The Kansas City tow lot is a temporary home to thousands of wrecked, abandoned and stolen cars each year. It's also a place where budding entrepreneurs learn how to flip cars.
Lester Graves is a local business owner who teaches others how to navigate the monthly tow lot auction. He's purchased and resold dozens of cars after purchasing them at the tow lot auction.
"Just help people get stability, financial stability, transportation. Just to help people become stable; families, homes things like that," said Graves.
Graves says social media websites like Facebook and Craigslist are very helpful in reselling the cars.
"We have a system as to how we pick the cars and how we resell them, but it works. It works very well," said Graves.
The city's tow services division holds an auto auction on the third Tuesday of each month.
On average, 380 wrecked, stolen or abandoned vehicles are on the auction block in addition to motorcycles, lawn mowers a trailers.
Nathan Pare is the division manager of tow services. He says the car auctions are an opportunity for everyone.
"One person will look at a vehicle and say it's junk. The other person will say, 'I need the motor out of it,'" Pare said.
Those interested in participating in an auction must register with the auctioneer the day of the auction and be issued a number. All buyers must have a valid state ID and be at least 18 years of age.
The monthly auctions are held at Kansas City Tow Lot located at 7750 E. Front St.
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Lisa Benson can be reached at lisa.benson@kshb.com.
