Consignor Reference Guide
What is Simulcast?
Simulcast
is a new product being implemented within Manheim Auctions that extends the
physical auction experience onto the Internet.
Simulcast
allows dealers to participate in auction sales remotely by providing audio and
video of the live auction and allowing dealers to bid on and purchase vehicles
as though they were standing in the lane.
Simulcast participants simply point their web browsers to the Simulcast web page and participate in the auction experience from the comfort of their home or dealership.
Who benefits from Simulcast?
Simulcast expands the reach of sellers, increases the
participation of current buyers, attracts new buyers to the physical and online
auction, and improves the overall service of Manheim Auctions to customers.
How do I benefit from Simulcast?
Simulcast
provides consignors the opportunity to increase participation in their sales by
reaching new customers across a larger geographic area. Greater participation may help consignors
sell additional vehicles and / or increase the purchase price of their
vehicles.
Who can participate in Simulcast?
Dealers who can obtain a bidder badge at a Manheim auction can participate in Simulcast sales, unless they are unauthorized at the auction holding the sale.
What are the costs associated with
Simulcast?
Check
with the auction for specific information about any costs associated with
Simulcast.
What are the steps for
using Simulcast?
The
steps for using Simulcast from a consignor’s perspective are:
1.
Register the sale as a Simulcast sale.
2.
Market the sale.
3.
Monitor the bidding and buying activity during the sale.
4.
Review post-sale reports.
How does Simulcast impact
the way I sell my vehicles?
Simulcast
does not impact the way consignors sell their vehicles in the physical auction
environment.
Will Simulcast slow my sale
down?
Simulcast
has been designed to integrate with existing auction operations so that
Simulcast and non-Simulcast sales operate in the same fashion.
However, some sales have slowed down by approximately 10%
due to the increase in bidding caused by the Internet participants.
How do dealers access
Simulcast sales?
To
access a Simulcast sale, dealers need a PC with an Internet connection. The PC should be running Internet Explorer
version 6.0. The recommended bandwidth
is 256K. Using a dial-up connection is
not recommended, as the video feed may not be received.
Dealers
can register online by accessing the Manheim Online site (http://www.manheim.com) or by calling
Customer Service at 1-800-377-4343.
After
registering for the Simulcast sale, dealers receive a dealer bidder number and
navigate to the Simulcast sale schedule.
Dealers
then select the sale in which to participate.
Dealers
can also view the pre-sale catalog for a Simulcast sale.
How do dealers participate in
Simulcast sales?
After dealers select a Simulcast sale, the sale will appear
on a screen similar to the following:
Dealers should verify that they have accessed the correct
sale by checking the auction name, lane, and run number in the upper left-hand
corner of the screen, above the video display.
What are the features and
functionalities of the Simulcast screen?
The key features of Simulcast include:
§
Audio and video
§
Vehicle information
§
Bid log
§
Bidding controls
Audio and video
Audio and video allow dealers to see and hear the live
physical auction from a remote location.
A camera installed in the lane captures the video of the
auction sale. The auctioneer’s
microphone provides the audio for the sale.
The video and audio feeds are transmitted to the Manheim data center for
distribution across the Internet.
Vehicle information
The vehicle information section shows the vehicles’ year,
make, model, VIN, color, mileage, installed options, seller, and announcements.
Simulcast also displays vehicle light status. Please refer to the auction’s policies and procedures for light definitions, as they may vary from auction to auction.
Bid log
In addition to listening to the auctioneer dealers can view
the bidding activity in the bid log on the Simulcast screen.
Bidding controls
The bidding controls allow dealers to place bids and to view the current high bid.
Dealers can click on the ‘Bid' button to place a bid on the current vehicle at the current asking price.
When dealers purchase vehicles via Simulcast, in addition to
hearing the auctioneer announce the purchase, they can view their bidder number
and rep name in the bid log.
What happens after dealers
purchase vehicles using Simulcast?
Auction administrative personnel will call the purchasing
dealer(s) and notify them that the sales confirmation(s) will be faxed to them
for signature, payment information, and transportation information.
Upon receipt of the faxed sales confirmation(s), dealers should provide their signature along with transportation and payment information. They should then fax the completed sales confirmation(s) back to the auction.
How is arbitration handled?
Check with the auction to determine if arbitration is
handled differently for vehicles purchased using Simulcast than it is for
vehicles purchased in the lane.
What types of condition
reports are written for Simulcast vehicles?
Consignors can work with the auction to offer varying
degrees of conditions reporting, including:
§
Base condition reports
§
Condition reports with images
§
Vehicle certification
What support can I expect
from Manheim?
Manheim provides full support for the implementation and
operation of Simulcast. Manheim will
also provide marketing support for the Simulcast sales.
What types of marketing
will be done to promote a Simulcast sale?
Simulcast marketing will include:
§
Identification of the target market for Simulcast
sales.
§
E-mails, phone calls, and faxes to dealers regarding
Simulcast sales.
§
Online announcements and banner advertisements on
Manheim Online.
§
Promotions.
§
Dealer education and support.
How can I evaluate the
success of Simulcast?
Consignors can review post-sale reports that show the results
from Simulcast sales and include measures such as the number of vehicles sold
to Internet bidders and the number of times an Internet bidder was the second
highest bidder. The list of Internet
participants is also available.
Auctions sales and marketing personnel may also provide
consignors with feedback gathered from dealers about their experience with the
sale.
Who else is using
Simulcast?
Simulcast has been implemented at Atlanta Auto Auction,
Florida Auto Auction of Orlando, National Auto Dealers Exchange, Riverside Auto
Auction, California Auto Dealers Exchange, Bay Cities Auto Auction, Central
Florida Auto Auction, Manheim Auto Auction, American Auto Auction, Portland
Auto Auction, 166 Auto Auction, South Seattle Auto Auction, Statesville Auto
Auction, Denver Auto Auction, Tampa Bay Auto Auction, Metro Detroit Auto
Auction, Metro Milwaukee Auto Auction, Greater
Is Simulcast working?
The following statistics reflect Simulcast experience to
date:
§
On average, 3% of vehicles sold in Simulcast sales
are sold to Internet bidders.
§
Simulcast is currently operational in 71 lanes across
19 auctions.
Simulcast contact
information
For
questions and assistance, please contact Manheim Online Customer Service:
1-800-377-4343