Aston Barclay has launched a new virtual auction allowing it to sell used vehicles from anywhere.
Stock from a variety of vendors can be offered in the same sale and an OEM recently used the virtual auction to sell stock from three separate physical sites directly to its existing buyer base online.
The new product opens the door for vendors to sell stock from remote locations, such as de-fleet or refurbishment centres, said Aston Barclay.
It also allows Aston Barclay to craft bespoke sales by make, model and grade, or seasonally such as dedicated 4×4 or convertible sales, from a mix of vendors or through exclusive vendor sales.
A live auctioneer hosts each virtual auction with buyers accessing stock via the Aston Barclay website, or via their buyer’s app from wherever they are in the world.
Vendors can remotely control their sales via the vendor functions of their app, just like a physical sale.
Buyers carry out their pre-sale homework online supported by images, inspection grading and a 360-degree walk round of the car’s interior and exterior courtesy of Spin Car.
“Virtual auction enables vendors to hold special one-off sales and closed sales literally anywhere without the need to incur transport costs,†explained Aston Barclay’s CEO Neil Hodson.
“Selling the cars online offers them out to a wider geographic buyer base which adds a different dynamic to a normal physical sale. Future platform development will enable vendors to offer stock just to selected or invited buyers.â€
Virtual auction has been piloted with dealers, OEM and fleet vendors, and buyers over the past three months with a positive response from all involved.
