Reviews
Feedback from sellers and buyers
Feedback from sellers
"Doubting whether to sell your beloved collectable is something everyone might experience at some point.
But since (hopefully) you’ve built a bond with your collectable, you want to be sure it ends up in good hands.
That’s exactly where The Collectables comes in. A platform created by and for car enthusiasts, run by a small group of petrolheads who are passionate about finding the right new owner for your car at a fair price.
Every car is carefully screened in advance to ensure no questionable listings make it onto the platform, keeping the quality of the selection high. Through The Collectables, we found a great new home for both our BMW Z1 and a Porsche 911.
From the initial intake to the photos, videos, the auction and the final transfer, everything is taken care of. And it’s the personal attention that truly makes the difference: someone from The Collectables being present at the handover, giving you a call to check if everything went well, and staying in touch after the process is complete." ~ Ruud (BMW Z1 & Porsche 991 Carrera 4S)
"After having my RS6 listed for sale for some time, someone pointed me towards The Collectables. I wasn’t familiar with them yet, so I first had a look at their website, which immediately gave me a professional impression. After that, I got in touch with The Collectables to explore the possibilities. The communication was very smooth, open, and honest, which gave me a lot of confidence. They were also genuinely enthusiastic about my car and the market potential for it. In hindsight, they were absolutely right.
As a seller, you really don’t take any risks, assuming your car is as it should be, so I decided to go for it. In the run-up to the auction, communication was very pleasant, making sure all details were correctly included in the listing. This process is handled with great care, and I thought the write-up they created for my car was beautifully done.
Because the car is so thoroughly documented and photographed, it apparently gives buyers enough confidence to purchase a powerful car (like mine) without even seeing or driving it first. I think that really proves that The Collectables' approach simply works! Communication is clear from start to finish, and I appreciated hearing that they are only satisfied if the buyer is still happy with their purchase even a week later." ~ GP (Audi RS6 C6 Avant)
"As a true enthusiast, I always browse the internet in my free time for anything related to four wheels.
Auction sites are not unfamiliar to me (unfortunately, neither are all the pitfalls of buying and selling).
I naturally followed the launch of The Collectables, as it was hard to miss as an Autoblog fan. I also placed a few bids on cars...
After personal contact with The Collectables, I decided to offer two cars. Since I didn’t necessarily want to part with them, I set a reserve price I felt comfortable with.
The process after that went very smoothly. Contact with The Collectables, the photos by the photographer. Both cars were sold. The fact that it's "by enthusiasts, for enthusiasts" became clear during the handover(s).
Very personal, even with gifts exchanged, it may be going too far to say that I’ve gained friends, but I’m sure both cars ended up with enthusiasts. And... there's already something new in the garage!" ~ Sebastiaan (Smart Crossblade & BMW 1M Coupé)
"A platform by, for and (very pleasantly) run by car enthusiasts. I sold my BMW E86 Z4 Coupe through The Collectables and had a very positive experience. The intake process was easy and personal, and the guidance throughout the process was direct (via WhatsApp) and transparent. Within three weeks, I had found a new owner, I can recommend it to everyone!" ~ Harrald (BMW Z4 Coupé 3.0si)
"What I appreciate about Collectables is their refreshing approach, which for me is reflected in the following points:
(very) selective in their offerings, not just any (quirky) car ends up on the site
only a small selection available at any given time. Too many cars at once would reduce focus. I think this is a very strong point
the current owner is also featured in a fun way. That’s not common, but I think it works really well
excellent and direct communication between all parties involved and interested, already at an early stage, i.e., from the moment the auction on a particular car goes live
the mediator role they take on to bring buyer and seller together after the auction ends, with the goal of closing a deal
finally, their role as a kind of ‘lubricant’ when problems arise (in my case, the transport documents for Dubai)
So, once again, thank you for your efforts, and for the great story in the video. I received a lot of positive feedback on that." ~ Frans (Lotus Exige S1)
"Although I already had some experience buying cars through (international) online auctions, it was still a bit nerve-racking to auction off your own car. Nerve-racking because you don’t know exactly how it works and you wonder if everything will go smoothly. Fortunately, the gentlemen at The Collectables took the time for a virtual introduction and provided the necessary explanation of the process. Excellent! That just leaves the good kind of tension, whether your minimum price will be reached… The Maserati Coupe was sold, even well above the requested selling price" ~ Marinus (Maserati 4200 GT)
"In 2020, I sold my Ferrari F355 Spider through The Collectables and found the process very enjoyable, like being among fellow car enthusiasts. After the initial screening of the car, creating the lot description and arranging the photos went very smoothly and in good consultation. My Collectable went live, and within two weeks, a new enthusiast had been found for the red beauty. The hassle-free process offered by the team at The Collectables saved me a lot of time: I didn’t have to place any ads myself, didn’t have to answer calls from interested buyers, and didn’t even need to arrange viewings, let alone test drives. My car was sold sight unseen, most likely thanks to the extensive photo gallery. In short, I can wholeheartedly recommend offering your Collectable through The Collectables and helping it find a new enthusiast." ~ Herwin (Ferrari F355 Spider)
"We were able to auction our car reliably and easily through The Collectables, definitely recommended!" ~ Sander & Daan (Ferrari 360 Modena)
"As a collector and enthusiast of special cars, and Alpina in particular, I want any car I part with to end up with a new owner who shares the same passion. The vision of The Collectables immediately appealed to me, and I decided to offer a very special Alpina for sale. Of course, you hope for a higher price (the final sale price was above the agreed minimum), but the Alpina found its way to a true enthusiast, with whom I’m still in touch. If I decide to sell something special again in the future, I will definitely do it through The Collectables." ~ Frans (Alpina B3 S)
"I've been following Autoblog for a while, and when The Collectables came along, the concept immediately appealed to me. By and for enthusiasts! That’s exactly how it felt from the moment I offered my Porsche Cayman S for sale. The pleasant and fast communication made it a stress-free selling experience. No annoying lowball offers, no dealers calling. The thorough screening and amazing photos ensured my car was sold within two weeks. And when someone from The Collectables even brought over a jacket on the day of the handover, I could only conclude that The Collectables is a very cool and professional party to sell your Collectable through." ~ Nadir (Porsche Cayman S - PDK)
"Through Autoblog, I became familiar with The Collectables (and their concept). When I decided to sell my Porsche Cayman after 7 years of driving pleasure, The Collectables was the place to do it. They offer a unique selection of cars that appeals to the right target group of enthusiastic car lovers. The process is transparent and efficient. Of course, the two weeks during the bidding phase were exciting, but overall it was a very relaxed process. The guidance was very pleasant. With short and fast lines of communication, the process was well-supported, and during the final stages of the deal, this guidance played an important role in ensuring that both buyer and seller could look back on the process with satisfaction. It’s great that this car ended up with a new owner and true car enthusiast." ~ Dick (Porsche Cayman 987 Mk2)
"After my positive experience as the buyer of Frans’ Alpina B3S on The Collectables, it was time to sell my BMW 328 Ci (which I no longer needed). It was my first BMW love, a car I had always taken great care of. The easiest option would have been to drop it off at a dealer, but I just couldn’t bring myself to do it. First getting offered a price far below its worth, only to then see it listed online with a hefty markup? I couldn’t do it. Selling it myself online then? Maybe a higher price if you're very patient. But how long would that take, and how many phone calls and “test pilots” would I have to deal with?
After a good conversation with The Collectables, in which they gave me clear insight into the market for my car and explained the process, I quickly made my decision. From there, The Collectables took everything off my hands. Writing the listing description was a collaborative effort. The best part of the whole process for me was the photo shoot. At first, I had taken some pictures myself, but they didn’t excite me nearly as much as the car did in real life. Luckily, that was just due to my own (lack of) photography skills. The photographer recommended by The Collectables managed to perfectly capture the emotion I felt for my car.
And then comes the moment when your car is about to go live on the platform, very exciting. After two weeks, you find out whether your reserve has been met and the car is sold. In my case, that happened well before the end of the auction. But just as important to me was that “my” car went to a true enthusiast. It really gave me a good feeling to see another fan drive away in it. And all within four weeks. It doesn’t get much easier than that." ~ Paul (BMW E46 328ci Automatic)
"Selling a special car isn’t easy. First, you place an ad and then you get responses that are either not serious or only partially so. And if people do eventually show up, after who knows how long, they often end up being difficult, try to haggle, or want to trade in another car.
I didn’t feel like going through that when I decided to sell my 2020 MINI John Cooper Works 2.0. I discovered The Collectables through a YouTube video. I googled, found them, and submitted my car. From that moment on, everything ran like clockwork.
Yes, my car was eligible for auction, the MINI was special enough. They thoroughly checked whether the car really was as good and well-maintained as I had described.
And then the auction itself. Exciting. Will it work out or not? But The Collectables doesn’t leave you to figure things out on your own. In the end, the MINI JCW was sold for a good price. A good price for me and for the new owner. And that new owner? A true enthusiast, someone genuinely thrilled with the car. Not a merchant, and that feels great.
The final steps at home, payment and transfer, went smoothly, thanks in part to The Collectables’ support from a distance beforehand. And how long did it all take? Just a few weeks, including the auction.
I can wholeheartedly recommend The Collectables to anyone who wants (or needs) to part with their special car. And you might even make some great new connections along the way!" ~ Erik (MINI John Cooper Works)
Want to (have us) sell your Collectable too? Submit it here.
Feedback from buyers
"I can honestly say that The Collectables made me very happy!
On a Sunday morning, I saw that a BMW Alpina B3s Allrad had been listed in the auction, and in Alpinablau, no less. I know from personal experience how rare an E91 B3s is and what it’s like to drive one, so my interest was immediately sparked.
From the photos, it was already clear that the B3s had been well maintained considering its age and mileage, and there was even a YouTube review available.
The car was very clearly described, with beautiful photos of the interior and exterior, full maintenance history, and any (repaired) damages noted. Since I had no prior experience with The Collectables, or car auctions in general, I took my time to read everything carefully, let it sink in, and consider my options.
In the end, emotion and logic aligned, and with racing heart, sweaty forehead, and five minutes left on the clock, I registered and placed a bid… and luckily, I won!
After the first enthusiastic phone call with The Collectables about the transaction and the seller (Bart), I picked up the B3s within two days. The handover by Bart was well organized, and over a cup of coffee, he gave me more details about the car’s history and told me how he, as a BMW enthusiast, had discovered The Collectables.
The team at The Collectables was incredibly helpful and clearly passionate about (special) cars. I’m grateful I had the opportunity to acquire this unique car through The Collectables...!" ~ John (Alpina B3 S Biturbo Allrad Touring)
"I spent a long time debating between a BMW E39 M5 and an E46 M3. Of course, they’re different cars, but both come from BMW’s golden era, free of intrusive electronics, naturally aspirated, technically brilliant, and with clean, timeless exterior and interior design. The downside? Concerns about engine issues, possible track history (especially with the M3), and unclear provenance. Not every country offers much visibility into a car’s past. So, it became a matter of patiently waiting to see what gems would show up. I had been following The Collectables for a while when I saw a facelifted Carbon Black E39 M5 come up, with a clear story, reasonable mileage, and a transparent history. Beautifully photographed too, but of course, the driving experience was going to be the real test. I was able to take it for a (fairly calm) drive to get a feel for the car. The seller had a solid story: he had owned the car for quite some time and had maintained it perfectly. Of course, nothing is ever 100% certain, but it felt far more solid than “just another” import, even though those can be fantastic too. All of that made me eager. And yes, then you find yourself clicking “Bid” on a Friday evening, and suddenly, you’re the proud owner of a stunning car. So, the M5 it was. What followed was the actual handover with the seller, which went very smoothly, everything was in order, just as promised: all the paperwork, the maintenance history, and plenty of explanation. The car is now stored professionally until it’s time to enjoy it abroad again. I’m really looking forward to it and wish everyone buying their dream car through The Collectables the same great experience." ~ Gerard (BMW E39 M5 (LCI))
"Four days before the auction ended, we decided to start bidding on the Ferrari 360 Modena. Since this isn’t the kind of car you buy every day, we reached out to The Collectables to ask if it would be possible to view the car. On Monday morning, we received an email from The Collectables right away, letting us know they would contact the seller.
The seller had no problem with us viewing the car on location. Since the auction was ending the following day, we got in the car Tuesday morning and took a road trip to Roosendaal. The Ferrari was in excellent condition, and when we got home around 7:00 PM, we immediately turned on the computer and placed our bid. And… we won the auction!
We picked up the Ferrari two weeks after our winning bid. The handover was perfectly arranged and gave us a truly special feeling. What made it even more special was that someone from The Collectables had travelled to Roosendaal to attend the delivery in person. The team at The Collectables supported us before, during, and after the auction, and we still keep in touch from time to time! Highly recommended, as far as we’re concerned!" ~ Team Northern Events (Ferrari 360 Modena)
"What immediately stood out was the presentation of the Alpina B3S. Everything was meticulously documented, crisp photos, a great video, and a well-written description. Even though The Collectables was a new platform to me at the time, it instantly gave me confidence. Of course, you ask yourself the usual questions, but deep down you already know: I want it, but at what price?
Then, on the evening of the auction, as the bidding gets close to your limit, things get exciting. Your limit is actually slightly exceeded, but you allow yourself just a little more. The auction ends, the price is really fair, but you still don’t know if the reserve has been met. The redeeming email and phone call from The Collectables, telling me I had won, led to pure euphoria.
And then you’ve won, and you get to pick up your ‘new’ Alpina from a fellow enthusiast, accompanied by someone from The Collectables. Someone with a genuine passion for special cars. It felt very personal, and it’s a great feeling to know who has cared for your new automotive love. In short, it was an enjoyable and smooth process, and that’s exactly why I decided to sell my own car through The Collectables afterward. And sold it!" ~ Paul (Alpina B3 S)
"Have been buying cars at auctions before, but this was such a cool experience! Meeting the owner in Holland, the Ultima V10 that I bought was even better than expected. And driving it back to Denmark (970 km) plus meeting someone of The Collectables half way for a nice warm The Collectables jacket. What an adventure!" ~ Morten (Ultima Can-Am V10)
"In terms of The Collectables experience.. I’m not sure what you’d like me to say, but it was a fantastic experience. About as seamless and smooth as I could have possibly imagined. From the very first interaction, all of the feedback and info you gave me on the car. The bidding process was incredibly easy… and then from winning, the negotiations, the paperwork, transactions and the help you gave me in arranging the shipping to Dubai, I could not be more happy with the process and could not thank you enough. I’d recommend you to anyone, and would happily use you guys again, you’re doing an incredible job." ~ Dom (Lotus Exige S1)
Also looking for your own Collectable? Check out the current listings here!