How Bidding Works

01Registering

Anyone can browse lots, current bids and closing times without an account. To open a lot page, see the full photo set, the VIN and the inspection notes, or to place a bid, you need a free IronBid account. Registration asks for your name, email, ZIP code and a password. Before your first bid you'll add a payment card; it is only charged if you win.

02Bidding

Every lot has a current bid, a bid count and a countdown. Place a single bid at the next increment, or enter a maximum: we then bid on your behalf, only as much as needed to keep you in front, up to that maximum.

• Increments: $50 up to $2,500 · $100 up to $10,000 · $250 above.
• Soft close: a bid in the final two minutes extends the lot by two minutes, so nobody wins by sniping.
• Binding: a bid is a commitment to buy. Bids cannot be retracted.
• Reserves: some lots carry a reserve. If it isn't met the vehicle doesn't sell and the high bidder owes nothing.

03Condition grades

Grade	What it means
Restored	Body and mechanicals have been gone through. Presents well up close; the write-up says what was replaced and what is original.
Driver	Runs, drives and stops as it should. Honest cosmetic wear — the car you use rather than show.
Survivor	Largely unrestored and original, patina included. Mechanically sorted unless the write-up says otherwise.
Project	Needs work before it is road-ready, up to and including non-running. The write-up states what we know and what we don't.

Grades are our opinion after inspection, not a warranty. Every vehicle on IronBid is sold as-is, where-is.

04Fees

A buyer's premium of 10% is added to the winning bid, with a $250 minimum. Sales tax applies where required by the collection or delivery state. There is no fee to register, watch or bid. Sellers pay a separate consignment commission.

05Paying

Invoices are issued at close and due within three business days, by the card on file (up to our card limit), ACH or wire. If an invoice goes unpaid we may charge the card on file, cancel the sale, re-offer the vehicle and recover any shortfall and costs from you.

06Collection and transport

Vehicles must be collected within ten business days of payment; storage of $25 per day applies after that. Bring photo ID and your invoice. If you'd rather not travel, ask us for a transport quote — we arrange open and enclosed carriers nationwide and the cost is added to your invoice. Vehicles are not road-tested before handover and may need registration, inspection and insurance before you drive them.

07Title and registration

Each lot states its title status. Titles are mailed or handed over at collection once funds clear, which can take up to 21 days for out-of-state buyers. Registering, inspecting and insuring the vehicle in your own state is your responsibility; older vehicles may be exempt from emissions testing in some states and not in others. Check before you bid.