Copart can come across as being very big. With 200 locations in the US and 10 other countries and some 200,000 cars listed for auction daily, it can almost seem overwhelming. Anything that big is bound to bring a few questions to mind. So, in this article, we’re going to address some of the most common questions we receive.
Q: How do I get started bidding and winning on Copart?
A: The first step to bidding and buying in Copart’s auctions is to register to be a Copart Member. Registration is completely free and only takes a few minutes. Then you’ll need to choose a Membership level that’s right for you, either Basic or Premier. Then you’ll need to upload a copy of your government-issued ID, and any relevant business licenses. Remember, the Licensing & Documentation requirements to buy a vehicle from a Copart auction are the laws where the car is located. If you don’t have a required license for a vehicle you want to buy, you can make use of a Broker who has the required permits and can help manage the entire process. Once your document shave been reviewed and approved. You are good to go. If you want to bid more, just make a deposit of 10% of the maximum amount you want to bid.
Q: What is Buying Power and how do I increase it?
A: Buying Power is the total amount you can bid on a vehicle based on your Copart Membership type and current deposit on file. Basic Members start with $2,000 USD in Buying Power at the time of registration. For a bid amount above $2,000 USD, a deposit of at least 10% of the bid amount must be made (e.g. a $2,000 bid requires a $200 deposit). Members can also increase their Buying Power by upgrading their account to Premier. Premier Membership requires a one-time deposit and annual fee.
Q: Can I buy or strip parts from a Copart vehicle?
A: Copart does not sell individual parts for vehicles — only whole vehicles as-is. However, many Copart Members find the parts they need for their projects by bidding on vehicles in Copart auctions. Parts cars are a staple of the historic restoration and classic car communities. With more than 200,000 cars listed daily, we probably have the vehicle you’re looking for, or will have it soon.
Q: How do I bid in Copart online auctions?
A: There are three primary methods of bidding and winning in Copart auctions:
- Preliminary Bidding – Once the vehicle is listed on Copart’s website, Copart Members can place preliminary bids (‘pre-bids’) on vehicles at any time up to one hour before the start of the live auction. Pre-bids will be represented during the live auction and could be the winning bid if no other bidder submits a higher bid during either the pre-bid phase or the live auction. If there is a tie between pre-bid and live bid amounts, the virtual (live) bidder prevails as the highest bidder on the item.
- Live Bidding – Bidders can bid live against other Members during a virtual auction. If a Member’s bid is the highest when the circular, dynamic countdown timer stops, the Member wins the sale of the vehicle (pending sale approval from Seller).
- Buy It Now – Members can bypass the virtual auction of certain vehicles labeled Buy It Now. Bids can still be placed on these vehicles, but Members can also purchase them immediately for a predetermined price listed on the vehicle’s Lot Details page.
Q: How do I pay for a vehicle and schedule pickup after I’ve won?
A: Copart has a variety of ways to pay, including wire transfers, debit & credit cards, PayPal and wallet apps like Apple Pay and Google Pay. For the full list with all the details, visit our [Payment Options Page] You can order shipping to your business address or assign vehicles to a transporter right on the payments screen. If you are sending your own transporter, we recommend they download the Copart Transportation App to schedule and manage the pickup completely paperless. You can also schedule a pickup during normal business hours. If you want to pickup the vehicle yourself, please remember the following:
- Schedule pick-up during normal business hours.
- Have ready the Member Number and lot numbers of the vehicle being picked up.
- Loading is first-come, first-served.
- Flatbed trucks are recommended for safe transportation of your vehicles.
- All heavy and medium duty lots are self-load only.
These questions are some of the most commonly asked to our Member Services team. If you have another question not mentioned here, email them at Member.Services@copart.com.
We’ll cover even more frequently asked questions in our next blog.
