Soft Auctions
Frequently Asked Questions
Getting informed
When can I get information about the vehicle?
We can answer your questions at any time.
Is it possible to come and see the car and test it?
Yes, for the duration of the presentation period. We will be happy to welcome you in our workshop in Belmont de la Loire. If you are travelling by train or plane, we will be happy to pick you up at the station or airport.
To make an appointment, contact Anne-Cécile by email (ac.rouviere@jwaclassic.com).
I can’t come, what can I do?
If one of our cars has caught your eye, we can answer any technical or historical questions you may have by email or telephone. We can also send you photos and videos.
The photos taken during the restoration are particularly instructive.
If you have a collector friend who can come for you, please send them to us. We will be happy to welcome them.
It is so much easier to do business when you have talked to each other. So do not hesitate to contact us.
Is it possible to get specific photos of certain details of the car?
Yes, for photos and videos, we will do our best according to your request.
What is the price?
This is probably the most common question we receive.
Soft Auctions are designed to engage in a dialogue with a number of knowledgeable collectors to determine a balanced and objectively discussed price based on the condition of the vehicle and the market at the time of sale.
To begin to answer this question, an indicative price is published on the site for each vehicle on sale.
This may be revised downwards or upwards during the presentation period, depending on the discussions held and offers received.
The price of the vehicle for the private auction will be definitively fixed at the end of the presentation period.
When available, we also publish an estimate of the value of the vehicle by an independent expert.
Making an offer during the presentation period (before the online auction)
When can I make an offer?
At any time until the end of the submission period.
How to make an offer?
You can find the form and details on how to make an offer here.
Just fill in the form, sign it and send it by e-mail directly to Anne-Cécile (ac.rouviere@jwaclassic.com)
Can I make several offers?
Yes, provided that there is a sufficient difference with the previous offer.
What happens after I make an offer?
The owner will give you a quick answer, within 24 to 48 hours.
Your offer is accepted: congratulations, the car is yours! A private sale contract will be established and the sale will be closed. Payment will be made by bank transfer.
Your offer is not accepted: the sale continues.
However, if at the end of the presentation period it turns out that your bid was the best, you will receive a 5% discount on the hammer price if you win the online private auction.
Please note that if you are the first collector to make an offer equal or greater than the opening price, you will also get a 5% discount on the hammer price if you win the auction.
Both discounts can not be cumulated.
How can I follow the current offers?
If you have already made an offer, we will keep you informed by email whenever a new offer is confirmed.
Those registered for the sale will also be informed by email.
Can the sale end before the online auction?
Yes, if the owner accepts a bid before the end of the presentation period. The car will only be sold at auction if no bid has been accepted.
Online private auctions
Who can participate in the sale?
A private collector or a legal entity may participate in the sale, provided that they register during the presentation period and agree to abide by the general conditions of Soft Auctions.
Note: persons who have made an offer to purchase during the presentation period are automatically registered.
When to register?
Registrations are open at any time until the end of the presentation period. At the end of the presentation period, there is a delay of a few days before the opening of the auction in order to finalise any last-minute entries.
How to register?
To register, you need to fill in the form available here. We will then call you back to validate your registration by phone.
If we already know each other, call us and we will register for you.
You will then receive a login and password to participate in the online private sale.
When does the online private auction start?
The private online auction will start a few days after the closing of the presentation period.
The calendar for each sale can be seen on the presentation page of the vehicles concerned.
When does the auction end?
The estimated end date of each Soft Auction is communicated on the presentation page of the vehicles concerned. It is generally set for Saturday evening at 9pm (Paris time).
The closing of the sale will be postponed:
- in the event that a bid is placed in the last two minutes (a behaviour we wish to avoid as much as possible). In this case, the closing of the auction will be delayed by five minutes to allow other bidders to react.
- in the event that there are no bids after the reserve price. The closing of the sale will then be postponed for 24 hours, with a lower bid. This process is repeated until there is a buyer. From the moment a first bid is registered in this scenario, 24 hours will be allocated to allow other bidders to line up.
What is the minimum difference between two auctions?
The minimum difference between two bids is set at €1,000.
Is the closing time extended if a bid is submitted at the last minute?
Yes, if a bid is placed in the last two minutes (which we want to avoid as much as possible), the closing time is delayed by five minutes to allow other bidders to react.
What is the reserve price?
There is no reserve price.
How is the price of a vehicle determined?
An indicative price is published on the site for each vehicle for sale.
This may be revised downwards or upwards during the presentation period, depending on the discussions held and offers received.
The price of the vehicle for the private auction will be definitively fixed at the end of the presentation period.
When do we know the price of the vehicle at auction?
The price of the vehicle for the private auction will be definitively fixed at the end of the presentation period.
It will be published on the website and communicated directly by email to those registered for the auction.
What happens if there are no bids at the end of the sale?
The closing of the sale will then be postponed for 24 hours, with a lower bid. This process is repeated until there is a buyer.
From the moment a first bid is registered in this scenario, an additional 24 hours will be allocated to allow other bidders to align themselves if necessary.
What are the costs for the buyer?
A 1% buyer’s fee will be applied to the hammer price and will be donated to support medical research. JWA Classic is committed to doubling this amount. See all details here.
What is the total price paid by the highest bidder?
A 1% buyer’s fee will be applied to the hammer price and will be donated to support medical research. JWA Classic is committed to doubling this amount. See all details here.
Special case: if the highest bidder is also the one who made the highest offer during the presentation phase, a 5% discount will be granted on the hammer price.
Example :
– Mr Smith makes an offer to purchase at €80,000 during the presentation period. This offer is the highest of all the offers received, but it is not accepted.
– The car is then put up for auction with a starting price of €80,000, corresponding to the highest bid received.
– Mr Smith won the auction at €100,000.
– Final amount paid by Mr Smith = €96,000.
– The calculation is as follows:
| Hammer price | €100,000 |
| Discount for making the best offer | -€5,000 (€100,000*5%) |
| Fees donated to medical research | +€1,000 (€100,000*1%) |
| Final amount paid by Mr Smith | €96,000 |
I won the auction, what are the next steps?
First of all, congratulations.
The owner will contact you once you have won the auction. A private sales contract will be established between the winner and the owner. Payment will be made by bank transfer.
The car will remain in our workshop until the administrative formalities are completed.
