Frequently asked questions

Registration, payment, shipping, titles, and what to do if a car differs from its description.

Before you bid

Does registering cost anything?

No. An account is free: there are no membership dues, no online bidding charge and no deposit on hold. The one promise you make with each bid is to pay for the car if that bid wins.

Why do you ask for an ID?

Sellers need to know each bidder is a real person who can register a car in their own name. We check your ID once, at sign-up. Other bidders never see the document or your name; they only see your paddle number.

Can I see or test-drive a car before the sale?

No. The cars sit on secured seller and partner lots closed to the public, so viewings, hands-on checks and test drives are not possible. In their place you get 20 to 40 photos, a 21-point inspection by our inspector, a map of every body mark, every announcement in writing, and an agent in chat for any other question. If a car arrives different from its report, arbitration protects you.

What do the green, yellow and red lights mean?

Each light stands for the terms a car is sold on. Green light: No major issues reported; 7-day arbitration is available. Yellow light: Sold with disclosed issues. Read them before you bid. Red light: Sold as-is; no arbitration after the sale.

Who sells the cars?

Three groups: banks and credit unions selling repossessions and lease returns, rental and corporate fleets, and licensed dealers. We vet every seller before any of their cars goes on sale.

During the sale

How do timed and live sales differ?

A timed sale stays open for several days, and each lot closes at its own time. A live sale runs one car after another, a few minutes each, like a physical auction lane; the sale page shows the minutes per car and when each one is on the block. In both, a new bid must beat the current price by at least the increment shown on the lot.

How does an auto bid work?

Set the most you are willing to pay and we bid for you step by step, using only as much as it takes to stay in front. Your limit is private; no other bidder can see it. If two people set the same limit, the earlier one keeps the lot.

How do you stop last-second sniping?

A bid placed in the final 30 seconds resets the clock to 30 seconds. A lot only closes after 30 full seconds without a bid, so you always have time to answer.

Can I cancel a bid?

No. Every bid is a binding offer to buy. Look through the photos, read the announcements and check the total cost before you bid.

What is a reserve?

Some sellers set a minimum price, and the lot page shows whether bids have reached it. If bidding ends below the minimum, the seller has 24 hours to accept the top bid; otherwise the car stays unsold.

Can the seller bid on their own car?

No. Sellers and staff may not bid on their own cars, and we use no bots to push prices up. Every bidder number belongs to a registered buyer whose identity we verified.

What is Buy it now?

Some sellers also set a fixed price. Accept it before bids reach the reserve and the lot closes immediately, sold to you.

After you win

How do I pay?

Your agent, named on the invoice, calls you within one business day with the exact amount. You pay by wire, ACH or direct deposit within 2 business days. Nothing is paid through the website, and we do not accept cards or checks for vehicles.

What is added to my winning bid?

Three flat charges: $450 auction fee, $35 documentation fee and $45 for mailing the title. Sales tax is already in the price; only delivery depends on where you live.

How is the car delivered?

We book an insured carrier from the seller's lot to your address, and the delivery price is shown on the lot page while bidding is open. Transit takes 2 to 9 days. Prefer to collect it? You have 7 days after payment to pick it up.

What if the car is not as described?

For a green-light car, file a claim within 7 days of delivery and it goes to arbitration. If our inspector confirms a major undisclosed problem, we lower the price or cancel the sale. Red-light cars are sold as-is, with no claim.

When will I get the title?

Once your payment clears, we send the title by tracked overnight mail. Most buyers receive it within 10 business days.

What happens if I do not pay?

Your account is suspended, you owe a non-payment charge of 10% of the winning bid (at least $500), and if the car later sells for less, you pay the difference. If something has come up, call us before the deadline and we will work it out.

4 State Auto Auction
611 S Pine St, Carterville, MO 64835 | (417) 396-1865 | [email protected] | Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm

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