Purpose & Nature of This Document This document outlines the standard terms and expectations for vehicle owners ("Sellers") who wish to sell their vehicles through the Bidbus marketplace. Our goal is to connect you with a network of verified dealers to get you a fair market price. To make this work, we require transparency about the vehicle's condition so that buyers can bid with confidence.
By listing a vehicle on Bidbus, you agree to the following terms.
1. TRUTH IN LISTING & VEHICLE CONDITION
1.1 The "Transparency" Standard. Bidbus operates on trust. Dealers bid on your car based entirely on the photos and descriptions you provide. Therefore, you represent and warrant that all information provided is true, accurate, and complete to the best of your knowledge.
1.2 Mandatory Written Disclosure (No Verbal Updates).
Written Record Control: You acknowledge that you are solely responsible for documenting all vehicle conditions in the "Condition Report" and "Additional Notes" sections of the Seller Dashboard.
Verbal Disclosure Invalid: Verbal communications to Bidbus representatives, customer support, or auction managers do not constitute valid disclosure. If an issue is not written in the Dashboard, it is legally considered "Undisclosed." Text thread does not count as Dashboard.
1.3 The "Photo vs. Text" Rule. The Condition Report consists of both your written notes and your uploaded photos.
Clear Photos Count: If damage is clearly visible in your photos, it is considered disclosed.
Blurry/Hidden Damage: If a defect is subtle, hard to see, or the photo is blurry, you MUST describe it in the written notes. If a defect is not clearly visible in the photos and is not written in the text, it is considered Undisclosed, and you accept liability for the cancellation.
1.4 Mandatory Disclosures. You must disclose the following issues. Failure to do so is the primary cause of sale cancellations:
Major Damage: Frame/unibody damage, flood history, or fire damage.
Title Issues: Rebuilt, Salvage, Lemon Law, or Odometer Rollback brands.
Mechanical Faults: Check engine lights, transmission, or engine issues.
Modifications: Significant aftermarket changes (exhausts, suspension lifts, tunes).
2. TITLE AND OWNERSHIP
2.1 Authority to Sell. You warrant that you are the legal owner of the vehicle and have the authority to transfer the title.
2.2 Liens and Payoffs.
Free and Clear: If you own the car outright, you must possess the physical title at the time of sale.
Bank Loans: If you have a loan on the car, you agree to provide the purchasing dealer with the necessary account information to facilitate the payoff. You understand that the sale proceeds will go to the bank first to clear the lien, with the remainder paid to you.
2.3 Government Fees, Fines & Registration.
Seller Liability: You are solely responsible for all government fees, fines, and penalties incurred prior to the date of sale. This includes, but is not limited to: past-due registration fees (tags), unpaid parking tickets, toll violations, and towing/impound fees.
Deduction from Payment: You explicitly agree that if the vehicle has any outstanding balances with the DMV or toll agencies at the time of transfer, the Dealership is entitled to deduct the full amount of these fees from your final payment to satisfy the debt and clear the title. To receive your full sale amount, please ensure all DMV fees are paid prior to the handover.
3. THE AUCTION PROCESS
3.1 Exclusivity. To prevent double-selling, you agree not to list the vehicle on other auction platforms or private marketplaces while the Bidbus live auction is active.
3.2 Winning Bids.
Meeting the Reserve: If the high bid meets or exceeds your agreed-upon "Reserve Price," the vehicle is considered SOLD, and you are contractually obligated to complete the transaction.
4. CANCELLATION, FEES, AND COMMITMENTS
4.1 Seller Cancellation & Binding Agreement. Once a vehicle is sold (reserve met, manually matched, or accepted offer), the Seller enters into a binding agreement to complete the sale. Backing out of the sale disrupts our marketplace. If you refuse to sell after a valid winning bid, or if the sale is cancelled because of misrepresentation (as defined in Section 1), Bidbus reserves the right to charge a $500.00 Cancellation Fee.
Triggers for Seller Fee: You will be liable for this fee if you:
Refuse to sell after the vehicle is marked sold.
Refuse to drop off the vehicle within the Standard Radius (see Section 5.4).
Cancel communication or "ghost" the winning Dealer.
4.2 Misrepresentation Fee. In the event a transaction is cancelled because the Buyer discovers material, undisclosed damage that the Seller reasonably should have known about (and failed to document in the Dashboard), the Seller may be charged the $500.00 Cancellation Fee to cover the cost of the auction and dealer inspection.
4.3 Valid vs. Invalid Dealer Rejections. To protect both parties, we clearly define when a Dealer is allowed to back out of a sale.
Valid Reasons for Withdrawal (No Penalty to Dealer): A Dealer may withdraw if they discover material, undisclosed issues during inspection that substantially affect the vehicle’s safety or value. Examples include:
Moderate or major accident damage not previously disclosed.
Significant mechanical/electrical malfunctions (e.g., bad transmission, engine knock).
Structural, flood, or fire damage.
Severely worn/unsafe tires (unless disclosed).
Invalid Reasons (Dealer Penalty Applies): A Dealer cannot cancel due to "Buyer's Remorse," pricing errors, minor wear and tear consistent with age/mileage, or issues that were clearly visible in the auction photos or written notes.
4.4 Bidbus Seller Commitments. We stand by our sellers. If a Dealer attempts to reject your vehicle for an Invalid Reason (i.e., the vehicle was accurately described in the Dashboard), Bidbus will intervene.
Resolution First: Bidbus will first attempt to enforce the sale or negotiate a settlement with the Dealer. Next, Bidbus will attempt to find another dealership willing to take in the vehicle at a comparable price.
Compensation: If Bidbus is unable to find an alternative or resolve the dispute and determines the Dealer’s rejection was invalid, you may be eligible for compensation up to $500.00.
Exclusion: This guarantee does not apply if the Dealer’s rejection is based on an issue you failed to document in the written Condition Report (a "Valid Reason" per Section 4.3).
4.5 Enforcement. Bidbus reserves the right to charge, deduct, or invoice the applicable fee through the payment method provided by the responsible party. Failure to remit payment may result in account suspension or collections activity.
5. PAYMENT AND TRANSFER
5.1 Nature of the Transaction (Bidbus is a Marketplace Only). The Seller acknowledges that Bidbus is strictly a technology platform connecting Sellers with Buyers.
Bidbus is NOT the Buyer: We do not purchase your vehicle, we do not take title to the vehicle, and we do not handle the transfer of funds.
The Buyer is a Dealership: The actual purchaser of your vehicle is a licensed motor vehicle dealership. The binding contract of sale is solely between you (the Seller) and the Dealership (the Buyer).
5.2 Payment Method & Variable Timing. Because the Dealership is the purchaser, payment will be issued directly from the Dealership to you. The timing of this payment is completely dependent on the specific internal policies of the winning Dealership.
Corporate/Franchise Dealers: Larger dealerships often have strict corporate "checks and balances." Payment may take several business days to process and may be mailed or issued after the vehicle is dropped off. Same-day payment is not guaranteed.
Private/Independent Dealers: Smaller or private dealerships may have the flexibility to issue same-day checks or wires, but this varies by dealer.
Seller Acknowledgement: You acknowledge that Bidbus cannot mandate the specific payment speed of the Buyer. You agree to inquire about the specific payment timeline with the winning Dealer when arranging the handover.
5.3 Lienholder Payoffs & Equity Checks. If there is an outstanding lien (loan) on the vehicle:
Authorization: You agree to provide the Dealer with a valid "10-Day Payoff Quote" from your lender or written authorization to speak with your lender immediately upon sale.
Payoff Process: The Dealership will handle the payoff directly with your lender.
Equity Payment Timing: If you have positive equity (the car is worth more than the loan), the Dealer may withhold the check for your equity until they receive the clear title from the DMV. This process is controlled by the speed of your bank and the Dealership’s title clerk, not by Bidbus.
5.4 Vehicle Handover & Standard Drop-Off Radius. We operate in multiple regions (including Northern California, Southern California, and Texas). By listing your vehicle, you agree to the following drop-off expectations:
Standard Drop-Off Radius: You agree to deliver (drop off) the vehicle to the winning Dealership if they are located within a 50-mile driving radius of your listed zip code.
Extended Distance (>50 Miles): If the winning Dealership is located more than 50 miles from your location and you are unable to make the drive, please follow up with our Bidbus scheduling team via text message immediately so we can coordinate a solution to facilitate the sale.
Refusal to Drop Off: Refusing to deliver the vehicle to a Dealership located within the Standard Drop-Off Radius (50 miles) is considered a Voluntary Withdrawal and is subject to the $500 Cancellation Fee.
5.4 Paperwork & DMV Documentation. Bidbus does not facilitate, handle, or process DMV paperwork.
Seller Responsibility: You are responsible for bringing the physical Certificate of Title (if in hand) and a valid ID to the handover. IMPORTANT: The Registered Owner(s) listed on the title MUST be physically present to sign documents.
Dealer Responsibility: The Dealership will provide the necessary Bill of Sale, Odometer Statement, and Release of Liability forms. It is the Dealership's responsibility (as a licensed dealer) to handle the DMV filings and title transfer.
No Bidbus Liability: You acknowledge that Bidbus is not a party to the vehicle transfer documentation and is not liable for errors in the DMV processing or delays in title transfer.
6. GENERAL PROVISIONS
6.1 Indemnification. You agree to hold Bidbus harmless from any claims or damages arising out of your breach of this Agreement, specifically regarding the accuracy of your vehicle description or title status. 6.2 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of California. Any disputes shall be resolved in the courts located in San Bernardino County, California.