What usually happens is you get a good show of hands then about a 40% dropout and no-show due to the costs.

If you are putting a lot of money down to buy the lot up front then I would advise you to collect 75% deposits very early on and go from there. Even if you ask for deposits first you will scare most of the sht-talkers away then, so you don't get led into believing that you have more numbers than you actually do.

I have had a number of instances where parts were requested only for them to show up and the buyer disappear or decide he does not want them. So play your cards right and get the punters to put the money on the table at the start.

Good luck, I reckon you will need it.