# Bidbus

> Bidbus is an online car auction platform that helps consumers sell their used vehicles to certified dealerships. Over 1000 dealers compete in live 2-hour auctions held every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 2–4 PM PST, ensuring sellers get the best price for their car. Bidbus eliminates lowballing through its competitive auction format and enforces a strict no-haggle policy.

Bidbus operates in the United States, currently serving Northern California (Bay Area & Fairfield), Southern California (Orange County through Riverside, and San Diego area), and Texas (Dallas-Fort Worth area). The platform is 100% online — there is no physical office for sellers to visit. The corporate office is located in Costa Mesa, California.

Bidbus does not buy cars directly. Instead, it connects individual sellers with a network of verified dealerships who bid on vehicles. Sellers list for free and only pay a fee after a successful sale: $300 if the selling price is under $30,000, or 1% of the selling price if over $30,000.

## How It Works

The selling process on Bidbus follows these steps:

1. **Get an Estimate**: Enter your VIN or license plate to receive an automated market estimate based on Blackbook data.
2. **Set Reserve Price**: Bidbus's appraisal team helps set a reserve price (minimum selling price) that is attractive to dealers while protecting the seller's value. The reserve price is valid for 7 days.
3. **Prepare Your Listing**: Upload 15 required vehicle photos from 12 angles, report any damages, complete a self-inspection, upload ownership documents (registration, driver's license), and confirm the reserve price.
4. **Auction Day**: Your car enters the next available auction (Monday, Wednesday, or Friday, 2–4 PM PST). You can watch live or check results afterward.
5. **Post-Auction**: If the reserve price is met, proceed to drop-off. If not, review dealer follow-up offers within 24 hours — accept an offer, or walk away with no fees.
6. **Drop-Off & Payment**: Link a payment card (temporary hold for the platform fee), schedule drop-off within 3 business days, meet the dealer, complete paperwork, and receive payment. Checks are usually issued the same day for paid-off vehicles; loans/leases may take up to 15 days for title clearance.

## Fees & Pricing

- **Listing fee**: Free — no cost to list a vehicle.
- **Seller fee**: $300 if selling price < $30,000, or 1% of selling price if ≥ $30,000. Charged only after the car is sold and dropped off.
- **Cancellation fee**: Same as seller fee. Applies only if canceling after auction when a bid meets or exceeds the reserve price and without valid reason.
- **Temporary hold**: After a successful sale, a hold (not a charge) is placed on the seller's linked card equal to the seller fee amount. The actual fee is charged after drop-off; any difference is refunded.
- **Bidbus Guarantee**: If a dealer cancels without valid cause, the seller receives $500 compensation.

## Service Area & Eligibility

- **Regions served**: Northern California (Bay Area & Fairfield), Southern California (Orange County through Riverside, San Diego area), Texas (Dallas-Fort Worth area).
- **Vehicle eligibility**: Cars under 130,000 miles located in California or Texas.
- **Mileage rule**: Mileage after listing must be less than 250 miles more than at listing time.
- **Ownership**: The registered owner must be present at drop-off. If the seller is not the registered owner, the car can still be listed, but the registered owner must attend the drop-off.
- **Lease restrictions**: Most leases can be sold, but some lessors restrict third-party buyouts: GM Financial, BMW Financial, and Ally (Tesla lessor).

## Documents Required

- Vehicle registration (if unavailable, a blank document can be uploaded; dealer verifies at drop-off via DMV KSR check)
- Valid driver's license (required before listing)
- Vehicle title (if fully owned — must have physical title at drop-off)
- Loan payoff quote (if financed)
- Lease payoff quote (if leased)

## Auction Schedule & Process

- **Days**: Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
- **Time**: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM PST
- **Live viewing**: Available — a link is sent via text at 2 PM PST on auction day
- **Results**: Available around 4:00 PM PST

## Post-Auction & Drop-Off

- If reserve price is met: Seller must sell or pay the cancellation fee.
- If reserve price is not met: No obligation. Dealers have 24 hours to submit follow-up offers. 
- Drop-off must be scheduled within 3 business days after auction ends (weekday slots).
- If the highest bidder is too far, Bidbus can check with the next-highest bidder for a closer option (not guaranteed).
- Dealers are obligated to honor the agreed price unless undisclosed damages are found during inspection.
- If a dealer tries to lower the price: Seller can contact Bidbus immediately. Bidbus reviews, mediates, and can reroute to another dealer. Seller can always walk away with no fees.
- Payment: Direct from dealership. Paid-off vehicles usually receive same-day check. Positive equity on loans/leases paid after title clears (~15 days). Negative equity must be covered by seller at drop-off.

## Frequently Asked Questions

- **What is Bidbus?** Bidbus helps people sell their cars by finding the top-paying dealer through a 2-hour online bidding process with over 1,000 trusted dealers.
- **Is it complicated?** No. Enter your VIN, upload photos and details, take the top offer, and schedule a drop-off. Bidbus guides you through the entire process.
- **Are there fees to list?** Listing is completely free. A fee is only charged after a successful sale.
- **How do you find my highest offer?** Over 1,000 verified dealers compete for your car in the auction, driving up your offer through competition.
- **What is the reserve price?** The minimum amount you're willing to accept. If bidding doesn't reach this, you're not obligated to sell.
- **Do I have to sell if bidding is over?** Only if the reserve price is met. Below reserve, you can accept, decline, or re-list.
- **How is my vehicle presented to dealers?** Through detailed photos, condition reports, and damage disclosures you provide during listing.
- **Can I watch the live auction?** Yes. A link is sent on auction day. The last 10 minutes are usually the most competitive.
- **Can Bidbus beat an existing offer?** Share proof of your offer and Bidbus will engage dealers to beat it, often by $500–$1,000.
- **How soon can my car sell?** Potentially in one auction (2-hour window). Many sellers close on the first try.
- **Can I still drive after listing?** Yes, as long as mileage stays within 250 miles of the listing mileage.
- **What if my car has damage?** Just disclose it in photos and notes. Transparency helps dealers honor their price.
- **What if I still owe money?** The dealer pays off your loan directly. Positive equity is paid after title clears; negative equity must be covered at drop-off.
- **Can I cancel?** Free cancellation before auction starts. After auction, cancellation fee applies if reserve was met.
- **Why can Bidbus get a higher price than dealerships?** Competition among many dealers in a live auction format drives prices higher than a single-dealer negotiation.

## Key Pages

- [Homepage](https://bidbus.com): Main landing page with instant VIN/plate estimate tool
- [How It Works](https://bidbus.com/pm/how-it-works): Step-by-step guide to selling on Bidbus
- [Customer Reviews](https://bidbus.com/pm/reviews): Real customer testimonials and ratings
- [Past Results](https://bidbus.com/past-result): Browse recently sold vehicles and actual sale prices
- [Contact Us](https://bidbus.com/pm/contact-us): Get in touch with the Bidbus team
- [Referral Program](https://bidbus.com/referral): Earn $100 per referred friend
- [Dealer Landing](https://bidbus.com/pm/dealer_landing): Information for dealerships joining the Bidbus network
- [Help Center](https://help.bidbus.com): Detailed guides, troubleshooting, and support articles

## Contact

- Phone: 949-565-3057
- Email: support@bidbus.com
- Hours: Monday–Saturday, 9 AM – 6 PM Pacific Time
- Website: https://bidbus.com
- Help Center: https://help.bidbus.com

## Optional

- [Seller Dashboard](https://seller.bidbus.com): Where sellers manage their listings, upload photos, track auction results, and schedule drop-offs
- [Dealer Portal](https://dealer.bidbus.com): Where dealers view auctions, place bids, and manage purchased vehicles