1. Who should I contact for updates on my payment or loan payoff? We highly recommend reaching out directly to the dealership using the information displayed in your dashboard.
Because the dealership purchased your vehicle (Bidbus does not buy vehicles or hold funds), they are the only party with real-time access to your payment status. Passing questions through our support team creates a three-way communication loop that will slow down the process.
For the most straightforward and efficient updates, going straight to the buyer is always your best approach.
2. I handed over a clean title. When will I receive my check? Payment timing depends on the purchasing dealership’s internal accounting policies:
Corporate/Franchise Dealers: Often have strict corporate accounting rules. Payment may take a few business days to process and be mailed to you.
Independent/Private Dealers: May have the flexibility to cut a check the same day. If a check was not issued the same day, please expect the check in the next few days or contact the dealership directly for more information.
Next Step: Please call the dealership representative listed above to confirm their specific payment timeline.
3. I sold a vehicle with a loan or lease. How does the payoff and equity process work? When selling a financed or leased vehicle, the process depends entirely on whether you have positive or negative equity:
If you have Positive Equity (You are owed money): Because this requires a multi-step process involving your lender and the DMV, it typically takes 2 to 4 weeks to receive your equity check. Here is how the process works behind the scenes:
The Payoff: The dealership sends the payoff amount to your lender. Under California law (VEH § 11709.4), a dealership has up to 21 days to pay off a vehicle they purchase or take on trade. The industry standard is usually 10-15 business days.
Title Release: Once your bank processes the payoff, they release the title to the DMV.
DMV Processing: The DMV processes the transfer and issues a clean title to the dealership.
Equity Payment: The dealership must receive that clean title from the DMV before they can legally issue a check for your positive equity.
Note: You are responsible for making any normal car payments that come due during this transition period to protect your credit score. Any overpayment you make will be refunded directly to you by your bank once the dealer's payoff clears.
If you have Negative Equity (You owe money): If your exact loan payoff amount is higher than the final sale price, you have "negative equity."
Payment Due at Drop-Off: You are required to pay the exact difference out-of-pocket directly to the purchasing dealership on the day of the vehicle drop-off.
No Payment Plans: Dealerships do not offer payment plans, financing, or IOUs for this difference.
Accepted Methods: You must confirm the dealership's accepted payment methods (such as a cashier's check) prior to your appointment to ensure a smooth handover.
4. What is Bidbus's role at this stage? As outlined in the Bidbus Seller Terms & Platform Rules, Bidbus is a marketplace platform. Our responsibility was to secure your minimum selling price and connect you with a verified buyer.
The binding contract of sale is solely between you and the Dealership.
Bidbus does not purchase the vehicle, take the title, hold your funds, or process DMV paperwork.
Because your vehicle has been successfully delivered, your active transaction with Bidbus is complete.
5. What if the dealership is completely unresponsive? We ask that you exhaust all direct communication with the dealership first using the phone number and address provided above. However, if the dealership is completely unresponsive after a reasonable timeframe, or if they are violating the 21-day legal payoff timeline, please reach out to Bidbus Support by texting us or emailing us at: [email protected]. We will step in to investigate and help facilitate a resolution.