The Bash Returns to DAA/OKC

Autumn is in the air…the World Series is in full swing, football fever is rampant…..and buyers and sellers gathered at Dealers Auto Auction of Oklahoma City for the auction's annual Bedlam Bash, a two-day event held on Wednesday and Thursday, October 8 and 9. Bedlam Bash III included two sales, 2,500 vehicles, appearances by sports celebrities, a casino night and barbecue, and a number of prize drawings that kept the excitement high.

 "The Bedlam Bash has become something of a tradition here at DAA/OKC," said Bruce Beam, DAA/OKC general manager. "It's a great time for us to celebrate with our customers, and this year it proved to be a great opportunity for buying and selling vehicles. We had an excellent sale line-up over the two days, and sold more than 1,100 vehicles. With an emphasis on fun, food, entertainment, over $100,000 in gifts and prizes, and a great selection of vehicles, we attracted dealers from far and wide, who enjoyed the festivities and, more importantly, were in the lanes bidding."

 DAA/OKC's Bedlam Bash and BBQ takes its name from the athletic rivalry between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the Oklahoma State University Cowboys, notes Beam. "We're die-hard college sports fans here in Oklahoma, and we borrowed the 'Bedlam' name to give our customers an idea of the kind of excitement they'll find here at the auction on sale day," he explained. 

The Bedlam Bash kicked-off on Wednesday, October 8 with a specially-scheduled General Motors Sponsored Closed Auction, which included more than 700 vehicles on two auction lanes. That evening, the auction entertained its customers with a casino night at the auction, complete with craps, Texas hold 'em, blackjack and roulette, and a full-spread barbecue dinner. Dealers took their "winnings" from the tables and bid on a variety of prizes, including tickets to upcoming Sooners' games, autographed jerseys and personal electronics. 

More than 1,700 vehicles crossed the block at Thursday's sale, with special consignments from GMAC, CitiFinancial Auto, HSCB/Peak 5, AmeriCredit, Hertz Carco, Suzuki, RSA, Enterprise , and LK Auto Remarketing. At sale-end, the auction held a number of prize drawings, that included autographed baseballs, bats and jerseys, and four trips to the 2008 World Series. 

Adding to the fun were special appearances by baseball celebrities Bob Feller and Joe Carter who traded stories with the crowd and signed autographs. Feller is the oldest living Baseball Hall-of-Famer and holds nine standing major league records. Slugger Joe Carter, who grew up in Oklahoma City and played for the Cleveland Indians and the Toronto Bluejays, made history by hitting a three-run homer to win the World Series in 1993.

 Opened in 1988 by owner and president Gary Smith, DAA/OKC hosts a GM Factory Sponsored Auction every Tuesday at 10 am, and a regular consignment sale every Thursday at 8:30 am. Located on 125 acres, the auction includes 11 auction lanes, a full service restaurant, and over 130,000 square feet of recon, mechanical and body/paint shop facilities.

 Offering 1,400 to 1,800 vehicles at its weekly sales, DAA/OKC delivers the highest sales percentage of any independent auction in the region. DAA/OKC is a member of the ServNet Auction group, and a participating member of AuctionPipeline.com, a Web initiative that provides auction customers with sales and market information as well as live, online bidding.

Return to ServNet E-Newsletter