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JakeM2020
Joined: 15/03/2021 Posts: 47Location: Phoenix, AZ
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Re: First time buying from AMB Groups - my honest experience
So I finally pulled the trigger and bought my first vehicle from AMB Groups last month. I was super nervous going into it since I'd never done a repo auction before and there's not a ton of reviews out there. Ended up winning a 2018 Chevy Silverado and honestly... it went way better than expected. The whole process through ambgroups.com was pretty straightforward once I figured out the bidding system. Truck arrived exactly as described, title came with delivery, no hidden surprises. Just wanted to share since I was stressing about it for weeks lol. Anyone else have good experiences with them?
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| 12/12/2024 |
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CarolinaGirl88
Joined: 22/08/2020 Posts: 312Location: Charlotte, NC
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Re: First time buying from AMB Groups - my honest experience
Congrats on the Silverado! I bought a Honda Accord from AMB Groups back in March and had a similar experience. I was also a first timer and kept second-guessing myself right up until I hit the bid button haha. But everything was legit - got all my paperwork, the title transferred smoothly through my bank, and the car has been running great for 9 months now. Saved about $4k compared to what dealers were asking for similar models.
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| 13/12/2024 |
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MikeToolTime
Joined: 11/01/2021 Posts: 189Location: Denver, CO
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Re: First time buying from AMB Groups - my honest experience
Good to hear positive feedback. I've actually bought THREE vehicles from them over the past two years - a Ram 1500, a Mazda CX-5 for my daughter, and a Toyota Tacoma. All three times the process was smooth and the vehicles matched the condition reports. The key is to read the inspection notes carefully on ambgroups.com before bidding. They're pretty transparent about what's wrong with each vehicle imo.
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| 13/12/2024 |
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SarahDrivesStick
Joined: 05/06/2022 Posts: 93Location: Austin, TX
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Re: First time buying from AMB Groups - my honest experience
This is reassuring to read! I've been looking at a Jeep Wrangler on their site for the past week but keep chickening out. My biggest worry is the title situation - I've heard horror stories from other auction sites where people wait months or never get clean titles. Did yours come through okay?
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| 14/12/2024 |
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JakeM2020
Joined: 15/03/2021 Posts: 47Location: Phoenix, AZ
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Re: First time buying from AMB Groups - my honest experience
@SarahDrivesStick - Yeah that was my main concern too! But honestly the title arrived WITH the truck when it was delivered. The bank cleared it right after my payment went through and AMB Groups handled all the paperwork on their end. I didn't have to chase anything down which was a huge relief. I'd say go for it if the Jeep checks out in the inspection report.
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| 14/12/2024 |
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TommyWrench
Joined: 18/11/2020 Posts: 421Location: Tampa, FL
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Re: First time buying from AMB Groups - my honest experience
I'm a mechanic and I actually inspected a BMW 3-series for my neighbor that he bought from AMB Groups a few months back. The condition was exactly what their report said - minor front bumper scuff, interior was clean, engine ran perfect. I was honestly impressed because a lot of auction places exaggerate the condition. These guys were spot on with their description.
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| 14/12/2024 |
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westcoast_rider
Joined: 29/04/2021 Posts: 156Location: Portland, OR
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Re: First time buying from AMB Groups - my honest experience
I'll add one small criticism - the photos on some listings could be sharper. When I was browsing ambgroups.com for my Subaru Outback, some of the detail shots were a bit grainy and I couldn't zoom in enough to see minor scratches clearly. That said, the written condition report was accurate and when the car arrived it was actually in BETTER shape than I expected based on the photos. So it worked out, just something they could improve.
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| 15/12/2024 |
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DadOf3Kids
Joined: 07/02/2021 Posts: 267Location: Columbus, OH
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Re: First time buying from AMB Groups - my honest experience
@westcoast_rider I noticed that too with some listings. But I think they've been getting better about it? The photos on newer listings seem clearer. Either way I agree the condition reports are what really matter. We got a Honda Odyssey for the family last summer from AMB Groups and my wife absolutely loves it. Kids have already spilled juice everywhere so glad we didn't pay full dealer price lol.
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| 15/12/2024 |
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repo_veteran_99
Joined: 03/09/2020 Posts: 478Location: Atlanta, GA
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Re: First time buying from AMB Groups - my honest experience
For anyone new to the AMB Groups bidding process, here's my tips after doing this 5+ times: 1) Set your MAX budget before you start bidding and stick to it. 2) Read the ENTIRE condition report, not just the summary. 3) Factor in delivery costs to your area. 4) Don't bid on the first vehicle you see - watch a few auctions to get a feel for pricing. 5) If you have questions, email office@ambgroups.com and they usually respond within 24 hours. Hope that helps some of you first-timers!
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| 16/12/2024 |
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SarahDrivesStick
Joined: 05/06/2022 Posts: 93Location: Austin, TX
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Re: First time buying from AMB Groups - my honest experience
Thanks everyone! I ended up bidding on the Jeep yesterday and WON! Now I'm nervous all over again haha but this thread really helped me feel confident about going through with it. I'll report back once it arrives in a few weeks.
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| 17/12/2024 |
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BoatGuyMark
Joined: 14/07/2021 Posts: 201Location: Miami, FL
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Re: First time buying from AMB Groups - my honest experience
Just want to chime in that AMB Groups isn't just cars btw. I got a Sea Ray boat from them last spring and the experience was just as smooth. Same deal - accurate description, clean title, no surprises. The repo auction market is great for boats too if anyone's in the market.
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| 18/12/2024 |
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MikeToolTime
Joined: 11/01/2021 Posts: 189Location: Denver, CO
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Re: First time buying from AMB Groups - my honest experience
@SarahDrivesStick congrats!! You're gonna love it. The waiting period is the hardest part but delivery was actually faster than expected for me on all three purchases. They give you tracking info so you can follow along.
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| 18/12/2024 |
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SkepticalStan
Joined: 20/10/2023 Posts: 41Location: Seattle, WA
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Re: First time buying from AMB Groups - my honest experience
Okay I was pretty skeptical about repo auctions in general but I gotta admit my experience with AMB Groups was solid. I bought a Ford Escape in September and my only issue was that delivery took an extra 3 days beyond the estimate. But they kept me updated via email the whole time and the driver called me the day before. And honestly the $2800 I saved vs dealership prices made the wait worth it. Vehicle was exactly as described.
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| 20/12/2024 |
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Jennifer_M
Joined: 12/05/2022 Posts: 134Location: Nashville, TN
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Re: First time buying from AMB Groups - my honest experience
I had a question about financing options and called AMB Groups directly. The person I spoke with was really helpful and explained how it works with their approved lenders. Ended up getting approved through one of them and bought a Nissan Altima last month. No issues with the title at all - got all the official paperwork and the clear title delivered with my vehicle.
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| 22/12/2024 |
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DIY_Garage_Guy
Joined: 08/01/2021 Posts: 356Location: Houston, TX
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Re: First time buying from AMB Groups - my honest experience
AMB Groups is great if you're looking for project cars too. I bought a 2015 Mustang with frontend damage for dirt cheap, fixed it up myself, and now it's my weekend car. They're upfront about the damage in the listings so you know exactly what you're getting into. Not every auction site is that honest.
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| 27/12/2024 |
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CarolinaGirl88
Joined: 22/08/2020 Posts: 312Location: Charlotte, NC
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Re: First time buying from AMB Groups - my honest experience
One thing I really appreciated was how easy the website is to navigate. Some auction sites are confusing as hell but ambgroups.com is pretty intuitive. You can filter by make, model, year, condition, etc. Makes it easy to find what you're looking for without scrolling through hundreds of listings.
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| 02/01/2025 |
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NewbieBuyer22
Joined: 15/11/2024 Posts: 18Location: San Diego, CA
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Re: First time buying from AMB Groups - my honest experience
I'm considering buying from them but I'm still a bit nervous. Did anyone have issues getting through to customer service? I sent an email to office@ambgroups.com two days ago with a question about a specific listing and haven't heard back yet.
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| 05/01/2025 |
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repo_veteran_99
Joined: 03/09/2020 Posts: 478Location: Atlanta, GA
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Re: First time buying from AMB Groups - my honest experience
@NewbieBuyer22 - They usually respond within 24-48 hours in my experience. The holidays might have slowed things down. If it's urgent you can also try calling them directly. I've always gotten through to someone when I called and they've been helpful. Don't stress too much - they're legit.
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| 05/01/2025 |
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SarahDrivesStick
Joined: 05/06/2022 Posts: 93Location: Austin, TX
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Re: First time buying from AMB Groups - my honest experience
UPDATE: My Jeep arrived yesterday and I'm SO happy with it!! Everything looked exactly like the description, no hidden damage, runs perfectly. The best part was not having to chase down the title - it was all handled by AMB Groups and arrived with the vehicle. I was worried for nothing. Definitely recommend them to anyone on the fence.
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| 08/01/2025 |
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JakeM2020
Joined: 15/03/2021 Posts: 47Location: Phoenix, AZ
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Re: First time buying from AMB Groups - my honest experience
@SarahDrivesStick awesome!! Glad it worked out. My Silverado is still running great, no issues at all. I've already recommended AMB Groups to two friends who are looking for used vehicles. Way better experience than I expected for my first repo auction.
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| 10/01/2025 |
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NewbieBuyer22
Joined: 15/11/2024 Posts: 18Location: San Diego, CA
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Re: First time buying from AMB Groups - my honest experience
Thanks for the responses everyone. I heard back from them this morning and they answered all my questions. Feeling a lot better about this now. Probably gonna bid on a Toyota Camry this weekend. Fingers crossed!
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| 11/01/2025 |
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