Grand Rapids – Public now allowed at auto auctions
Published March 3rd, 2006
The public will be allowed to attend auctions at Insurance Auto Auction after the Planning Commission allowed a change to the business’s permit.
Insurance Auto Auction holds auctions at 700 100th St. SW every other week, selling vehicles deemed unsalvageable by insurance companies.
Attorney James Telman, representing Insurance Auto Auction, said recent changes make it more difficult to obtain a dealer license and might limit potential buyers at the auctions. The business asked for the change in the special-use permit to open the auctions to the public.
The commission approved the change, but Tim Slot and Dutch Zeinstra voted against it, saying they feared increases in traffic in the rural area.
“These people who live out here deserve a little bit of quality of life,” Slot said. “I don’t think this is a good idea. I think it will bring more traffic.”
But other commission members said any increase in traffic would be insignificant.
“I know traffic is bad, but I think this is an insignificant issue,” commission member Jeff Gritter said. “I don’t think traffic is going to change drastically one way or the other.”
Telman said Insurance Auto Auction has operated on the 23 acres since 2001 with no complaints. He said the auctions include about 100 to 125 vehicles, and allowing the public to attend will not mean significant changes.
“These are cars that are distressed,” Telman said. “You have to have some ability to put sweat equity into them to want to buy them. The common guy who wants a vehicle for his own use isn’t going to come here.”
Auctions are held on Mondays, and buyers have the entire week to pick up their vehicles. Telman said the popularity of Internet bidding means only a limited number of buyers come to the site.
The permit, when approved in 2001, allowed the business to host weekly auctions, although they are held every other week.
Commission members stipulated the auctions continue to be held on Mondays but shifted the time slightly. The auctions now will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. rather than 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
