by Andrew Rohrlich
Buying a car can be intimidating, especially if you're buying from a private seller.
You may worry about the risks of dealing with strangers or not knowing what to look for when inspecting a vehicle. Plus, finding reliable information about the car you're interested in can be tough.
Fortunately, there's now an easier way to purchase vehicles privately: Cars & Bids. This online marketplace makes it easy to buy enthusiast vehicles and other cars from private sellers without the hassle and risks of traditional private sales.
To help you get started, this guide breaks down the process of buying a car privately on Cars & Bids and some of the benefits you can expect from the auction process.
What Is Cars & Bids?
Cars & Bids is a daily auction site that offers classic, modern, and collectible cars from the 1980s to today. On the site, you can find everything from luxury models like Porsche, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz to muscle cars like Ford Mustang or Dodge Charger.
All cars listed on Cars & Bids are thoroughly vetted and include detailed photos, vehicle history reports (VHRs), and more. Additionally, potential buyers can bid in real-time — meaning you don't have to wait for a live auction or deal with awkward negotiations to purchase a car.
To get started, you'll need to find the car that's right for you by browsing the selection on Cars & Bids. With listings from all around the country, it's easy to search for a vehicle in your area or one in a different state if you're willing to travel or have it delivered.
Once you've found a car that interests you, it's time to bid on it. You'll use the platform's built-in bidding system to place an offer on the car you're interested in. And if your bid wins, you've successfully bought a car through Cars & Bids.
But the process doesn't end there. After you win an auction, there are still several steps that need to be completed to make your purchase final. That includes agreeing to a purchase agreement with the seller, arranging payment and shipping (if necessary), completing any required paperwork, and finalizing payment.
Cars & Bids has streamlined the car auction process to make it more comfortable for buyers. With a straightforward platform, transparent bidding process, and helpful staff, you can rest easy knowing your purchase is in good hands.
Benefits of Buying Through Cars & Bids
Buying a car through Cars & Bids offers several advantages over other platforms and traditional private sales. While other sites may also offer great deals, Cars & Bids prioritizes quality and honesty. That means each car has been verified to ensure it meets high standards.
Some additional benefits of buying through Cars & Bids include:
Low Buyer Fees
As a buyer, you'll only pay a 4.5% commission (up to $4500). Compared to the typical dealer and import fees of 8% to 10%, you'll be saving thousands of dollars on the sale price of a vehicle. Low Cars and Bids fees make it an excellent option for budget-conscious buyers.
Easy To Use With a Simple Bidding Process
On Cars & Bids, you can easily compare different cars and quickly place bids in real time. In addition, incremental bidding makes it easy to keep up with the competition and track the auction process. Cars and Bids auction listings each start at $0, so there's no guesswork when it comes to minimum bids.
With two auction types, reserve and no reserve, you can find the right auction to fit your needs. Reserve auctions require a reserve price to be met before a car can be sold, while no reserve auctions have no minimum price and will always sell. Unlike other sites where auctions only last a few hours, Cars & Bids offers longer seven-day auction periods, so buyers have plenty of time to ask questions or research a vehicle.
Quick Credit Approval for Loan Funding
If you need a car loan to purchase your vehicle, Cars & Bids offers quick credit approval from its partner lender, LightStream. Plus, you can get the wire transfers deposited into your account the same day you apply.
Additional financing solutions may be available if you have excellent credit or an extensive credit profile, so be sure to research your options before you buy. Knowing you're pre-approved for a loan can give you the peace of mind to bid without worrying about your budget. Plus, flexible loan terms and monthly payments can make your car-buying experience more affordable.
Access to Accurate Vehicle History Reports
Finally, Cars & Bids offers access to detailed VHRs on every car. You can quickly check the vehicle history of any car you're interested in before you make a bid. This helps ensure buyers get all the information they need to make an informed decision when purchasing.
Sellers will also include the VIN, maintenance details, optional or factory equipment, and any modifications on the vehicle, so you can be sure you know exactly what you're getting. Known flaws are also identified, so you can bid on a vehicle without any surprises down the line.
These are just a few of the advantages of buying a car through Cars & Bids. No matter how experienced you are with purchasing vehicles, you can benefit from an easy and stress-free process that can help you get the car of your dreams.
Tips for Buying Your Next Car Privately on Cars & Bids
Now that you understand the buying process, it's time to start your search and buy your next car.
Here are some tips to help you find success on Cars & Bids:
Determine Your Budget Before Bidding
Before bidding on any car, it's essential to set a budget. Knowing how much you're willing to pay for the vehicle will help you stay within your financial limits and avoid any regrets later. Having pre-approved financing can also help you stick to your budget and make sure you don't get in over your head.
Utilize Seller Q&A Feature Before Purchasing
A little due diligence can go a long way. Cars & Bids offers a seller Q&A feature that allows buyers to ask questions about a vehicle before they make a bid. This is a great way to get more details on the car you're interested in and make sure it suits your needs and budget. And because each listing is live for seven days, you'll have plenty of time to get the answers you need before the auction closes.
Narrow Your Auction List by Desired Features
Cars & Bids makes it easy to filter your choices by year, body style, or transmission type. You can also sort listings by mileage and location to further narrow your choices. This makes it easier to find the perfect car without wasting time scrolling through irrelevant listings. Use the search bar to highlight your desired features and ensure you get exactly what you're looking for.
Track Auction Times To Stay on Top of Bids
If you're serious about winning a bid, you'll need to stay on top of the auction times. Cars & Bids offers real-time bidding and allows buyers to set watch lists and alerts to ensure they don't miss out on any great deals.
These tips will help you get the best deal possible when buying your next car through Cars & Bids. With a little bit of research, you can easily find the perfect vehicle without having to step foot inside a dealership. Best of all, you'll be happy knowing you got a great deal on your purchase.
Maximize Your Buyer Confidence With a Private Party Checkout Platform
Once you've locked in a winning bid, you'll need to complete your purchase and arrange car delivery. You should have these details worked out in advance to prevent any problems with delivery or payment.
If you're financing your purchase, you'll need to have your loan approved before you can complete the transaction. For loan approval, you'll need to provide your lender with the vehicle's year, make, model, and VIN. It's also important to remember that some lenders may restrict the age and mileage of cars they will finance.
If you plan on shipping the car or having it delivered, consider discussing timelines with the seller beforehand to ensure it arrives on time. Cars & Bids recommends Preowned Auto Logistics, uShip, and EasyAutoShip for vehicle delivery quotes.
To optimize your car-buying experience, a private-party checkout platform can help simplify the process and provide additional peace of mind. Third-party vehicle checkout services can walk you through the entire car-buying process.
From verifying ownership to running a thorough pre-purchase inspection, these services help buyers feel confident with their purchase. Plus, your privacy and security are always a priority with a private-party checkout service.
Once payment is complete, you can complete the title transfer and registration quickly and securely. You can also arrange for delivery through the checkout service, making it an all-in-one solution for your car-buying experience.
With these tips and the help of a private-party checkout platform, you'll minimize paperwork and make the car-buying process as straightforward as possible.
This article was written by Andrew Rohrlich. As a brand and product marketing expert, Andrew Rohrlich has crafted products, experiences and communications for household names like Gap and for multiple automotive technology businesses. For nearly a decade Andrew has studied automotive retail in depth from a customer point of view and aggregated the industry’s best research, thought leadership and know how to provide credible and important information to auto shoppers and sellers.
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