Terms & Conditions

Terms & Conditions

By accessing or using AUCTION CENTRAL’s™ services, systems, or technology (“Platform”), you agree to abide by all the terms and conditions set forth in these Terms and Conditions, including those available by hyperlink to other AUCTION CENTRAL’s™ web pages. These provisions include, among other things, payment deadlines, deadlines for delivery of title, listing requirements, and purchase dispute guidelines.

PLEASE READ THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS CAREFULLY BEFORE ACCESSING THE AUCTION CENTRAL™ PLATFORM. BY ACCESSING THE AUCTION CENTRAL™ PLATFORM YOU ARE AGREEING TO THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND REPRESENT THAT YOU HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO ACCEPT THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS ON BEHALF OF THE BUSINESS ASSOCIATED WITH YOUR USER ID AND PASSWORD.

Service Overview

AUCTION CENTRAL™ conducts periodic internet-based remote auction sales, both in real-time and by proxy (collectively “Sales”).  AUCTION CENTRAL™’s Sales offer principally, but not exclusively, transportation-related consigned goods, including automobiles, motorcycles, recreational vehicles, power equipment, vessels, and recreational watercraft (collectively, “Vehicles”). By accessing the Platform you and your “Authorized Representative(s)”, (as defined below) voluntarily agree to these Terms and Conditions. Breach of these Terms and Conditions may result in the assessment of penalties, and/or temporary or permanent suspension of auction privileges.

AUCTION CENTRAL™ is neither the Buyer nor the Seller of the vehicles listed for sale. We simply provide a mechanism to facilitate the exchange of vehicles between licensed vehicle dealerships.  As a licensed dealer, you are expected to satisfy yourself regarding the condition and value of each Vehicle and the terms of sale before bidding. Bids may not be retracted and are final and binding. Although AUCTION CENTRAL™ is not a party to the vehicle sale contract, we are a third-party beneficiary of the contract and are entitled to seek legal remedies for the breaches of these Terms and Conditions. You agree that any legal claims arising out of a transaction will be between you and the other party (either Buyer or Seller) in the transaction and not against AUCTION CENTRAL™ or AUCTION CENTRAL’s™ partners.

Proxy Bidding

Changing a Proxy bid

A proxy bid may only be changed while the vehicle in question is shown in the Run List section on the bidding application. To change your bid you can simply enter a new proxy bid (higher or lower than your original bid). Note that the minimum proxy bid must be equal to or greater than the starting bid price shown on the screen.  Note that you cannot change your proxy bid during a live auction.

Removing a Proxy bid

A proxy bid may only be removed while the vehicle in question is shown in the Run List section on the bidding application. To remove your proxy bid you can simply enter a new proxy bid with a zero dollar ($0) amount.  Note that you cannot remove your proxy bid during a live auction.

Condition Light Indicators

Auction Central’s™ light indicator system is used to notify the potential buyer as to the basic condition of the car. It is the sole responsibility of the buyer to review and understand the condition reports, pictures, disclosures, and other information provided by the seller and Auction Central™. It is Auction Central’s™ foremost goal that each and every buyer has all of the information necessary to accurately determine the condition of the vehicle before making a purchase decision.  For more information about the Condition light indicators please refer to the AUCTION CENTRAL Arbitration Policy.

 
Seller Obligations

Fair Representation

It is the Seller’s obligation to fairly represent its Vehicle and to correct any errors made regarding disclosed conditions. Seller is responsible for the accuracy and completeness regardless of whether Seller has relied on third-party resources (e.g. inspection company, vehicle listing service, electronic data vehicle history report, etc).

Seller Disclosure

In all cases, even if the Seller utilizes AUCTION CENTRAL’s™ condition report service, the Seller maintains sole responsibility for proper disclosure of the following information:

  • Year, Make, Model, and Trim
  • Proper, original, and valid state-issued Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) plate
  • Indication if not originally manufactured for Sale in the United States/Previous Canadian Vehicle
  • Known accident history or previous Damage
  • Known mechanical issues
  • Frame/Structural Issues, Alterations, or Certified Repairs
  • Total loss/Salvage retention
  • Bonded, Insurance and/or Salvage Titles
  • Title/Odometer issues/TMU
  • Frame condition or structural damage
  • Flood damage
  • Lemon Law/Manufacturer’s buyback.
  • Presence of all originally equipped and properly functioning catalytic converters and/or emission control after-treatment devices
  • Theft recovery/Stolen vehicle
  • Grey Market vehicle
  • Vehicle being sold with no title (Bill of Sale only)
  • Voided Factory Warranty
  • Fuel Conversion
  • Non-original engine (excludes items replaced under Manufacturer’s Warranty)
  • Logo or decal misrepresentation
  • Biohazard vehicles (existing and cleaned)
  • Taxis and Livery requiring local or state licenses and law enforcement vehicles
  • Inability to provide title and paperwork necessary to facilitate the transfer of ownership

Online Photographs

Photographs must accurately and fairly represent the condition of the Vehicle. Photographs of damage or other conditions that could materially affect the value of a Vehicle should be included.

Possession

Vehicles must at all times be under the lawful possession, custody, and control of the Seller until the vehicle is sold. Seller or Seller’s agent is required to send all pertinent ownership documents in its custody and control to AUCTION CENTRAL™ as soon as the vehicle is sold.

  •  
Buyer Obligations

The Buyer will not use any Vehicle that is subject to an arbitration Claim.  Other than for test-driving purposes (not to exceed 50 miles) Buyer may lose the right to make or continue a Claim if the Buyer drives Vehicle.  Pending a final decision on the Claim, the Buyer must, at its own expense, take reasonable steps to care for, preserve, secure and store the Vehicle until the arbitration claim is fully resolved.  The Buyer is not entitled to charge any parking, marshaling, or other fees in connection with the preservation of the Vehicle. The Buyer will be charged the cost of damage repair and/or assessed a penalty fee for any breach of this provision.

Chat Feature

When utilizing AUCTION CENTRAL’s chat feature, you may not post or send any content which:

  • Contains expletives or language which could be deemed offensive or is likely to harass, upset,
    embarrass, alarm or annoy any other person;
  • Is obscene, pornographic, or otherwise may offend human dignity;
  • Is abusive, insulting, threatening, or promotes or encourages racism, sexism, hatred, or bigotry;
  • Incorporates the image or likeness of any individual under 18 years of age;
  • Encourages any illegal activity including, without limitation, terrorism, inciting racial hatred, or the
    submission of which in itself constitutes committing a criminal offense;
  • Is defamatory;
  • Relates to commercial activities (including, without limitation, sales, competitions and advertising,
    links to other websites or premium line telephone numbers);
  • Involves the transmission of “junk” mail or “spam”;
  • Contains any spyware, adware, viruses, corrupt files, worm programs, or other malicious code
    designed to interrupt, damage, or limit the functionality of or disrupt any software, hardware,
    telecommunications, networks, servers, or other equipment, Trojan horse, or any other material
    designed to damage, interfere with, wrongly intercept or expropriate any data or personal
    information whether from Chat & Date or otherwise;
  • Itself, or the posting of which, infringes any third party’s rights (including, without limitation,
    intellectual property rights and privacy rights); or
  • Shows another person which was created or distributed without that person’s consent
General Terms

Dealer Eligibility

The Dealer warrants that the Dealer is a licensed retail or wholesale dealer of one or more types of Vehicle(s) and/or a corporation or other legal entity that is otherwise legally eligible to purchase or sell Vehicles at wholesale auto auctions.   Dealer agrees that these Terms and Conditions shall apply to all transactions by which Dealer sells consigned Vehicles as “Seller”, or in which Dealer purchases consigned Vehicles as “Buyer”.  Dealer acknowledges that its participation as Buyer or Seller, or to participate in certain Sales events, may be limited by applicable law, the scope of the Dealer’s license, or other rules of eligibility, as may be determined in AUCTION CENTRAL’s™ sole discretion.

Seller’s Registration

In order to participate in AUCTION CENTRAL’s™ auction as a seller, the Dealer shall complete a Seller’s Registration Agreement (“Registration Agreement”).  This Registration Agreement will contain obligations and responsibilities by Auction Central™ regarding incentives for consigning vehicles on the AUCTION CENTRAL™Platform.  It will outline the Seller’s responsibilities including:

  • Assurance that the Seller has the legal right and associated paperwork necessary to sell a vehicle in the state that the Seller holds a Dealership license.
  • Assurance that consigned vehicles are available for AUCTION CENTRAL™ personnel to conduct a condition report.
  • Disclosure of any known problems, enhancements, or modifications made to the vehicle after the vehicle was manufactured or that would be subject to arbitration as outlined below.

Authorized Representatives/Authorized Users

Dealer authorizes the person(s) designated to conduct business on the AUCTION CENTRAL™ Platform as “Authorized Representative(s)” or “Authorized User(s)” to take or perform the following actions with respect to Vehicles: (a) purchase and/or sell Vehicles on behalf of Dealer including complete and execute papers conveying title, including the endorsement of the certificate of title, odometer statements, bills of sale and other similar documents in connection with the sale of all Vehicles, and/or (b) complete and execute on behalf of Dealer’s checks and/or drafts in connection with the purchase or sale of Vehicles. The authority of the Authorized Representatives shall continue in full force and effect until terminated by Dealer. Attempted oral revocation, alteration, or naming of additional Authorized Representatives shall be of no effect whatsoever. Dealer guarantees, as principal, all transactions made at the Auction by its Authorized Representatives, irrespective of any dispute regarding the actual authority to do the specific transaction.  AUCTION CENTRAL™, at its sole discretion, reserves the right not to do business with any Dealer and/or Authorized Representative.

Sharing of Auction Username/Password

Sharing or lending username and password is strictly prohibited and will be subject to a $5,000 fine and, at Auction Central’s™ sole discretion, the Dealer may be prohibited from future use of AUCTION CENTRAL’s™ Platform. The Dealer is responsible for maintaining the confidentiality and security of its username and password. The Dealer will be liable and responsible for all actions, omissions, failures to act, and/or transactions conducted in Dealer’s name with any username or password issued to Dealer or any of its Authorized Representatives, regardless of whether such action, omission, failure to act, and/or transaction was actually approved or authorized by Dealer.  Please immediately notify AUCTION CENTRAL in writing upon the discovery of any unauthorized use of username and password.

Changes to Terms and Conditions

AUCTION CENTRAL™, at its sole discretion, may amend these Terms and Conditions and other auction rules, Fee SchedulesArbitration Policies, and Warranty Policies (“Auction Policies”) without sending notice to Dealers. The amended Auction Policies will be effective immediately upon posting to the AUCTION CENTRAL’s™ website.  Usage of the platform following such amendment will constitute full acceptance of any such changes.  Notwithstanding the date executed by Dealer, these Terms and Conditions are effective on any transaction that occurs on or after the Effective Date.

Electronic Signature

The Dealer will permit AUCTION CENTRAL™ to capture or otherwise acquire Dealer’s signature in digital or electronic form, and specifically authorizes AUCTION CENTRAL™ to apply the Dealer’s digital or electronic signature to Auction Sale documents.

Auction Central™ as Consignee

AUCTION CENTRAL™ facilitates the exchange of Vehicles between Seller and the Buyer at the Auction. All Vehicles offered for sale at Auction by Seller are deemed consigned and are offered for sale by AUCTION CENTRAL™ on Seller’s behalf. AUCTION CENTRAL, at its sole discretion, reserves the right to refuse to accept or to remove from an Auction any Vehicles to be offered for sale. In any Vehicle purchase transaction, AUCTION CENTRAL™ shall not be deemed or considered the Vehicle’s Seller under any circumstances, except where AUCTION CENTRAL™ has specifically identified itself as Seller on the sale contract. AUCTION CENTRAL™ otherwise is not a party to any sale contract but shall be deemed a third-party beneficiary of such contract, entitled to the parties’ performance, and to seek legal remedies for the parties’ breach.

Vehicle listing and representation:

AUCTION CENTRAL™ inspects vehicles prior to listing them on its platform.  The inspection process results in the creation of a report detailing the condition of the vehicle (“Condition Report”).

Sellers have the ability to review their respective Condition Reports, and attest to the following:

  • They are the owner of these vehicles.
  • The frame condition specified in the structural section of each Condition Report is accurate and complete.
  • Catalytic converters or the originally equipped exhaust after-treatment package are installed and functional or are notated as such in the Condition Report.
  • The model and trim levels represented in the report are accurate.
  • The country of origin (United States, Canadian, Grey Market) indicated in the Condition Reports is correct and accurate. 

If a Seller’s designees have not indicated otherwise in writing, or directly on the auction platform,  prior to the auction date designated by AUCTION CENTRAL™, AUCTION CENTRAL™ is authorized to:

  • Enter affirmative values to the above attestations on the Seller’s behalf. 
  • Indicate that the vehicle has one set of keys.
  • List the vehicle as having a clean title but indicate that the title is absent.

AUCTION CENTRAL™ personnel can accept verbal, email, fax, or SMS expression of the reserve values, and title statuses for each vehicle.  Sellers have the ability to verify these values on the AUCTION CENTRAL™ platform and the Selling dealership is responsible for the values entered.

AUCTION CENTRAL™ can accept verbal, email, fax, or SMS expression from the Seller of bid acceptance, issuing of counter offers, and participation in the in-app chat feature.

The Seller remains solely responsible for the above-mentioned attestations, reserve values, title statuses, bid acceptance, counter offers, and chat entries. Sellers are bound to the conditions set forth in the Dealer Agreement executed between the Dealership and AUCTION CENTRAL. Additionally, the Seller remains solely responsible for the Seller’s Responsibilities as detailed in the AUCTION CENTRAL Arbitration Policy.  In no way are these responsibilities to be assumed by AUCTION CENTRAL or any other party.

Auction Fees

Dealer agrees to pay all service fees and charges of Auction for services rendered by Auction, including but not limited to, penalties for failure to comply with various provisions, or certain convenience features, each as applicable (“ Fees”). AUCTION CENTRAL™, in its sole discretion and at any time, may add, delete, or change some or all of the Fees, as applicable. Such changes will be communicated to the Dealer at least 48 hours before they go into effect.  Also, AUCTION CENTRAL™ reserves the right to and may have arrangements with certain Dealers that result in reduced Fees, the payment of discounts/rebates associated with the sales of Vehicles, and/or marketing assessments in the form of premium buyer fees.  Fees shown in the Auction Central™ Fee Schedule are payable by the Dealer in connection with the transaction as part of the “Total Payment Amount.”

Payment Terms

The Buyer must remit the entire Payment Amount immediately after the sale (“Payment Due Date”) is final.  In the event that the Buyer utilizes an AUCTION CENTRAL™ approved Floor Plan company, payment will be made upon the Floor Plan company’s receipt of the Title and related ownership documents.  Failure to make payment will result in a $1,000 fine and, at AUCTION CENTRAL’s™ sole discretion, the Dealer may be banned from future use of AUCTION CENTRAL’s™ Platform.  AUCTION CENTRAL™ will remit payment to the Seller upon receipt of payment from the Buyer.

Right to Cancel

AUCTION CENTRAL™ reserves the right to void, unwind, adjust, or cancel any transaction at its sole discretion.

Reasonable Circumstances

AUCTION CENTRAL™ reserves the right to interpret, waive or vary any provision of these Policies if, in its sole discretion, AUCTION CENTRAL™ considers it fair and reasonable to do so in the circumstances.

Cancellation of Sale

If the sale is canceled due to Seller’s failure of disclosure or can not provide the actual vehicle, title, lien release, or other associated documents necessary to consummate the sale in accordance with the Buyer’s local DMV requirements, Seller will re-pay to Buyer the full purchase price, all Buyer fees, plus any other amount AUCTION CENTRAL™, in its discretion, determines to be fair and reasonable compensation to Buyer. Auction reserves the right to assess additional fees against Seller or Buyer that AUCTION CENTRAL™, in its discretion, determines to be fair and reasonable in the circumstances.

If the Seller does not make a sold vehicle available for pickup within three (3) days of the sale, AUCTION CENTRAL™, at its discretion, can cancel the sale and asses the Seller with a $500 cancellation fee.

Right to Deny

AUCTION CENTRAL™ reserves the right to deny or limit arbitration rights if the Vehicle has been transported to a country different than the country of the Grounding Location.

Electronic Signatures

You will permit AUCTION CENTRAL™ to capture your signature in electronic or digital form. You hereby authorize AUCTION CENTRAL™ and its partners to apply your electronic signature to documents necessary or incidental to your use of AUCTION CENTRAL’s™ services, including, without limitation bills of sale, odometer disclosure statements, invoices, acknowledgments, approvals, and other documents. You agree that your electronic signature is intended to authenticate the document to which it is applied and shall have the same force and effect as a manual signature.

Warranties Regarding Title

Seller warrants, represents, and guarantees possession and conveyance of a certificate of title, properly executed, valid in the state where the transaction is occurring and clear of all liens and encumbrances (except current year DMV fees in California), and Seller warrants and will defend the title against the claims and demands of all person whatsoever.   Buyer further acknowledges that with respect to purchased Vehicles, AUCTION CENTRAL™ has assumed no responsibility to investigate Seller’s title or to otherwise identify defects in Seller’s title or title documents, and makes no warranty whatsoever regarding title or title documents.

Right Not To List A Vehicle

AUCTION CENTRAL™ reserves the right to refuse to list/sell any Vehicle on which the Vehicle identification number plate appears marred or in any way altered or any Vehicle not originally manufactured for sale in the United States (European or Canadian conversions).   Those vehicles having a reassigned VIN plate by the State in place of the original VIN plate must be announced or will be subject to sale cancellation or Buyer return.

No Warranties by Auction Central™

AUCTION CENTRAL™ is not responsible for, nor does it represent or warrant (a) the accuracy of odometer mileage, (b) the information contained in the odometer mileage statement, (c) warranties of title, merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose, (d) license plates, (e) Vehicle service or maintenance history, (f) information contained in Vehicle history reports, (g) Vehicle condition, (h) year the Vehicle was manufactured, (i) the accuracy of any market information, (j) mileage and other information printed on the windows, (k) the description of the Vehicle, (l) equipment and options for the Vehicle, (m) availability or validity of factory warranty, (n) fitness of Vehicle for export, and (o) any and all representations and warranties made by or on behalf of the Seller.  Dealer is responsible to disclose, announce all information relative to a Vehicle’s condition prior to making a listing or sale.

Delivery of Vehicle and Title

The Buyer is liable for all expenditures, mileage, wear, damage, and all other losses to a Vehicle after it is purchased. AUCTION CENTRAL™ is not liable for any expense whatsoever incurred by the Buyer in the event title is not delivered. Dealer assumes all risk of loss related to or arising from titles or related documents lost,  destroyed, or erroneously completed by the governmental agency processing a title, or any title lost in transit, whether sent by postal service or other couriers. If the Vehicle is to be exported, the Buyer is responsible for verifying that the Vehicle satisfies all export requirements of the originating country and all import requirements of the destination country. AUCTION CENTRAL™ is not the importer or exporter and is not responsible for supplying export or import documentation. In the event a Vehicle does not meet export requirements, the Buyer is responsible for all auction fees and any loss incurred on the resale of the Vehicle.

Routed Export Transactions

Any and all vehicle purchases that become export transactions shall be  “routed export transactions” under section 30.3(e) of the Foreign Trade Regulations (15 C.F.R. § 30.3(e)), in which the Buyer is acting as the Foreign Principal Party in Interest (“FPPI“).  As the FPPI, the Buyer will authorize a U.S. forwarding agent to facilitate the export of such vehicles from the United States and prepare and file any required Electronic Export Information (“EEI”).

  • The Buyer or its forwarding agent shall provide AUCTION CENTRAL™ with a copy of this authorization if requested by AUCTION CENTRAL™ pursuant to section 30.3(e)(2) (15 C.F.R. § 30.3(e)(2)).
  • FPPI agrees that neither AUCTION CENTRAL™ nor the Seller will be the exporter under the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”) in such routed export transactions.
  • The FPPI also acknowledges that vehicles purchased through AUCTION CENTRAL’s™ Platform could, potentially, be subject to export licensing requirements.
  • The FPPI agrees to undertake, with respect to vehicles purchased through the AUCTION CENTRAL’s™ Platform, the following responsibilities:  (1) to determine any applicable export license requirements; (2) to obtain any required export license and/or any other required export authorization; (3) to carry out any customs formalities for the export of the vehicles; and (4) to authorize the U.S. Forwarding Agent, who will be the exporter for EAR purposes, to act on behalf of the FPPI in connection with the exportation of such vehicles and to prepare and file the EEI and any required export license applications.

Claim Indemnity

Dealer shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless AUCTION CENTRAL™, its parent company, subsidiaries, affiliates, directors, officers, agents, employees, representatives, and as necessary, other Dealers, from and against any liability, loss, damage, cost, expense, claim, suit or demand, including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees and other legal costs, resulting from, arising out of or connected, directly or indirectly, with any claim of breach of warranty or by a breach by Dealer of any of these Terms and Conditions, including, but not limited to, all claims, allegations, and demands whatsoever challenging the validity of Seller’s title or title documents. Dealer shall further indemnify, defend and hold harmless AUCTION CENTRAL, its parent company, subsidiaries, affiliates, directors, officers, agents, employees, representatives, and as necessary, other Dealers, from and against any liability, loss, damage, cost, expense, death, injury, theft, conversion, claim, suit or demand, including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees and other legal costs, resulting from, arising out of or connected, directly or indirectly, with the purchase and use of any vehicles, transportation of any vehicles from the Seller to the Buyer and vice versa. Moreover, the risk of loss for a vehicle remains with the Seller until the transportation company picks up the vehicle, at which point the risk of loss for the vehicle is transferred to the Buyer.

Records/Compliance with Laws

The dealer will maintain complete and accurate records concerning all aspects of any Transaction.  All business practices, acts, and operations of Dealer in connection with the Auction will be in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.

Representations Regarding Taxes

Dealer certifies that it holds the appropriate documentation issued by the sales tax authority of the state or province, or locality of its business, if necessary, which exempts Dealer from the payment of sales tax. In the event that the property is used for any purpose other than for resale, the Dealer will pay directly to the proper taxing authorities such sale or use tax as may then accrue and be due and payable.

Transfer of Legal Ownership from Seller

Notwithstanding any language in these Terms and Conditions and subject to Seller’s obligations with respect to any arbitrated Vehicle, both parties have entered into an irrevocable contract of sale of a vehicle at the conclusion of the Auction sale, and Seller relinquishes legal ownership of the Vehicle at the earlier of Buyer taking possession of the Vehicle, regardless of whether title documents are provided to Buyer at that time.

Outside of Auction Sales

If Dealer has consigned a Vehicle for sale at the Auction and it sells outside of AUCTION CENTRAL™, it is Dealer’s sole responsibility to notify Auction promptly of the Vehicle’s prior sale and to request that the Vehicle be pulled from any Auction sale and online listing.  If Seller fails to timely notify the Auction, resulting in the Vehicle’s sale by AUCTION CENTRAL™ (a “Double Sale”), Seller shall be solely responsible for a Double Sale fee of $250 that will be passed along to the Buyer in the form of a credit on future auction fees.  Note that this fee, and any obligations to the buyer, are only in effect if the Double Sale occurs while the vehicle is live on the AUCTION CENTRAL™ platform.  Vehicles listed in the Ended Auction, Make an Offer, or any other post-sale section of the platform are not eligible for compensation.

Price Boosting

Price boosting (aka “shilling”), or any other activity in which a Dealer on its own or in concert with others attempts to artificially inflate or decrease the selling price of a Vehicle, is strictly prohibited. Neither Dealer nor any of its Authorized Users, or agents may directly or indirectly bid on any Vehicles consigned by  Dealer to the Auction for the purposes of attempting to increase the sale price.  “Self-dealing” at the auction is also strictly prohibited.  For purpose of this Agreement, “self-dealing” means activities by any person or entity selling or purchasing at auction in which both the seller and buyer are the same or substantially-related entities, and/or share Authorized Representatives or principals, where the Auction determines in its sole discretion that the intent and/or the result of such dealing is artificial manipulation of the auction process to create an unfair advantage or disadvantage or to impose undue risk upon the AUCTION CENTRAL™ or others. Notwithstanding the prohibitions set forth in this section, Dealer understands that such activity by others is beyond the control of the Auction, and the Auction assumes no duty to prevent or discover such activity and is not responsible to the Buyer or Seller for such activity by third parties.  In the event Dealer and/or its representatives are found to be engaged in such activities, AUCTION CENTRAL™, in its sole discretion, may suspend or permanently revoke Dealer’s purchasing/selling privileges in the Auction regardless of whether Dealer benefited from such activities.

Valuation Guides

Any and all materials contained in the AUCTION CENTRAL’s™ valuation guides are provided to the Dealer and buyer as a courtesy for informational purposes only and are not intended to convey a warranty of any kind, express or implied, including the warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.  Clerical errors by the Auction in such market guides shall not form the basis of any price adjustment or rescission of any sale unless the error is material, and subject to all other applicable arbitration guidelines.  A clerical error, even if material, will not permit Buyer’s arbitration or rescission on a vehicle sold “As Is”, unless the error resulted in the exclusion or incorrect disclosure of information otherwise required to be made under the Auction Central™ Arbitration Policies, and then only if brought to Auction’s attention during the applicable arbitration period.  Buyer acknowledges that any statement in a market guide or condition report prepared by Auction or any third-party describing the mechanical, structural, or cosmetic condition of any vehicle as “fair”, “rough”, “average”, or similar description shall be deemed a matter of subjective opinion, offered as a guideline only, and not as an objective statement of fact.

Fee Credits

Any Fee Credits issued by AUCTION CENTRAL will have an automatic expiration date of 180 days after the date that the credits were issued.  Any unused credits, or portions of credits, that are unused after 180 days of being issued will be forfeited.

Data

You agree that all information and records, whether oral, written, visual, electronic, digital, or tangible transmitted, received, or stored on the AUCTION CENTRAL™ Platform or using the systems, equipment, computers, servers, or premises of AUCTION CENTRAL™ or any AUCTION CENTRAL™ Partner, including without limitation, vehicle condition reports, photographic images and videos (collectively “Data”) is the property of AUCTION CENTRAL™ and/or AUCTION CENTRAL™ Partners. You represent and warrant that you own all rights, title, and interest in Data contained in the condition reports prepared by AUCTION CENTRAL™ associated with the Vehicle you own along with information which you upload to the AUCTION CENTRAL™ Platform, and you assign to AUCTION CENTRAL™ all such right, title, and interest including, without limitation, all related copyright, moral right, and other intellectual property rights. You agree that such intellectual property rights include our right to receive, use, disseminate, control access to, aggregate, modify, package, derive benefit from, remove, destroy or sell Data in whole or in part. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Data that contains personally identifiable information will only be used and disclosed in accordance with Auction Central’s™ Privacy Policy.

Ownership

You acknowledge and agree that the AUCTION CENTRAL™ Platform, related services, Data and Web Information (as defined herein), including all copyright and rights to patent, industrial design, and trademark protection, trade secrets, and all other intellectual property rights (collectively, the “AUCTION CENTRAL™ IP”) are owned by AUCTION CENTRAL™ or its licensors and are protected by the United States and international intellectual property laws and treaties. Subject to the limited rights of access expressly granted hereunder, AUCTION CENTRAL™ reserves all rights, title, and interest in and to the AUCTION CENTRAL™ IP. No rights are granted to you other than the limited rights expressly set forth in these Terms and Conditions. You acknowledge and agree that you do not own, and shall not acquire, any right, title, or interest in the AUCTION CENTRAL™ IP and that, if necessary, you agree to perform any acts that may be reasonably necessary to transfer or confirm ownership of any right, title, and interest in or to the AUCTION CENTRAL™ IP.

Licenses

It is your responsibility to acquire, provide and maintain at your own expense licenses for all other software, hardware, equipment, connections, facilities, services, and other supplies necessary for you to access and use the AUCTION CENTRAL Platform and related services.

Governing Law, Jurisdiction, and Venue

These Terms and Conditions, and any and all agreements or authorizations executed by Dealer, Authorized Representative, or AUCTION CENTRAL™ in connection herewith shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the substantive laws of the State of New York without resort to principles of conflicts of laws. By execution of these Terms and Conditions, Dealer submits to the personal exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York and to venue in the Circuit and Superior Courts of Albany County, New York and the federal courts of the United States, sitting in New York for the adjudication of any matters arising under or in connection with these Terms and Conditions and Auction Rules.  Any action initiated by Dealer against AUCTION CENTRAL™ relating to these Terms and Conditions shall be filed and conducted in said Courts. AUCTION CENTRAL™ may bring any suit against Dealer under or related to these Terms and Conditions in any Court of competent jurisdiction.

Conducting Business

AUCTION CENTRAL™ may rely and act upon any purported signature whether oral, written, or electronic and other communication in connection with the Auction purportedly sent by Dealer and/or any Authorized User or person purporting to be an agent or employee of Dealer, and has no obligation to scrutinize, inquire, or confirm any signature or communication with Dealer, any Authorized User or other person purporting to be an agent or employee of Dealer.

AUCTION CENTRAL™ may conduct business with Dealer through the (nonexclusive) use of electronic, computer, digital, or other paperless means, including the good faith reliance on electronic mail, facsimile transmittal, telephonic, or other usual and regular forms of communication without confirmation or authentication of the communication by receipt of an original signature, document, paper or otherwise.

AUCTION CENTRAL™ is a private business and reserves the right to cease doing business with the Dealer, at any time, at its sole discretion. The Dealer has no right, remedy, or cause of action for same. Dealer also acknowledges and agrees that there are numerous sources, other than Auction Central™, to acquire and sell used motor vehicles and related services.

Arbitration and Warranties

Arbitration is governed by the policies and procedures stated on the AUCTION CENTRAL™ website at the following URL (“Auction Central™ Arbitration Policy”) to resolve disputes between Buyers and Sellers. Vehicles eligible for warranty coverage will be subject to the terms and conditions stated on the AUCTION CENTRAL™ website at the following URL “Auction Central™ Warranty Policy”.  By executing this Agreement, the Dealer acknowledges and consents to the terms set forth in both the Arbitration Policies and the Warranty Policies.

Returns

If, as a result of the arbitration process, AUCTION CENTRAL™ determines that the sale is canceled, Buyer and Seller will follow the instructions provided by the AUCTION CENTRAL™ regarding arrangements for pick-up and delivery of the Vehicle.  Seller will be responsible for all Vehicle return transportation costs and, if so determined by AUCTION CENTRAL™, Buyer’s transportation costs. The risk of loss of the Vehicle remains with Buyer until the Vehicle is delivered to Seller or to Seller’s carrier or other agents.  The Buyer is responsible for ensuring that at the time of delivery to the Seller, the Vehicle is in the same or better condition as when it was sold.

Transportation

Authorization to Arrange Transportation

By selecting “Auction-Arranged Transportation” for a specific Vehicle, the Buyer authorizes and directs AUCTION CENTRAL™ to arrange the transportation of such Vehicle on the Buyer’s behalf with a third-party transportation company. The Buyer acknowledges that transportation will not be arranged until Buyer has paid the Total Payment Amount, including all fees, including transportation fees to AUCTION CENTRAL™.

Risk of Loss

Risk of loss for a Vehicle remains with the Seller until the transportation company, arranged on Buyer’s behalf or by AUCTION CENTRAL ™ as a convenience to Buyer, picks up the Vehicle from the grounding location (the “Dealer’s Car Lot”), at which point the risk of loss for the Vehicle is transferred to the Buyer.

Transportation Damage Claim Initiation

The Buyer is fully responsible for any damages and may initiate a claim for transportation damage on a Vehicle transported with the third party Transportation Company.

Transportation Discounts

Transportation discounts presented on the AUCTION CENTRAL ™ platform are provided by our transportation partners as a benefit to our Buyers. Discount eligibility is determined exclusively by our transportation partners, not by AUCTION CENTRAL ™. During the purchase process, displayed discounts are marked as “eligible,” indicating that they are dependent on the actual executed transportation of multiple vehicles.  It is important for buyers to understand that discounts are subject to change based on the pickup locations and the number of vehicles shipped.  There are several situations that can result in transportation discounts being revoked.  These situations include, but are not limited to, the cancellation of a transport order, the unwinding of a purchase, or by vehicles that are unavailable when the transporter arrives for pickup.  Buyers are solely responsible for familiarizing themselves with the discount process and determining whether the displayed eligible discounts will be applied to the respective vehicles.

 

Indemnification

Buyer agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the AUCTION CENTRAL™, its subsidiaries, and other affiliates, and each of their officers, employees, and agents from any and all claims, expenses, losses and costs associated with any personal injury, property damage or delay, that may occur and that relates in any way to the transportation of the Vehicle from the Dealer’s Car Lot to the designated location by Buyer.

Multi-vehicle Discounts

In the event that AUCTION CENTRAL™ arranges to transport multiple vehicles for a given Buyer (“Packaged vehicles”) and that effort results in a transportation discount, AUCTION CENTRAL™ will pass the discount along to the Buyer.  If, for any reason, one or more of the Packaged vehicles are subsequently dropped from the Package, new transportation rates may be calculated and will be assigned to the buyer.

Miscellaneous

No waiver of the provisions hereof shall be effective unless in writing and signed by AUCTION CENTRAL™. If any term or section of these  Terms and  Conditions is held invalid or unenforceable,  under any statute or court decision,  or any governmental rule or regulation, the remainder of these Terms and Conditions shall remain effective.   These Terms and Conditions shall bind the respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and assigns of Dealer and inure to the benefit of AUCTION CENTRAL™ and its successors, assigns, and subrogees.

Change Log

Change Log

6/1/2021: Outside of Auction Sales: The Double Sale Fee was changed from $500 to $250.

11/30/2021: Payment Terms: Included language to address payment process required by Floor Plan companies.

9/30/2022: Cancellation of Sale: If the Seller does not make a sold vehicle available for pickup within three (3) days of the sale, AUCTION CENTRAL™, at its discretion, can cancel the sale and asses the Seller with a $500 cancellation fee.

1/17/2023: Chat Feature: In preparation of the upcoming release of our inter-dealer chat feature, we have published the terms and conditions of it’s use.

1/17/2023: Fee Credits:  Any Fee Credits issued by AUCTION CENTRAL will have an automatic expiration date of 180 days after the date that the credits were issued.  Any unused credits, or portions of credits, that are unused after 180 days of being issued will be forfeited.

5/17/2023: Multi-vehicle Discounts: In the event that AUCTION CENTRAL™ arranges to transport multiple vehicles for a given Buyer (“Packaged vehicles”) and that effort results in a transportation discount, AUCTION CENTRAL™ will pass the discount along to the Buyer.  If, for any reason, one or more of the Packaged vehicles are subsequently dropped from the Package, new transportation rates may be calculated and will be assigned to the buyer.

6/19/2023: Transportation Discounts:  Transportation discounts presented on the AUCTION CENTRAL ™ platform are provided by our transportation partners as a benefit to our Buyers. Discount eligibility is determined exclusively by our transportation partners, not by AUCTION CENTRAL ™. During the purchase process, displayed discounts are marked as “eligible,” indicating that they are dependent on the actual executed transportation of multiple vehicles.  It is important for buyers to understand that discounts are subject to change based on the pickup locations and the number of vehicles shipped.  There are several situations that can result in transportation discounts being revoked.  These situations include, but are not limited to, the cancellation of a transport order, the unwinding of a purchase, or by vehicles that are unavailable when the transporter arrives for pickup.  Buyers are solely responsible for familiarizing themselves with the discount process and determining whether the displayed eligible discounts will be applied to the respective vehicles.

It is the Seller’s obligation to fairly represent its Vehicle and to correct any errors made regarding disclosed conditions. Seller is responsible for the accuracy and completeness regardless of whether Seller has relied on third-party resources (e.g. inspection company, vehicle listing service, electronic data vehicle history report, etc).

7/26/2023: Seller Disclosure

In all cases, even if the Seller utilizes AUCTION CENTRAL’s™ condition report service, the Seller maintains sole responsibility for proper disclosure of the following information:

  • Year, Make, Model, and Trim
  • Proper, original, and valid Vehicle Identification Number plate
  • Indication if not originally manufactured for sale in the United States
  • Known accident history or previous damage
  • Known mechanical issues
  • Undisclosed frame or structural issues
  • Undisclosed title/odometer issues
  • Frame condition or structural damage
  • Presence of all originally equipped and properly functioning catalytic converters and/or emission control after-treatment devices
  • Inability to provide title and paperwork necessary to facilitate the transfer of ownership

2/13/2024

Added to seller disclosure section: 

In all cases, even if the Seller utilizes AUCTION CENTRAL’s™ condition report service, the Seller maintains sole responsibility for proper disclosure of the following information:

  • Year, Make, Model, and Trim
  • Proper, original, and valid state-issued Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) plate
  • Indication if not originally manufactured for Sale in the United States/Previous Canadian Vehicle
  • Known accident history or previous Damage
  • Known mechanical issues
  • Frame/Structural Issues, Alterations, or Certified Repairs
  • Total loss/Salvage retention
  • Bonded, Insurance and/or Salvage Titles
  • Title/Odometer issues/TMU
  • Frame condition or structural damage
  • Flood damage
  • Lemon Law/Manufacturer’s buyback.
  • Presence of all originally equipped and properly functioning catalytic converters and/or emission control after-treatment devices
  • Theft recovery/Stolen vehicle
  • Grey Market vehicle
  • Vehicle being sold with no title (Bill of Sale only)
  • Voided Factory Warranty
  • Fuel Conversion
  • Non-original engine (excludes items replaced under Manufacturer’s Warranty)
  • Logo or decal misrepresentation
  • Biohazard vehicles (existing and cleaned)
  • Taxis and Livery requiring local or state licenses and law enforcement vehicles
  • Inability to provide title and paperwork necessary to facilitate the transfer of ownership