Geneva pound: vehicle auctions

The June 19 sale has 40 lots. In the poverty parking lot, in Satigny, there is a jumble: a Mercedes C200 of 2017 with just over 104,000 km on the counter, a smart cabriolet or a Vespa whose engine does not run. These are some of the coveted vehicles on this day of public auctions organized by the Police Mobilier Affairs Service (SAMP) in Geneva. “We sell vehicles as it is, without any guarantee,” insists the director of the SAMP, Didier Aulas. For example, there is this Audi SQ5 Plus. “She’s like new. The interior is nickel. It has very few kilometers, 76,000. We estimated it at 30,000 francs. It is worth 45,000. Used, it can be found at 30 or 35,000. ”

Enough to attract garage owners and tinkers keen on good deals. “We have a lot of professionals,” confirms Didier Aulas. Because you have to be able to patch them, repaint them, restore them. ” This is the goal of Mickaël*, from Châtelaine with a friend, also a mechanic. “This is the second time that I have come. We take a jump to see what is. ” Before the sale strictly speaking, the potential buyers take a closer look at the subject of their lust. An Audi A4, this one dating from 2014, made a look at Mickaël. Estimated price: 4,500 francs. “We’re going to see if the auctions are not going up too much,” he comments. If some Genevans have made the trip, others come from further away: Neuchâtel, Bern or Romania, Poland, Germany and Holland. Impossible to know what happened to repaired vehicles, but it is very likely that some will continue their good offices in the countries of the East or in the Maghreb, says Didier Aulas.

It is he who officiates as master of ceremonies. The inspection completed, the sale can begin. On the side of the director is held the bailiff, Me Caroline Tronchet, responsible for supervising the operations. “We are at Lot number 31: a yamaha, 250 m³. The engine runs, but it does not start. We start the auctions at 500 francs. ” In the public, which has around fifty people, including an overwhelming majority of men, one hand rises. “We are 600 …. 700 there … 700 once, 700 twice. Adjugated at number 27! ”Says Didier Aulas, before giving a hammer blow, thus acting the sale. Lots parade. The ritual is immutable. At the end of this well-established process, Me Tronchet draws up the minutes and provides accounts for buyers. “The identity of the latter remains confidential,” insists Didier Aulas.

Each of them then queues in front of the counter, just to go to the checkout. Payment is completed. The pound retains part of the money collected to compensate for its costs (notably guarding), then the rest of the sale of the sale is kept available to the owner of the vehicle. And this for five years. “90% do not come,” says Didier Aulas. Once this deadline has passed, the State retains this money in its boxes. Among the most “spectacular” sales, Didier Aulas remembers a Bentley at the Bordeaux body, yellow rims and azure interior. “She had gone to more than 100,000 francs.” On this Thursday, it is the Audi SQ5 Plus which wins the palm. “She left at 21,000 francs, stipulates the director. A hell of a good deal. ” The Mercedes was acquired for 13,800 francs and the 2017 Fiesta for 5000 francs.

Coming from the Pays de Gex (F), Zara is a bit disappointed. “I wanted a car … but it went under my nose. Just like the last time. They are always the same, most are garage owners, who win the bet. ” By way of consolation, she leaves with … a bicycle. “For 60 francs. It’s better than nothing! ” Perhaps she will retry her luck this fall. The pound organizes four sales per year.