Auto Auction Buy and Sell Fees | Auto Auction Light System | Auto Transportation | Auto Inspections | Flooring Companies | Arbitration | Pros and Cons of Buying at BVAA | Pricing | Condition Report
Have you ever ordered a pizza? After you place your order, you are given the total cost, plus any additional fees such as extra toppings or delivery. Buyer and Seller fees are a lot like paying for a pizza. Some fees are required (total cost), some are optional (extra toppings), and some depend on the situation (pickup or delivery).
Although Big Valley Auto Auction doesn’t sell pizza, since 2008 we’ve offered services that benefit our buyers and sellers. However, like all good things, they come with a cost.
Fees are unavoidable, but we’re here to break down every required, optional, and situational Big Valley Auto Auction fee. After reading this article, you’ll have the information you need to know before buying or selling at Big Valley Auto Auction.
Big Valley Auto Auction Buyer Fees
There are 7 fees you may face when buying from Big Valley Auto Auction:
1. Buy Fee (Required)
The buyer fee is unavoidable when buying at an auto auction. This fee is based on the overall price of the vehicle. The higher the price, the higher the fee.
2. Late Fee (Situational)
The late fee depends on policy guidelines. If you purchase a vehicle in-lane and don’t pay the total cost by 5:00 PM on auction day, you will be charged $150.00.
If negotiated, the buyer has until 12:00 PM on Friday. (Payment arrangements can be made at the front counter)
3. Post Sale Inspection Fee (Optional)
Covers mechanical, structural, and cosmetic inspection. However, this depends on the light color a vehicle is purchased under.
A green light vehicle that is 10 years or newer, with less than 100,000 miles qualifies for a full Post Sale Inspection. This will cost $115.00 per vehicle.
A yellow light vehicle that is 10 years or newer, with less than 100,000 miles, qualifies for a Limited Inspection (Drivetrain only), which costs $115.00 per vehicle.
A red light vehicle only qualifies for a frame check, but the purchase price must be $3,000 or higher. This will cost $95.00 per vehicle.
If you purchase a Post-Sale Inspection, you will have 7 days to arbitrate any issues with the vehicle, for a valid arbitration over $800. (See Arbitration chart below)
4. Diagnosis Fee (Optional)
This fee is applied when you purchase our Diagnosis service, which scans your vehicle for any problems with the engine, transmission, oil tank, and other parts. (This is like a doctor’s check-up for your vehicle). You will be charged $75.00 an hour, with a minimum of 1 hour.
5. Mechanical Work Fee (Optional)
For $50.00 an hour, this service will help get your vehicle ready to drive off the lot.
The following services fall under mechanical work:
- Frame Check: $115.00
- Arbitration Fee: $115.00
- EV (Electical Vehicle) Charge: $50.00
- Certification Fee: $140.00
- Condition Report Fee: $25.00
- Mechanical Hourly Fee (Gas Vehicle): $75.00
- Mechanical Hourly Fee (Diesel Vehicle): $125.00
6. Flooring Fee (Situational)
This only occurs when a Flooring company is used to purchase vehicles. If your flooring company qualifies, it will cost $30.00 per vehicle. (There is no Flooring fee if you pay with cash, check, or wire transfer.)
7. Non-Sufficient Funds (NSF) Fee (Situational)
If you pay with a check and there isn’t enough money in your checking account, you will be charged a fee of $150.00
This fee must be paid as soon as possible, because having an NSF Fee on file will prevent you from attending or buying at an auction, until it’s removed.
However, it might be hard to pay this fee if you don’t have any money in your account, either due to overbidding or not having enough money to begin with. Double checking your budget and bank account will be smart to do before attending an auto auction.
Big Valley Auto Auction Seller Fees
There are 5 fees you may face when selling at Big Valley Auto Auction.
1. Sale Fee (Required)
This is based on the vehicle amount. As the purchase price increases, the sale fee will increase in increments of $10.00 to $20.00, per thousand dollar sale price.
Below is a chart that shows how the sale fees rise in increments of $10.00 to $20.00 as the cost of the vehicle increases.
2. Rerun and Storage Fees (Situational)
Once the vehicle has run 3 times at the auction, you will be charged a rerun fee of $75.00 for every week after. If the vehicle is not picked up by the 4th week, you will be charged a Storage fee of $5.00 per day.
For example, if your vehicle ran for the 3rd time on April 18th and is still on the lot on April 25th, you’ll be charged the storage fee of $5.00 per day, after the 25th.
3. Pre-Certification Fee (Optional)
This only applies when you purchase a Pre-Certification Inspection, which costs $115.00 per vehicle. This will determine a vehicle’s mechanical condition by inspecting the engine, transmission, structural integrity, and more.
4. Mechanical Work Fee (Optional)
We offer mechanical services for $50.00 per hour.
The following services fall under mechanical work:
- Frame Check: $115.00
- Arbitration Fee: $115.00
- EV (Electical Vehicle) Charge: $50.00
- Certification Fee: $140.00
- Condition Report Fee: $25.00
- Mechanical Hourly Fee (Gas Vehicle): $75.00
- Mechanical Hourly Fee (Diesel Vehicle): $125.00
5. Condition Report Fee (Optional)
A condition report is $25.00 and provides a visual and cosmetic inspection of the vehicle, AutoGrade, and SpinCar 360 walkaround photos of the interior and exterior. This helps online buyers view photos and the vehicle information and condition before auction day.
What Forms of Payment Does Big Valley Auto Auction Accept?
Big Valley Auto Auction accepts 4 forms of payment:
- Cash (Cash payments are deposited immediately)
- Cashier’s Check
- Business Check
- A line of credit offered by a Flooring company.
Business checks are held until a valid, transferable title is received. When purchasing multiple vehicles, it is advised that you submit a check for each purchase. If you provide one large check, the entire check amount will be deposited when the first title is received by the auction.
Personal checks are not accepted.
What Flooring Companies Does Big Valley Auto Auction Accept?
Big Valley Auto Auction accepts 10 different flooring companies:
- AXLE Funding (formerly Auction Credit)
If the flooring company you work with is not listed, you can still work with Big Valley. The buyer has the right to send in a company check, cashier’s check, submit an ACH wire transaction, or use a different flooring company.
Some flooring companies pay for the vehicle at the time of purchase while others wait until the title is received by the auction. Be sure to check with your flooring company to clarify policies. Once the payment process has been completed, you’re ready to take your new purchase to its new home.
Is Big Valley Auto Auction Right For Me?
Just like pizza prices vary depending on your order, the same goes for auto auction fees. Getting hit with unexpected fees isn’t a good thing, especially when you’re new to purchasing from an auto auction. However, knowing which fees apply to your situation and how much they cost can keep you aware of what you’re being charged for and how it may factor in future auctions.
Whether this is your first time attending Big Valley Auto Auction or you just need a reminder, knowing these fees will help you enter our auto auction better prepared, and make the finalization process simpler.
If you've decided that Big Valley Auto Auction is the best choice for you, click the button below to speak with our dealer registration specialist to get you registered.
Not ready to talk? That’s okay! First, learn more about what it’s like to buy and sell at Big Valley Auto Auction by clicking the image below:
