Auction Rules

Effective date: October 18, 2026 · Version 2026-10-18

These rules are part of the Terms of Service and the Dealer Agreement. Numbers marked "default" are set by the platform operator and may be changed for future auctions; the values in effect when an auction starts are displayed on that auction and apply for its duration.

1. Listing and start

1.1 Once a listing passes review (or on submission when auto-approval is enabled), it is scheduled for the next auction time. Auctions start at set times published on the Platform, and a listing approved shortly before one waits for the following one. Until the start, eligible dealers can preview the listing but not bid. The auction's start time, end time, opening bid, and whether a reserve exists are shown to all eligible dealers.

1.2 Eligible dealers are active, verified dealerships located within the drop-off distance the Seller chose for the vehicle. Only eligible dealers can see the listing or bid.

1.3 The reserve price, if any, is known only to the Seller and the platform. Dealers see "reserve met" or "reserve not met."

2. Duration and extensions

2.1 Default duration: 2 hours.

2.2 Anti-sniping. If a bid is received when fewer than 60 seconds (default) remain, the end time moves to 60 seconds after that bid. There is no limit to the number of extensions. Raising your own maximum bid while you are already the high bidder does not extend the clock.

2.3 Server time governs. The countdown shown in your browser is an estimate.

3. Bidding

3.1 Every bid is a maximum. When you enter an amount you are stating the most you will pay. The platform places bids on your behalf at the lowest amount needed to keep you in the lead, one increment at a time, up to your maximum (proxy bidding). Entering an amount equal to the minimum simply bids that amount.

3.2 Opening bid: $500 (default). The first bid is recorded at the opening amount regardless of the bidder's maximum.

3.3 Minimum next bid is the current price plus the increment for that price band:

3.4 Resolution between maximums. When a new maximum exceeds the current leader's maximum, the leader's proxy bids up to its maximum and the newcomer leads at the leader's maximum plus one increment (or at the newcomer's own maximum if that is lower). When a new maximum is lower than or equal to the leader's maximum, the newcomer's bid is recorded and the leader's proxy immediately responds at the newcomer's maximum plus one increment (capped at the leader's maximum). Ties go to the earlier maximum.

3.5 Bids are in whole dollars. A dealership may place at most 10 bids per minute (default).

3.6 Bids are binding on the dealer and cannot be retracted. See the Dealer Agreement.

3.7 Identity. Dealers are shown to the Seller and to each other only as anonymous per-auction aliases. The platform operator can see real identities.

4. End of auction

4.1 Reserve met: the high bidder is the winning dealer and a deal begins under Section 5. The sale is binding on the Seller once the hold is placed.

4.2 Reserve not met, or no reserve: the Seller has 24 hours (default) to accept the high bid. If accepted, it is treated as a winning bid under 4.1. If not, the auction expires and nothing is owed by anyone.

4.3 No bids: the auction expires. The Seller may relist.

4.4 Expired auctions do not obligate the Seller or any dealer.

5. After the auction: the deal

5.1 The hold. When a deal begins, the platform places a temporary authorization hold on the Seller's saved card for the larger of the two seller fees at the winning bid (at least $250 by default). Nothing is charged at this point. If the Seller's bank asks for approval or the card is declined, the Seller has 24 hours (default) to approve the hold or use another card. If the hold is not secured in time, the deal is cancelled, no one is charged, and the auction ends with no sale.

5.2 Introductions. Once the hold is in place, the Seller sees the winning dealership's name, legal name, phone, email, and lot address, and the dealer sees the Seller's name, phone, and email.

5.3 Drop-off. The Seller books a drop-off from the dealer's calendar before the drop-off deadline: 72 hours (default) after the hold is placed, shortened when needed so it ends at least 12 hours before the card hold would expire. The Seller may renew the hold up to 2 times (default) to open later dates. A renewal places a fresh hold and releases the old one.

5.4 No free cancellation. A deal is binding once the hold is placed. A Seller who backs out at any point after that is charged the cancellation fee ($99 default). Cancelling before the hold is placed costs nothing.

5.5 Outcomes at drop-off. The dealer inspects the vehicle and records one outcome on the platform:

• Purchased at the winning bid, above it, or at most 10% (default) below it with a stated reason: the seller success fee ($250 or 1% of the winning bid, whichever is more, by default; fixed when the deal begins) is charged from the hold, the rest is released, and the dealer's success fee is added to its monthly invoice.
• Price more than 10% below the winning bid: the Seller has 24 hours (default) to accept the new price on the platform. If accepted, it is a purchase. If declined or not answered, there is no sale, the hold is released, and nothing is charged.
• Passed for a condition mismatch (photo evidence required), a title issue, or another stated reason: the hold is released and the Seller is charged nothing. The Seller may report a pass they believe is wrong.
• Seller no-show (reported only after the booked time has passed) or Seller refused to sell at the agreed price: the no-show fee ($99 default) is charged from the hold.

5.6 Missed deadline. If the Seller has not completed a drop-off by the deadline, the Seller is warned 24 hours (default) before it, and the no-show fee is charged once it passes. It is never charged automatically while a Seller dispute is open.

5.7 Dealer no-show or withdrawal. If the dealer misses the drop-off or backs out, the Seller reports it on the platform by opening a dispute, the hold is released, and the Seller is charged nothing. Dealers who pass without cause or report false no-shows lose bidding access.

5.8 Disputes. Before any charge, the Seller may open a dispute, which stops all automatic charges and releases while the platform operator reviews it. If it is not resolved before the hold would expire, the hold is released. After a charge, the Seller may contest it within 72 hours (default). The operator may charge the success fee, charge the no-show fee, release the hold, refund a charge, or uphold it.

5.9 Payment for the vehicle. The platform never handles the vehicle price. The Seller and the dealer settle payment directly at drop-off.

6. Voids, cancellations, and technical issues

6.1 The platform operator may void a bid that was placed in error, by an ineligible or suspended dealer, or in violation of the rules. When a bid is voided, the auction is recomputed from the remaining bids as if the voided bid had never been placed.

6.2 The operator may cancel an auction before it ends, or before the drop-off, where the listing is inaccurate, the vehicle is unavailable, fraud is suspected, or a technical failure materially affected bidding. Cancelled auctions obligate no one, and any hold is released.

6.3 A Seller may withdraw a listing before any bid is placed. After the first bid, a Seller may not cancel the auction. An under-reserve or no-reserve bid need not be accepted (4.2), but a reserve-met result or an accepted bid is binding once the hold is placed (5.4).

6.4 If platform availability is interrupted during the final 15 minutes of an auction, the operator may extend the auction by the length of the interruption plus 5 minutes.

7. Changes

Defaults may be changed by the operator for future auctions. The rules and values shown on a live auction are the ones that apply to it.