The Buyer’s Journey
Your Step-by-Step Buying Process
Step 1 — Create Your Account
Creating a Membership Account is free. Once registered, you’ll be assigned a unique User Number — used in place of your name on all public platform communications to protect your privacy.
A valid payment method is required before placing bids or making offers. EXR uses Stripe for secure payment processing and does not retain your payment data internally. Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) is available and strongly recommended.
Create Your Account
Step 2 — Browse & Find Your Next Acquisition
Browsing the EXR marketplace is free — no account required to view listings. Use our search and filter tools to find race cars, track-day vehicles, trailers, transporters, parts, gear, and equipment.
Every listing on EXR has been human-vetted and approved by our team before going live. Listings include detailed technical specifications, condition ratings, ownership and racing history, and high-resolution photo galleries and videos — giving you the transparency needed to make a confident, informed decision.
Not sure what you’re looking for? Contact our team — we can help match you with the right asset from our active and upcoming listings.
Step 3 — Understand the Sales Format
Every EXR listing is presented in one of two sales formats. Both formats receive the full Platinum Service experience.
Hybrid Auction — EXR’s signature cycling format. A 7-day Live Auction paired with a 7-day Buy Now/Make Offer window, repeating every 14 days until the asset sells. During the Live Auction window, competitive bidding is the only active purchase method — Buy Now and Make Offer are temporarily disabled.
Direct Sale — A continuous Buy Now/Make Offer listing with no auction periods, no countdown clocks. Purchase at the Buy Now price or submit a private offer at any time.
Premium Structure on Each Listing. Every listing has one of three Sales Premium structures, selected by the seller and displayed on the listing page before you bid or make an offer:
- Buyer’s Premium (Platform Default) — Buyer pays the full 5%
- Split Premium — Buyer and Seller each pay 2.5%
- Seller’s Premium — Seller pays the full 5%
Always check the premium structure on the listing page before participating.
For full pricing breakdown and a side-by-side comparison of Hybrid Auction vs. Direct Sale, see the Marketplace Process page.
Visit the Marketplace Process Page
Listing Duration & Buyer Protections
EXR’s listing structure is built to give you a fresh, accurate, trustworthy inventory every day. Here’s what that means when you’re the buyer:
- Listings don’t expire on a short timer. Every approved listing runs for 365 days from publication, Run-Till-Sold, and renews with one click at no charge to the seller. Sellers stay invested in their listing without us charging them to wait — so you have time to do your due diligence, arrange a PPI, and talk to our team before you decide.
- The inventory you see is actually available. Every 90 days we ping the seller to confirm the asset is still on the market and hasn’t sold elsewhere. If a seller doesn’t confirm availability across three consecutive check-ins — or fails to renew at the end of their listing term — the listing is archived. So you’re not chasing ghost listings or stale ads.
- Archived listings can come back. If a listing you were watching has been archived, contact our team at [email protected]. We can reach the seller about reactivation; if approved, the listing returns to the marketplace under the same standards.
- Every listing meets the same standard. Every approved EXR listing — regardless of asset value — receives the full Platinum Service treatment: same approval process, same presentation standards, same concierge support throughout the transaction.
For the full platform mechanics, see the Marketplace Process page. For the legal treatment, see Section 4.8 of our Terms of Service.
Step 4 — Place Your Bid or Offer
All bids and offers are placed through the listing page on the EXR platform. You must be registered and have a valid payment method on file to participate.
Bidding During Live Auctions (Hybrid Auction Listings Only)
During a Live Auction window of any Hybrid Auction listing, Buy Now and Make Offer are temporarily disabled. Competitive bidding is the only active purchase method.
Every Hybrid Auction live auction opens at the seller’s Opening Bid Price — the starting point for the 7-day Live Auction window. The Opening Bid Price may be displayed publicly on the listing or kept confidential (“Price on Request”). It applies only to the Live Auction window; it does not act as a floor on Make Offer submissions during a Buy Now/Make Offer window of the same cycle, and it does not apply to Direct Sale listings.
Two bidding options are available:
- Incremental Bids ($100 increments): The platform automatically advances the bid box in $100 increments above the current high bid. You’ll be notified by email and/or text if you are outbid.
- Proxy Bids (Automatic bidding up to your maximum): Enter the maximum amount you are willing to pay. The platform bids on your behalf in $100 increments — only bidding the minimum necessary to keep you as the high bidder, up to your set maximum. Your maximum proxy bid amount is never visible to the seller or other bidders.
Proxy Bid Examples:
- Example 1 — Proxy bid below reserve: Reserve: $50,000 | Current Bid: $48,000 | Your Proxy Bid: $49,500. New Current Bid: $49,500. You are the highest bidder but will not win unless reserve is met before auction close.
- Example 2 — Proxy bid above reserve: Reserve: $50,000 | Current Bid: $48,000 | Your Proxy Bid: $50,500. New Current Bid: $50,000 (platform meets reserve on your behalf). If no further bids are placed, you win at $50,000.
- Example 3 — Competing proxy bids: Your Proxy Bid: $50,500. Another bidder places $50,300. Platform bids $50,400 on your behalf. If auction closes at this point, you win at $50,400.
Sniping Protection: If a bid is placed within the final 5 minutes before auction close, the auction clock extends by 2 minutes from the time of that bid. If another bid is placed during the extension, the clock extends again by 2 minutes. This process repeats until 5 full minutes pass with no new bid. The auction is not over until 5 minutes have elapsed since the last bid was placed.
Reserve vs. No-Reserve:
- Reserve Auction (platform default): The listing only sells if the highest bid meets or exceeds the seller’s confidential minimum price. You are not obligated to purchase if reserve is not met.
- No-Reserve Auction: The listing sells to the highest bidder regardless of price. Maximum engagement, no floor.
Buy Now & Make Offer
Buy Now and Make Offer availability depends on the sales format:
- Hybrid Auction listings: Buy Now and Make Offer are active during the 8-to-14-day Live Preview period (before the first auction opens) and during the 7-day Buy Now/Make Offer windows between auction cycles. Both are temporarily disabled during the 7-day Live Auction windows.
- Direct Sale listings: Buy Now and Make Offer are active continuously throughout the listing period — no auction periods.
Buy Now: Clicking Buy Now at the listed price immediately wins the listing. This constitutes a legally binding purchase commitment. Upon a successful Buy Now, the applicable Sales Premium is automatically charged and the deal is unlocked.
Make Offer & Counter-Offer: Submit a private offer below the Buy Now price. The seller has three choices, each exercised through the platform: Accept, Decline, or send a Counter-Offer back to you.
If the seller sends a Counter-Offer, you have seventy-two (72) hours to Accept, Decline, or send a further Counter-Offer back. Counter-Offers may continue between you and the seller without round limit until one party Accepts, one party Declines, or the responding party fails to respond within 72 hours (no-response is treated as a Decline).
Each Counter-Offer round resets a fresh 72-hour response window for the receiving party. All Counter-Offers are submitted, received, and accepted through the platform — keeping a clean audit trail for both sides.
Acceptance is binding. If the seller accepts your offer or you accept the seller’s Counter-Offer, the listing is won immediately and the applicable Sales Premium is charged. Make Offer submissions and Counter-Offer acceptances are binding contracts under Section 6 of our Terms of Service — if accepted, you are obligated to complete the purchase and the 7-7-72 Timeline (Step 7) begins.
Pursuant to the ESIGN Act and UETA, clicking “Bid,” “Buy Now,” “Make Offer,” or “Counter-Offer” constitutes a legally binding electronic signature and creates a binding contractual obligation to purchase the listed item at the agreed price, subject to PPI provisions in our Terms of Service.
Step 5 — Winning the Listing
A Winning Event triggers the automatic collection of the applicable Sales Premium and unlocks the deal — both parties receive each other’s contact information and concierge-vetted documentation to finalize the transaction. The 7-7-72 performance timeline (Step 7) begins immediately.
Winning Event triggers depend on the sales format:
Hybrid Auction listings — Winning Event occurs when:
- Your bid meets or exceeds the Reserve Price at auction close (Reserve Auction)
- Your bid is the highest at auction close (No-Reserve Auction)
- You pay the Buy Now price during a Live Preview or Buy Now/Make Offer window
- The seller accepts your Make Offer submission
- You accept the seller’s Counter-Offer (or the seller accepts your Counter-Offer)
Direct Sale listings — Winning Event occurs when:
- You pay the Buy Now price
- The seller accepts your Make Offer submission
- You accept the seller’s Counter-Offer (or the seller accepts your Counter-Offer)
Under the platform-default Buyer’s Premium structure, your payment method on file is charged the 5% Sales Premium upon a Winning Event. Under Split Premium, you and the seller each pay 2.5%. Under Seller’s Premium, the seller pays the full 5% and you pay nothing.
Step 6 — The Sales Premium
The seller chooses the Sales Premium structure during listing creation. The applicable structure is always displayed on the listing page before you bid or make an offer — review it carefully before participating.
Three premium options apply across both formats:
- Buyer’s Premium (Platform Default): You pay the full 5% Sales Premium. The seller pays nothing.
- Split Premium: You and the seller each pay 2.5%.
- Seller’s Premium: The seller pays the full 5%. You pay nothing.
Sales Premium Calculation — calculated under three rules:
- 5% on sales $15,000 to $149,999, subject to a $750 minimum.
- 5% on sales $150,000 to $749,999, capped at $7,500.
- 1% on sales $750,000 and above, with no cap.
Who pays? Buyer (Platform Default)  | Split Premium or Seller’s Premium options available — see the listing page for the structure that applies.
| Sale Price | Sales Premium | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| $15,000 | $750 | $750 minimum |
| $30,000 | $1,500 | 5% rate |
| $75,000 | $3,750 | 5% rate |
| $100,000 | $5,000 | 5% rate |
| $150,000 | $7,500 | $7,500 cap reached |
| $500,000 | $7,500 | $7,500 cap holds |
| $750,000 | $7,500 | 1% rate begins (1% × $750K = $7,500) |
| $875,000 | $8,750 | 1% rate |
| $1,000,000 | $10,000 | 1% rate |
| $1,500,000 | $15,000 | 1% rate |
For sales between $150,000 and $749,999, the 5% Sales Premium is capped at $7,500. For sales of $750,000 and above, the Sales Premium is calculated at 1% with no cap.
Examples (assuming the platform-default Buyer’s Premium — you pay the full 5%):
- $30,000 purchase → $1,500
- $75,000 purchase → $3,750
- $150,000 purchase → $7,500 — cap applies
- $500,000 purchase → $7,500 — cap applies
- $750,000 purchase → $7,500 — 1% rate begins
- $1,000,000 purchase → $10,000 — 1% rate
Under Split Premium, you and the seller each pay 2.5% of the same totals. Under Seller’s Premium, the seller pays the full 5% and you pay nothing. The $750 minimum applies to the total Sales Premium across all three structures.
The Sales Premium is non-refundable except in specific circumstances outlined in Section 9 of our Terms of Service. Please review the full refund policy before participating.
Step 7 — The 7-7-72 Timeline
Following a Winning Event on any EXR listing, all buyers and sellers are bound by the following mandatory performance windows:
| Timeline | Performance Event | Event Description |
|---|---|---|
| 7 Business Days | Pre-Purchase Inspection (PPI) | The Buyer has 7 business days to complete a Pre-Purchase Inspection. A sale may only be cancelled if a Major Undisclosed Defect is found — buyer’s remorse and minor cosmetic wear are not grounds for cancellation. See Section 9 of our Terms of Service for full details. |
| 7 Business Days | Full Payment | The Buyer must fund the full purchase price within 7 business days of the Winning Event, or within 7 business days of a satisfactory PPI — whichever is later. If the Buyer fails to pay, they are liable for the full Sales Premium. |
| 72 Hours | Asset Delivery | Upon confirmed receipt of full payment, the Seller must release the asset and all associated title/MSO documentation to the Buyer or their designated transporter within 72 hours. |
Step 8 — Communicate With the Seller
All communication between buyers and sellers is managed and monitored through the EXR platform. Direct contact details are never shared publicly until a Winning Event is completed.
How it works:
- Submit questions to the seller through the listing page on the EXR platform
- The seller has 72 hours to respond to all buyer questions
- Submit Make Offer proposals through the platform — the seller has 72 hours to Accept, Decline, or send a Counter-Offer (see Step 4 for the full Counter-Offer mechanic)
- All correspondence is logged and monitored by our team to ensure professional, fair dealings
EXR filters and vets all buyer inquiries before forwarding them to the seller.
Step 9 — Facilitation Services
EXR coordinates a full suite of services to help close your transaction smoothly and securely. All facilitation services are available on every transaction and are provided at additional cost through EXR or our third-party partner network.
| Facilitation Service | Description |
|---|---|
| Free CARFAX Reports | If available for the listing |
| Photo Pro Packages | Professional photography through our third-party partner network |
| Escrow Coordination | Secure payment via licensed third-party providers (e.g., Escrow.com) |
| Pre-Purchase Inspections (PPI) | Professional technical evaluations through our partner network |
| Enclosed Transport & Shipping | White-glove domestic and international delivery coordination |
| DMV, Title & Registration | Expert assistance with complex racing vehicle documentation |
Additional fees apply for all facilitation services. Contact us at [email protected] for details.
How EXR Protects You as a Buyer
Your interests are protected at every stage of the transaction.
| Protection | Method |
|---|---|
| Curated, Vetted Listings | Every listing is reviewed and approved by our team before it goes live. We enforce minimum photo requirements, condition ratings, and accurate disclosure standards — so you’re not wading through junk listings. |
| Fresh, Verified Inventory | Every 90 days we ping the seller to confirm the listing is still available. Listings that don’t respond across three consecutive check-ins are archived — so the inventory you see is inventory you can actually buy. No stale ads, no six-month-old listings that sold off-platform. |
| Transparent Condition Ratings | Every listing carries a seller-disclosed A–F condition rating supported by photos, video, and/or a PPI report. Misrepresentation is grounds for listing removal and financial liability for the seller. |
| 7-Day PPI Window | For every purchase on EXR, you have 7 business days to complete a Pre-Purchase Inspection. If a Major Undisclosed Defect is found, you may cancel and receive a refund of your Buyer’s Premium (where applicable). |
| Secure Platform Communications | All buyer-seller communication is managed and monitored through EXR. Your contact information is never shared publicly — only after a Winning Event is completed. |
| Escrow Coordination | EXR strongly recommends the use of a licensed third-party escrow provider for all high-value purchases. We coordinate introductions to trusted escrow services to protect your funds until the transaction is complete. |
| EXR Team Support | Our team is available throughout the transaction to assist with questions, coordinate inspections, facilitate introductions to service providers, and ensure a smooth, professional closing. |
Have Questions?
Our Marketplace Process page covers everything you need to know — including detailed FAQs on pricing, the Hybrid Auction and Direct Sale formats, and platform policies.
Visit the Marketplace Process & FAQs
Or contact our team directly at [email protected]
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