Richmond Auto Auction in Auto Remarketing Magazine

Excerpt from Auto auctions take cautious, detailed approach to reopen in-person sales

by Joe Overby, Senior Editor, Auto Remarketing. Full Article here.

Minimizing touch points, exposure

Motley’s Richmond Auto Auction held simulcast-only sales for eight weeks, before restarting its first in-lane sale in mid-May, said general manager Wyatt Carter.

The sale was RSVP-only, and the Virginia auction reduced its capacity by more than 50%.

The auction has restricted access to where dealers are not allowed in the building, instead setting up remote check-in stations at the front of the building where dealers, remaining outside, can pick up bidder badges, day passes and so forth, Carter said.

It’s designed to keep attendees socially distant, as well.

“We felt like enclosed spaces was probably one of the biggest risks we’d be running,” Carter said. “We don’t feel comfortable at this point bringing more people in the building, even if it is legal” so as to not expose its employees.

Once dealers check in, they are allowed access to the yard and the lanes, where there are social-distance marks and stations available for hand sanitization, Carter said. The auction is also requiring face masks.

In an example of just how granular Richmond’s approach has been, it is allowing only one use of a pen before it has to be sanitized, eliminating another potential touch point.

“So, we’re really trying to keep down the touches and keep people spread out and safe,” Carter said.