An old adage, “May you live in interesting times” can certainly be applied to our industry. The only thing we can be certain of is change. The economy continues to waiver while the used car market fluctuates, making our efforts to identify trends and forecast the future an interesting–sometimes daunting, even frustrating–experience, especially for those who are new to the industry or who are looking for quick solutions to the challenges we face.

Operating some of the longest-running and most successful auto auction facilities in the country, ServNet auction owners are no strangers to the ups and downs of the market. We have faced challenges before and have experienced positive outcomes in the face of those challenges. ServNet auctions continue to move forward, building their market share, developing new opportunities for buyer ands sellers, improving procedures and offering innovative tools and processes to help their customers successfully remarket their vehicles.

Embracing the competitive advances in technology, ServNet auctions have recorded increases in vehicles sales on a number of upstream and video streaming internet platforms, with total online sales for 2010 soon to outpace those of 2009 overall. As independent facilities, ServNet auctions offer their customers the benefit of flexibility when it comes to internet sales, making available to individual customers the exact channel that best represents the vehicles being offered for sale including AuctionPipeline, OVE, Smart Auction and OpenLane. This is a service that the auction chains do not offer, often because of their exclusive focus on their own proprietary internet channels. ServNet auctions have gained a competitive advantage in the marketplace, offering their customers the technology platform that best matches the specific vehicle portfolio.

While ServNet auctions continue to raise the bar in the industry with the development of new technology and improved selling tools, the foundation of our continued success lies in our shared commitment to the values that have kept our auctions at the forefront of the industry for decades. As eminently successful independent auction facilities, ServNet auctions are notable for consistency of service, rooted in long-term relationships that are bound by honor and integrity. In the corporate auction world, change seems to be the constant; owners come and go, and financial plans are revised and restructured even in the midst of an unstable market environment. ServNet auctions, by comparison, are among the most well-capitalized, financially stable auctions in the U.S. These auctions, run by experienced, often second and third generation dedicated owners, have been doing what they do best for decades and will continue to serve the industry as long as there are vehicles to buy and sell on the auction block.

ServNet auctions out-perform the competition on any number of levels all year long, Consignments are holding and percentages are strong. Innovative promotions at our auctions around the country, like the DAA Northwest Rock & Roll Sale and the Brasher’s Idaho Smoker Sale inject new life and activity into the market. We are proud to mark anniversary celebrations at our action facilities, some of which have been in operation from the birth of the industry, as each year’s success sets the stage for the next.

These are interesting times, certainly challenging times, but with every challenge comes an opportunity for growth. As ServNet auctions meet those challenges, they prove year after year that they have the experience and commitment not just to survive but to succeed, build and grow. ServNet auctions continue to excel in the business of remarketing vehicles, surpassing expectations with every passing year, and continuing to offer the industry’s best opportunities for buying and selling at auction.

Source: servnetauctions.com

“Even in what has been a challenging market, Brasher’s Sacramento Auto Auction continues to set the bar in the West,” said Brasher. “Buyers look to Brasher’s as the best source for inventory, and their activity in the lanes is keeping sales strong.”

Brasher’s Sacramento Auto Auction is one of the founding members of ServNet, which was established in 1987, as well as a founding member of AuctionPipeline.com, a web initiative that provides auction customers with sales and market information as well as live, online bidding.

Source: servnetauctions.com

We also want to take some time to call out a few of the features some of you have asked about.

1	CHANGE LANES: Rather than launch separate bidding windows for multiple lanes, just click this drop-down to quickly jump from lane to lane within a given sale.
2	VIEW MULTIPLE LANES: Clicking here during a sale will launch a separate side window that will show you a real-time summary of what is happening in all other lanes. You can place bids in other lanes from that window or jump to any other lane by selecting it from the list.
3	VEHICLE DETAILS: Here you can view all of the details (including vehicle info, equipment, condition report, pictures, etc) for the current vehicle being offered on Pipeline Simulcast. Note we also share with you PAR and other book values when available.
4	BID BUTTON: The most important part! As long as the clerk is in sync with the auctioneer, the green button is the auctioneer’s asking price! If you want to bid more than the auctioneer is asking, you may alternatively bid higher using the other buttons.

If you have any other questions, comments, or you’d be interested in being on a dealer panel to help us make your online buying experience better, please take this survey.

We’ll see you at the auction!

The 2010 Smoker Sale was highlighted by special guest and former Middleweight Champion of the World, Jermain “Bad Intentions” Taylor. Taylor was there to coach and encourage the contenders during Fight Night at Qwest Arena in downtown Boise. Fight fans enjoyed eight matches of excitement, suspense and even a few TKO’s. Last year’s champ, Matt Brasher, sat ringside and passed the championship belt to Joe Sandoval of Nampa Kia.

“This was the most successful Smoker we have seen,” said Doug Brasher. “To be able to say that in the current economic state speaks volumes to the dedication and hard work of everyone involved. We would like to thank all of our sponsors, participants, volunteers and especially our dealers. We are already looking forward to 2011,” said Brasher.

Source: servnetauctions.com

the first sale set for tomorrow, July 22nd.

The Brasher family has been a leader in the auto auction industry since founding its first auction in Salt Lake City, Utah in 1949. Currently the Brashers operate facilities in Salt Lake, Sacramento, Reno, Portland, Eugene and Boise.

“We’ve long looked at the San Jose market as a great opportunity to serve the new and used car dealers in the Bay Area,” said John Brasher. “With real estate values being what they are, we determined that this was an excellent time to launch an auction to serve dealers in the heart of San Jose.”

Brasher reports that industry veteran Gary Mobley will head the management team at Brasher’s San Jose Auto Auction.

“Gary is known throughout the industry as a true professional, a man of tremendous experience and reputation who knows how to run an auto auction,” said Brasher. “He is a great find for us at Brasher’s, and shares our dedication to superior customer service. He has put together a great team focused on building a successful auction in San Jose.”

Brasher’s San Jose is open to licensed new and used car dealers. For consignment and further sales information, please contact the auction at (408)890-2990, or find the auction online at www.brasherssanjose.com.

Be sure to be in the lane on online for the inaugural sales on Tuesday, July 13th and 27th, represented by Todd Cook.

Richard Curtis, ServNet’s Executive Vice President of Industry Relations, noted that General Motors and GMAC jointly remarket vehicles at 42 GM Sponsored Auctions sites across the country in both a “closed” and “open” sale environment. Of those 42 facilities, only 9 are independent auctions, and 6 of those independents are ServNet auctions.

Source: ServNet.com

To better serve our customers, we’ll be offering more lanes online than ever before! We’re confident you’ll like the new interface and added features (like attending from your Mac or iPhone and seamless lane-switching) but we want to hear it from you! Feel free to post your questions/comments below or contact your nearest Brasher’s Auction for help.

You’ll have to login to the Pipeline to get the full experience, but here’s a shot of what the bid client will look like:

Set for June 23rd and 24th, the Smoker Sale will feature more than 2,300 units on auction block; including a GM Factory sale and RV/Powersports sale. Featured 2010 Smoker Sale consignors include General Motors, GMAC, Wells Fargo Dealer Services, US Bank, Edmark Superstore, Boise Volkswagen Audi, Larry Miller Group, Gentry Ford Subaru, Internet Auto and Dennis Dillon.

BIAA will host Fight Night and the Last Man Standing Charity event at 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 23, at Qwest Arena in downtown Boise. The event is free and open to the public. The 4,500 expected fight fans will enjoy eight boxing matches featuring dealers, bank representatives and auction employees from the Boise area.

For more information on the 11th Annual Smoker Sale and Last Man Standing Charity event visit www.idaa.com or call the Sales Department at (208) 395-3174.

You can check out the promo video here:

As some may know, the Meet the Owners meetings are designed to strengthen the relationships that the owners of ServNet’s 22 independent auctions have with remarketers.

Attending the Dallas meeting — which was hosted by ServNet president Jeff Brasher, the owner of Brasher’s Reno Auto Auction, and ServNet chief executive officer Pierre Pons — were representatives from the following remarketers: Chrysler Financial, GMAC, Mercedes Benz Credit, AmeriCredit, Hertz, Santander Consumer USA, American Honda Finance and Wells Fargo Dealer Services.

During the event, these remarketers engaged in discussion with auction owners and members of ServNet’s executive staff.

As part of welcoming attendees, Pons and Brasher emphasized the ServNet members’ strengths, which they cite as the following: long-term, multi-generational, independent ownership; established business practices; well-maintained facilities; and cutting edge technology.

“A strong Internet presence and online selling capabilities are essential in today’s marketplace,” Brasher noted. “ServNet auctions stand among the leaders in the industry with online tools that not only facilitate inventory searches, but offer simulcast auction selling through a variety of channels, including AuctionPipeline, which was created and developed by a team of ServNet auctions to deliver comprehensive online buying and selling capabilities.”

Brasher emphasized that 100 simulcast lanes are offered via AuctionPipeline. He also noted there are more than 75,000 units available through AuctionPipeline. Eighty-two auctions report data to the service.

“ServNet’s participation in AuctionPipeline puts our auctions on an equal footing with upstream and special event sales,” Brasher continued.

Meanwhile, Pons shared how ServNet auctions can utilize data from AuctionPipeline to offer in-depth analytical reporting to their national accounts.

“With ServNet’s national footprint and the full participation of our member auctions, we’re able to provide our customers with market data for all regions, coast to coast,” Pons shared.

“ServNet auctions continue to raise the bar in the industry with the development of new technology, improved selling tools and a shared commitment to the values that have kept these independent auctions at the forefront of the industry for decades,” he continued.

Source: AutoRemarketing.com

Ironman St George by the numbers:

• 2,384 people signed up for the race
• 1,915 got in the water to start the swim
• 38 people didn’t finish the 2.4 mile swim
• Another 165 didn’t finish the 112 mile bike
• Another 78 didn’t finish the 26.2 run

Here’s how your favorite 3 racers fared:

Hammer was cruising along on the bike and had some mechanical issues that just cost him too much time. Not 48 hours went by after the race that we was signed up for Ironman St George 2011 along with a couple of other racers from the group.

Many have asked to see some pictures. You can check them out here:

Once again, a sincere thank you to all the supporters. Stay tuned and get ready to participate in the next (albeit shorter) event. Details coming soon.