Absolute Towing Services Inc.:
Towing in Oregon since 2000
Absolute Towing Services Inc.
Auction RULES and FAQ (rev. 11/2008)
Q: Do you have cars just for sale?
A: We have regularly scheduled public auctions. At the minimum, we have one every month,
usually on the first Saturday of each month, subject to available cars for auction. They
are always at 10 AM. Used Cars for sale are separately identified and if for a charity,
that charity such as Salvation Army, Susan G Komen, Toys 4 Tots etc is identified.
Q: What if I don’t want the whole car, can I just buy some parts off one?
A: You purchase the whole vehicle. It is your responsibility to remove it from our facility
and then either register it in your name or legally dispose of it once you have removed any
parts you might have kept. If you keep the original lien sale paperwork, we might be able to
dispose of the vehicle for you once you are done with it. However, under no circumstances will
our insurance allow you to buy the vehicle and then remove the parts you want while still on
our property.
Q: Do I need to register for the auction?
A: Yes and no. We do not require you to register before previewing the vehicles.
However, you will need to register to bid on a vehicle. On auction day, you will
be given a current list of the vehicles up for auction on colored paper that will
have your bidder number on the back. If, after previewing the vehicles, you are
going to participate in the auction, then go into the shop and register your
number at the desk. Do not lose this list with your number on it if you plan to
bid on a vehicle. When making a bid, you will need to show the auctioneer your
number. If you win a vehicle, the auctioneer will record your number. If you
bid on a vehicle and have NOT registered before the auction, you will be fined
$25 for slowing the entire process down when other people are making payments
and being issued paperwork.
Q: Is there an age limit?
A: You must be at least 18 to participate and purchase a vehicle. Minors are
discouraged from attending, especially small children. Children under 10 will
not be allowed.
Q: Is there plenty of room for parking?
A: Parking is limited. Do not block our driveway, as tow trucks may need to
enter or exit the yard at any time. If you plan on bringing a trailer to haul
a car, you might consider coming back with it later after the auction and when
the crowds have thinned out.
Q: Can I preview the vehicles before the auction?
A: Previewing is done on the day of the auction. The preview time runs for 1
hour and begins at 9 AM. This is when you can go through the car, open doors,
test windows, etc. Not all vehicles will run. Some may not even have keys.
We do not allow "tinkering" by the public on vehicles to try and get them
started. If it doesn't start, ask for assistance from an employee. It they can
get a vehicle running, they will do it for you. THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO
SMOKING IN OR AROUND THE AUCTION VEHICLES! Please utilize the designated smoking
area.
Q: Do the vehicles have keys?
A: Not all vehicles have keys, but if they do and you want to use them to start
a vehicle, you will be asked to exchange YOUR car keys for the keys to the
auction vehicle you are previewing. This process has eliminated our problem
with theft. Your keys will be returned when you turn in the keys to the vehicle
you were previewing. Some vehicles will not need at key. They have been
"hot wired" or have the ignition punched out and a key is not necessary. Your
auction list will denote whether a vehicle has keys or not.
Q: Can I test drive an auction vehicle?
A: You may start the vehicle, but liability issues prevent us from allowing a
test drive. Many people will "test" the transmission or clutch by putting the
vehicle in gear and "standing" on the brake while applying the gas pedal or
maybe "creeping" the vehicle back and forth a foot or two. We discourage this
practice for safety reasons and you will be asked not to do it.
Q: Why are all the registration tags on the license plates removed?
A: As of Jan 1, 2004 we must remove all stickers from the plates. Although we
do not sell trip permits, we highly recommend that you either re-register the
vehicle or get one before leaving our facility. The local police department
knows when we have auctions and have been known to make "repeat offenders" out
of some our vehicles upon leaving the driveway.
Q: What do you do with all the stuff you cleaned out of the cars?
A: Most of it will be thrown away. However, some items that we feel are valuable
for resale will be stored in the auction shed and will be sold "garage sale" style
on auction days. If one man's junk is another man's treasure, then be sure to
get here early to get first pick at the shed stuff. Ask the employee manning the
keys if you want to purchase something in the shed. Feel free to make an offer
on the contents of the entire shed if you wish. As with all purchases related to
the auction, all sales are final. No guarantees and no refunds.
Q: When is the actual auction?
A: The auctions begin at 10 AM sharp. Order of vehicles will usually follow the
list provided, but is at the sole discretion of the auctioneer. Depending on the
number of vehicles, the actual auction time is very short, usually less than 20
minutes to get through a typical list. At 9:55 AM, everyone will be instructed
to move inside the shop where we will hold the actual auction.
Q: Is there a minimum bid?
A: Due to the price of scrap metal, cat converters, aluminum rims, etc. we do
require a minimum opening bid which varies per vehicle. Increments over the
minimum bid can be increased $10, $20, $25, $50 or $100 depending on the interest
and value of the vehicle. If you feel the auctioneer is moving too slow on the
increases, feel free to throw out a number. For example, if the vehicle is moving
at $20 increments and is at $220 but you want to move it faster, then tell the
auctioneer $500 and he will now start "protecting" your bid by making the next
amount $550 or $600.
Q: What if I can't be there, can I call in with an opening bid?
A: Yes and no. We will accept phone-in opening bids from recognized regular buyers.
A "recognized regular buyer" is at the sole discretion of Absolute Towing management
and we turn down more than we accept. However, we highly discourage this practice
because a phone-in bid will be the opening bid on a vehicle. The auctioneer will
not start a vehicle at the posted minimum bid and then try to bid it up against the
"reserve" of phone-in bid. If there is a phone-in bid at a particular auction, the
vehicle and the amount will be posted. The auctioneer will also announce it again
at the start of the auction.
Q: Does Absolute Towing ever bid on vehicles?
A: Occasionally the owner or management will be interested in a vehicle but will
still allow it to go up for auction. Sometimes public interest turns out to be
higher than what we expected and we would rather make money than keep the vehicle.
Absolute Towing reserves the right to bid on such vehicles.
Q: What if I bid on and win a vehicle I don't want?
A: This is not good. Take advantage of the preview time and pay attention to the
list and vehicle that is up for bid during the auction. However, if you end up
winning a bid on a vehicle you don't want, you will be required to pay $50 or 20%
of the selling price, whichever is greater in order to maintain good standing at
future auctions. Failure to pay the renege fee will result in being banned from
future auctions, but we will also enforce the right to refuse service for any other
business transactions (including emergency road service) and towing.
Q: What sort of payment do you accept?
A: Full payment is to be made immediately following the auction. We accept CASH,
AMERICAN EXPRESS, VISA and MASTERCARD. Recognized regular buyers may be allowed
to write a check, depending on the circumstances. However, that is the exception,
not the rule. "Recognized regular buyers" are at the sole discretion of Absolute
Towing management.
Q: What if I don't pay for the vehicle immediately following the auction?
A: Failure to make full payment before NOON on the day of the auction will result
in the vehicle being moved immediately to the inner yard. A $25 relocation fee will
be assessed along with a $10 fine for each hour you are late until 5 PM on the day
of the auction. If you attempt to pay for the vehicle the following day, you will
be severely reprimanded and charged $50 in late fees, plus $25 for relocating and
$25 for overnight storage in the inner yard. Pay before noon and we will all be happy!
Q: I just won a vehicle and am ready to leave, now what?
A: Sorry, you will have to wait until the entire auction is over. It usually doesn't
last longer than 20 minutes. Once the last vehicle is auctioned, begin forming one
line in front of the cash register and we will begin accepting payments. Once payment
is received you will be issued a receipt and we will radio an employee monitoring the
vehicles to mark you car as paid. You then need to step into the next line for
paperwork processing. Under no circumstances can we issue paperwork under a different
name than the person registered and standing right before us.
Q: After purchasing a vehicle, do I receive a title?
A: No, you will receive a bill of sale from us, along with the necessary lien
paperwork that allows you to register the vehicle in your name with the DMV. The cost
for the paperwork processing is $15 per vehicle, unless you are an annual pass holder,
then it is free. You may purchase an annual pass at any time for $30. However, any
$15 processing fees paid from prior purchases or auctions are not retroactive. Once
you have the lien paperwork, you then have 30 days to notify DMV of your purchase and
put the vehicle in your name. However, as mentioned above, we highly recommend getting
a trip permit or putting the vehicle in your name before leaving our facility if you
plan on driving the vehicle right away.
Q: What if I don't have my annual pass on me?
A: You must show your annual pass when paying for a vehicle to avoid the paperwork
processing fees. If you lost your pass or forgot to bring it, you will have to pay
the $15 per vehicle. Refunds will not be issued at a later date if you show us you
found it. We do not keep records of annual pass holders. If you wash it or lose
it, it is gone.
Q: Can I have you put the vehicle in my wife's name?
A: We will not issue paperwork in the name of a spouse, relative or anyone else
who is not physically present and registered as a bidder. No exceptions!
Q: I am nervous about participating in an oral auction, what sort of
protocol am I expected to follow?
A: Keep your registered bidder number handy, you will be asked for it if you are
the highest bidder on a vehicle. Be mindful of your hand, head or other body
motions. You don’t want to be mistaken for placing a bid when you meant to just
scratch your ear! Pay attention and speak up if you are not being noticed. Every
attempt will be made to spot all interested bidders, but once the vehicle is
announced "sold", the final decision is left up to the auctioneer on whether all
bidding ceases. If you do not plan on staying for the entire auction, please exit
quietly and be considerate of those still participating in the auction.
Q: There was a stereo in the car before the auction, I bid on that
vehicle and won it, now it is missing. What are you going to do about it?
A: We will make every attempt to secure vehicles and prevent damage or theft.
However, we assume no liability for vehicles or their contents before, during or
after the auction. Should damage or theft occur while the vehicle is still in our
possession because you failed to take it away immediately following the auction,
Absolute Towing Services, Inc. will not be held responsible.
Q: How long do I have to remove a vehicle I purchased?
A: Vehicles must be removed from our facility by 5 PM on the Sunday following
the auction. Unless prior arrangements have been made, vehicles still on our
property (including the driveway) after 5 PM on Sunday night. The vehicle will
be re-located to our inner yard and assessed a $25 relocation fee. Leaving a
vehicle after the 5 PM deadline, releases Absolute Towing of any liability
should damage occur when relocating said .. Once the vehicle has been moved
to our inner yard, a storage fee of $25 per day will also apply. If you have
not picked up the vehicle by Monday at noon, it will be processed for scrap
and no refunds will be issued.
Q: Can I work on a vehicle in your yard after purchasing it so
that I can drive it away?
A: Working on vehicles in our yard or anywhere on our property is strictly
prohibited. You are limited to changing a tire for purposes of transporting
or driving the vehicle. Prolonged attempts to get a vehicle running in order
to drive it away are not to be done on our property. For insurance purposes,
the work must be done on your property! There is no use of our tools, so don’t
even ask. If you need starting fluid, tires aired up, gasoline or a jump-start...
you will be expected to pay for it.
Q: What if I can’t drive the vehicle away?
A: Most people bring a car trailer or car dolly to haul away their purchases.
However, if you have no other means to transport the vehicle, we will be happy
to tow it for a reduced rate at our convenience. If you wish it to be towed
immediately, you will need to pay RETAIL rates.
Q: What if I brought a trailer (or car dolly) and need help
loading it?
A: "Free" help is at our convenience. Usually we will have an employee
available to assist you. However, "free" help releases Absolute Towing
Services, Inc. from all liability to the vehicle you just purchased, the
trailer or car dolly we are loading it on, and the tow vehicle.
Q: I lost the lien paperwork you gave me, what do I do now?
A: There is a $30 fee for processing a request for duplicate paperwork.
You must provide the MAKE, MODEL, YR, PLATE and DATE of the auction. If you
do not have the correct date, an additional $10 will be charged for every date
we have to "search" for your vehicle. Duplicate paperwork is just what it
means, DUPLICATE. We will not remake paperwork to any individual other than
the one noted in our records. Requests for duplicate paperwork are usually
fulfilled within seven (7) days. PAYMENT must be made in advance. If
additional "searching" is needed because of incorrect information provided,
you can pay those fees at the time of pickup.
Q: Are the auctions ever canceled?
A: There is always the possibility the auction may be canceled due to weather
conditions, illness or business demands beyond our control. Every attempt will
be made to hold a scheduled auction, but if you are attending from out of town,
feel free to call the office to be sure the auction is still on schedule.
Q: Is there a limit to the number of vehicles I can purchase?
A: Absolute Towing Services, Inc. does not limit the number of vehicles you
purchase, but there may be restrictions according to DMV on the number of vehicles
you purchase and sell every year without obtaining a dealer’s license. Absolute
Towing Services, Inc. does report all vehicle purchases to DMV.
Q: What does ABANDONED mean?
A: The vehicle was towed by order of the police for being left (abandoned) on
a public roadway. The vehicle could have major mechanical problems and be completely
"trashed" or it might have a minor problem. Sometimes we will attempt to get an
abandoned running and have a key made or we will "punch" the ignition. However,
most abandoned vehicles are not runners.
Q: What does PPI mean?
A: This is a Private Property Impound, towed by request of a landlord or private
property owner under proper notification for an abandoned or illegally parked vehicle
on their property. These vehicles usually do not run, however, from time to time,
we will have a key made or attempt to get them running.
Q: What does IMPOUND mean?
A: The vehicle was towed because the driver did not have current or valid
registration or insurance. The driver might also have been driving under the
influence of intoxicants. Usually an impound will "run" as it was "running" when
the driver got pulled over and the car was towed to our facility. However, as
with all vehicles purchased here, there is no warranty expressed, implied or
written. With all our auction vehicles it is purchased AS IS, WHERE IS.
Q: What does ACCIDENT mean?
A: The vehicle was towed because it was involved in an accident and likely has
damage. It could be extensive or minor. The only way to know is preview the
vehicle.
Q: Is there any warranty for a vehicle I purchase?
A: None. Vehicles purchased via the lien sale auction are bought AS IS, WHERE
IS. There is no warranty expressed written or implied. There are NO refunds
once a vehicle has been purchased. All sales are FINAL.
Q: What about other vehicles in your yard, can I look at them?
A: No, you can only preview vehicles for the current day's auction. If you are
caught wandering in our yard attempting to view other vehicles, you will be
escorted off the property and possibly banned from future auctions.
Q: I see a car through your fence that I am interested in, when
will it be up for auction?
A: There is no telling if or when a vehicle will be up for auction. Many
cars are in our yard for various reasons and many will be picked up. Therefore
we do not engage in speculating about the possibilities until a vehicle is
actually on the auction list. So please don't waste our time asking. When you
see it on the list, you will know.
To contact us:
(Primary Business Address)
1378 Cross ST SE
Salem, Oregon 97302
Phone: 503-763-1788 Salem
Fax: 503-589-5589
Phone: 503-932-9044 Albany & Corvallis
Phone: 503-932-9051 Lincoln City & Grand Ronde
Phone: 541-536-2662 Bend & La Pine
Phone: 503-932-9031 Dallas
Toll Free: 877-664-6171
E-mail: salem @ absolutetowingservices.com
"Absolutely the Best Towing Service Available"
|
