A Service of Goodwill Easter Seals Miami Valley

How to Participate in the Auction

The information contained on this page will give you a general overview of the Goodwill Auto Auction guiding rules, processes, and procedures. Please review the information to become familiar with how the auction operates. An understanding of this information will help you to avoid problems and make the process of participating in the auction a better experience.

General Information

Auction Dates
For the dates of the auction, please review our Auction Schedule.

Auction Time
The auctions are open to the public. Auctions begin at 10 a.m. The lot opens at 9 a.m. for preview.

Mechanical Condition
The vehicles being auctioned are donations made to Goodwill. We DO NOT KNOW the details concerning the mechanical condition of the vehicle.

No Warranty
The vehicles we auction are sold in an "AS IS" condition, without any type of warranty.

No Refunds
We DO NOT offer refunds for purchased vehicles.

Directions
Auctions will be held at 7150 North Dixie Drive, located at the intersection of N. Dixie and Stop Eight Road.

• Directions from North, South, East, West
• MapQuest Online Map

Before the Auction

Inspecting Vehicles Before the Auction
Vehicles can be viewed during the day, Monday through Friday, during normal business hours. On the day of the auction, the auction lot will be opened at 9 a.m. Between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. the vehicles can be looked-over by the potential bidder.

Vehicle Status Markings on Windshield
On the windshield of each vehicle, the Goodwill staff will make markings that indicate the status of the vehicle. On the drivers side of the windshield the vehicles will be labeled by two numbers. The numbers will be listed vertically with a line between them. The top number will be the position of the vehicle as it will be auctioned. The bottom number will be the production year of the vehicle.

On the passengers side of the windshield, the vehicles are marked with letters. These letters are R, DNR, M, DNM. Vehicles labeled with an R are vehicles that turn over when we start them. The notation R DOES NOT indicate that the vehicle is free of mechanical problems, only that the engine turns over. These vehicles with an R will either have an M or a DNM under the R. The notation M DOES NOT indicate that the vehicle is free of transmission problems. The M indicates if the vehicle moved forward and back 2 feet in the parking spot. Vehicles labeled with DNR are vehicles that do not turn over. During the auction, our staff will start the vehicles that are labeled with an R.

• R = Runs: Vehicle turns over
• DNR = Does Not Run: Vehicle does not turn over
• M = Moves: Forward or Backward 2 feet in the parking lot
• DNM = Does Not Move: Did not move Forward or Backward 2 feet in the parking lot

Registration
The day of the auction, anyone who wants to bid on a vehicle must register in the on-site office. A $200 CASH deposit must be collected at this time to obtain a bid number. Upon receiving the $200 deposit, the bidder will be given a bid number sticker to wear. A bidder MUST HAVE a bid number to participate in the auction. This is also your receipt for the $200 deposit. If the bidder purchases a vehicle, the deposit will be applied to the purchase price. If the bidder does not purchase a vehicle, return the bid number sticker to the on-site office within one hour after the end of the auction and the deposit will be refunded to the bidder. If you do not register and obtain a bid number, you will not be able to bid during the auction.

Multiple Bid Numbers
An individual may purchase multiple bid numbers. If you plan to purchase more than one car then you must submit a $200 CASH deposit for each car you plan to purchase. For example:

• $200 Deposit = 1 Bid Number = 1 Potential Purchase
• $400 Deposit = 2 Bid Numbers = 2 Potential Purchases
• $600 Deposit = 3 Bid Numbers = 3 Potential Purchases

During the Auction

Bidding on a Vehicle
The auctioneer will start at the first vehicle for auction. An orange flag will be placed on the vehicle being auctioned. Only the vehicle with the orange flag is the vehicle being auctioned at that time. Once the highest bidder has been determined for that specific vehicle the flag and auctioneer will then move to the next vehicle. When bidding on a vehicle, make sure the auctioneer sees you. Make clear signals such as raising your hand or nodding your head yes or no to indicate that you wish to place a bid. If you have not attended an auction before, we recommend that you observe the auction for the first visit before actively participating. This will give you a greater understanding of how the auction operates.

Winning Bid
If you are recognized by the auctioneer as the winning bidder for the vehicle, hold up or make visible your bid number to the auctioneer. The bid number will be announced as the winning bid number. An auction representative will then bring you paperwork that will need to be taken to the on-site office. The bidder will give up his use of the bid number used for the winning bid in exchange for the paperwork.

Costs
If you bid on a vehicle and are the high bidder, you will need to pay for the following:

• The cost of the vehicle (amount of successful bid)
• $50 buy fee per vehicle (auctioneer's fee)
• $15 title and processing fee ($5.00 for title, $10.00 for processing)
• The tax amount per the county you live in
• $10.50 temporary tag fee (optional)

After the Auction

Payment
All vehicles must be paid for at the conclusion of the auction. All vehicles must be paid for within one hour after the end of the auction. Payment will not be accepted after this time. Vehicles not paid for within one hour after the end of the auction will be auctioned at the next auction.

Methods of Payment
We accept cash, Visa, Master Card, American Express, Discover

Keys
Keys will not be given out until the auction has ended. NO EXCEPTIONS

Non-Payment
Anyone who bids on a vehicle and does not pay at the conclusion of the auction will forfeit their deposit and will not be permitted to participate in future auctions. No vehicles may be removed from the site until payment in full is received.

Title Processing
We will process the title to the vehicle for you. The title will be changed into the bidders name and mailed within 30 days following the auction.

Lot Closes at 2 p.m.
We will remain open until 2 p.m. the day of the auction to allow purchased vehicles to be removed. Vehicles not removed by Tuesday following an auction will be subject to a $25.00 a day storage fee.

Adjoining Parking Lot
Vehicles purchased may not be moved to the adjoining parking lot. Vehicles left in the adjoining parking lot after the auction will be towed back into the Auction Lot and the buyer will be charged a $25.00 tow charge.

Our Mission
The Goodwill Auto Auction supports Goodwill Easter Seals Miami Valley mission to empower people with disabilities and other needs to achieve independence and enhance their lives. When you donate your vehicle to the Goodwill Auto Auction of the Miami Valley, the vehicles are sold locally and the proceeds go to benefit people here in the Miami Valley.