Key Takeaways

  • The owner is the consignor. The business that sells the item is the consignee.
  • You keep ownership until the item sells, and you are paid after the sale.
  • Car consignment usually happens through a consignment dealer or an auction.
  • Every Car Can consigns cars, trucks, SUVs, vans, motorcycles, boats, RVs, and other eligible vehicles through its auction in Dallas.
  • If you would rather not wait for a sale, you can donate your vehicle instead.

Selling a car yourself means listings, calls, test drives, and haggling with strangers. Trading it in is easy, but it often means accepting less. Consignment sits in between. Here is how consignment works in general, how it works for vehicles, and how to consign your car with Every Car Can.

What Does Consignment Mean?

Consignment is an agreement between two parties. The consignor is the owner of an item. The consignee is the business that agrees to sell it. The consignor keeps ownership until the item sells. Once it does, the consignee keeps a fee or percentage, and the consignor receives the rest.

The terms are spelled out in a consignment agreement, which typically covers:

  • The fee or commission the consignee keeps
  • How the price is set
  • How long the business will try to sell the item
  • When and how the consignor gets paid
  • What happens if the item does not sell

How Traditional Consignment Shops Work

Most people know consignment from resale shops that sell clothing, furniture, and household items. You bring an item in, the shop decides whether to accept it and how to price it, and it goes on the sales floor or online. If it sells, you receive your share of the sale price. If it does not sell within the agreed period, the shop may mark it down, return it to you, or donate it, depending on your agreement. The split between you and the shop varies widely by business and by item.

How Does Car Consignment Work?

Car consignment follows the same idea on a bigger scale. Instead of selling the car yourself, you hand the sale off to a business that has the buyers, the process, and the paperwork in place. There are two common models.

Consignment dealers. A dealer displays your car on its lot or website, handles inquiries and test drives, and negotiates with buyers. You agree on a target price, and the dealer keeps a flat fee or a percentage when it sells.

Consignment auctions. Your vehicle is entered into a scheduled auction, and qualified buyers compete through live bidding. The final price is set by the market on auction day. Auctions can move a vehicle quickly and put it in front of many buyers at once.

Every Car Can uses the auction model.

How to Consign Your Car With Every Car Can

Consigning with Every Car Can takes four steps:

  1. Drop off your vehicle. Bring your vehicle and the required ownership documentation during designated intake hours.
  2. Inspection and agreement. Our team reviews the vehicle, verifies documentation, and finalizes your consignment agreement.
  3. Auction. Your vehicle is entered into an upcoming auction where qualified buyers compete through live bidding. Our auctions are held every other Saturday in Dallas and are open to the public, with a preview day on the Friday before.
  4. Payout. After the vehicle sells and all requirements are completed, proceeds are distributed according to your consignment agreement.

What Vehicles Can You Consign?

Every Car Can accepts cars, trucks, SUVs, vans, motorcycles, boats, RVs, and other eligible vehicles for consignment.

What Do You Need to Consign a Car?

Vehicle title and ownership documentation are typically required. If you still owe money on the vehicle, special consideration applies, so call 866-835-5437 before you drop it off.

How Much Does It Cost, and How Long Does It Take?

Program fees vary based on vehicle type and sale structure, and your consignment agreement spells out exactly what applies to your vehicle. Timeframes depend on auction scheduling and market conditions. Because auctions run every other Saturday, the calendar is predictable once your vehicle is accepted.

What Affects How Much Your Car Sells For?

At auction, value is influenced by condition, market demand, auction activity, and buyer participation. A clean vehicle with its paperwork in order gives buyers confidence and helps it sell well.

Consignment vs Selling Privately, Trading In, or Donating

Private sale. You may get top dollar, but you handle everything yourself: pricing, listings, calls, test drives, payment, and paperwork. You also take on the risk of scams and no shows.

Trade in. Fast and simple, since the dealer handles the paperwork. The tradeoff is price. Dealers need room to resell your car at a profit, so trade in offers are often lower.

Consignment. A middle path. A professional handles the sale, buyers compete for your vehicle, and you are paid after it sells, minus program fees. It takes a bit longer than a trade in but involves far less work than a private sale.

Donation. The easiest option. You receive no cash, but eligible donors may qualify for a tax deduction, and your vehicle supports a cause. It is a good fit for older vehicles or when you simply want the car gone.

When Is Consignment the Right Choice?

Consignment is often a good fit when:

  • You want more than a trade in offer without the work of a private sale
  • Your vehicle runs and is in sellable condition
  • You can wait for the next auction instead of needing cash today
  • You have the title and ownership documents ready
  • You like the idea of selling through a program that supports a mission

Tips to Get the Most From Consigning Your Car

  • Clean the vehicle inside and out before drop off.
  • Gather maintenance records, spare keys, and owner's manuals.
  • Have your title and ownership documents ready, and resolve any title issues first.
  • Read your consignment agreement closely, including fees, timing, and what happens if the vehicle does not sell.
  • If you have a loan on the vehicle, talk with the consignment team before drop off.

Other Types of Consignment

Resale and consignment shops sell clothing, furniture, home goods, and electronics on behalf of owners, usually for a set period before prices are reduced.

Online consignment services let you ship items to a company that photographs, lists, and sells them for you.

Seasonal consignment sales are temporary events, often focused on children's clothing, toys, and gear, where many sellers drop off items for a single large sale.

Consign or Donate Your Vehicle With Every Car Can

Every Car CanSM turns donated and consigned vehicles into meaningful support for children and families. When you consign with us, you sell your vehicle with confidence through a trusted consignment process that helps maximize value while supporting a mission.

  • A proven auction. Qualified buyers compete through live bidding every other Saturday in Dallas.
  • Clear terms. Your consignment agreement spells out fees, timing, and payout.
  • Flexible options. Prefer to give instead? Donate your vehicle with free pickup.
  • Real impact. 100 percent of net proceeds support students at Texans Can Academies. Over more than 20 years, Every Car Can has helped over 27,000 students.

Every kid deserves the best chance to reach their full potential, and every car can help make it happen.