Auctions? R there any rules?

SS MAYFLOAT

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My friend Lonnie is an auto scrapper. He makes his money by buying cars and then scrapping them out.<br /><br />Yesterday he went to an auction with an partner that shares his business. When his friend showed up, a man (we will call AL) that owns a large wrecking yard confronted Lonnies partner. He handed him a wad of cash and told him to leave if he knew what was good for him. Al had his sons and other workers there bidding on cars/trucks. Al's intentions was to buy everything there. Al noticed Lonnie bidding on the cars and confronted him. Al wanted to know who he was, what he was doing and that he should just leave. <br /><br />By the end of the auction, Al was getting mad. Lonnie bid on everything driving the price up and then backed down making AL pay more for the stuff.<br /><br />After the auction Lonnie was told he was going to have a bad month in August. Sounds to me like they are threating him. <br /><br />It seems as if AL is trying to corner the whole market on scrap vehicles in this area. His tactics I don't think is legit. His competition ironically seems to get put out of business due to accidents and injuries. There isn't any proof except circumstantial.<br /><br />I'm just worried for my friend. He is aware of what he is up against. Just don't know what he can do.
 

JB

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Re: Auctions? R there any rules?

Sounds to me like Lonnie needs to discuss implied threats with the DA or the cops. Doesn't sound like there is a case there yet, but it would lay the groundwork for investigation of any later or related incident.<br /><br />What Lonnie did, driving up the price, is not really ethical unless he is bidding what he is willing to pay and quits bidding when Al outbids him.<br /><br />Butting heads with Al sounds dangerous, but what Al did is very close to extortion.
 

Bondo

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Re: Auctions? R there any rules?

Agreed...........<br />An Agressive DA would Love to hear this Story........<br />The last "Al" I knew is Still Doing Time......
 

SS MAYFLOAT

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Re: Auctions? R there any rules?

Thanks JB, Lonnie did win some of the auctions, but they were only ones that AL and his partners missed out on. This was only due to the number of transactions going on at that time.<br /><br />Lonnies intentions were to buy what he was bidding on. He knows his vehicle/weight ratio on what he can make off of them. If he doen't think he can make enough profit, he then quits at his ideal amount that he will pay.<br /><br />I was thinking it would be a good TV news investigation team to check out. I really don't want to get real involved since I only live about 2 miles from AL's wrecking yard.<br /><br />I know that for a fact that AL's yard doesn't reclaim/remove R-12 from their cars by EPA standards/laws ($10,000 fine each occurance). However coming up with solid proof wouldn't be easy. But then this would be just asking for a war, unless it could be done annomously (sp). This is where I think the news media would have an effect on AL.
 

oddjob

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Re: Auctions? R there any rules?

When his friend showed up, a man (we will call AL) that owns a large wrecking yard confronted Lonnies partner. He handed him a wad of cash and told him to leave if he knew what was good for him.
Well, did Lonnies partner leave as requested? how much money did he get?..what was it for a pay off?? I'm confused about this part.<br /><br /><br />On the other hand...Its a dam auction, screw Al! And file a complaint if he makes threats have witnesses around. Video. lots of obtions. Sounds like you got a junk yard tycoon there in the buckeye...
 

jtexas

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Re: Auctions? R there any rules?

Al is stealing from the sellers and owners of the auction, no question about it.
 

mellowyellow

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Re: Auctions? R there any rules?

only rule is golden rule, he who has the gold<br />makes the rules. if he wants the wreck, outbid <br />him plain and simple.
 

SS MAYFLOAT

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Re: Auctions? R there any rules?

Oddjob, Lonnies partner didn't leave but he stayed and watched Lonnie bid against Al. Lonnie told me Al put 200 in his partners hand so that he wouldn't be bid against.<br /><br />Talked to Lonnie last night. He did go to the DA. The DA took all the information and seemed thrilled to get the info. DA said it would be wise for him at this time to let Al do his dirty work. It seems Al is under investigation for title swapping and other things as well. So Lonnie is just going to keep on buying cars from individuals and small car lots.<br /><br />Sorry about late response, been super busy the last week or so.
 
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