Anyone got CoPart membership?

[New POD]

I'm looking to buy a motorbike, and might consider a salvage project, where the majority of the damage is cosmetic. Now I know how ebay works, but I've come across about 6 bikes at Copart, like this

 

http://www.copart.co.uk/uk/Lot/22016286/Photos?SearchId=1594465823

 

 

or 5 similar auctions

 

 

 

Now it seems that just to bid one would need to pay £50 to become a member

 

Once you win a lot, there are other fees, including a loading fee and an auction fee, (plus VAT)

 

I can see that this is to prevent any old POD from buying, and makes it only interesting to "trade". 

 

I'm not sure what these 6 bikes that I might bid on would go for, and therefore not sure whether I want to spend £50 to find that they go for more than I'd be willing to pay.

 

Now that bike above appear to need a bit of paint, a clutch lever, and a passenger foot peg.

 

They say the retail price is £2600, and a private sales would be not a lot less, and I think that's about right, without the Cat C marker.

 

If it were on ebay, I'd chuck in a cheeky bid maybe up to £1000 (which is about what I actually want to spend on a bike)

 

So anyone got membership and want to bid on my behalf? I'm sure that I could fund your membership fee for next year if "we" won.

 

 

[panhard65]

Not much help I'm afraid as I cancelled my membership this year, but you won't find any bargains at copart. They do make strong money on cars that is for certain usually once the fees are included you could find a similar car on ebay cheaper. The price stays low up until the actual live auction then you will find the eastern europeans will pay top money. Another annoying thing they do is not to publish results to give you a guide on prices, the only way to find out what stuff makes is to be at a computer when the auction finishes. Finally expect more damage as they move everything by forklift even if it runs and drives they will forklift it out.

[New POD]

Your summary is "If it looks too good to be true, a fairy tale it might be" .

 

Thanks. I'll perhaps watch the live auctions to get a feel for the prices, but reckon it's not going to be worth it for all the reasons you mention.

[New POD]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/182095098735?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

 

This is not a salvage bike, was NOT what I'm looking for, but looks like fun (duro).

 

 

I wonderr

[Rusty_Rocket]

Agree totally with Panhard- we used to be members too; I bought my Defender project there and it's true to say you won't get any bargains any more! It's an American corporation with fees to match and I found them awkward to deal with. They will even charge you to view a vehicle before the auction.

Gone are the days of going to the site in person with your bidder number and having a good look about beforehand so you actually know what you're getting (like in the good ol' Universal Salvage days).

 

You always used to be able to sign up for free, watch the live auctions and then pay up if you wanted to become a member/ bidder, but knowing how Copout work, they've probably started charging for that now.

[doug]

This caught my eye but its miles away so dont think I will bother. Sitting at £550 just now

 

http://www.copart.co.uk/uk/Lot/28725845/Photos?SearchId=1057338652

[oldcars]

Not much help I'm afraid as I cancelled my membership this year, but you won't find any bargains at copart. They do make strong money on cars that is for certain usually once the fees are included you could find a similar car on ebay cheaper. The price stays low up until the actual live auction then you will find the eastern europeans will pay top money. Another annoying thing they do is not to publish results to give you a guide on prices, the only way to find out what stuff makes is to be at a computer when the auction finishes. Finally expect more damage as they move everything by forklift even if it runs and drives they will forklift it out.

Mate bought a Jag and they wrecked the sill lifting it our with a forklift. As you say it could have driven out but they lifted it out.

[sierraman]

Salvaged cars haven't been worth buying for years. The prices on eBay they charge for damaged 'repairables' are laughable. Stuff with airbag activation or that wants jigging for 2/3 of the price of a straight one. Unless you price your time extremely cheaply then I can't see how anyone makes any gain on them.

 

At one time you used to be able to get stuff that had been lightly damaged say a wing and a headlight for instance at maybe £1000 below book, a weekend and £80 worth of parts and you were ahead. Everyone's jumped on the bandwagon and the price has gone up.

[dean36014]

The BMW Funduro, I credit my old one with saving my life. Was punted up the arse at 40mph and crushed between two cars, I'm sure the study construction of that bike helped to save me from worse injuries. Plus the 650 single makes an addictive thump thump thump. Still keep looking for another one, maybe next year,