Hey guys, I agree with most everything said here about the auction as to it being on TV... a huge waste of time for the few cars that pass the auction block. However, as for Barrett-Jackson itself I absolutely agree with Judge273 that "Live In Person Attendance" makes all the difference. This auction is an 'event' for the car lover and I believe you really have to be there to fully appreciate it. I spent last Wednesday at BJ Scottsdale (my third year) and for me it is less about the auction than it is just enjoying a smorgasbord, a feast if you will, of so many interesting and beautiful cars and, all in one place. My bell rings loudest with 60's and 70's factory muscle because I was there when these cars were new - graduated HS in 1967 - and to see them again like I remember them from the day is a total blast to my past. And I like the cars to be right! Now I don't know if a car can be over-restored... hmmmm, maybe the paint can be too pretty or perfect... but if the interior and under the hood (numbers matching) and chassis is correct and nice-nice, then I'm usually quite satisfied. As with many of us I can spot things that are not correct on Goats and that does bother me some but hey, I'm not buying anything. And speaking of buying... for me that is the only reason I catch BJ on TV and that is to see what the cars sell for. But I make use of the DVR; I record it and later play it back skipping the commercials and the cars I don't care about. Much of time the cars seem overpriced and I have to remind myself this is an auction (bidding frenzy), and too, many of these cars are near garage queens or museum pieces. Most certainly this is not the reality for the cars I own as I like to drive mine. Yes, BJ is commercialized but then it is after all a business... a really big business, and Craig and Steve do very well indeed. I have to admit I'm just a little bit envious.
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