Galves vs. Manheim

Just curious how the data compiled by these two sources differs (if it does.) I have seen values given for similar vehicles by both services that seem to be very close, but not always.

OK, no one responded here, but I did get an opinion from a colleague at work that used to work for a non-BMW dealer in the Austin area. He says that dealers generally utilize Manheim, but that Galves estimates are almost always within the same value range on identical vehicle profiles.

I bring this up because I know that some dealers on this forum feel pestered by requests for Manheim auction values. Galves apparently offers very similar data for a small fee to anyone that requests it.

Galves tends to be used more in the East. Dealers in the Midwest, South, & West, iirc, will only use Manheim (and may not know what Galves is, in my experience).

Originally Posted by dthompson

Galves tends to be used more in the East. Dealers in the Midwest, South, & West, iirc, will only use Manheim (and may not know what Galves is, in my experience).

Galves is a company that monitors auction results and publishes a price list. I'm not sure where they are getting all the data from, but I think it just coming from the East Coast.

Manheim is an actual auction company with locations all over the US... they are basically the largest out there. They compile pricing information based on all of the transactions at their auctions, and you can break it down by region of the country. What Manheim does not do is break it down into a specific price list with "adds" and "deducts" for mileage and specific option packages like Galves or other guides (NADA, etc.).

On high end cars, my experience as a dealer has been that I wish I could buy cars at the auction for Galves value. Most "nice" cars sell for well above the Galves value at an auction like Manheim.

Originally Posted by SARAFIL

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On high end cars, my experience as a dealer has been that I wish I could buy cars at the auction for Galves value. Most "nice" cars sell for well above the Galves value at an auction like Manheim.

Thanks, good to know. However, I just compared the Galves price range with the Manheim number given out earlier today to answer another member's request on a 2007 X3. The range is essentially identical:

Manheim: $24k to $27k
Galves: $24.5k to $26.5k

I'm not necessarily advocating one over another...As noted previously, I just thought this might reduce the number of Manheim requests on this forum. I really appreciate the support of you and others like you on this board, and I got the impression that giving out Manheim values was somewhat of a PITA for those with access. As long as nobody here minds answering Manheim requests, I will gladly use the those figures as a basis when it comes time to buy/sell/trade my cars.