Chance to go to Barrett-Jackon in Scottsdale, AZ, Worth It?

A buddy has the opportunity to get tickets to the Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale, AZ in the middle of January 2020.

We were thinking of going for 3 days and it looks like it will be about $700 a person for flights, rental car and hotel so a pretty good chunk for 4 days/3 nights. That doesn't include meals.

Next, B-J looks like they don't let you carry anything in with you. It sounds about as bad as getting into an airport. Not being able to carry water in Arizona sounds like a way to fleece the masses for $7 a bottle of water!

Is it worth it to go for Wednesday afternoon to Saturday afternoon?

 

It depends on the person. For me after a couple of days I am ready to leave BJ, Vegas, SEMA etc. Everybody should try Barrett once. There are more cars at Mecum Kissimmee but BJ has more non vehicle displays. There are other auctions in Scottsdale at the same time.

 

Best Cars show if you just like looking at great cars, that's why I go...….

 

Been to BJ 3 times, starting in 2003. Bidders credentials for each trip.
Back then a bidders pass was $350. Bet it doubles now.
Not sure about today’s prices and amenities, but my experiences were great.
VIP treatment included parking right next to the tents for the cars.
Free top shelf “ bidders bars”, access to vendors free breakfasts, lunches, dinners
in their hospitality areas, etc. So, for the 6 days I was there my only expenses were for hotel
and rental car.

In 2003, after I checked in and got my passes (guest passes included) they handed me a complimentary
invitation to Carroll Shelby’s 80th birthday bash in the auction hall..... Spectacular!
Dining, dancing, the whole deal. I was standing at one of the many bars set up chit chatting with
racing greats like Arie Luyendyck , Bobby Rahal, etc...... They used Carroll’s polished aluminum 427 Cobra
turned upside down hanging from the ceiling as a disco ball.......... quite a show!

Sure it’s all different now, but back then it was the best $350 I ever spent for 6 days of great fun!

 

I've gone to B-J nearly every year for the last 10. It helps that I don't have a hotel bill while I'm there as I still have family in the area. I grew up in Scottsdale, AZ(high school years) and B-J is the place where Scottsdalians go to see and be seen. I prefer to go the earlier days of the auction and am mainly shopping for memorabilia. If I were to sell a car, I would definitely do it at B-J over Mecum(I've been to Indy 5 of the last 10 years). Why? Because they like to pay full price at B-J. There are lots of other things to see and do there at the sight while you are there, so from that perspective it is the best "show" of the auctions that I've attended. I have not been to Mecum Kissimmee.

 

^^^this^^^

I've never been to B-J, but have been to Mecum Indy a few times and its worth it just to walk around and treat it like a car show. The auction's fun to watch too, and I'd bet B-J is a real hoot on Saturdays with all the drunk millionaires start trying to upstage one another! haha

 

So, I'll just be a spectator. My wife has decreed there will be no more cars/trucks/vehicles that aren't daily drivers registered to us. There is some wiggle room on a motorcycle but that's another story.

Thanks for the feedback. Booking everything today.

 

It is a great time. Other than the paperwork process to get credit approved, getting your bidder's pass is the most economical way to do it. 3 years ago it was $400, but you got a guest pass and free drink tickets for both of you. I gave mine to my brother, and we burned through much more than that in the 1st day, and were there for 3 more days so that was a killer deal. Plus, you never know if you'll need a bidder pass, "just in case".........

 

Do it!
In our case it was a lifetime experience.
This was years ago But a good friend near here that owns a body shop / high end restoration shop and specializes in Shelby's, restored Carroll's very ownGT500 red convertible for Carroll. To be auctioned off for charity. So Carroll invited Troy and whom ever Troy wanted to bring along. Me and my brother got to go.
Got to meet Mr Shelby himself and we ended up with V.I.P. passes for the week. Which left us to go wherever we wanted.
Plus Free beer!

Here is one of Troy's shop, he has three:

https://www.kuyothbody.com/

 

Go Saturday

 

if u have the opportunity to attend, do it. It is quite an eye opener.

 

Now that I have a passport and can travel, I'd love to finally be able to go; - I think every old car nut should do it once.

 

Everything I hear is it’s definitely worth going at least once.

 

I haven’t been to WestWorld, but I’ll get there. My wife arranged a Thursday trip to the Northeast even in 2017 up in Connecticut-Mohegan Sun ...it’s impressive to say the least. It’s the show, the show outside, the ride and drives the venue all of it. As a fit and finish guyvwho literally grew up under a chrome played Corvette in the ISCA circuit I’m a TOTAL ass for a clean car.
That being said , I was most intrigued by the prestage and tent areas you see on TV where they preview these units prior to getting to the main stage. I gotta tell ya, these cars were prepped terribly . I get some of these sellers are bringing 20-30 cars from their “on line” show rooms and such but one of the cleanest cars I saw that day was the one I drove up from Philly lol! B-J needs me, I tried several times to inquire about how I could get employed a few times the following year for a “me” vacation of sorts (well I’d let my wife come I bet the rooms are nice ya know) but I was not at all impressed by how these things were prepped prior to TV time. I’m sure Weatworld has different standards but there, on a Thursday anything flies including the dust storm they rode in on.

 

I'll be there on Wednesday with my wife and son we are picking up his Xmas gift on Thursday it's coming down from iowa so I decided to go out there a day early to take him to BJ....

 

Well, heading to B-J auction tomorrow morning. I see T-A Performance isn't too far away. Any use in dropping by there to have a look around?

 

Well pics of the show girls or it never happened!

 

I'll be at BJ around 11 or so
Leaving California around 330 am

 

My buddies and I have been to every BJ in Palm Beach. They lie. It's not in Palm Beach. It's at the Fairgrounds in West Palm Beach. (Sarcasm) In the early days it was the only time I ever called in sick from work. A bunch of us meet up at Jack's garage and drink a few beers waiting for lunch time. Lunch time... We go to this "Gentleman's Club." (More sarcasm. There are no gentleman.) They give you free lunch. A lot of choices. I always get the steak hoggie, french fries, and 2 beers. Throw a few dollars away playing cooterball and we're outa there. Then we go to BJ. In the old days we'd walk right in with soft sided coolers filled with beer. Now they don't let you bring anything in. So we have pints of vodka and buy ice tea. Works for me! It is a great car show! When I get in there I don't understand why I want to give every women a dollar?

 

You should go once.

And then you'll realize what you're not missing.