Buying a Car at the Auction
Skipco Auto Auction

Buying at an auction is a very different experience from buying a car from a dealership. At Skipco we will do our best to ensure that you have a pleasant buying experience.

Some Helpful Tips for Bidding on a Vehicle

  • Come Early
    • To best get a feel for the auction, come once or twice just to see how things work.
    • Unlike many other auto auctions, there is no admission charge to get in.
    • The auctioneer goes fast! But, it only takes a few cars to get to easily understand the pace of the auctioneer.
    • Skipco strongly recommends that young children are left at home. There are many things going on at once, most of which involve large vehicles. It is not an environment for young children.

  • Know what you want to bid on before you bid
    • Look over the types of cars you like, take note of their book value (NADA, Kelly Blue Book) and know about how much you want to spend on them.

  • Inspect It Carefully
    • Come on Thursday or Friday night before the auction and thoroughly look over the unit.
    • Bring a flashlight. Some of the units are outside and it gets dark out quick in the winter. Even though our lot is lighted, you'll want to be able to look under the hood, and underneath it.

  • Plan How You're Going to Make Payment
    • Skipco Requires a $200 cash deposit for all regular public bidders immediately after you win the bid on a unit whether it is "Pending Approval" or "Sold". (Bring $200 Cash if you plan on bidding on a unit or $200 Cash for each unit if you plan on bidding on more than one!)
    • There is a $75 buyer’s fee for a sale price of $0 to $700, a $125 buyer’s fee for a sale price of $701 to $1999, a $145 buyer’s fee for a sale price of $2000 to $9,999, a $155 buyer’s fee for a sale price of $10,000 to $14,999, and a $165 buyer’s fee far a sale price of $15,000 or greater appended final cost of the vehicle sold. The only exception to this is on US Marshal's vehicles sold; these have no buyer's fee. So anticipate this in your bidding.


    • The remaining balance is due within 2 business days in the form of a Cashiers Check or Money Order(s). We do NOT accept cash for the final payment.

    • ALL vehicles "SOLD" on the block and paid for by 6:30pm on Tuesday will automatically be charged a $25 late fee and purchasers are subject to default of sale and loss of bidding rights. Vehicles purchased "ON APPROVAL" will be given 48 hours from time of approval to complete payment, after that time a $25 late fee will be imposed and purchasers are subject to default and loss on bidding rights. THIS POLICY APPLIES TO ALL PURCHASERS.

    • Skipco offers financing pre-approval through several financial institutions. See our financing page for links to their online applications.

  • Register to Bid

  • Raise Your Hand and Bid High!
    • Watch for the unit you want to bid on to come up.
    • All Motorcycles are run at the very beginning of the auction in Lane 2
    • All Campers, Motor homes, Boats, and other large items are sold after Lane 1 and Lane 2 are finished.

  • Win the Bid
    • The bid will conclude one of three ways, it is either Sold, Sold Pending Approval, or No-Sale.
      • Sold: You won the bid and can pay for the car now.
      • Sold-Pending Approval: We must call the bank and approve the bid before selling the unit. There is now a deposit required on this type of sale. We will contact the purchaser when we receive answer from the bank. Calling Monday afternoon is no longer necessary.PLEASE BE SURE WE HAVE A CURRENT DAYTIME PHONE NUMBER!
      • No-Sale: The unit had a much higher minimum as set by the bank and could not be sold for the final bid.
    • If you win the bid, immediately come up to the podium to show the clerk your bidder number and give your deposit.
    • The clerk will give you a "Bid Sheet" that confirms your bid and bid amount. You can use this to obtain temporary tags at your local BMV. Skipco does not issue temporary tags.
    • The total amount due will be shown on the Bid Sheet. You will need to obtain this amount and bring it into the office within two business days.
    • This often can all be done on a Saturday morning, our office is open for about a half-hour after the auction.
      • To do this, immediately after leaving your deposit, go to your local BMV to get temporary tags. The closest BMV is in Massillon on Wales Rd (Rt. 241). After getting the temp tag, obtain a certified check or money order(s) for the balance of the vehicle and bring it into the office at Skipco.
      • If paid for on Saturday, the keys will be given to you at that time and you are free to take the unit.
      • The title will be then mailed to you, or can be held at the window to be picked up.
    • You have the option of paying within two full business days after the auction.
    • Our offices are open Monday and Tuesday are 9AM to 6:30PM and Wednesday through Friday 9AM to 5PM.


Remember, It is the buyer's responsibility to carefully inspect each unit before bidding on it at the auction. Everything we sell is in "As-Is" condition. We are open for viewing until 8:00 PM on the Thursday and Friday nights before the auction on Saturday. An employee is available at these times to retrieve keys to any vehicle you wish to start.

Because of insurance reasons, the vehicles can only be started, persons are not permitted to drive the vehicles at the auction.

Be sure to carefully read our Terms & Conditions Page for more our policies regarding buying at the auction.


©2004 Skipco Financial Adjusters Inc.