Barrett Jackson Scottsdale, is it worth going to just look around?
 

My wife and I are going to be visiting relatives in Scottsdale next week and are debating taking a day and looking around at the sights during the auction week. I noticed prepaid online tickets are cheaper as opposed to tickets bought at the gates. I also noticed that as the week goes on, the admission prices escalate quite a bit.

I'm just looking for some opinions on what might be displayed earlier in the week as opposed to later. Full retail at the gate tickets for Saturday are $80 each, so probably not looking to spend that much for my wife and I. The earlier in the week tickets begin at $25. Of course there are discounts for seniors and online purchases.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

I few years back some buddies and I took a trip to BJ Scottsdale. It was a very interesting experience for me. Huge venue with tons of cars to look at! If you are a people watcher, it is a ideal place to observe all sorts of folks. I was not bidding, just looking. Overall I had a great time, bu I have not been back since then. In my opinion nice to see once but no for an anual pilgrimage.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Just what I was contemplating also. I'm going to be there, I didn't plan our trip around the auction, and I'm not going to buy anything. The timetable just worked out that we are going to be there at the same time the auction is being held.

This is right up there with the Indy 500, Daytona 500, Brickyard 400, etc. We've been to them once, and in all likelihood after we've had the initial experience we probably won't make it a point to go again. We could go to any of them again, just not a priority once you've been there.

Thanks for the feedback..............;)

Absolutely! If you're a car guy, B-J is like an amusement park for grownups. I like to hang out in the staging lanes, where you can get up close to normally rarely-seen cars and hear them run.

I like to go the first weekend. That is the preview period before the auction starts. It's less hectic, you can view all the cars and all the vendors are there as well. Costs less as well. I won't ever go on the final weekend unless I need to bid on a car.

Hell yeah it's worth going to!

I went to BJ in West Palm Beach two times, and both times were great. Plenty to see and do.

Been to West palm beach 2 times, and Mohegan sun CT. 2 times. Awesome times with friends and family, cars, flea market sellers, tons of cars.
If you are a car guy, it's a must.

Probably the best car SHOW you could ever go to...Where else can you see such a variety of car, and so many?

I take customers every year- it’s a great time and it’s a lot of fun to compare the quality of the cars to their real world values.

For example- if I see a car like mine I will note the lot #, condition, scratches, problems, etc and look up online later what it sold for.

I went to the West Palm Beach one in 2004. It was either their first or second year there. An enjoyable event would go again. Many of the cars aren't nearly as nice up close as they are on TV. If I were to go again to any of the auctions I would want a bidders pass just in case.

Brad,I went there one year.It was great.so much to see besides the cars.Many vendors there.Tom

There's more than BJ going on that week. Don't forget to check out the Pavillions car show.

2x69AZ

B.J. Scottsdale is on my bucket list as well, I have taken customers cars to & from the West Palm Beach Auction

. I have contemplated transporting a customers car to the Scottsdale Auction & let them foot most of the bill for my trip, but have decided for me to get the most enjoyment out of it I need to NOT worry about the customer & his vehicle. When I go, I will fly out, rent a car & get a bidders pass. Basically do the whole experience once!

God Bless & Enjoy!
Bill Squires(owner)
Bill's Auto Works

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...closed.614419/

I visit my parents around the time of auction as well. It's a fun day to see the new cars on display in front. Most high end cars there, and they let you sit inside the cars.

Cool vendors and artists spend quality time setting up elaborate displays. Boats, planes, Restomods manufacturers, home goods, garage gadgets, signs, t-shirts, etc...

Food vendors are unique, and show just flows thru the entire park, and it's takes up a 4 hour day to walk and take it all in. Worth 25 bucks to see the people, cars, vendors, have lunch and some drinks for the visitors.

Well organized transportation system and volunteers are very nice and helpful. Amazes me every year with the variety and custom builders are approachable and are proud to display their machines.

Yep..... just to stay warm! Or for those of us in the Northeast.... to warm up.

I just want to take time to thank all those that have commented, looks like we'll take a day to explore the BJ experience.

:thanx:

Go. Just Go. Thank me later.

There is 2 or three other auctions going on in the Scottsdale area that week also. Great experience.

Here's a run down of other auctions that week in case you're interested.
Jan 17 WorldWide Auction, Old Town
Jan 18 Bonhams, Westin Kierland
Jan 18-21 Silver, Fort McDowell
Jan 17-21 Russo-Steele, Salt River Fields
Jan 17-19 RM, Biltmore Resort
Jan 19-20 Gooding & Co, Fashion Square Mall

In addition to the auctions, weekly car shows at places like the Pavilions are bigger than normal, and there are car-related events all over town.

The only bummer is to us locals who have to deal with the increase in traffic...my daughter's school is on the property right next to Westworld--I literally can touch one of the big tents from the school parking lot--and I'm definitely not looking forward to drop off or pick up that week! Small price to pay I guess (and no worse than the TPC at the end of the month).

Westworld
 

You live in that area? My mom lives in the development at the top of East Bell ave. Last time I went I walked to BJ auction.

North a few miles, Pima and Jomax.

I've been once; the year the tents blew down at Russo & Steele. Weather was terrible for a couple of days. But even with that what a show! IMO every car person should go at least once.
As Gator67 says there is lots more than just the big Barrett Jackson going on and if you make it all you won't be disappointed.

A little late to the dance here, but we visited BJ in Scottsdale a few years back. We went on Thursday, used the senior rate, and we had a blast. As I recall it was not that expensive. I did not register to bid, which was just as well, as there were many great deals to be had. It was so much fun, we were sad to leave at the end of the day.
Dave

Yes go......Several guys and their wives in our little car club go every year or so. It's not just a nice winter break but a $20 ticket to all the car you candy you digest. There are some pretty good deals to be found in the first day or two also, but buyer beware........

The food that is available outside is worth the tickets alone. Bring an empty stomach. If you like BBQ starving yourself a few days prior is recommended.

I would definitely go. I've been to several auction venues, twice to Scottsdale, and Scottsdale is the best one., esp. in January. I'm from The Northeast. I recall all the cars are on display on the premises, even the high quality ones scheduled for auction on Friday and Saturday. Recommend highly, I plan on going back.

If you are that close and don't go.......just go!
Went 5 years back and had an incredible day. Just go!

Earlier in the week there are cars for sale at a more down to earth price range too.

So who's going today ?

Pontiac "we build Bonnevilles"

I am in LA now but plan on going Wednesday night- Friday night

We got back to Ohio yesterday afternoon and wanted to update what happened during the recent AZ trip.

Well as it turned out we arrived on Jan 12th on a Friday night and went out to eat at one of the restaurants at the Scottsdale Pavilions. Friday night I wasn't feeling well and by Sat A.M. I was in the Urgicare with Flu symptoms and my wife spent a good deal Sat looking for the elusive/scarce Tamiflu medication at pharmacies in the area.

Needless to say I was not feeling well for the remainder of the week. I thought maybe towards the middle of the week I would have felt well enough to attend. That however wasn't to be, so we never made the BJ experience. I'm still not 100% with inner ear and sinus and feel like I was run over by a truck.

On Friday we took a little excursion up to Jerome (wife loves to shop at the shops in Jerome every time we get to AZ) and stayed overnight in the Sedona area.

Saturday we did manage to get up to Sedona, and wife had booked a Pink Jeep tour for my B Day on Sat. I was pretty sore after getting tossed around in the Jeep, but had a good time. It rained during the tour, and we got to see the waterfalls coming down over the various rock formations that most don't get to see during the Jeep tours.

I just want to thank anyone that responded to the thread.............:thanx: