The Maricopa Auto Fair is returning to the UltraStar Multi-tainment Center parking lot Oct. 20-22. The change in this fall’s venue is that all proceeds of the event go to The Orphan Foundation and its mission to help adopting families rescue children from orphanages and foster group homes.
The event runs just like any other swap meet. Sellers rent a space for the weekend, and buyers deal directly with the owners of the vehicles. Owners are asked to show proper ownership papers before they’re allowed to leave their vehicles. Sellers usually price their cars slightly higher than what they could have received as a trade-in, but their prices are usually a lot less than what a buyer would have to pay at a dealership. And private sellers don’t have to charge sales tax to the buyers.
The fair will run the third weekend of each month, through the end of the year. Depending on support, the event may continue into 2018. The event runs from Friday at noon to Sunday at 4 p.m. Sellers will be able to rent a space for $35 for the weekend, and there are no other fees or commissions. Motorcycle sellers pay $30, and RV sellers pay $45. The auto fair provides special discounts for early registrants, seniors, veterans, military and Ak-Chin Indian Community members. Sellers also get special coupons and offerings for the UltraStar Multi-tainment Center.
Buyers always get in free, and they can also take advantage of concessions and the various entertainment venues offered at the UltraStar Multi-tainment Center, which offers movies, the 347 Grill, laser tag, bowling, arcade games and other venues for 21 and over adults. Harrah’s casino is also next to the complex.
Sellers can drop off their vehicles starting at noon on Friday, unless they’ve already prepaid and registered at the event’s site: www.MaricopaAutoFair.com. Pre-registered vehicles get their choice of available spaces, as well as a discounted rate, and they can drop off their vehicles as early as 11 a.m. on Friday. The location for the auto fair is 16000 N. Maricopa Road.
Sellers can enjoy the entertainment at UltraStar or even go home until they’re called by a buyer or a member of the Maricopa Auto Fair staff. The sellers will have the choice of leaving their keys with the auto fair staff for showing their vehicle, but buyers won’t be allowed to start or take the vehicle for a test drive without the owner being present.
With the right price, DiDonato said it wouldn’t be unusual for a vehicle to sell within a few hours. One car went in 45 minutes last year — a cherry Cadillac for $2,000.
