Complaints

• Initial Complaint

  11/26/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  A Better bids website ******************* as of 11/25/24. They falsely advertised their shipping fees under the terms and conditions section. They verbally stated (spoke with ****** in shipping) on 11/25/24. Per the shipping department, A better bid is required to schedule the shipping from the Copart location. Meaning they can charge whatever they want and the consumer has to pay it. I wanted to schedule my own transportation. They said even if its not on the website and it doesnt matter because they will not release the car to me or any shipping company. I said A better Bid needs to clearly state it on the website prior to any purchase. I asked to speak to a manager at A better Bid. The manager isn't available to take calls. The manager who's name is *** doesn't take phone calls. He might respond by email. I would like a refund of my shipping fees. Here is the website: *********************************************************** V. VEHICLE EXPORTS/IMPORTS, SHIPPING A. Vehicle Pickup.Purchased vehicles may be picked up from the designated Copart facility upon full and complete payment for the vehicle, which includes payment of all applicable fees, to ****** is mandatory that all vehicles be transported from ****** facilities by a licensed and insured transportation company. This requirement is in accordance with our non-driving affidavit. B. Shipment.Should you desire to have your vehicle shipped to you, you may place with us either an overseas or domestic shipping order pursuant to which we will act as your shipping agent and will select and engage a shipping carrier on your behalf and otherwise arrange for transportation, storage, and delivery of the vehicle. -in the email sent today: Hi ********,You've successfully paid for your "Buy It Now" vehicle, lot #********. It's ready for pickup!If you haven't arranged pickup yet, please make sure to do so as soon as possible. -I hope you act quickly as it might be deleted from the website.

  Business response

  11/28/2024

  Hello ********,
  I understand your frustration. While I appreciate your concern about the pickup process, using a licensed shipping company is essential to protect your vehicle and ensure it arrives undamaged. As we discussed, your vehicle was delivered without incident. We value your business and hope to have the opportunity to provide you with a better experience in the future.

• Initial Complaint

  11/09/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Vehicle Information:Year: 2021 Make: DODGE Model: CHARGER R/VIN: ***************** Lot #: ******** Date picked up and dropped off October 24 2024 The vehicle did not run and drive ( says on ****** website but not on their scammer website they hide this info) and I have spent already a thousand dollars (I have receipts) on trying to make it to run and drive. They sold me a complete lemon and a complete lie. Nevertheless they do not want to refund me and they close 10 minutes before 3pm at 2:50 pm so they can avoid disputes with customers that have been tricked into their fraudulent scheme. My email to info@abetterbid to Eve The 2021 DODGE CHARGER R/ Lot# ********VIN: ***************** Did not run and drive, had missing car parts, left back rear tire completely deflated and had many mechanical issues. I have already spent over $1000 in just to make it run and drive. *** had to install a new battery,hire mechanics,tow truck drivers,purchase car parts, and the key fob was dead upon arrival. This is devastating and detrimental please respond as soon as possible. I have all receipts in hand thank you P: ************ ***

  Business response

  11/15/2024

  We're deeply sorry on this frustrating situation. According to the general manager at Copart Los Angeles, "nothing to be done for the bidder. The vehicle had warning lights and the fact airbags deployed with no visible damage tells that it wasn't fully repaired. Also, just going by the lot number (last digit) you would know it was received in 2023 and sold in October for the bidder. Hence, battery, key fob, tire, etc. would be that of a long-sat unstarted vehicle. Preview and third party inspection available to be had prior to bidding."
  
  There is nothing A Better Bid can do if ****** does not approve a buyback. The policy states that the condition of the vehicle is not guaranteed, therefore once the vehicle leaves the location, the purchase is considered final.

• Initial Complaint

  05/17/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  I was at an online auction through a better bid. They estimate fees and tax for you before you bid as well as shipping. After I won the bid, everything automatically changed fee wise. My shipping doubled from 299 to 599, the fees jumped up a few hundred dollars. I then contacted there shipping company BIDUX and they gave me a 288$ quote which aligned with the original one before I made a purchase. I then sent the auction company a copy of my quote and they said let me check... then came back with the same quote 599. How is a company allowed to change the price after the fact? Then to top it all off, abetterbid and bidux have the same customer service representatives! It's obviously a scam.. raise the cost last minute by another company they own! I then asked them to remove the shipping fee and that Id have a different company pick up the bike. They then made it impossible to approve that towing company and they wasted more than 24 hours not responding! They only hold the cars for three days and they're not open on the weekend!.. So I'm forced to pay the fee for them or they prolonged it so much that I had to pay them storage fees! Someone needs to investigate.

  Business response

  05/31/2024

  Hello!

  We are truly sorry to hear that your experience with our service did not meet your expectations.
  
  Regarding the shipping quote for **********, ** *****, ***, we would like to clarify that our initial quote of $599 was accurate and reflected the agreed-upon price for the shipping services. We also would like to remind you that we communicated only the initial quote of $599 during our conversation and did not mention an alternative price of $299.
  
  We are committed to maintaining the integrity of our quotes and prices, and we strive to provide accurate and transparent information to our clients. Once we have provided written confirmation via email for the exact quoted price, we adhere to that price to ensure a seamless and trustworthy experience.
  
  We appreciate your concern for the safety of your vehicle, and we understand that you may have preferred to use a third-party licensed shipping company for pickup. We respect your decision and we sought general information about the shipping company to ensure the safety of the vehicle.
  
  We would like to respectfully point out that our operating hours are designed to ensure efficient and effective communication with our customers. We are closed on weekends, as is our yard where the vehicle is located. We are committed to responding to customer inquiries exclusively during our operational hours and regret any inconvenience this may cause. We are available to assist you during our scheduled hours, and we appreciate your understanding in this matter.

• Initial Complaint

  05/06/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  Lot ******** was posted with misleading practices which without noticing i bidded on the item. I asked for a full refund several times since the post was misleading but i was never given a choice or option to dispute the charges with them directly.I upgraded to their $199/yr service and promised 60k buying power then afterwards was adviced i wouldnt be able to obtain that and which led me to ask for a full refund, but they declined any refunds.This is clearly misleading and unfair business practices with no chance of disputing such fraudulent charges with the compnay

  Business response

  05/10/2024

  According to our Terms and Conditions, all bids are final. All vehicles are sold as is without warranty by Copart. We are a broker for Copart. Any inquiry on the specific vehicle can be made in person or by hiring a third party inspection service.

• Initial Complaint

  02/16/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  Amount transacted of 2240$, condition was stated the vehicle was drivable, they then say you cant check yourself the condition yet they say condition may not be as stated deep in their terms and conditions. Very predatory and hypocritocal

  Business response

  02/20/2024

  A Better Bid CA LLC is a broker for Copart auto auctions. Per Copart, lot# ******** " the vehicle was Run & Drive meaning the vehicle: 1) Started under its own power or with the use of external jump box, 2) Was put into gear, and 3) Moved forward. This designation is no guarantee, representation, or warranty that the vehicle is roadworthy or will be able to start, be put into gear or capable of moving forward at the time of the sale." Also it is up to each location to allow in person inspections. If the client asked us about this, we should have told him to contact the yard directly to set it up. They may have simply required that a deposit was in place a bidder number was assigned.

• Initial Complaint

  10/18/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  10/17/2023 I used the service of ABETTERBID to try to buy a car in a copart Today i was binding but my high bid was ***** and i get a message that one person in **** bid ***** so i stop because was a price i cant pay. But around of 3:20pm i get a call that i win the auction for the price of ***** when my last bind was ***** and they inform me that somebody offer more that i do. I try to contact the company but nobody pick up my calls.

  Business response

  10/24/2023

  Client placed a live bid of $18,400 and states that a second buyer bid $18,500 and the bid was lost. However, our system and Copart's system both state that the winner of the auction was this customer in the amount of $18,400. Per our terms, all bids are final and if a client wishes to cancel the sale and relist a vehicle, they will need to pay a fee of 20% of the winning bid. This will be $3,680. The only two options for this client are to pay the full invoice amount to receive the vehicle or to pay $3,680 to cancel the sale. Furthermore, several of our agents have been in contact with this client by email since Oct 17th.

  Customer response

  10/26/2023

   I am rejecting this response because:
  
  I do not agree with this answer and I insist on returning my money, so do not make any purchase. It was the company A bitter bid that awarded me a car that I gave up on buying during the auction when I saw that the winner was in **** for ******. I don't think the way they handle the auctions is fair, much less how they plan to keep *****. 00 dollars according to them, because they have cancellation policies, but you can't cancel something that I never bought. It was bitter bid who decided to award me the auction because, as they informed me in an email; They assume that if someone is in an auction it is because they want to buy, it doesn't matter if they press the Bid button or not. On the other hand, they accept that the highest bettor was in ****, something that I have insisted from the beginning, because I simply remained a spectator and now I only want to get my money back because I repeat, I never under my own freedom of choice bought or pressed bid to buy that car.
  

  Business response

  10/27/2023

  As per our terms, all bids are final. The client is responsible for any bid. Since the vehicle wasn't actually sold at $18,500, but instead at $18,400, her bid was the winning bid and therefore binding. The only way to move forward would be to pay the relist fee or the vehicle will be resold and if the payment is not received, the fees will need to be taken from the security deposit.

• Initial Complaint

  04/03/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  About a month ago i purchased a car online for 750. I had to pay shipping and fees which brought me up to almost 2k. My 400 deposit was never returned. I recieved the car 3 wks ago. I have not recieved the title. I call and im placed on hold until i hang up no response to emails. Very unprofessional company. I paid membership after first purchase to buy another car, lost 600 deposit on it. Which was fine buy they state i owe 1200? Fraudulent company. By law i was supposed to recieve my title within 30 days.

  Business response

  04/10/2023

  The title for the 2005 Audi A8 was sent from our North Miami Beach, FL location on 03/15/2023 via FedEx tracking# ************. After searching on their site, I see that the package has been delayed. We will contact FedEx and see what is going on and find out why the package has not been delivered. As far as the $1,200 charge for the lot# ********, the auction charges $600 to relist a vehicle if the vehicle is not paid on time or if the client notifies that they would like to cancel the sale. The second $600 charge is a cancellation fee from A Better Bid. The explanation for these charges can be found in our terms and conditions.

  
  

  VI. FEES AND PAYMENTS

  H. Relist Fees.

  
  "In the event a vehicle is not paid for within the time specified by the ABB, Member agrees that ABB may, in its sole and absolute discretion, cancel the sale and relist the vehicle for sale. Member agrees to pay ABB a non-refundable Relist Fee of Six Hundred U.S. Dollars and No Cents ($600.00) or ten percent (10%) of the sale price, whichever is greater, as well as a non-refundable Cancelation Fee of Six Hundred U.S. Dollars and No Cents ($600.00) or 10% whichever is greater. Relist and Cancelation fees will be taken from the Security Deposit paid in advance to ABB and shall be taken without recourse by Member. Members who repeatedly fail to fulfill their obligations are subject to suspension or revocation of their bidding privileges." 

  
  

  Once we receive the payment for the relisted vehicle, we can refund the deposit on the customer's account. If a payment is not received, we have the right to take the fees owed from the security deposit as stated above.

  Customer response

  04/15/2023

   I am rejecting this response because:
  $400 paid for the audi 2005 was a separate transaction, from the 2008 audi where there was a 278+ 600 deposite made. A total of $1278.00 is being held. Not $1000. The transaction for the $400 was completw and requested prior to the end of second car. The title was to be send and arrive in 3 days. I explained the address was differebt than what abb had listed. She stated she would cancel shipment of title. I responded within one min through email explaining i had mail forwarding still cancel

   I was reently told it will take 2-4 wks. And its been over 1 month and half since ive recieved the car and paid for this fraudulent transaction.
  
  

  Business response

  04/18/2023

  The title was already sent but there was a delay due to FedEx. We are trying to figure out what is going on and when you should receive the package. The security deposit is required to be able to place a bid. We hold the deposit until all fees are paid and any won vehicles have been picked up. Since there is a relist fee due, we cannot refund the deposit yet.

  Customer response

  04/18/2023

   I am rejecting this response because:
  
  Hello!
  All ownership documents will be sent to you via FedEx in about 2-4 weeks.
  Please wait, you should receive a notification by email with the tracing number from your brokers.
  Have a wonderful day!
  ******
  *****

  This was sent on the 3rd of April 2023, the day i contacted BBB. Three weeks after the orignal date of arrival of said documents.

  The total deposits paid are $400+ $278+ $600=$1278.00. if i'm being charged $600 for restocking fee and $600 for deposit, then why is the $78.00 being held?  I asked via email what the $278 was for and was told it was also a deposit on the second car.

  
  

  Business response

  04/20/2023

  Your current deposit is $73, which will be refunded to you. You are supposed to request a refund, but I went ahead and requested it for you.

• Initial Complaint

  02/15/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  I was sold a stolen vehicle. This resulted in the vehicle being impounded, 10 days later I had to pay to get the vehicle I just purchased out of impound. Looking for compensation for time, vehicle cost and miles for personal vehicle use.

  Business response

  02/15/2023

  We have spoken to this client and have offered to refund him pending receipts, but he has refused to provide that information. We do not have proof of the amount that the client is stating he spent.

• Initial Complaint

  02/05/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I initially planned to buy a car on A Batter Bid's virtual auction site. They asked me to put a certain amount of deposit. However, after I completed the purchase of a Mini Cooper they withheld my deposit, told me I had pending amount The Company told me that I won a bid for a Mercedes Benz before I bought the Mini Cooper. In fact, during the auction, my bid came to $7,400. During the auction, it showed that the seller didn’t accept that price. After I saw the seller had declined my offer, I closed the site, believing that I had not won the bid. So, I rebid and used the money to buy the Mini Cooper. However, the next day, A Better Bid sent me an email telling me I had won the offer. That was after the auction ended and after I had used all my money to buy the Mini Cooper. They told me if I don’t buy the Mercedes, I would have to pay 20% cancellation fee. The truth is that I never won during the auction and the seller had DECLINED my offer during the auction process. I was not under any obligation to still buy the Benz, nor was I under any obligation to pay the 20% cancellation fee. However, the company withhold my deposit. Later I called the customer service and their employees had a terrible attitude and never tried to solve the problem. They said that this is the rule of their company. When I was asking for this employee's name, she told me she has no obligation to tell me her full name. I asked for his manager's phone number and she said she couldn't tell me the manager's phone number. She later transferred me to another man who told me he was the manager. however he still had a very bad and mean attitude and told me that there was no way to cancel cancellation fee. He completely ignored my complaint My account number on A Better Bid is 30****01, the invoice number for the Mercedes Benz is B-2**777. I did not win the Benz and invoice should not have been sent to me. I don't think I need to pay 20% of the cancellation fee and I want to get my $2000 deposit.

  Business response

  02/13/2023

  Relist for the Mercedes has already been paid. Client's deposit of $455 is still in his account. He can request a refund of that amount at any time.

  Customer response

  02/13/2023

   I am rejecting this response because:
  
  The Business did not provide any explanation for my complaint. I didn't win the Mercedes during the auction, it was after the auction ended that the seller suddenly agreed to my offer which had been rejected before. i don't understand why my deposit was only $455. it shouldn't be up to me to pay the relist fee.

  Business response

  02/16/2023

  Per our terms and conditions, all bids are final and since you won the Mercedes and did not pay for it, it was relisted.

• Initial Complaint

  10/02/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  I paid this place 5650$$ and after wiring them the cash never recieved anything in return no title for rv no paper work at all i feel like i just paid them to give away cash

  Business response

  10/03/2022

  The client won the vehicle on 12/31/2021 and the RV was never picked up. Storage fees remained unpaid so the auction was forced to relist it and sell it again. Since the client did pay $5,667 for the RV, he would receive any amount from the vehicle sale aside from resale costs. We currently have a check for $1,237.50 and on August 12th we asked him to provide a mailing address. We never received a response.

*Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business. ↩