Business ProfileforAuto Auction of Baltimore

The selection is decent, though most of the cars are in rough shape, either from careless lot attendants or that's just how they were delivered.

But my complaint isn't about their inventory, or even the staff in particular. My complaint is about their advertising and bidding process.

They go to great lengths to explain how all bids are biding. They give you a half promise about some reassurance regarding the drivetrain. What they don't do is tell you that the majority of the cars have reserves, and the reserves (from what I witnessed) are usually what the car would sell for in a private party transaction. This wouldn't be so terrible, except they don't bother explaining this (but did spend 5 minutes explaining the difference between 5 speed and automatic).

The reason this is shady is because you're going to an auto auction with very little time to research or check the cars. You can't drive them or test them in any way. Then, you spend time bidding on the cars, without any knowledge of a reserve and even if you think you're the high bidder, you haven't won.

If you do win the high bid, be prepared to pay retail for the car, plus $500 to the auction facility.

Overall, just communication and disclosure.

They also advertise on ********** with prices for vehicles. When you reach out to them, they explain that the vehicles don't have prices, you have to come to the auction. The prices shown are the average price that vehicle would sell for. There is some truth in advertising concerns there.

I'd recommend finding a different auction facility, or go to a dealership. At least at a dealership you're getting something that is state inspected and you'll have a chance to test drive the vehicle before you buy it. And their guarantee is a little more binding and lasts 30 days usually.

Overall bad experience, would not recommend.

We are very sorry to hear that your experience here was not up to your standards. Our employees are instructed to explain how the auction works and inform you that prices are just an average cost that is generated by the computer from previous sales. You should have been told the vehicles don't belong to us so there is no test driving but, you have 1 1/2 hours to start the vehicle and go through them it before bidding. Thank you and hopefully in the future you would give us another chance.