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Auction lanes move metal, but they also eat margin—buyer fees, transport costs, recon delays, and unpredictable CR grades. Forward‑thinking rental and fleet operators are asking a simple question:
“Why pay to run units through the lane when the right dealers are ready to buy direct?”
Velocifi gives you the data to make that shift. Below you’ll learn:
- The hidden cost of wholesale auctions
- How dealer‑level data pinpoints your ideal buyers in minutes
- A three‑step direct‑to‑dealer workflow
- Real‑world savings from a national rental‑fleet program
- FAQs on transport, outreach, and pricing
1. The Heading Cost of the Lane
| Cost Bucket | Typical Auction Cost* | Direct‑to‑Dealer Cost |
| Seller + Buyer Fees | $300–$600 per unit | $0 |
| Transport (your leg) | $150–$400 to ship to auction | $0–$150† |
| Transport (dealer leg) | Dealer pays a second haul from auction | Dealer arranges pickup or splits cost |
| Recon & Hold Time | 7–14 days off‑rent | 1–3 days (photos & docs sent online) |
| Price Volatility | 2–5 % swing on sale day | Negotiated upfront |
- Ranges from major U.S. auction fee schedules and fleet interviews.
Many dealers pick up locally or cover the haul when they’re saving lane fees.
Why transport is still cheaper direct: You eliminate the first leg entirely (to auction) and often shift or share the remaining leg with the buyer. One haul instead of two—and usually a shorter distance.
2. Why Data Beats Gut Feel
Rental‑fleet remarketers already use Velocifi to match outgoing inventory with dealers who prove—via live lot data—that they retail similar units . Because Velocifi refreshes 62,000 rooftops every 24 hours, you can:
- Filter by model mix (e.g., midsize SUVs under $25k)
- Rank dealers by sales velocity (units sold in last 30 days)
- See asking‑price discipline (percent‑to‑market metrics)
- Spot auction‑heavy buyers who will welcome a fee‑free alternative
3. Three-Step Workflow to Sell Direct
Step Action Result 1. Define Vehicle Batch Upload VIN list or enter model‑year range. Isolates the exact units you need to place. 2. Build Dealer List Filter for dealers retailing ≥ X units of that model in last 90 days, within 250 miles. Generates a ranked buyer list in seconds. 3. Outreach & Close Export contacts, attach unit spreadsheet, highlight savings vs. lane fees. Typical close rate: 20–30 % of first‑wave emails. 4. Real-World Savings
A national rental‑fleet operator compared two remarketing channels over one quarter:
Channel Avg. Gross per Unit Total Fees & Transport Net Margin Traditional Auction $1,950 $640 $1,310 Direct‑to‑Dealer (Velocifi) $2,000 $40 paperwork + $90 avg. haul $1,870 ≈ $560 more per unit—with faster turn and no lane congestion.
5. Frequently Asked Questions
Do I really pay $0 transport direct?
Not always—but you avoid the first haul to the auction. Many dealers will pick up or split the remaining leg when they’re already saving fees. The table above uses $90 as a blended average based on recent fleet moves.
How current is the dealer data?
Inventory snapshots refresh every 24 hours, so you’re never pitching yesterday’s lot mix.
Does Velocifi provide dealer contacts?
Yes—main phone, website, and often owner/GM contact details are included, cutting manual research time.
Ready to Keep the Gross and Skip the Lane?
Stop paying auction fees on every turn. Book a Velocifi demo and see which dealers are already selling the vehicles you’re about to retire—then place them direct and pocket the savings.
