are available."

 

[TDE1again]

Understood. Imported, classic Japanese spec / low mileage, the MoT history began in 2018.

Only included as a benchmark. Some think low mileage Japanese are at a premium to normal UK but "other opinions are available."

Appreciated.
It's a learning curve for me - not sold a car in 10 years.

 

[MCFastybloke]

Its a desirable car try here first

 

[markjay]

Its a desirable car try here first

If not.... have you checked motorway.co.uk? Or do they only do run-of-the-mill cars?

 

[TDE1again]

If not.... have you checked motorway.co.uk? Or do they only do run-of-the-mill cars?

Thanks. I'll have a look

 

[markjay]

Thanks. I'll have a look

Try also:

Sell your car | Carwow

www.carwow.co.uk

They offer a similar service to motorway.co.uk.

 

[TDE1again]

Try also:

Sell your car | Carwow

www.carwow.co.uk

They offer a similar service to motorway.co.uk.

Carwow came up with quite a reasonable initial figure

 

[Will]

Surely worth giving prospective members an idea on the headline details - mileage and ballpark price?

 

[TDE1again]

Surely worth giving prospective members an idea on the headline details - mileage and ballpark price?

I've been on here since I bought it, but dropped off so am classed as new member - not enough posts to advertise it.
E55k, 90,100 miles. Obsidian. FSH (annually), COMAND, HK audio (Dolby 7), Pano roof, active heated/cooled seats, heated rears, linguatronic, split folding rear seats, spare wheel, TV tuner (fwiw), curve headlights, keyless go, two tone leather, Bluetooth, parktronic, etc.
Only options I can think of that are missing is Distronic and rear blinds.
Original wheels, replaced throttle body, and air suspension pump, Johnson charger pump and various other bits over the years. About £14 k in receipts, but spread over 12+ years.
Mainly general upkeep.

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

I've been on here since I bought it, but dropped off so am classed as new member - not enough posts to advertise it.

With 38 posts to your new name, I believe you have enough posts to advertise your car.

I'm sure that you know that the initial, sight unseen, bids by Carwow, WeConAnyCar et al, are revised down when you take the car in.

Both CarWow and the eventual dealer have to add a good £4k to your price to cover their commission, turn, repairs and warranty off the eventual actually achieved retail price to the next owner. (Achieved price usually being less than their advertised price)

If you check Autotrader you'll see that many of these cars are still up for sale six months after they were first advertised, so there's an interest, storage and valetting cost as well.