Boat auction fees and payment, explained

You pay the winning bid plus a flat $399 document processing & boat transfer fee. There's no buyer's premium, no deposit to bid and no charge to register. Payment is due within 48 hours of the auction ending, using the instructions on your invoice.

• The winning bid. Every auction starts at $1 with no reserve, and the highest bid when the clock runs out is the price.
• One flat fee. The $399 document processing & boat transfer fee covers title verification, invoicing and the transfer paperwork, including a bill of sale. It's shown on every listing before you bid.
• Accepted offers pay just the offer. If you buy through Make an offer and we accept your offer (or you accept our counter), the invoice is the offer amount, with no document fee.

• No buyer's premium (a percentage some auction sites add to the winning bid).
• No deposit and no card on file to place a bid.
• No fee to register or to bid.

Within 48 hours of the auction ending. You get an email when you win, and the invoice is in your account and in your inbox. If you need more time, contact us before the deadline: we can extend it once.

There's no checkout on this website, and we never ask for card details here. Your invoice explains how to pay: Venmo, PayPal (which can take a card), bank transfer (ACH or wire), or a cashier's check or money order.

Once the payment arrives we mark the invoice paid, and you can see that in your account.

1. 1
   We confirm your payment and send the pickup address and a contact.
2. 2
   You collect the boat where it sits. We don't arrange transport; see how to get a boat home.
3. 3
   The title paperwork follows what the listing says. See boat titles and registration for what your state needs.

Tell us as soon as you can. An unpaid sale is cancelled, the boat may be relisted or offered to the next-highest bidder, and the unpaid sale is noted on your account. Every bid is binding, so bid only what you're ready to pay.

Our terms include a 30-day money-back guarantee: if a boat was materially misdescribed and you don't take it, you get your payment back, including the fee. See the terms for the details.

The invoice isn't the whole cost of the boat. Before you bid, also allow for:

• Towing it home or a hauler's quote.
• Registration, and any sales or use tax your state collects when you register.
• Parts and repairs: donated boats are sold as-is. See how to check a boat before you bid.