Buyer field guide · vehicle auctions
Know the road before you bid.
A practical walk-through of the RestorationEssentials auction journey — from registration and research to payment, inspection, and the steps after a win.
Before the lot closes
Register before bidding.
Create an account or sign in, choose a bidder handle when the flow asks for one, complete identity verification, and add a payment method before you plan to bid.
Identity review
Verification is operator-reviewed and may take up to one business day. Submit it early enough for the review to finish before the auction you want.
Bid rail requirements
Identity verification and a payment method must both be complete before the bid rail unlocks. They can be completed independently; neither replaces the other.
Research, then act
Review the lot and place a bid.
Read the lot page closely before choosing an amount. Check the seller identity, condition report and photos, current bid, buyer fee, total due, closing timer, and the anti-snipe behavior shown for that auction.
Manual or max/proxy
A manual bid is the amount you submit now. A max or proxy bid lets the system place incremental bids for you up to the ceiling you set. Neither promises that you will win.
Read the commitment
A bid — including a max/proxy bid — is intended as a binding purchase commitment if you win. Check the amount due and your ability to pay before submitting.
If your bid is accepted
Understand the payment step.
A winning settlement is computed on the server from the final accepted bid plus the current buyer fee. The current standard buyer fee is 5%, capped at $5,000. If the lot page shows a current waiver or different active amount, follow that displayed amount.
Your investigation
Know the inspection boundary.
Seller photos, descriptions, and condition reports are inputs for your investigation. They are not a RestorationEssentials inspection, warranty, appraisal, title review, or mechanical or safety guarantee.
Verify the vehicle
Arrange an independent inspection or video review when appropriate. Verify the VIN, title and liens, mileage, provenance, authenticity, and mechanical and safety condition.
Plan the handoff
Investigate shipping, pickup, storage, and insurance for the actual vehicle and your location before bidding, not after the auction closes.
The winning bidder’s responsibility
If you win, complete the displayed workflow.
Complete the hosted checkout and follow the inspection and dispute workflow displayed for your lot. A winning bid is a purchase commitment under the current Auction Policy, so keep the lot page and checkout instructions close at hand.
Know the parties
The vehicle transaction is between the buyer and seller. RestorationEssentials hosts and operates the workflow; it is not the seller, inspector, mechanic, title agent, shipper, or appraiser.
Do not assume a cancellation right, refund window, chargeback result, or guaranteed dispute-resolution timeline beyond what the current policy and lot workflow actually display.
Once checkout is complete
After payment, work from the lot’s clock.
The current workflow provides a 24-hour shipping and handling grace period, followed by a 14-day inspection window. The lot page remains authoritative for the separate dispute cutoff and the actions available in the current state.
01 · Arrange the handoff
Use the grace period to arrange shipping, pickup, storage, and insurance as appropriate for the vehicle.
02 · Inspect the vehicle
Inspect during the displayed 14-day window and keep the relevant condition, title, shipping, and representation records.
03 · Confirm or report
Confirm receipt or open a dispute only while the lot’s displayed state, cutoff, and available actions permit it. Payout release is operator-mediated, not automatic.
Ready when you are
Start with the live lots and the full policy.
This page is an operational summary. Review the current Auction Policy and the exact terms, deadlines, and actions shown on the lot you are considering.