how on earth do you get to go to these? Arent they for dealers only?

Not all, exlease, car rental, repo, etc auctions can be open house. Most larger centers have regular auctions.

A lot of them have dealer'* night, The one where I live has dealer'* night on Thursday then it is open to the public on Friday and Sat. That way the dealers are only bidding against other dealers and the price stays low enought they can make some money on them.

Perhaps a little late to the thread, but I have been to auctions that are open to the public (and dealers). You get to view the car during the day, and the actual auctions are in the evening. There'* one place not far from where I live; a lot of the cars have questionable traits (ie, repainted, evidence of accidents). At your own risk!

For sure on that one! I'm sorry, I wasn't being hip... fo sho on dat! Anyway, you are not allowed to drive auctioned cars in most cases... they just start it up and let it run for a few seconds. Just think of all the steering, suspension, tranmission, etc. problems that you'd know nothing about until you hit the road in your new lemon!

But on the flip side, I'm sure there are many low-priced gems at car auctions as well...

around here you have to pay for a membership type thing

Worked at Manheim auction in Columbus, OH for a while. One day a week is an
open-to-the-public repo auction, all other auctions dealer-only.
If you happen to know someone with dealers license, they can bid on car for you.
They'll usually charge a little on top, but is good way to find lease-return vehicle(usually leased to rental co. for 25,000 miles, then sold at auction by manufacturer.)

My brother has his dealers license, and he buys quite a few lease-return vehicles. Most of them are pretty nice and are still under warranty.

You don't need to go to auction if you buy your car directly from the wholesaler. That'* where Greenzilla came from.

Auctions are great places to dump cars! Especially if there not worth anything to you.. Someone will buy it!.. not a car goes unsold..(unless theres a resiorve)