Frequently Asked Questions
PROCESS
The
registration process is very easy; simply fill out the registration form and
agree with Terms and Conditions. After registration is completed, you are ready
to bid on vehicle(s).
Before you
can place any "Bid" you must to log in. Place your bid by entering
your maximum bid amount in the "Proxy Offer" box on any auction view
page. After you have entered this information, the system will display a
confirmation screen with all your desired bids, allowing you to verify your
information before you click on "Make Offer".
You will use
Proxy Bidding to automatically bid for you. To use this feature, enter your
maximum bid amount (highest bid that you are willing to pay) into the bid box
on the auction page. Our system will record your "maximum bid" amount
and place a bid at the current LOWEST minimum bid. If another bidder bids
higher than your LOWEST minimum bid, the system automatically will place another
bid for you. You therefore will again be the current winning bidder. On your
behalf, the proxy bidding system will continue to make smallest bids necessary
to maintain you as the winning bidder until you are the winner of the auction
or until another bidder bids higher than your maximum allowable proxy bid
amount. Proxy bids are completely private and are never displayed to other
bidders or auctioneer.
It depends
on the amount of deposit you paid. For example, if you paid the minimum required
deposit of $1,000 (NOTE: All
prices are in U.S. dollars), you will be allowed to bid a maximum of $6,600 on ONE
VEHICLE ONLY. If you wish to bid a higher amount on your selected vehicle,
you must pay additional deposit; each $100 will allow you to bid up to $660. If
you wish to bid on additional vehicle(s), you must pay another minimum required
deposit; each vehicle on which you are bidding must be covered by a $1,000
minimum required deposit.
If you paid
a minimum required deposit of $1,000, you will be allowed to bid a maximum of
$6,600 on ONE VEHICLE ONLY. If you wish to bid on additional vehicle(s),
you must pay another minimum required deposit.
NOTE: Each vehicle you are bidding on must be covered by a $1,000 of
minimum required deposit.
Please
contact Avtofrom.US customer service to check your buyer status.
Avtofrom.US
employees cannot make or change any bids on a buyer's behalf.
No. You may
submit as many bids as you wish for each vehicle.
NOTE: Each vehicle you are bidding on must be covered by a $1,000
minimum required deposit.
Proxy bids
are accepted 24 hours a day and until one (1) hour before the virtual auction
begins. Virtual bids occur in real time during the virtual auction on sale day.
Once a bid is entered, it cannot be lowered or deleted. You may increase your
bid at anytime.
You cannot
lower or delete a bid once it has been entered. You may submit a higher bid.
Once a bid
is entered, it is treated like a current bid and cannot be deleted, retracted,
or canceled.
You will
receive an e-mail notifying you that someone has outbid your highest bid price.
If the auction is still open, you will have a chance to place a new proxy bid
by going back to the auction page or by logging into the Account section.
After you
have won the vehicle(s), it will appear in Account section as Won vehicles. In
addition, you will receive an e-mail with an invoice and payment instructions.
Once we receive and process your payment, we will notify you and instruct the
auction to prepare your vehicle for pickup and/or delivery to the shipping
address on file.
If you won
the vehicle, you must complete your transaction before you can place new bids.
If you wish to keep bidding on additional vehicle(s) before you complete your
outstanding transactions, you must pay another minimum required deposit. Each
vehicle you are bidding on must be covered by a $1,000 minimum required
deposit. Once all outstanding transactions have been paid, you will be able
make bids again, until you win another vehicle(s). As soon as you complete you
outstanding transaction(s), you will be able to bid again. A completed
transaction is one that has been paid in full.
NOTE: Each vehicle you are bidding on must be covered by a $1,000
minimum required deposit.
You have
five days of free storage. Generally speaking, you have four business days plus
the auction day to pick up your vehicles.
NOTE: Timing does vary among auction facilities, as market conditions
dictate. For example, auction yards with little room for extra inventory are
not able to allow four days after the auction to pick up a vehicle. Please
check available free storage days with each facility where you bought the
vehicle(s) before arraigning pickup dates. Avtofrom.US will not be
responsible for any additional storage charges; information is provided for
convenience only.
NO, regular
sales are offered only through auction sales. The only vehicles offered through
the Buy Now section are available at fixed price and can be purchased right
away.
Yes, please
use our subscribe tool and you will be notified by e-mail about changes in sale
dates.
PAYMENT
There is a
minimum required $1,000 Security Deposit or 15% of the planning bid price,
whichever is greater (which allows you to bid on ONE item only). Deposit is
required for every highest eligible offer; if you wish to bid on additional
vehicle(s) you must pay another minimum required deposit. Each vehicle you are
planning to bid on must be covered by a $1,000 minimum required deposit.
Deposits are accepted via Bank Wire Transfer (all values), Credit Card (up to a
single transaction of $2,500) or PayPal (up to a single transaction of $2,500).
NOTE: The security deposit cannot be included in the cost of the
vehicle. Deposits are refundable at all times, but all transactions must be
cleared before refund request is made. A completed transaction is one that has
been paid in full. Refunds can take up to 30 days to be processed from the date
of your request.
CREDIT CARD POLICY: Limit for a single credit card transaction is
$2,500. Acceptable credit card transactions include deposits, fees, and
penalties. Credit card payments for vehicles will NOT be accepted.
The security
deposit is refundable. It will be refunded upon your request.
NOTE: The security deposit cannot be included into the cost of the
vehicle! Security Deposits are refundable at all times, but all transactions
must be cleared before refund request is made. A completed transaction is one
that has been paid in full. Refunds can take up to 30 days to be processed from
the date of your request.
Fees for incoming and outgoing
wires will be deducted from the amount of deposit. If the refund is remitted by
check, the amount of refund will be $10 less ($10 incoming wire fee) than the
deposit. If the refund is remitted by wire to a U.S. customer, the amount of
refund will be $25 less ($10 incoming
wire fee + $15 outgoing wire fee) than the deposit. All refunds remitted by
wire to an international customer will be $50 less (incoming plus international
outgoing fees) than the deposit. All credit card refunds requested after 60 days
will be issued a surcharge of 10%.
Yes we
accept all major credit cards for deposits, fees, penalties and other payments.
CREDIT CARD POLICY: Limit for a single credit card transaction is
$2,500. Acceptable credit card transactions include deposits, fees and
penalties. Credit card payments for vehicles will NOT be accepted.
Your deposit
remains in your account for any future bids you wish to submit. If at any time
you wish to request your deposit to be refunded, you must request a refund via
our web site only. The request form is located in Account section.
NOTE: The security deposit cannot be included in the cost of the
vehicle. Deposits are refundable at all times, but all transactions must be
cleared before refund request is made. A completed transaction is one that has
been paid in full. Refunds can take up to 30 days to be processed from the date
of your request.
If at any
time you wish your deposit refunded, you must request a refund via our web site
only. The request form is located in Account section.
NOTE: The security deposit cannot be included in the cost of the
vehicle. Security Deposits are refundable at all times, but all transactions
must be cleared before refund request is made. A completed transaction is one
that has been paid in full. Refunds can take up to 30 days to be processed from
the date of your request.
Fees for incoming and outgoing wires will be deducted from the amount of
deposit. If the refund is remitted by check, the amount of refund will be $10
less ($10 incoming wire fee) than the deposit. If the refund is remitted by
wire to a U.S. customer, the amount of refund will be $25 less ($10 incoming
wire fee + $15 outgoing wire fee) than the deposit. All refunds remitted by
wire to an international customer will be $50 less (incoming plus international
outgoing fees) than the deposit. All credit card refunds requested after 60
days will be issued a surcharge of 10%.
Refunds are
processed weekly and are remitted, on average, one week after customer request.
Payment must
be received by Avtofrom.US within two business days of the winning bid to avoid
any penalty and/or cancellation. This payment includes the full amount of the
winning bid, the buyer's auction, transaction, title processing, and title
mailing fees.
Remember! The auction has the right to void any transaction.
PLEASE NOTE: In the event the payment is not received within eight
business days of the sale date, the Buyer's deposit shall be considered
forfeited and Avtofrom.US shall have the right to cancel the sale and relist
the vehicle.
In the event
the payment is not received within eight business days of the sale date, the
Buyer's deposit
shall be considered forfeited and Avtofrom.US shall have the right to relist
the vehicle.
For your
purchased vehicle(s) at the moment we accept payments by wire transfers only.
Bank wire transfer
A wire transfer is an electronic payment service for transferring funds by wire
from one bank account to another bank account. This is the fastest and easiest
method of payment.
Most banks require you to set up wire transfers by going into your local branch
office as a fraud protection measure. Be prepared with the following on hand: Account
number, Routing Number, Swift number
All
international buyers must pay for the purchased vehicle(s) by Wire Transfer
ONLY.
Please Note: Payments made by DIRECT DEPOSIT to our bank account will
NOT be accepted. Any payments made in this manner will be subject to a
14-day hold for clearing by our bank, and you will be held responsible for all
penalties incurred or sale cancelation if payment is made in this manner and
not applied to a purchased vehicle.
CREDIT CARD POLICY: Limit for a single credit card transaction is $2,500.
Acceptable credit card transactions include deposits, fees and penalties.
Credit card payments for vehicles will NOT be accepted.
Customers
who purchase a vehicle(s) in Canada MUST pay 5% GST (Goods and Services Tax)
and 8% PST (Provincial Sales Tax).
Exemptions:
Ontario DEALERS are exempt from PST; however they must provide us with a copy
of their OMVIC registration in advance. They have to e-mail proof to Avtofrom.US at [email protected] for
verification. Credit will be applied once verification is complete. If the
DEALER is NOT from Ontario, he MUST pay GST and PST to Avtofrom.US, and then
apply for a PST refund from the Ministry of Finance (Ontario) once the title is
transferred into the customer's name. For more information regarding this
process, please visit http://www.fin.gov.on.ca/english/resources/visitors.html.
General Information, Ontario Ministry of Revenue
The linked application form below is to be completed when claiming a refund of
Ontario Retail Sales Tax (RST). All enquiries regarding completion of this
application form should be directed to the Ontario Ministry of Revenue at 1 866
ONT-TAXS (1-866-668-8297).
http://www.rev.gov.on.ca/english/forms/rst/pdf/0298.pdf
All payments
for vehicles bought through Avtofrom.US are due within two (2) business days of
the sale date. In the event the payment is not received within the allotted
time, a late payment fee of $100 will be added to each item bought.
If you reside outside the United States and/or cannot make payment on time, we
suggest that you prepay the full amount before submitting the bids to avoid
late charges.
NOTE: In the event the payment is not received within eight business
days of the sale date, the Buyer's deposit shall be considered forfeited, and Avtofrom.US
shall have the right to relist the vehicle.
All the bank
information will be indicated in the invoice for the awarded vehicle. The
invoice will be sent to your registered e-mail address or it can be viewed in
your Account section by clicking Invoices.
NOTE: The Security deposit cannot be included in the cost of the
vehicle. Deposits are refundable at all times, but all transactions must be
cleared before a refund request is made. A completed transaction is one that
has been paid in full. Refunds can take up to 30 days to be processed from the
date of your request.
Wire
transfers will be posted to your Avtofrom.US Account within one hour of
processing after they are received and made available by our bank.
Some
international customers are charged a wire transfer fee by an intermediary
bank, in addition to the wire transfer fee charged by the originating bank.
Please keep this fact in mind when wiring funds.
There are
three possible scenarios:
1. Customer did not pay on time, and Late Fee of $100 per item was added to the
purchase price.
2. Customer did not pick up the vehicle on time, and Storage Fees of $20 per
day per item were added to the purchase price.
3. Part of a payment was applied to an outstanding invoice(s). According to the
priority rules established by Avtofrom.US, all payments received will be
applied to outstanding invoice(s) that are under the customer's account.
SHIPPING
The buyer is
responsible for all shipments. Arranging for the transport of your vehicles can
take much of your valuable time. By having Avtofrom.US pick up or deliver your
vehicles, you will be free to spend time on other important matters. Call the Avtofrom.US
today for rates and pickup/delivery times.
A salvage
vehicle CANNOT be driven legally on the roads until it is
"reconstructed." Typically, you first have the vehicle towed (towing
is provided by Avtofrom.US) from the auction to your designated location. Next,
the vehicle undergoes the "reconstruction" process per your state's
guidelines. Finally, once the "reconstruction" process is complete,
you can register and insure the vehicle to be driven on the roads.
Salvage vehicles are released by our affiliates to designated storage
locations, which usually are not accessible to the public for insurance
reasons. Only a Avtofrom.US affiliated shipping/transportation company can
enter these storage yards to load/unload the vehicle.
A shipping
calculator is displayed with every vehicle. Please choose only country and
destination port. In addition, you can use our Shipping Calculator located at
www.avtofrom.us/vehicle-transport
NOTE: All rates are based on three vehicles per 40HC Consolidated
container. For all oversized vehicles, additional charges will apply. All rates
are subject to change without notice at any time. At all times please contact
us for current rates.
International Customers:
When exporting a vehicle(s) from the U.S., it is important to understand
commercial, shipping and legal documentation and processes. As a convenience,
we have provided a link to the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol web site, which
you can use as a reference:
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/basic_trade/export_docs/motor_vehicle.xml.
Avtofrom.US can facilitate the transport of your vehicle(s) from origin to destination
port, or to U.S. exit port (in case you want your shipping agent to handle the
ocean phase of the transport)
Canada customers:
Vehicles cannot be imported directly from the U.S. into Canada. Importing a
vehicle from the U.S. to Canada takes place in two general steps.
1. Transport from origin to designated U.S. border city.
2. Transport from U.S. border city to Canada final destination. Avtofrom.US can
help with the first leg of transport. In order for the second leg of transport
to take place (i.e., U.S. border city to Canada final destination), the
customer must first contact a Canadian transporter/broker, who will execute the
transport and facilitate customs paperwork. Ways Auto is one of the
transporters/brokers who have transported for our Canadian customers; feel free
to contact them at Tel: 416-619-0372
NOTE: Prior to purchase, please make sure your vehicle can be imported
into Canada. Avtofrom.US will not reimburse you for a purchased vehicle that
cannot be imported into Canada or any other country. Further information can be
found at: http://www.riv.ca/english/html/us_vehicle_admissibility.html.
You need
completed paperwork and no outstanding balance on the invoice. Please confirm that
Avtofrom.US has received all necessary paperwork prior to arranging
transportation.
Vehicles can
be picked up after payment is cleared and processed.
NOTE: The vehicle cannot be released to you if there is missing
paperwork or any outstanding balance.
International
shipping estimates (land transport from the auction to U.S. exit port(s) and
ocean transport to destination port(s)) are displayed with every vehicle.
Please choose only country and destination port.
NOTE: All rates are based on three vehicles per 40HC Consolidated
container. For all oversized vehicles, additional charges will apply. All rates
are subject to change without notice at any time. At all times please contact
us for current rates.
Yes, after
purchasing a vehicle(s), you may purchase marine insurance to cover the ocean
transport phase of the shipping process. This insurance can be placed at 0.9%
of the vehicle value. This insurance covers both damage and total loss.
To file a
claim, please submit the following documents WITHIN SEVEN CALENDAR DAYS AFTER
THE PICKUP DATE:*
- Avtofrom
Vehicle Release Form
- Pictures
of the vehicle taken from the same distances and angles as displayed on
the Avtofrom.US web site.
- Written
description of the extra damages
Bill of
lading/damage report (required only if you have hired a transportation company)
signed by:
- a
person releasing the vehicle (lot attendant/facility representative)
- a
person picking up the vehicle (driver/transporter)
Your claim
documents can be submitted either via e-mail ([email protected]) or
courier/regular mail (Avtofrom, 2055 NE 151ST. North Miami Beach FL 33162 USA).
Avtofrom will review your claim as soon as possible to determine if additional
damages were incurred and, if so, the liable party. If Avtofrom is determined
to be the liable party, Avtofrom will offer a credit toward the next purchase
only. Avtofrom does not offer refunds.
* The Pickup Date is the date the vehicle is released by Avtofrom to either the
Buyer or Buyers agent (e.g., a transportation company designated by the Buyer).
Late-filed claims (submitted after seven-day deadline) will not be considered,
although Avtofrom may choose to review the claim at its discretion.
DOCUMENTATION
As a
courtesy, Avtofrom.US processes titles for vehicles purchased on behalf of our
customers. We are unable to provide an estimated time frame for delivery of the
title to the customer due to many factors, e.g., submission of title by
auctions, volume of title processing, delivery of processed titles from DMV,
etc. Please plan any transfer of title and/or shipping of vehicle(s) with these
potential delays in mind. All titles are processed in the order they are
received. For mailing, Avtofrom.US utilizes USPS and TNT.
NOTE: Avtofrom.US reserves the right to choose the appropriate delivery
service.
Per the
Terms and Conditions, Avtofrom.US does not guarantee title types. That being
said, the customer may receive a title type equivalent to the one displayed in
the online item description.
Differences between title types and designations are minor; for example,
"Arizona Salvage Certificate" is displayed in the online description,
but the customer receives "Nevada Salvage Title."
Local/regional laws and regulations sometimes require our affiliate dealers
and/or insurance companies to transfer the title to the state in question.
Differences in title type/designation bear no change in equivalence.
Yes, the
name displayed on the driver's license must match your account information.
Otherwise, per DMV regulations, the title cannot be sent to you.
NOTE: If the title will be in a company's name, please provide us a
letter (on company letterhead) stating that the customer (i.e., purchaser of
the vehicle) is the owner or an authorized employee of that company.
Yes, but any
requests for changes to the address/name have to be done in advance by e-mail
ONLY. Otherwise, the title WILL BE ISSUED IN THE NAME OF THE PERSON ON THE
ACCOUNT and it will be mailed to the address on the account. Also, if you
want us to mail the title to your shipping company, please request that in
advance by e-mail ONLY.
When a
vehicle is involved in an accident, and salvaged by the insurance company, it
has to be reconstructed before being placed back on the road. After the vehicle
is repaired, it's inspected by an authorized mechanic and certified by the DMV
as reconstructed to manufacturer's specifications. The DMV issues a
"reconstructed" title, which is treated the same way as a
"clean" title regarding registration and insurance purposes. Please
note Avtofrom.US does not guarantee that all title denominations can be
reconstructed in any particular state or country. Please refer any title
questions to your local DMV.
The
reconstruction process is simple and straightforward, but varies somewhat from
state to state. In overview, you first will have the vehicle repaired (i.e.,
"reconstruction process") per your state's guidelines, have the
vehicle inspected, and complete and submit the proper DMV forms. In return, the
DMV will issue you a title. The last step is to register and insure the vehicle
to be driven on the roads.
OTHER QUESTIONS
AVTOFROM,
2055 NE 151 ST Avenue, North Miami Beach FL 33162 TEL: +1-786-999-8100
5am to 5pm EST Monday - Friday EMAIL: [email protected]
Our Customer
Service Center is open 5 a.m.- 5 p.m. U.S. EST (Eastern Standard Time), Monday
through Friday, and is closed on weekends and major holidays.
Yes. Our
customer service representatives speak English, German, Spanish, Italian,
Polish, Russian, Lithuanian, and French.
Unfortunately,
no. Pictures usually are available for a particular vehicle(s). In some
facilities, it may be possible to purchase additional pictures.
No. Vehicles
prices offered on Avtofrom.US are not negotiable.
The seller
determines the price at which he wishes to sell the vehicle(s).
The Avtofrom.US
web site is updated daily.
Many
vehicles from insurance auctions come without keys. Sometimes, keys are lost
during transit. Therefore, Avtofrom.US do NOT guarantee the availability of
keys, even when they are visible in the pictures.
NOTE: ALL VEHICLES ARE SOLD "AS-IS WHERE-IS"
We suggest
the following three ways to obtain a key for your vehicle:
1) From VIN. Contact a local authorized dealer (for your vehicle make) and
inquire if a key can be made from the VIN.
2) From Ignition Code. If the local authorized dealer cannot make a key from
the VIN, then ask if a key can be made from the code engraved on the ignition.
This would require removal of the ignition in order to view the code.
3) From Ignition. Take your vehicle's ignition to a locksmith, who will be able
to make a key specific to the ignition. This usually costs under $100.
Most
vehicles displayed on our web site are located on insurance auctions facilities
and are neither available for nor subject to inspection and testing. Therefore,
the insurance auctions lets us know if the vehicle(s) starts and runs or not;
if it does, we include this information in the listing. Avtofrom.US does not
perform these verifications. We also have no knowledge of how the insurance
auction determines engine start capability (e.g., booster box, wires
spliced/bypassed, etc.), or how well the engine runs and/or car drives.
Avtofrom.US CANNOT be held responsible for the verification results, running/driving
quality, and associated problems. If auction verification is not published for
a particular vehicle, this information is not available.
NOTE: ALL VEHICLES ARE SOLD "AS-IS WHERE-IS"
Insurance
auctions do not provide a damage report(s) and/or full description of vehicles
offered for sale. However, very brief descriptions for Loss Type and Damage
Type normally are offered under the Vehicle Description section of each
listing. All information provided by the insurance auctions is displayed on
www.avtofrom.us.
Unfortunately,
we are unable to determine how damages occur, how long a vehicle has been
sitting in its current condition, and if repairs have been done. The insurance
auctions do not provide Avtofrom.US with damage reports and/or full
descriptions and histories of their vehicles. However, very brief descriptions
for Loss Type and Damage Type normally are offered under the Vehicle
Description section of each listing. All available information provided by the
insurance auctions is displayed on www.avtofrom.us.
NOTE: ALL VEHICLES ARE SOLD "AS-IS WHERE-IS"
In some
cases, insurance auction personnel are able to verify a vehicle's engine start
capability and run-and-drive condition. Avtofrom.US does not perform these
verifications. We also have no knowledge of how the insurance auction
determines engine start capability (e.g., booster box, wires spliced/bypassed,
etc.), or how well the engine runs and/or car drives.
Avtofrom.US CANNOT be held responsible for the verification results,
running/driving quality, and associated problems. If auction verification is
not published for a particular vehicle, this information is not available.
NOTE: ALL VEHICLES ARE SOLD "AS-IS WHERE-IS"
Avtofrom.US
does not repair vehicles and, for legal reasons, does not provide repair
estimates. Prices for new parts can be obtained from a local authorized dealer
(of your vehicle make). Prices for used parts can be obtained from a local
salvage yard or an online auction site.
ALL VEHICLES
displayed on www.Avtofrom.US web site ARE SOLD "AS-IS WHERE-IS";
therefore there is no recourse. We understand undercarriage and other latent defects
are not visible in the photographs. Customers must understand that salvage
vehicles may have latent defects (e.g., undercarriage damage, under hood damage,
etc.). Avtofrom.US is NOT aware of latent defects of any vehicle. The
insurance companies do not provide Avtofrom.US with damage reports and/or full
descriptions and histories of their vehicles. All information provided by the
insurance companies is displayed on www.avtofrom.us.
Vehicles might also have been repaired previously. Avtofrom.US:
1. Is NOT aware of repairs performed,
2. CANNOT comment on the craftsmanship of repairs it performed on any vehicle.
NOTE: Please, place your bids with care!
ALL VEHICLES ARE SOLD "AS-IS WHERE-IS"
Some
insurance auctions provide only the first 11 digits of the VIN for decoding
purposes. The winner will receive the complete VIN.
Because
loose parts can be lost/misplaced/detached at insurance auctions and/or in
transit, we do not guarantee loose parts' availability, even if they are
visible in the photographs. We try our best to ensure that transportation
companies pick up every available piece that is supposed to come with the
specified vehicle.