Copart

Had my first experience with Copart this month (August 2014). Expected an eBay type of auction experience but thoroughly disappointed. On eBay they only charge the seller of the car a fee (final value fee)…but Copart has decided to be greedy and charge the buyer of the vehicle exorbitant fee’s. First there is a member fee (fee depends on price of the vehicle, the more the vehicle cost the higher the membership fee), my car cost between $ 2000 and $ 3000 so my fee is between $ 325 and $ 415, then there is an internet bid fee of $ 69 then there is a $ 30 fee for use of Copart’s equipment when the vehicle is picked up… get the picture? Fee’s, fee’s and more fee’s charged to the buyer!
Oh and lets not forget if the vehicle is not paid for within 3 business days there is a $ 50 late fee and if no pickup within 10 days a $ 400 fee to re-​list the vehicle for sale to someone else. The other problem with the Copart auctions is that they limit the amount of options you have when paying for the vehicle… have to register your visa or mastercard debit/​credit card through a third party site to authenticate it and then not every bank participates in this program… if your bank does not participate then you are not allowed to link that debit/​credit card to your Copart account. Then lets discuss the pay in person at a Copart facility rules… most of their locations can only accept $ 400 in cash and the rest has to be by money order.
So a vehicle that should have only cost me $ 2350 is now going to cost me over $ 2700 when the fee’s are added on!
Will I ever purchase a vehicle from Copart again? No, the next time I will just get the car from eBay…

I just sold my junked van. They gave more than anyone else would and they picked it up. The whole process took less than an 30 minutes of my time and they picked up right on schedule. If you have a junker sitting around this is an easy way to get some cash for it fast.

I bought a way overpriced 1998 new beetle that had a burned out interior. After realizing my mistake I tried to resell the vehicle where it stood (to save expenses on towing the vehicle out of their yard.) After talking to the manager of the facility they refused to let me resell the car even at a loss in their yard. They said the only way they could resell the vehicle for me was if I repaired the vehicle, had it reinspected & the title was in my name. I feel that this was very unreasonable especially after paying $ 600.00 for a première membership. Watch out for these people…

My truck was totalled, so the other drivers insurance contracted this company to come pick up my truck and store it for them, or auction it off, or whatever it is they do with it.
I’ve been waiting for the check to pay for my truck, and the insurance company is lagging.
These people call me every day and leave rude, bitchy tone messages on my phone. Totally uncool.
I’m already in a frustrating position as it is, I really don’t feel like dealing with their crap on top of it.
Very unprofessional.

This company holds auctions all over the world for vehicles. They are best known for insurance salvage vehicles. They also get clear title vehicles and even some clean classic cars. You must be a licensed dealer or get one to broker the deal for you. They charge a $ 25 one time membership fee and require a deposit to bid.
I have yet to buy a vehicle from this company, but I have been trying for months. Everytime I am the high bidder on one of their auctions I get a counter offer from the owner of the lot. Its always a price that is over retail value. I am a licensed dealer and I need to buy my vehicles at a price that leaves me some profit. This is really frustrating since I am used to auctions that have no reserve, or fair reserves. I have seen other vehicles that I feel were bid to retail or higher value that did not sell. My theory is that the owners are greedy and there is some shill bidding going on. The idea of bidding on a vehicle at Copart is that I am taking a risk since I cannot start or drive the vehicle. There are also no detailed descriptions of the vehicles. Unlike e-​bay, I cannot email the owner of the vehicle.
My suggestions to Copart would be to stop spending all that money on Nascar promotion. Go to an Ebay style auction and make it worthwhile for consigners to place their vehicles in a no reserve auction. Provide a space for the consigners to write about the vehicle they are selling. Other auctions list back fees owed to the California DMV on the vehicle and this information is critical when deciding what to bid on the vehicle. Often back fees can be more than the vehicle is worth.