Cracking the Code: How to Beat Your Competition in an Auction for Semi-Trucks

Entering into the heavy arena of semi truck auctions, you are coming into a buzz of excitement, great deals, and very strong competition. Diving in head first without a little strategy is like playing poker with your eyes closed. But do not be scared, my friend, after all, there is savvy to be gained and tactics to employ for you to have the best deal.

Think of it this way: a fisherman casts a line-a patient fisherman does not just swing his bait in some direction in the dark. The same is true of monster rigs: patience will be your friend. Do your homework pre-auction day about what crosses the block. Pore over online listings, attend previews, and don’t be afraid to get up close and personal. Kick the tires, pop the hood, make friends with a flashlight to peer into corners.

Auctions have an uncanny knack of dragging buyers into a frenzy-a siren’s song which begs one to bid just that little bit more. The way to avoid the sweep is to keep a clear head and remember the financial guardrails. Now, picture yourself, armed with pre-defined goals in your head, an encyclopedic amount of knowledge, and a strapped wallet, walking into that auction. You could be Sherlock Holmes working on finding out some case, but finding a pattern in the bidding may save your life.

Ever see those people who join a new gym and immediately wear all the gear? The “I’m a new fluorescent gym user” kind of person. Likewise, new faces tend to overbid their enthusiasm to cover up their newness at auctions. You, however, should avoid being that person. Talk to people who have been going regularly to auctions. Their war stories and tales of misadventure can prove quite informative. More often than not, a botched bid or an absurd auction-day mistake is where the laughter about seals real camaraderie.