British Car Auctions launches buyer training initiative
BCA’s Dealer Training Division has launched a new training course on how to buy profitably at auction. Aimed at all levels of dealer staff involved in stock procurement, the BCA course gives a thorough grounding in the principles of physical and remote auction buying, stock location, appraisal and valuation.
BCA Training Manager Les Butler commented: “Profitably sourcing used stock is likely to be one of the biggest challenges facing dealers – franchised or specialist –not just this year but for the foreseeable future.”
Butler added “Auction offers the biggest and most reliable source of stock for dealers, but many professional buyers have lost touch with the auction scene, think it’s not for them or simply have never used auction in their stock acquisition planning. This course aims to demonstrate how cost effective auction is, whether you are buying to order or for stock. It should also dispel the long held myth that the best cars don’t come to auction – nowadays the best cars are rarely seen anywhere else.”
The BCA course covers the basics of buying at auction, using remote channels such as BCA’s Live Online and other online wholesale services, compiling buying lists, stock location, buying to order and stock replacement. It also advises on maintaining a balanced portfolio of used stock for retail and includes a stock valuation exercise.
The course can be used stand-alone or as an integral part of BCA’s ongoing Dealer Training programme for the industry and this structured full-day event is suitable for anyone in the used car trade who acquires stock. The courses are held at BCA centres nationwide by arrangement and both franchised and independent dealers are welcome to attend.
Butler added “Maintaining the right profile and choice of retail used stock could make the difference between a profitable and non-profitable business model going forward. Anyone involved in selling used cars or vans who does not use auction as part of their acquisition strategy is missing out on one of the best tools in the box.”
