jtuds

Hey folks.

I've been in touch with a family friend who runs a Kia dealership nearby and, according to my parents, has helped a few people from our church import cars from the USA. He buys them wholesale from auctions and then sells them with some sort of markup. (I'm not sure if it is legal to buy a car wholesale at an auction then sell it as a private sale, but I bet that would be cheaper!)

Anyway, he uses retired men from the church to pick up the cars according to my dad...probably makes it cheaper than delivery.

I am inclined to think this is a safer way to go and should also save me some money. He knows what to look for I would hope. He said he's bought a number of ML's at U.S. auctions and himself a Porsche.

Anybody know what dealers pay at these auctions? I've learned that markup on new cars is actually not that much above dealer cost, but I have no idea about used cars. He seemed to say he can access a lot of wholesale cars online and said he'd get back to me with some options and prices.

Why can't normal people access these databases/attend these auctions?

Any pros/cons or experiences with this sort of thing would be great.