Overview: Bidbus’s Role vs. The Dealership’s Role
Bidbus is a marketplace platform designed to get you the best competitive offer and connect you with a verified, licensed dealership. As outlined in the Bidbus Seller Terms & Platform Rules, the binding contract of sale is strictly between you and the purchasing dealership. Bidbus does not purchase your vehicle, process your DMV paperwork, or issue payments. Because the dealership is the actual buyer, payment timelines and processes are entirely determined by the dealership’s internal accounting policies and state laws.
Key Points on Payment Timelines
If your car is fully owned (Title in Hand): Payment timing depends on the specific dealership you are matched with. Corporate or franchise dealers often have strict corporate accounting rules and may require a few business days to process and mail a check. Independent dealers may have the flexibility to issue payment on the same day. Please confirm the specific payment timeline directly with the dealership during or prior to your vehicle drop-off.
If you have a loan or lease (Positive Equity): Receiving an equity check typically takes 2 to 4 weeks. This is not a delay by the dealership, but rather a mandatory legal and administrative process involving your lender and the DMV. The process follows these steps:
The dealership sends the payoff amount to your lender.
Your bank processes the payoff and releases the title to the DMV.
The DMV processes the transfer and issues a clean title to the dealership.
The dealership receives the clean title and legally issues your equity check.
If you have negative equity (You owe more than the car is worth): You are responsible for covering the difference between your loan balance and the purchase price. This amount is due directly to the purchasing dealership at the time of the sale. Please note that the dealerships dictate how this payment can be made with the industry standard being credit card, debit card, and cashier's check.
Support and Follow-Up
As Bidbus does not hold your funds or process your payoff, for real-time updates regarding your loan payoff or the status of your equity check, please contact the dealership directly using the contact information provided to you at drop-off and in your post-delivery dashboard. If you have exhausted your options, please don't hesitate then to reach out to us via direct text, call, or email us at [email protected].
In short
Bidbus is the matchmaker: The dealership is the buyer, and they control the payment timeline.
Title in hand: Payment speed varies by the dealership's accounting policies.
Loan or Lease: Expect a 2 to 4 week timeline due to bank and DMV processing requirements.
Negative equity: You must pay the difference directly to the dealer at the time of sale.