When you bid on vehicles through online auctions like Copart, winning the auction isn't always the final step. What happens next depends on the vehicle's Sale Status - a setting that determines how the sale is completed after the auction ends.
This guide explains each Sale Status type, what to expect after winning, and how to navigate counter offer negotiations.
What Is Sale Status?
Sale Status determines how a vehicle will be awarded after the auction ends. There are three types of statuses:
- Pure Sale - the deal completes automatically when you win
- On Approval - the seller must review and confirm your bid by 7:45 PM PST on the next business day
- On Minimum Bid - similar to On Approval, but with the seller's minimum price shown upfront (could be negotiated)
Each status affects your next steps differently.
Pure Sale
What it means: You win the auction, and the vehicle is yours. No additional confirmation from the seller is required.
What happens next:
- The vehicle is immediately awarded to you
- You receive an invoice with full payment details right away
Pure Sale is the fastest, most straightforward outcome. If speed and certainty matter to you, these are the listings to prioritize.
On Approval
What it means: Your winning bid goes to the seller for review. They must approve it before the sale is finalized, but no later than 7:45 PM PST on the next business day.
Real-life example:
Imagine you’re selling your own car. You might use a marketplace or a dealer, but you still want the final say on the price. That’s exactly how On Approval works - the auction helps find a buyer, but the seller makes the final decision.
What can happen after you win:
| Outcome | What It Means |
| Seller accepts your bid | You receive an invoice - deal complete |
| Seller rejects your bid | Vehicle may be reran, often with a Buy It Now price added |
| Seller sends a counter offer | Negotiation begins - see Counter Bidding below |
You'll be notified at each stage and guided through the next steps. You’ll also see a countdown showing how much time the seller has left to make a decision.
On Minimum Bid
What it means: Similar to On Approval, with one key difference: the seller's minimum acceptable price (reserve price) is shown to you immediately after the auction ends.
You don't have to wait to find out where the seller stands. You can see the gap between your bid and their reserve and decide right away whether to negotiate.
How Counter Bidding Works
If a vehicle enters negotiation, you'll see the following on the lot page:
- Your final bid - the amount you placed at auction
- The seller's counter offer - their expected or minimum price
Your Options
1. Do nothing - keep your bid as is
Your original bid stays on the table. The seller is expected to make a final decision by 7:45 PM PST on the next business day.
2. Increase your offer by submitting a counter bid
Submit a higher amount to improve your chances of closing the deal. You can do this as many times as you'd like within the time window.
3. Accept seller’s reserve price
The deal completes immediately, and you receive your invoice.
Important to Know
- Your bid is binding. Once submitted, it cannot be canceled. If you decide you no longer want the vehicle after a counter offer is made, a relist fee will apply.
- No limit on rounds. You can submit multiple counter offers, and the seller can respond with multiple counter offers of their own.
- Time is the only strict limit. The seller must respond by 7:45 PM PST on the next business day. If no decision is made by then, the negotiation closes.
- Don’t treat pending negotiations as canceled. Keep them in mind when bidding on other inventory.
- Plan your budget. Factor in auction fees, shipping, and any repair costs before accepting a counter offer, not just the vehicle price.
Quick Reference: Which Sale Status Is Right for You?
| If you want… | Look for… |
| A fast, guaranteed outcome | Pure Sale |
| Flexibility to negotiate | On Approval |
| Upfront price visibility before negotiating | On Minimum Bid |