Junk car buyers pay at the time of vehicle pickup. The driver or buyer representative arrives, inspects the car to confirm it matches your description, completes paperwork, and hands you payment before loading the vehicle. This happens in one visit, typically lasting 15 to 30 minutes.
The standard pickup process:
- Driver arrives at scheduled time
- Quick inspection confirms vehicle condition
- You sign the title and bill of sale
- Driver gives you payment (cash, check, or electronic)
- Vehicle is loaded onto the truck
- Driver leaves with car; you keep the money and paperwork copies
Payment should happen before the car leaves. This protects both parties. You don’t surrender the vehicle without payment; the buyer doesn’t pay without receiving the car.
Be wary of any variation from this process. “We’ll mail payment within 5 business days” or “Payment processes after the car reaches our yard” are warning signs. Legitimate buyers pay immediately because they’ve already calculated the vehicle’s value.
Some high-value transactions (over $1,000) may involve certified checks or wire transfers instead of cash. This is reasonable for larger amounts. Just verify the payment clears before signing over the title if using non-cash methods.
