ARI Awards Louisiana's First Choice Auto Auction

For the second time in four years, Louisiana’s 1st Choice Auto Auction has been named the leading provider in its region for ARI.

ARI’s Vehicle Remarketing program annually awards auctions for outstanding performance, measuring each auction on overall market performance, administration and communication. Benchmarking includes days to pick up, complete condition report, days to sell and receive funds, as well as retention against Black Book Commercial Index and compliance with company guidelines. ARI chose Louisiana’s 1st Choice Auto Auction on “both quantified statistical performance and superior customer service skills in the handling of their account.”

“We were thrilled to learn that we led our region for ARI in 2014, and I share this award with all the hard-working members of our staff here at Louisiana’s 1st Choice,” said John Poteet, managing partner. “We are fortunate to have an auction team that that not only takes pride in their work but shows innovation and creativity on the job along with a determination to make our customers happy. Their efforts produce excellent results for ARI week in and week out, and are directly responsible for our distinction as ARI’s 2014 Auction of the Year in Region 5.”

Poteet notes Louisiana’s 1st Choice Auto Auction has been handling vehicles for ARI since May of 2008, and has been consistently ranked among the top three auctions in its region. This is the second ARI Top Auction award they have earned in the last four years. They were named the Region 5 Top Auction in 2011. ARI runs vehicles every week at the auction and is frequently the focus of special promotions, including the auction’s annual Mardi Gras event and its popular “John Dough” program, where buyers earn “Dough” based on attendance and buying activity that can be used to purchase prizes at the auction’s anniversary and Christmas sales.

As Louisiana’s 1st Choice Auto Auction prepares to celebrate its 13th Anniversary, Poteet reports that the auction continues to attract larger consignments and more buyers to the auction lanes. Two additional lanes are being added to the auction arena to meet the growth and will be open for operation by April 2015. A new detail and condition report writing operations center will open simultaneously with the new lanes, in time for the 13th Anniversary Sale Event on May 19.

“Attendance at Louisiana’s 1st Choice Auto Auction has increased every year since we opened our doors in 2002, with a 10% increase over last year’s numbers alone,” said Poteet. “Our mission is to provide our valued customers with superior customer service that exceeds their expectations, and the Auction of the Year Award with ARI, coupled with increased activity in the auction lane, indicates that our efforts are being recognized.”

Concluded Poteet: “We like to say that superior service is our signature Lagniappe–a Louisiana tradition that means a little something ‘extra’ that is not expected or demanded. We appreciate ARI’s recognition of our commitment to their business and our efforts on their behalf. Certainly this award from ARI is their Lagniappe to Louisiana’s 1st Choice Auto Auction!”

Independently owned and operated, Louisiana’s 1st Cho ice Auto Auction is located in Hammond, La. Led by managing partner John Poteet, the team of auction professionals serve the entire Gulf Coast Region and beyond. Dealers gather every Tuesday at 8:30 am in the lane and online to bid on a consignment of over 600 vehicles, including vehicles from ARI, Consumer Portfolio Services, Credit Acceptance/VRS, Emkay, Hancock Bank, National Auto Acceptance, First Investors Financial Services and a wide variety of dealer trades. Auction inventory is included on Edge Pipeline, where customers may view detailed condition reports, market report information and participate in online sales. Louisiana’s 1st Choice Auto Auction is a member of the National Auto Auction Association and is represented by TPC Management.