Sealed Bids...

[Flatland Dave]

Just entered my first sealed bid auction. Been looking for an old truck to go to the feed store on Saturday etc. Came across a `47 chev ex Rural FD truck. Cab and Chasis. massive 216 Cu in. low miles.

Anyone else ever done such foolishness?

 

[justanengineer]

More times than I care to count. Not my favorite type of auction, but they do seem to keep the masses away.

 

[Bib Overalls]

If it has a water tank on it you can expect a poor ride, poor mileage, and slug like speeds. Fire trucks are built heavy and geared low because of the load they carry.

On the plus side they are usually well maintained and are relatively low mileage.

Where has this one been since it was retired? Does it run? Does it still have it's fire fighting gear; hoses, lights, siren, ladders, etc?

Good luck with your bidding. Fire trucks are a serious hobby with some and you might be surprised at what they will bring. If you are lucky enough to win you might consider flipping it to a fire buff.

 

[Flatland Dave]

No gear, Just cab, chassis and a PTO waterpump. and a rusted water tank. Always been shedded. Total miles are less than 100 miles per year.. Interesting thought on flipping it, thanks.

 

[Automatic Slim]

Are "sealed" accounts really sealed?

I usually stop by on the last day of entry and ask what the high bid is, and they usually tell me as I have cash in hand and they don't have to track the buyer or deadbeat bidder and would rather sell it and be done.

Contract bids are generally disclosed from inside sources as well.

GL

 

[justanengineer]

No gear, Just cab, chassis and a PTO waterpump. and a rusted water tank. Always been shedded. Total miles are less than 100 miles per year.. Interesting thought on flipping it, thanks.

Is that an actual "fire" (heavy duty) truck though, or a "brush" (pickup based) truck? Ive seen quite a few of both sold, and frankly have always been tempted by the early pickup-based brush trucks bc many of them had the early aftermarket 4wd kits which seem to be pretty rare and definitely cool.

 

[Old Moparz]

Maybe I'm too skeptical or cynical, but the one time I made an offer on a sealed bid it looked like one hell of a scam. Not a rip-off scam like the Nigerian prince with money he needs help getting, but the type that allows an insider at the auction to magically price their bid high enough to win. Also, it's not always easy to find out who won since it may not be a public bid opening & done in private.

Before the internet, Hemmings Motor News had a big lead time for ads that were a couple of months. The local fire company had an early 50's Dodge Power Wagon that was in nice shape. They advertised it in the legal notices in the newspaper that they were taking sealed bids by a certain date so I went to see it. It was nice, had 6500 miles on it, red & white with a water tank & some other unique equipment mounted.

I turned in a bid on time, & during that same month there was an ad in Hemmings selling an identical early 50's Power Wagon with 6500 miles on it, the same red & white with the same unique equipment for a lot of money & it was right over the state line less than a 30 minute drive. I seriously doubt it was a coincidence that there were two of these trucks with the same miles so close together.

My guess is that someone within the volunteer fire department placed the ad, or had a friend do it & then after the last bid was opened, turned in "the high bid" to win the auction.

 

[willymakeit]

There only good if the bid is opened on auction day in front of everybody. If not its highest bidder.

 

[mharmon]

I have bought a couple of vehicles from the local utility this way. I really dislike this method because it is hard to "steal" something. If it is administered correctly it is the fairest way for everybody involved.

 

[purplezr2]

I bought a few DWI vehicles this way. Leave the bid, and wait to see if you get a call. They went to a max bid+ 5 minute style sight, and it ***** cause it really drives up the price.