Barrett-Jackson considers Vegas move
It's a given that the annual Barret-Jackson Collector Car Auction has gotten big. Huge, in fact. But, after several controversies from this year's auction, you might say it has even gotten too big for its own britches. Now comes word that it may have outgrown its tent-covered location as well.
Auction owner Craig Jackson was in Vegas recently talking with the city's mayor and tourism council about how his world-famous auction would fit in their world-famous town. From an Arizona Republic article, it sounds like Jackson rolled all sevens and elevens with city officials.
Why is the BJ auction even looking to leave its hometown of 20 years? Again, from what the newspaper story reports, the
"It doesn't make any sense for me to build an auction house on leased land for only 20 years," Jackson says in the story.
Upon hearing of Jackson's Vegas visit,
Going once! Twice....
[Souce: The Arizona Republic via Sports Car Market]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
40 Duece 11:20AM (5/11/2007)
It's Scottsdale not Scottsboro. What kind of doofus writes an article about Barrett Jackson and doesnt even know where it is. Also, hit spellcheck next time...
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F451 11:28AM (5/11/2007)
Barret-Jackson is like watching one long infomercial—lots, and lots of hype with very little substance. I feel sorry for those buyers who got caught-up in the hype and overpaid for their vehicles.
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Corey W 12:59PM (5/11/2007)
It is Scottsdale, not scottsboro. There is only one city with that name, how could you get that wrong? I live right next to the city, and have been to Barrett-Jackson, they do need a permenant structure. And BTW, Scottsdale is greedy, just ask those of us who have to drive through the nations only freeway speeding cameras.
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Mike S. 12:14PM (5/11/2007)
You mean to tell me all those years I lived in Scottsdale it was actually named Scottsboro?
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Eliot 12:28PM (5/11/2007)
I guess they're moving solely for the ease of spelling. How pissed would you guys be if he spelled scottsdale "phoenix"?
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Andy S 4:21PM (5/11/2007)
I attended several of this winter's auctions and it became clear to me that while B-J might be the place to sell your overpriced bauble it's the last place you'd want to to buy.
Craig Jackson calling Scottsdale greedy is like Donald Trump criticizing Bert Reynolds for having acrummy hair piece.
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Sean Flanagan 6:23PM (5/11/2007)
Not for nothing, but it's old news that B-J is thinking about moving the big auction away from Scottsdale. In fact, Craig Jackson has said again and again that they're moving it to the West Valley near the new Arizona Cardinals facility.
Also, the part about the city council dropping plans is incorrect. Jackson has said "If the plans fall through" he is considering going elsewhere.
The point is, right now this is speculation. The 2008 auction will be at Westworld. Beyond that, the city of Scottsdale may very well certify the expansion of Westworld. Even if they don't, the talk is that the Scottsdale auction will remain there, though scaled back a bit. Barrett-Jackson is headquartered in Scottsdale.
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Bill 8:20AM (5/12/2007)
Jackson is a whore and a greedy bastard who thinks his s___ doesn't stink. He has ruined the car auction business.
As nearby Scottsdale, AZ resident I say "Good Riddance"!
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Beau 2:08PM (5/12/2007)
Aww..poor BJ. Are you having trouble ruining the classic car market
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steve c 2:18AM (6/01/2007)
it seems when someone is successful or at the top of their game, it brings out every out every hater,want to be & unhappy misfit in the world.
that appears the measure of success is to be drug thru the mud when you reach the top.
GET A LIFE ! MAKE APOSITIVE CONTRIBUTATION TO SOCIETY STEVE
Jim 8:40PM (2/19/2008)
Craig Jackson makes me sick just to look at him. He looks like a desheveled drunk at all times. The way he smirks and shamelessly grabs the mic begging for more money to fill his pockets off the back of people who have restored these cars and cared for them all these years makes me sick. Yoh can tell he's just trash that fell into a lucky thing. He'd look more natural with devil horns glued on his head, that's the way a lot of people see him anyway. He's ruining our hobby and making cars we've all hoped to own at some point absolutely unattainable.
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