FAQs

Buyer Questions

Prior to Bidding

• What are the fees for the buyer on Cars & Bids?

• How do I register to bid?

• How do I place a bid?

• How do bid increments work?

• What currency does Cars & Bids use?

• Can I bid if I live outside of the United States or Canada?

During the Auction

• How do I contact a seller privately?

• How can I tell if a car was inspected?

• What is covered in an inspection?

• Are inspected cars test driven?

• Is there proxy bidding?

• Why do you place a hold on my credit card when I bid?

• What’s the reserve price of the car I want to buy?

• How do I make sure the vehicle is as described?

• Can I retract a bid if I change my mind?

After the Auction

• I didn’t win the auction, why do I still have a hold from Cars & Bids?

• What if the reserve isn’t met?

• Once the auction is over, how do I complete the transaction?

• How do I arrange financing?

• How do I pick up the vehicle?

• How do I pay the seller safely?

• Can I retract my bid if I am no longer willing or able to purchase the vehicle?

• What should I do if someone else (e.g., sibling, parent, child, co-worker) used my account to place bids on a vehicle that I ended up winning?

Seller Questions

Prior to Listing

• How much does it cost to sell a car on Cars & Bids?

• How do you choose which cars you’re looking for?

• Can I sell a vehicle if I still have a loan on it?

• Can I sell a vehicle if I live outside of the United States or Canada?

• Can I sell a vehicle if I live in Puerto Rico?

• How do I submit my car for sale?

• What information do I need to provide in order to sell my car?

• How should I prepare for selling my car?

• What do I need to know about title transfer?

• Can I put a reserve price on my auction?

• Can I add a reserve during the auction if I originally selected no reserve?

The Listing Process

• How do I take the best pictures of my car?

• Should I take a video?

• Why should I get my car inspected?

• What is covered in an inspection?

• Will the inspector test drive my car?

• What if I don’t like the inspection?

• Why don’t I have the option to book an inspection?

• Who writes the listing description for my car?

• How do I contact you about my listing?

• Can I schedule when my car’s auction starts?

• How long does an auction last?

During the Auction

• Can I edit my auction once it’s live?

• How do I respond to questions/how should I engage during the auction?

• Can I change the reserve price on my auction?

• Should I disclose my reserve price?

• Who can bid on my car?

• Can I try to make a deal outside of the auction?

After the Auction

• What if my reserve isn’t met?

• Once the auctions over, how do I complete the sale?

• Why did my vehicle sell for less than my reserve?

• How do I get paid safely?

• Do I need a Bill of Sale?

• What if the winning bidder doesn’t follow through with the purchase?

• How long do you keep past auctions available for review?

• If I’m unhappy with the outcome of a "no reserve" auction, can I choose not to sell my vehicle?

SafePay Questions

• What is Cars & Bids SafePay?

• How do I contact SafePay if I have questions?

• Can I use SafePay if I’m not in the US?

• How does SafePay work?

• How much does it cost to use SafePay?

• How is the title transferred?

• Why don’t I have a SafePay option?

• How long does it take to buy or sell with Cars & Bids SafePay?

• Why should I trust SafePay and KeySavvy?

• Does SafePay create a bill of sale?

• When does the buyer pay for the car?

• When does the seller get paid?

• What if the car is shipped?

• How is SafePay different from escrow?

• Do I have to pay taxes and registration fees if I use SafePay?

• Can I get a refund if I don’t pick up the car?

• Are EV purchases through SafePay eligible for EV Tax Credits?

• Does SafePay provide a vehicle warranty?

• Can I finance with my own bank or credit union?

• How are sellers paid?

• When do I release my car?

• Why would I give up the car without the money?

• Can I use SafePay if I still have a loan?

Shipping Questions

• How do I contact Cars & Bids Shipping?

• I’ve just won an auction and want to ship the vehicle. Now what?

• Can I change or cancel my shipping after it's been ordered?

• Can I ship a car I didn’t win on Cars & Bids?

• Should I choose open or enclosed shipping?

• Why can’t I get an online quote?

• Why don’t I see an option for open transport?

• Why isn’t my quote still available?

• Does Cars & Bids handle international shipping?

• How will I be contacted by Cars & Bids Shipping?

• Why do you need my full address to book shipping?

• When will my car arrive?

• Do I have to be there when the car is picked up or dropped off?

• I have a problem with my shipment, who do I contact?

• My car just sold and the buyer wants to ship it. What do I need to do?

• Are shipments through Cars & Bids insured?

• Can I ship extra parts with the car?

• Do I need to have the vehicle registered in my state prior to shipping?

• Do I have to be there when the car is picked up?

Community FAQ

• Are there rules to follow in the comments, questions, and contacts?

• What is a Reputation Score?

• What is a Competitive Bid?

• What is a community?

• Are there rules to follow in the community?

• Why won’t my photos upload?

• Why was my photo blocked?

Account Questions

• How can I sign in?

• Why do you need my email address?

• Can I change the email on my account?

• What do I do if I forgot my password?

• I logged in through a Sign On platform, why do you need my password?

• How do I sign in with Google?

• How do I sign in with Facebook?

• How do I sign in with Apple?

• How do I update Apple to share my email?

• I messed up my login, who can help me?

• Where can I find the Cars & Bids Terms of Use?