The short version
- No deposit to start. Searching, translating auction sheets and estimates are free.
- Before we bid, you place a refundable deposit.
- If we don’t win, you get it back, or we keep it for your next car if you prefer.
- If we win, it counts toward the price of the car.
- You’re never charged for a car you don’t win.
When we ask for a deposit
Only when you authorize us to bid on a specific car in your portal. The deposit shows the auction house that the bid is backed, and covers the penalties we’d face if a won car went unpaid. We won’t place a bid until your deposit is received.
How much
The deposit is 10% of your maximum all-in budget, with a minimum of $1,500. One deposit covers one active bid. If you authorize bids on several cars for the same day, we may ask for a deposit for each.
How to pay
Deposits are arranged with us directly. We never take card or bank details on this website. We accept bank wire, Zelle or cashier’s check. We’ll confirm receipt in your portal before we bid.
If we don’t win
Your choice:
- Refund: we return the full deposit within 5 business days of the auction, by the method you paid with.
- Carry it forward: we keep it for your next car, and you can ask for it back at any time.
Nothing is deducted when we don’t win. The only exception is an inspection you asked for, which is paid separately (see below).
If we win
Your deposit is applied to your invoice for the car. The balance is due within 3 business days; see our terms of service.
If you change your mind
- Before the cut-off: withdraw your bid in your portal up to 24 hours before the auction starts (Japan time) and your deposit is fully refundable.
- After we win: an auction purchase can’t be cancelled. If you don’t pay for a car we won for you, your deposit is kept to cover the auction house’s cancellation penalty and our costs; if those are higher than the deposit, you owe the difference.
Inspections
Inspections in Japan are optional and paid separately from the deposit. We confirm the price with you before ordering. Once ordered, an inspection is non-refundable, because our partner in Japan charges us as soon as it’s booked.
Questions
Email team@japanimports.net or message us in your portal. If anything here conflicts with a written agreement we’ve made with you for a specific car, that agreement applies.