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Online car buying and selling have become increasingly popular over the last several years. With reputable and experienced sites like Hemmings, buyers have access to hundreds of vehicles and sellers have exposure to hundreds of interested people—no matter where they are in the United States.
Discover the benefits of buying or selling a car through Hemmings, as well as how its auctions work, customer reviews, and FAQs.
What is Hemmings?
Hemmings is a comprehensive online automotive marketplace founded in 1954 as Hemmings Motor News. The site offers a space for individuals to buy or sell collector, classic, muscle, exotic, sports, custom cars, car parts, and services. People looking to sell their vehicle can utilize Hemmings’ auction, direct sales through its website, or classified advertising online and in print.
The company has grown to include additional publications such as Hemmings Muscle Machines and Hemmings Classic Cars, the Hemmings Daily newsletter, and multiple annual calendars for hobbyists. The introduction of its online auction in 2019 puts it in competition with Carvana, Bring a Trailer, classiccars.com, ACC Auctions, and other used car websites.
How does Hemmings work?
Buying a car with Hemmings
Individuals interested in purchasing a new collector car have access to hundreds of vehicles on Hemmings. Buying through a Hemmings auction is quite simple—just follow the steps below.
- Register on hemmings.com
You’ll need to sign up for a free account before bidding on a vehicle. Also required is a valid credit card. - Browse listings and find the car you want
All listed vehicles will feature detailed descriptions and photographs, as well as a comments section where you can ask questions directly to the seller. - Place your bid
While it doesn’t cost anything to bid, you should only do so on cars you’re serious about buying, since you won’t be able to cancel once confirmed. When you find a car you’re interested in purchasing, click on the “Bid Now” button on the listing page to place your bid. Before confirming your bid, you’ll be shown your full cost: the bid price plus your buyer’s fee. (Buyer’s fees are 5% of the car’s purchase price, with a minimum of $500 and a maximum of $10,000.) - Complete the sale
If you’ve won the auction, you’ll be notified and charged the buyer’s fee automatically. You will also be provided with the seller’s contact details so you can work out the final details together. - Arrange transport with the seller
The last step is to finally get the car to your location. Auto transport services offer a hassle-free method for shipping a vehicle across the country. Before finalizing anything, make sure you and the seller both agree on who will be responsible for shipping costs.
Selling a car with Hemmings
Car sellers have several options to promote the sale of their vehicles: Auction, Make Offer (sell your car directly to registered buyers) and Traditional Classified Ad (advertisement published online and in the Hemmings Motor News publication).
Below are the steps for selling your car via Hemmings auction.
- Register on hemmings.com.
You’ll need to sign up for a free account before selling your vehicle. - Select “Auction” and submit details about your car.
It doesn’t cost you anything to submit your car for consideration. After submission, a representative from Hemmings will interview you to get more details about the vehicle’s condition and history. Their decision is based on the potential appeal of your car and the historical success of similar vehicles. - Get your vehicle approved and ready for auction.
It can take several weeks to get your car approved, at which point you will receive a call from Hemmings. Upon approval, you will be connected with a listing specialist, who will gather more details about the vehicle. At this point, you will be charged a $99.95 seller fee.
Note: If your vehicle is not selected for auction, your listing specialist will help you convert it to either a Classified or Make Offer listing. - The auction is launched.
Your listing specialist will work with a professional writer to create a listing and get a date for your auction scheduled. During the auction, buyers have two weeks to bid on your vehicle. Check in on your auction frequently, as bidders often post questions and comments. - Complete the sale.
When the auction ends, Hemmings collects the buyer’s fee and connects you to the buyer. From there, you and the buyer must work out the financial details. Hemmings suggests sending the buyer a copy of the title and bill of sale and requesting a wire transfer before sending the original documents. - Arrange transport with the buyer.
Finally is the matter of getting the car to its new owner. Auto transport companies relieve you of the effort it takes to drive the vehicle yourself. Before finalizing anything, make sure you and the buyer both agree on who will be responsible for shipping costs.
Pros & cons of using Hemmings
Pros:
- Strong selection of cars for enthusiasts
- Reputable company with a decades-long track record
- Listings are written in-house
- Other options for sellers if they don’t want to go through auction (direct sale, classified ad)
Cons:
- Buyer’s fee of 5% with high maximum
- Vehicle must be approved for auction
- A seller’s vehicle might not be approved to list at auction
- No guarantees of a sale
Considerations for online car buying
Environmental impact
Online car shopping helps lessen the impact on the environment. If you’re buying a used vehicle, you’re also reducing manufacturing and landfill impact and lowering your carbon footprint.
Market trends
Staying abreast of market trends is essential when shopping for a car online. Demand for certain types of vehicles, like classic and muscle cars or convertibles, can affect availability and price, something Hemmings helps you navigate with ease.
Regulatory changes
Being aware of regulatory changes that impact online car sales, such as taxes or interstate purchase laws, is crucial. While Hemmings simplifies finding the car, understanding the legal landscape ensures a smooth transaction.
Hemmings is just one of many websites to consider when looking to buy or sell a used car. Here is our list of the 13 best used car websites for 2024 and 7 mistakes to avoid when buying a car online.
Frequently asked questions about Hemmings
Is Hemmings legit?
Hemmings is a well-established and trusted source for buying and selling collector cars. Hemmings Motor News started in 1954 and is the oldest and largest publication of its type in the United States.
Is Hemmings a reliable place to buy/sell my car?
The Hemmings website is a great resource for buying and selling a car. Its ads are more focused on collector vehicles, so it may not be the best site for the average buyer or seller.
What is the difference between Bring a Trailer and Hemmings?
Bring a Trailer offers the same auction services as Hemmings, with some key differences:
Hemmings | Bring a Trailer | |
Buyer’s Fee | 5% (min. $500, max. $10,000) | 5% (max. $5,000) |
Seller’s Fee | $99.95 – $129.95 | $99-$349+ (more for white glove service) |
Bid Adjustments | Bids cannot be adjusted or canceled | Bids can be adjusted, but cannot be canceled |
How much does it cost to list a car on Hemmings?
The cost of listing a vehicle depends on the type of listing you choose. Sellers have the following options:
- Online Auction ($99.95): The vehicle is on the auction site for two weeks.
- Make Offer ($99.95): The vehicle is sold directly to registered buyers who can make offers in real time.
- Classified ad ($129.95): The vehicle is advertised online and in Hemmings Motor News magazine.
Does Hemmings charge buyers fees?
Buyers must pay Hemmings a fee totaling 5% of the sale price, with a minimum fee of $500 and a maximum of $10,000.
Where is Hemmings located?
Hemmings’ world headquarters is located in Bennington, Vermont.
Does Hemmings have an app?
Yes! The Hemmings Marketplace app is free to download.