Market Conditions Commentary (Archive 2013-December)
With nearly 40 years in the wholesale automobile business, our founder Robert Hollenshead offers his insights on the market and where it is going -- info to help your business succeed!
by Robert Hollenshead
12/18/2013 9:02:02 PM

25   1 2004 TOYOTA AVALON 4D SEDAN XL             6G/A   78,575 GREY     4T1BF28B84U358109 X    
25   2 2008 TOYOTA CAMRY SOLARA V6 2D CONVERTIBL  6G/P   58,182 SILVER   4T1FA38P98U143782 X 

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by Robert Hollenshead
12/11/2013 8:14:08 AM

Is the purpose of a Condition report to be your eyes when the unit is in a location where you can’t actually see it?

Is it helpful or confusing when  a CR number designates a unit to be  “rough”  or “below average” and yet it sells for thousands over average or even the highest in the nation based on Market Reports?

If that occurs on a regular basis does the numeric system confuse the validity of the condition report and your buying decisions?

Can a unit be designated as “rough” and sell for extra clean money on a regular basis even though the CR designation has eliminated the on line buyers due to the designation?

If you are on line and watch this happen does it make you trust the CR more or less?

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by Robert Hollenshead
12/11/2013 12:59:07 AM

It has been a week since our 1,004 unit "Three-pete"  events at Manheim (17545) and MADE Columbus Fair.   Now we want you to plan where and when you want future sales.  We want to know what you like and dislike about our sale, auctions in general, condition report/pricing, your general reaction to the MADE event and what would make you a happy customer, think of it as a wish list.  R Hollenshead and MADE are dedicated to making your “search” for the right “merch” the best experience in the industry.  You will be getting a survey via email today and we want your feedback.

Please take a few moments to complete the questionnaire and be you will get a $100 discount on your next purchase from R Hollenshead regardless of where you buy, at a MADE sale, from a Manheim sale, or directly from us on the street.  In order to redeem you $100 simply copy and paste your completed

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by Robert Hollenshead
12/8/2013 10:31:37 AM

It happened.  I bought and sold 1,004 cars last week.  It was rolling down to the end of the sale Friday afternoon when my boss ( the comptroller of all our businesses and loyal, forgiving, supporting, partner of 25 years) called me to tell me I did it  (She was have pissed because she knows that is just the beginning, not the ending).  The 1,000th unit passed to a new owner under the hammer.   It was a relief as I feel quite sure that is something that will never be duplicated.  Until we do it again, soon, and on to 2,000, 10,000 and so on.  

So the goal of buying and selling every car in North America…at least once, is still the plan.  Now with MADE remarketing in gear, as ridiculous as it sounds, it remains the goal.  If you ain’t a liar, I’m a buyer, no matter what and no matter where and when them hamburgs hit the block, there

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by Robert Hollenshead
12/5/2013 4:44:21 PM

So we are doing the three-Pete this week.

First, I have to thank everyone associated with the MADE sale incredibly hosted by Columbus Fair Auto Auction.  What a class group of people.  You have to remember it was the first time we held a MADE sale, at a remote location, using the Universal Condition Report, on AWG technology and we sold to the walls.  I need to thank the dealers that came and dug in as many of the buyers were first time customers to us and we need to thank all the loyal buyers that have been buying from us for decades.  When you think about this, this has never happened before in Auction history.  We never sold from that location, we gave nobody notice, and we sold 215 units, an average sale price of $26,450 per unit, at 96.4% conversion at 102% of national MMR. 

When you consider the statistical facts of the

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