TRI-STATE AUTO
AUCTION The Friendliest Place in Town AUCTION RULES AND POLICIES
OFFICE HOURS MONDAY-FRIDAY 9:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. SALE EVERY THURSDAY 12:30 P.M.
55 EAST BUFFALO CHURCH ROAD WASHINGTON, PA 15301 EXIT 11, I-70
PHONE 724-225-1777 FAX 724-225-7223
EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 1, 2002 GENERAL POLICIES
1. This sale is for licensed dealers only. You must be registered to buy or sell
and use your ID card to sign for purchases. 2. All titles and ownership papers
on sold vehicles must be processed through office. 3. All vehicles purchased and
or sold on premises must be paid for through office. Anyone found dealing
outside of the sale in order to avoid sale fees will be subject to suspension or
being permanently barred. 4. THIS AUCTION IS NOT PARTY TO THE CONTRACT OF THE
SALE WHICH IS BETWEEN THE SELLER AND BUYER ONLY. THIS AUCTION IS NOT THE
TRANSFERRER REQUIRED TO GIVE THE FEDERAL ODOMETER MILEAGE STATEMENT IN
CONNECTION WITH ANY SALE/AUCTION WITHIN THE CONTEMPLATION OF THE MOTOR VEHICLE
INFORMATION COST SAVINGS ACT OF 1972. AS AMENDED OR SIMILAR LAWS. THE SELLER IS
THE TRANSFERRER WITHIN THE CONTEMPLATION OF SUCH LAWS. 5. All titles submitted
by seller must be in seller's name. Any third party reporting agency (Carfax,
Autocheck, etc.) items are subject to verification and inspection by the
auction. The auction reserves the right to make the final decision. 6. Buyer is
responsible for verifying serial number on all purchases. No vehicle will be
offered for sale without serial number, plate, or proper identification. 7.
Seller guarantees (unless declared) all noted items which are subject to
arbitration on cars sold for $605.00 or more. 8. Seller will not offer for sale
any vehicle which does not comply with current Federal and State regulations. 9.
It is THE BUYERS OBLIGATION to watch lights, listen to announced "conditions"
and verify paper work is correct prior to signing. 10 The auction is not
responsible for warranty books or plates regardless of year, make, or model. Nor
is warranty expressed or implied as to the accuracy of the odometer reading. 11.
All vehicles sold with a drive must be settled within 2 hours. 12. "Outside or
Off the Block Sales" are strictly between buyer and seller and are NOT BINDING
ON EITHER until sale is consummated. The auction will not become involved in any
arbitration procedures or be responsible for ANY DEFECTS on units sold outside
the sale. (Exception: Frame) 13. "If" or "Try" sales strictly between the buyer
and seller and not binding on either until sale is consummated. The auction
should not be involved with defects. 14. Due to safety considerations, revving
engines is strictly prohibited. Repeat offenders will have their trading
privileges suspended. 15. BUYERS must pay for all purchases on the DAY OF THE
SALE. Buyer's method of payment is subject to auction approval. 16. UNLESS A
BUYER HAS OBTAINED PRIOR WRITTEN APPROVAL FROM THE AUCTION'S GENERAL MANAGER OR
BUSINESS MANAGER, BUYERS FAILING TO PAY FOR UNIT ON SALE DAY WILL BE SUBJECT TO
A MINIMUM LATE PAYMENT FEE OF $50.00 PER WEEK, PER VEHICLE. 17. Any stipulation
promises or guarantees made between buyer and seller must appear in writing on
the "Bill of Sale" before it may become a part of the transaction. The auction
assumes no responsibility for any verbal commitments. 18. All vehicles are
consigned at the owner's risk. The auction is NOT liable for theft or damage to
any vehicle left at the auction. Sellers are advised to remove personal
property, cellular phones, radio faceplates, etc. from their vehicles prior to
checking in the vehicle. 19. Canadian vehicles are considered unacceptable for
sale unless the vehicle is titled in the U.S. and has a clear title. Also, the
vehicle must be announced Canadian with converted U.S. miles. 20. Purchased
vehicles left on the lot after 5 days are subject to charges of $10.00 per
vehicle, per day. 21. Any vehicle left on the lot for 14 days will be considered
abandoned and sold for storage. 22. Dealers must have their vehicles at the
auction before the start of the sale or the reserved auction numbers will be
cancelled and sold to dealers with vehicles already present.
SUBJECT TO ARBITRATION (UNLESS DECLARED)
A. On units 10,000: Visible Defects, Defective Windshields, Body Work, Paint
Work, must be announced (except minor brush touchup.) B. Transmission, clutch,
Rear End. C. Air conditioning unit except vehicles over 5 years old. D. Frame
damage is arbitrated under the National Auto Auction Association's (NAAA)
"Structural Damage Policy". All green light units are subject to this policy
unless announced. All red light vehicles sold for over $2000.00 are also subject
to this policy. The NAAA policy is available at the auction office and is posted
throughout the lanes. Frame damage from normal use (scratches, scrapes, jack or
lift marks, minor corner tie down marks, not resulting from accidents) is not
grounds for rejection. E. Flood vehicles must be reported within one week and
returned within one week from purchase date. The determination of flood vehicles
will be made by the auction and the decision of the auction is final in these
matters. F. Cracked or wielded cylinder blocks must be reported within 7
calendar days of the sale day. G. Motor defects which cannot be fixed at $300.00
(Excludes: top engine noise and/or camshaft over 50,000 miles). H. Any accepted
adjustment is automatically an "AS-IS" I. The first $300.00 belongs to the
buyer. If it can be fixed for $300.00 or less the item is not subject to
arbitration. J. Unitized body undercarriage, damaged or rotted out, must be
announced on vehicles sold over $600.00. K. Altered or removed emission
equipment. Exception: Vehicles purchased for less than $605.00 L. ABS Brake
Light on or any problems with ABS Brakes. M. Air bag problems or light on. N.
Air ride suspensions. O. Unit unsafe to operate on highways will be rejected. P.
Inoperable odometers must be arbitrated by 5:00 p.m. sale day and prior to
settlement.
"ALL ARBITRATION MUST BE SUBMITTED TO THE ARBITRATOR WITHIN 2 HOURS OF PURCHASE
TIME"
NOT SUBJECT TO ARBITRATION
A. One (1) year old or older: windshields, windows, upholstery, rust underneath
(except unibody) and any other obvious defects. B. Exhaust system and exhaust
smoke (unless excessive). Missing catalytic converter on 5 year old vehicle and
newer must be announced by seller and must be reported by end of sale day. C.
Leaking and wet transmission. EXCEPTION: excessive leaking of front seal. D. All
"ALL-IS" vehicles under any condition are subject to any and all defects,
including frame problems and cracked block. The buyer must pay for "AS-IS"
vehicles immediately. E. Cruise control, power antenna, electric windows,
electric seats, and radio. F. Missing or inoperable high security or valet keys.
G. Oil leaks, EXCEPTION: Excessive rear main engine seal leaking only. H. Normal
slop in driveline of 4x4. I. 5 years old and older or 50,000 miles and up.
Backlash play in driveline and lifter noise (except bearings), however they
should be announced as such. J. Vehicles with altered suspension being sold with
a green light has 2 hours to arbitrate any problems found. K. Core support
damage. L. Frame damage is not arbitrated on units purchased under the red light
for less than $2000.00. M. Check engine light.
GREEN LIGHT "SOUND" Selling dealer declares vehicle is subject to all
arbitration policies.
YELLOW LIGHT "ANNOUNCED CONDITIONS" Sold with a drive subject to the following
conditions vehicles which must be announced. Defects in the engine,
transmission, rear end, other mechanical defects of over $300.00, non-standard
motor and transmission, major exceptions to the original or advertised
production specifications for items deleted or added. 1. Any vehicle
manufactured with the option of 4 wheel drive-the 2-wheel drive must be
announced. 2. All diesel, diesel conversion and alternative fuel vehicles must
be announced. 3. Any unit over 100,000, 200,000, 300,000, etc. must be
announced.
BLUE LIGHT "TITLE DELAYED" When "TITLE DELAYED" is not announced at the block
the buyer has the right to reject the vehicle. Assignable title does not
accompany vehicle. May require up to 14 days for the title be presented to the
auction for re-assignment. Buyer is cautioned not to spend any money on unit and
not to sell unit until the title is received. Buyer's who in the opinion of
Auction Management puts excessive miles on title delayed vehicles MAY FORFEIT
THEIR RIGHT TO RETURN SUCH VEHICLES, regardless of the status or time of the
present title presentation. Buyer checks are deposited immediately by the
auction. After the 14 day period, it is the buyers' option to return the car or
wait a reasonable additional period of time for the title. In the event that the
title is not received by the auction within the 14-day period, special
arrangements must be made with the auction before the unit is returned. The
auction must be notified 24 hours prior to the return of the unit for failure to
receive title. If auction has mailed title and it is in route, buyer cannot
return unit. Seller will be responsible for the sale fee of any returned vehicle
due to an unannounced condition or Title Delayed return.
RED LIGHT "AS-IS" This light is used to sell all "AS-IS" units which means these
units cannot be rejected for any reason. All vehicles sold for $600.00 or less
are AS-IS. This is true regardless of the color of the light on at the time the
vehicle is auctioned. AS-IS vehicles must be paid for immediately. RED LIGHT
"AS-IS" CONT. EXCEPTION: If not announced, R-title, previous salvage history,
nonfunctional ODOMETER (not SPEEDOMETER), or over 100,000 miles. Odometer
problems must be reported the day of the sale. Vehicles sold "AS-IS" are subject
to any and all defects including frame, cracked block, etc.
Red Light, also, will be used to sell and these must be announced: " All units
over 100,000 miles " Reconstructed " Salvage or previous salvage " Flood vehicle
" Boats " Municipal Car " Police Car " Dune Buggy " Motor Home " Antiques "
Reconstructed " Taxi " Fire Car " ATV vehicles " Motorcycles " Trailers
The auction house does not guarantee the year of any foreign vehicle, house
trailer, boat, boat motor, antique vehicle, dune buggy, motorcycle, or motor
home. Satisfy yourself before settlement, as the auction will not become
involved in any subsequent dispute.
RECONSTRUCTED VEHICLES\ Selling dealer is responsible for announcing if the
title is or ever has been a Reconstructed or Salvage title, regardless of the
color of the light which the vehicle was run under. Any problems arising from
these conditions must be reported to the auction within 30 days. NO EXCEPTIONS.
Any vehicle sold for $600.00 or less and "AS-IS" vehicle regardless of what
light it was run under.
OUTSIDE SALES Any sale other than "under the hammer" will be considered an
outside sale. Outside sales are strictly between the buyer and seller and are
not binding on either party until the sale in consummated. The auction will not
become involved in any arbitration procedures or be responsible for any defects
on units sold outside the sale. EXCEPTION: Frame
ODOMETERS Seller must announce if odometer is not working properly, if he has
any knowledge that the mileage on the vehicle is different than the mileage
shown on the odometer, and if in excess of 100,000 miles. 1. Tri-State Auto
Auction has the right of suspend any dealer that it believes is guilty of
selling vehicles with tampered odometers. 2. Any dealer either guilty or
innocent, who sells a vehicle where the odometer tampering can be confirmed,
will be required to purchase the vehicle and reimburse the buyer for reasonable
handling expenses. 3. We check the title closely for alterations or erasures. If
we feel an altered title was knowingly presented to us for processing, we will
suspend the dealers' trading privileges.
BUYERS Please examine vehicles before bidding and be familiar with all announced
conditions of the unit. Vehicles should not be road tested until the buyer has
the proper sales receipt for release from the lot. Please examine the serial
number, plate, and the mileage reading before leaving the sale. Pay for each
vehicle with a separate check. BUYER ASSUMES REPSONSIBLITY FOR MECHANICAL
FAILURE AFTER LEAVING THE SALE. Bringing retail customers is strictly prohibited
and will result in revoked buying privileges.
SELLERS Please have your units on the premises as early as possible on Thursday,
avoiding the last minute rush. Please represent your vehicle accurately and
fairly. It is the seller's obligation to watch lights and listen to "announced
conditions". Buyers and sellers should always use their ID card to enter their
vehicles for sale and sign for all purchases. Please help us to serve you better
by always using your ID card. The decision of the arbitrator and/or management
shall be FINAL in all disputes. Dealers reserving numbers and not using them
will be billed a $25.00 no-show fee.
CERTIFICATES OF ORIGIN Vehicles sold with Certificates of Origin must be
announced. Only franchised dealers may sell with Certificates of Origin and a
special release form must be signed by buyer and seller. The auction will not be
responsible to buyer if sales tax is applicable in their state. Seller must
announce Certificate of Origin.
TITLE MUST BE TURNED IN BY 5:00PM SALE DAY OR UNIT WILL BE SOLD "TITLE ATTACHED"
RETURNED CHECKS - $50.00
UNACCEPTABLE TITLES TITLES WITH THE FOLLOWING DEFECTS ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE:
Alterations, Erasures, Wrong digits or description, Improper Reassignments,
Missing Forms, Salvage Titles (unless announced), Foreign Country Titles.
CHILDREN We love children and would not want any of them to be hurt. For safety
reasons, children without a valid drivers license are not permitted at out sale.
Your cooperation will be appreciated.
Member: NIADA National Auto Auction Association Eastern Auto Auction Association
Pennsylvania Independent Automobile Dealers Association Pittsburgh Automobile
Trade Association Auction Insurance Association Auto Check
Thank you for attending and abiding by these rules. We believe they are fair and
just. They enable us to operate a proper and honest auction for all. If you ever
have any questions or comments concerning the operation of our sale, we are
always willing to listen.
The Owner and Management