[robz]

Thought I'd create a separate post for this:

Just a general note on BJ Auction:

I was wondering about something I keep seeing at B-J auctions while a car is on the auction block: C. Jackson stops the auction still to start babbling about how people are making a mistake not bidding higher, or other lame excuses just to help bring the price up..I don't know but all the auctions I've ever been to never had such tactics. I find it goes against the spirit of an auction..Current high bidder should complain cuz to me it should be similar to a boxing match when 1 of the boxers are down..:" 1-2-3..KO!"...Not waiting a few more minutes...That's part of the auction game..Some people know the value of the cars while others don't giving them the fair advantage..There shouldn't be third parties coming in to raise their awareness like that...The hammer should go down after a pre-determined time for all the auctions regardless where the current price is!...My $.02.

[GTOnly70]

Although they're receiving commissions on both ends, the BJ auctioneers are agents for the seller. Their goal is to squeeze the most money possible out of each sale, not to protect the "fair advantage" of those who know the value of the cars. This is the "spirit" of the auction. At every auction I've been to the bidders are cajoled to bid higher. BJ is not in the business of leaving money on the table.

[1969 Ram Air]

It was funny to see Craig Jackson get up there "talking up" a car. Only to see the auction end without anyone else bidding on it. Ha Ha.

[GTOnly70]

If there is ever a Wikipedia entry for "Ego-maniacal gasbag", Craig Jackson's picture should be featured prominently

[70ra455]

I agree with GTO70's first comment. On the second I don't know the man so I'll withhold any disparaging remarks.

G'day!

[robz]

I don't agree since to me the only interveners should be the bidders and auctioneer (trying to raise bids) not the owner of the car or owner of auction..At least that's the way it has always been in all the auctions I've been to..Here they change all these rules...

[gtoric]

Robz, I hear where you're coming from. Mr. Jackson does have a rather large ego, but neither he nor the auction itself would be in the position that it is now in without a personality like that driving the show. In the end, this is his auction, and I guess that he has the right to do things the way he sees fit. Both sellers and buyers are by now aware of how this bigtop carnival works, so CJ's tactics should not be a complete surprise to anyone. It does seem to me that the only sellers who are allowed to shill their cars are personalities, major collectors or well-know restorers.

[Judge273]

The greed and corruption drive the auction (reality TV at its best). Doesn't take much to look at the people who run it, and the people who hype it. The owners look like "snake-oil" sellers with the slick hair and sunglasses, and the auctioneers and bidder asst look like cleaned up "carny workers". It is under the "big top" and a travelling show circus. (Big Egos like Trump wannabees)

Same cars year after year, and the people in bed with them are making money too. The stage was full of shady characters (the guy who wore the number 4 shirt for two days), and some of the bidders looked more like mafia than car guys some were not even visible. (saw many instances were the bidders looked around trying to see who they were bidding against) Ghost or shill bidding whatever you want to call it.

JMO and I enjoyed watching it too. Where else can I see a reality show on cars and the Sapranos all in one! I hope the FBI and the IRS was watching to see the sequel "Inside the Cell Block". I would watch that too!

[gto4evr]

I'd just like to see proof that these amazing new records they set every year are actually real. $4 million for the bus last year, $5 million for the shelby this year. come on. why would that bus go to $4 MILLION dollars. (Actually $4,400,000 after fee for the buyer) Go to the website dedicated to those things. Some bus line operates two of them. One guy drives his around as a converted motor home. If that bus was really worth THAT kind of money, Why wouldn't that famous BJ buyer have saved himself a couple of million flashing some big money at the motorhome driver and had it restored for him? This just seems like gameshow flashing to give the viewers the money thrill. This is the $450k ebay judge shell game at a live event. I'll bet you next year's BJ auction will have a NEW amazing record set for something at $6 million dollars.

All of this hype is an investors trick to get buyers to pay bigger money. Lets look at the gas prices: Everyone complains that gas is $2.50 a gallon. So the price spikes up to $3.50 and everyone screams harder. The price drops down to $3.00 and now everyone scrambles to fill up at that GREAT price, and everyone forgets how they complained at $2.50

[SWEETJUDGE]

To me i feel UNFORTUNATLY the pontiac will NEVER achieve the status nor price range as A HEMI car, A carroll Shelby car, AND the damn CORVETTES.
I hate the fact that the pontiacs seem to go through the commercials... or they not explained aswell. I also feel there should be a TIMED limit to these auctions EVERY Car get 5 minutes... like ebay you have a count down MAKE up your mind or get out. I also feel there is PHANTOM Bidding to make people spend more. I just dont get it sometimes. I shake my head while i watch these auctions... i cant believe what people are willing to pay. Even clones are getting big bux. I understand that the real deal maybe outta reach but comm'on know. I didnt get to see all the ponchos go by, i have to check the BJ site to see what happened. Just my 2 cents that i borrowed.

[Judge273]

Collector-car writer ejected from show

Bob Golfen
The Arizona Republic
Jan. 19, 2007 12:00 AM

Veteran collector-car writer and publisher Keith Martin was stripped of his media credentials and escorted off the WestWorld grounds of the Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction this week after he made what auction officials called disparaging and damaging public statements about the event.

Wednesday's ejection of Martin, well-known as the former auction commentator for Speed Channel's live coverage of Barrett-Jackson, comes after a blowup with the auction regarding recent columns and coverage in his Oregon publication, Sports Car Market, which covers collector-car auctions in the United States and Europe.

The disagreement resulted in Martin being fired as commentator by Speed and Barrett-Jackson, which partner in the coverage, said auction President Steve Davis. advertisement




In the latest situation, Martin was "holding court" in the Scottsdale auction's media center before dozens of media people and auction goers, Davis said, telling them that Barrett-Jackson is rife with problems and irregularities and they should instead attend one of the competing auctions in Scottsdale and Phoenix.

"He was holding a seminar on why you should leave Barrett-Jackson," Davis said. "It came down to him advising people that you need to go to Russo and Steele and RM (Auction), and that Barrett-Jackson has, at best, just average cars."

Davis called Martin's behavior "journalistically unethical."

Martin, who was also covering the event for the New York Times, said he was unjustly targeted by Barrett-Jackson because of his prior columns, which focused on what he described as shady bidding tactics and what he calls the hyped-up values of the popular muscle cars that are fetching high prices at auction.

"My business is talking about the value of collector cars and not getting into (altercations) with an auction company," Martin said. "They had three goons come up to me who said I was making disparaging remarks about the auction and I had to leave."

Martin said he would purchase a regular admission ticket and cover the event as a spectator. Davis said he had no problem with Martin attending as a regular customer.

[1969 Ram Air]

Judge273 - That is very interesting info.

[JLHarper]

And goes along with what a collector told me as to why he didnt go this year.

He said never again.

I was surprised when they stoped auction as RobZ mentioned to promote some car usually a SHELBY and then admitt the partner has SHELBY interests.

[69goatboy]

Originally Posted by SWEETJUDGE

Even clones are getting big bux. I understand that the real deal maybe outta reach but comm'on know.

Ever notice how they're not "clones" anymore? They're "re-creations" now.
Pure marketing BS. Kinda like a few years ago when the car lots stopped selling "used cars" and started selling "selected pre-owned vehicles"

A rose by any other name.... Or a turd by any other name as well.

[Judge273]

Boom time for car classics
By Paul Giblin, Tribune
January 19, 2006
Craig Jackson nearly single-handedly created the national classic car collecting craze. The force behind the popular Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction — running this week in Scottsdale — is part car nut, part showman and a wholly driven businessman.
View Barrett-Jackson slideshow.

Jackson is widely credited for shifting the collector car market from pre-World War II classics and antiques to post-WWII cars and American muscle cars of the 1960s and 1970s.

With the shift, he also expanded the collector car market from its core of wealthy collectors.

It now includes cashed-up baby boomers, who apparently are eager to buy back memories of their teenage years.

Even his sharpest critics — and there are many — concede that point.

Motor Trend magazine ranks him 50th in its 2006 list of the 50 most influential people in the auto business.

“He elevated classic-car auctions from car-nut cul-desac to the mainstream,” the magazine states in its February issue, now on newsstands.

Jackson has been associated with the annual car show virtually his entire life.

It was founded by his father, Russ Jackson, and Tom Barrett in 1971.

Craig and his brother, Brian, became increasingly involved over the years.

Russ Jackson died in 1993, Brian Jackson died in 1995 and Barrett retired in 1997.

Craig Jackson took the helm and expanded the event, and consequently, the entire collector car market.

Jackson glammed up the auction by partnering car sales with VIP-only parties, fashion shows, and of course, TV — lots of TV.

The Speed Channel cable-TV network is in its 10th year of televising the auction. This year, it’s airing 33 hours of live coverage of the Scottsdale auction.

That’s in addition to offseason programming, including the reality show, “Life on the Block,” which captures the behind-the-scenes drama of producing an auction that attracts 200,000 attendees. Got a customer with a gripe about the lack of access at the auction? Roll tape! Got a newspaper reporter with questions about competitors’ complaints? Roll tape!

“Welcome to my day,” he said Wednesday while being taped in his plush recreational vehicle, replete with marble and sculpted mirror accents and a wide-screen TV.

Jackson also spends a fair amount of screen time explaining to novice buyers what to look for in collector cars and how to buy them.

“We needed a new generation to really embrace car collecting, and our market has changed dramatically. We’re part of the reason why. But also, baby boomers now have more disposable income than the World War II generation,” he said.

He’s doing everything he can to ensure they dispose of a good portion of that income at car auctions — and his, especially. A record 1,100 cars with a combined value of $60 million will hit the auction block before Sunday at West-World of Scottsdale, 16601 N. Pima Road.

TV plays a huge role in bringing the car-collecting hobby to the masses.

Nathan Welch, programming administrator the Speed Channel cable-TV network, based in Charlotte, N.C., said Barrett-Jackson appeals to a broad spectrum of viewers.

“Everybody wants to see these old cars. I mean, last year we had one that went for, like, $3 million. It’s very exciting,” Welch said.

The car was a 1954 Oldsmobile F-88.

“Marketing-wise, he’s done a hell of a job and I don’t take that away from him,” said Rob Meyers, owner of the RM Auction, which will start Friday at the Arizona Biltmore Resort and Spa.

But Jackson has driven over some toes along the way, Meyers said.

“I’ve been in this business for a long time. I can’t recall a time when I’ve met somebody who made the statement, ‘Yeah, that a Craig Jackson is a really nice guy,’ ” he said.

Meyers said he hasn’t spoken to Jackson in four years, since he banned Jackson from RM Auctions. Part of their mutual angst concerns a deal that unraveled at an RM Auction in California.

Meyers said Jackson emerged as the winning bidder for a Ford Mustang, but then refused to pay.

Jackson said he learned after the sale there were problems with the car — neither the vehicle identification number nor the odometer reading matched those on the title.

Meyers said that as a self-proclaimed expert on muscle cars, Jackson should have known what he was buying.

Dean Kruse, founder of the Kruse Scottsdale Collector Car Auction and Expo at Phoenix International Raceway on Jan. 26-29, offered this comment: “Craig is, ah — I guess I won’t comment on Craig.”

Jackson said as the president of the most successful car auction, he’s an obvious target.

He’s also a full-throttle negotiator.

Jackson has played hardball with Scottsdale, the longtime home of his auction. Even after the city’s purchase late last year of 150 acres of property near WestWorld for $78 million, talks concerning a longterm deal for use of the facility are not complete.

City officials want to ink a 20 to 30-year deal to keep the auction at WestWorld.

City Councilwoman Betty Drake said, “He thinks his auction is certainly a major event in Scottsdale, and he’s anxious that everybody appreciate that to the fullest, shall we say.”

Among the points to be resolved is how the car auction is increasing requirements for asphalt and how it will coexist with a number of horse shows, which need more dirt spaces.

“We would love to have a long-term deal with him, but at the same time we have to keep our eye on the long-term future of West-World and the mission that it was established to serve,” Drake said. “Hopefully, we can accommodate both of them.”

[69goatboy]

Originally Posted by Judge273

Jackson also spends a fair amount of screen time explaining to novice buyers what to look for in collector cars and how to buy them.

What numbnut is going to listen to a salesman on how to buy what he's selling (or getting a cut of)? Anyone remember the scene in Stripes where John Candy is teaching the young guy how to play poker?

This guy's living proof of the saying about a fool and his money.
But I guess until there is a shortage of fools, he'll laugh all the way to the bank.

[68bird400HO]

Originally Posted by Judge273

Jackson is widely credited for shifting the collector car market from pre-World War II classics and antiques to post-WWII cars and American muscle cars of the 1960s and 1970s.

YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!!!! I suppose he is also crediting with parting the seas to create a spot to hold his auction.

[BLKBRD]

robz,

A co-worker and myself were discussing this exact subject today. We both felt that it was an injustice to the high bidder at the time they "paused" the auction to state that the car was worth so much more than it was currently bid to. A particular Duesenburg (spelling?) is a perfect example. I believe that it bid somewhere into the $300k range when it stalled. Jackson stopped the auction, made his spiel, and ended up getting roughly $200k more for the car. I suspect that part of this is due to the fact that if they "give" these cars away, the'll have virtually no sellers showing up next year. I still believe that it is wrong. If they are so worried about a car not reaching a certain bid, they should allow a reserve. Do you think that he'd have stopped the bidding during one of the GTO sales.

[dxeven]

Originally Posted by BLKBRD

robz,

A co-worker and myself were discussing this exact subject today. We both felt that it was an injustice to the high bidder at the time they "paused" the auction to state that the car was worth so much more than it was currently bid to. A particular Duesenburg (spelling?) is a perfect example. I believe that it bid somewhere into the $300k range when it stalled. Jackson stopped the auction, made his spiel, and ended up getting roughly $200k more for the car. I suspect that part of this is due to the fact that if they "give" these cars away, the'll have virtually no sellers showing up next year. I still believe that it is wrong. If they are so worried about a car not reaching a certain bid, they should allow a reserve. Do you think that he'd have stopped the bidding during one of the GTO sales.

The best example I can think of was the LS-6 Convertible Drag Car last year. IIRC, that thing stalled out around $300k, then after his coaxing ended up at $1.2m.

[gto4evr]

I think you guys are over-analyzing this. It's part of the SHOW. Do you really think that some millionaire stopped bidding on that drag car at $300k and then after his little "c'mon people, this is a real opportunity" speech it convinced them to pay 1.2 million dollars? He is background noise. if he stops the auction and cajoles up the bidding on some heat of the moment $35k GTO with "regular" people bidders I can see it having some effect, but not at the stratosphere level of the "serious" collectors. They know what they're paying LONG before that car rolls across the block.