GAINESVILLE, Ga. -

Ricky Beggs believes he has seen plenty of unique circumstances during nearly three decades of used-vehicle industry involvement. But last week’s snow and ice that plagued the Southeast forced the Black Book managing editor and his colleagues to scramble to keep pricing information current.

“For the first time in my almost 30 years within this industry, we were unable to open our physical office doors for not only one day but two business days due to the snow and ice,” Beggs shared during his weekly “Beggs on the Used Car Market” video report.

“We were not alone as one weather report said that the Sunshine State of Florida was the only one of the 48 continental states that did not have snow this past week,” he continued. “But just like the Pony Express, we delivered during the worst of these conditions.”

Beggs noted that some auctions near Black Book’s headquarters were canceled, moved to a different day, and/or held only online. Black Book adjusted its attendance schedule and watched more physical auctions online from throughout the country, including nearby Atlanta as well as Pennsylvania, California and Florida.

“The up-to-date daily adjustments were made and downloaded for your access through data files, desktop Internet suite programs and mobile solutions that now could include VIN scanning lookup capabilities,” Beggs explained.

The managing editor went on to credit his fellow Black Book analysts who maintained operations despite adverse weather conditions.

“We may have been officially closed but many members of our team were still working,” Beggs emphasized. “I am proud to be associated with a great team of editors who went above and beyond the norm to study the market and work with each other to keep you supplied with the most current market values.

“The sales and tech support teams became remotely accessible to help those customers with their individual needs,” he went on to mention. “Our on-site production team braved the weather and slick roads, adjusted their schedules and made sure the printed guides made it through the processes to get the books out on time. And finally, with the dedicated IT team, the data was published and distributed, as you expected.”

While not all regions felt the wrath of winter weather, Beggs pointed out that Black Book survey personnel poured in data feeds and market reports as usual from auctions on normal schedules. The survey summaries mentioned “a very steady market” with several noting “pickups and SUVs were selling well and in demand.” Furthermore, the pulse at some auctions indicates “small cars are getting interest.”

“Another comment was one I haven’t heard lately when it referenced that ‘there were an abnormally higher number of clean cars and trucks,’” Beggs shared.

As far as specific data, Black Book discovered the full week of adjustments resulted in an even higher percentage of increases in values. To be exact, 68 percent of adjustments went higher with an average of more than 1,600 vehicles being adjusted daily. Black Book also included 27 market driven values for an additional 2010 and 2011 models.

Overall, Black Book determined the 10 car segments declined by $38, adding that figure is consistent with the previous four weeks — a $33 drop.

Even though the premium sporty cars and the prestige luxury cars returned to a pattern of declines of $100 or more, Beggs notice two car segments actually moved higher. Entry level cars increased for the week by $11 and entry midsize cars edged up by $1.

For the truck segments, Black Book reported 10 of the 14 segment types increased over the week. Beggs said this trend “reflected several of the comments we had received regarding stronger demand for trucks and SUVs.”

Luxury SUVs posted the strongest increase, moving higher by $65.

“Apparently gas prices increasing to the $3 national average isn’t controlling the demand for some models that are not the highest in fuel efficiency,” Beggs conceded.

Beggs wrapped up his commentary with hopes for improved weather nationwide.

“I hope the extra efforts of the Black Book associates met your expectations and that you didn’t even realize the abnormal conditions we faced,” he declared. “For sure, this week more than normal, we look forward to getting back to the physical auction lanes to talk with you and report the market.”

To view this report, visit this website.