Bidbus vs. Carvana: Why a 2-Hour Auction Beats an Algorithm
Carvana has revolutionized the car selling world with its convenience and instant online offers. For many, the idea of getting a price in two minutes without leaving the couch sounds like the ultimate win. You provide your VIN, answer a few questions, and receive a guaranteed number.
But while Carvana is convenient, it is important to remember that they are a retailer. Their offer is not based on what your car is worth to the world. It is based on what it is worth to them to fix up and resell.
Here is why Bidbus is often the smarter financial move.
When you get an offer from Carvana, you are dealing with a computer algorithm. That algorithm looks at their current inventory and national data to give you a "take it or leave it" price. It is a static, one way street.
The Bidbus Advantage: Instead of a single computer generated number, Bidbus puts your car into a high speed 2-hour bidding war. We broadcast your vehicle to over 1,000 dealers who are actively looking to stock their lots. Because these are real people competing in real time, the price often climbs well past a static "instant offer" as dealers outbid each other to secure the win.
Carvana buys cars to sell them directly to other consumers. Because they offer a "Certified" guarantee to their buyers, they are incredibly picky. If your car has minor dings, scratches, or needs new tires, Carvana’s algorithm will often hit you with heavy deductions to cover their reconditioning costs.
The Bidbus Advantage: Our buyers are professional dealers. They have their own mechanics and body shops, and they expect a used car to look like a used car. Because they handle their own reconditioning, they do not penalize you as harshly for the wear and tear that comes with daily driving.
Carvana is a national corporation with massive overhead like transport fleets and giant car vending machines. These costs are often reflected in the offer they give you.
The Bidbus Advantage: We keep it simple and transparent.
Upload: Enter your license plate or VIN and snap a few photos from home.
Auction: Watch the 2-hour auction unfold in real time.
Drop-off: Once you accept the top bid, you simply drop the car off at the winning dealer's location. By handling the drop-off yourself, you ensure that every cent of that winning bid stays in your pocket instead of being eaten by hidden transport fees.
Carvana provides an estimate; Bidbus provides a market. If you want to know what your car is actually worth to the local dealers in your area, you have to let them compete for it.
Ready to see the difference between an algorithm and an auction?
List your car on Bidbus and start your 2-hour auction now.
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