Question 1

What is iDirect?

Accepted Answer

iDirect is a proxy bidding service offered by IBC Japan. The iDirect website is updated daily showing thousands of vehicles that will be auctioned in Japan. Customers of IBC Japan can use the simple and powerful bidding process on iDirect to purchase cars directly from auctions in Japan.

Question 2

Since you are a proxy service, why do you call the site iDirect?

Accepted Answer

We will reimburse you for returned items in the same way you paid for them. For example, any amounts deducted from a gift card will be credited back to a gift card. For returns by mail, once we receive your return, we will process it within 4–5 business days. It may take up to 7 days after we process the return to reflect in your account, depending on your financial institution's processing time.

Question 3

Are the prices on iDirect the final price?

Accepted Answer

The prices shown on iDirect are the start prices for the cars at auction. Customers enter a maximum bid for each car along with additional notes on buying criteria. iDirect staff will then bid on the vehicle at the customer's behalf up to the maximum bid requested. The customer wins the vehicle if it matches their additional notes and it is sold at auction for less than the customer's maximum bid. The customer saves money any time a vehicle is sold for less than the maximum bid.

Question 4

Can I talk to someone directly?

Accepted Answer

Yes we welcome inquiries via email, chat, Skype, and phone.

Question 5

What currency are prices given in?

Accepted Answer

All prices on iDirect Japan are currently shown in Japanese.

Question 6

Does iDirect cover other vehicles aside from cars?

Accepted Answer

iDirect covers sports cars, passenger cars, SUVs, 4 wheel drive, buses, trucks, multipurpose vehicles, and commercial vehicles. We do not handle other types of cargo due to the difficulty of transportation and handling.

Question 7

Are there left-hand drive cars available?

Accepted Answer

All of the vehicles from auctions in Japan are right-hand drives.

Question 8

I would like to bid on a car. How do I make a deposit?

Accepted Answer

In order to place bids on iDirect you need to pay an iDirect deposit of ¥100,000. You can make the deposit with a credit card or by bank transfer into one of our bank accounts. If you pay by bank transfer please notify us when you send the money. Kindly send the Telegraphic Transfer (TT) copy to us for verification. You can send it through email attachment to sales@ibcauto.com, fax it to our Accounts Department. If you wish to pay by credit card, pay online here. Fill in the required details, put an amount of ¥100,000, and choose pay now. You will then get a receipt. Please print the receipt for your own records.

Question 9

Can I make a deposit to a different bank, for example one closer to my location?

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately bank deposits can only be made through one of iDirect's designated banks.  However, you can make deposit using your credit card via our Stripe payment facility.

Question 10

If I make the deposit then decide I no longer want to bid, will you refund the deposit, and if so, how?

Accepted Answer

We can refund your deposit by bank transfer or by crediting your credit card if the refund request is made within one year from the date the deposit was made or after the last transaction is complete, including purchases from IBC inventory. A bank transfer will incur bank charge of JPY3,500. A cancellation of a credit card transaction will be shown on your next billing date. Note that the deposit will be assessed a 50% administrative charge per year after the account becomes inactive or dormant i.e. after one year of no purchase activity from auction or inventory.

Question 11

If I make the deposit then decide I no longer want to bid, will you refund the deposit, and if so, how?

Accepted Answer

We can refund your deposit by bank transfer or by crediting your credit card if the refund request is made within one year from the date the deposit was made or after the last transaction is complete, including purchases from IBC inventory. A bank transfer will incur bank charge of JPY3,500. A cancellation of a credit card transaction will be shown on your next billing date. Note that the deposit will be assessed a 50% administrative charge per year after the account becomes inactive or dormant i.e. after one year of no purchase activity from auction or inventory.

Question 12

When is the best time to bid on cars?

Accepted Answer

Vehicles can be viewed on the system from the time the auctions provide us with auction information, usually between 10:00pm-1:00am (Japan time) the night before the auction is held. Bids are accepted until 9:00am (Japan time) the morning of the auction so that the information can be distributed to our buyers. Any bids submitted after the 9:00am deadline must be handled manually and the risk of not making the bid is very high. The vehicles may already be processed and/or the difficulty in contacting and checking the vehicle during the auction may preclude a bid from being made. We strongly suggest that all bids be submitted before 9:00am (Japan time). Japan time is always shown throughout the website.

Question 13

How many cars may I bid on?

Accepted Answer

You may bid on as many cars as you wish, but your deposit of ¥100,000 only covers one successful purchase. If you wish to purchase many vehicles you should send a larger deposit. If you are the successful bidder you need to pay a 50 percent deposit within seven days' time or else we will have to re-auction the vehicle at your expense.

Question 14

Can I bid on more cars than I actually want to purchase? For example, I want to place bids on five cars but can only afford to purchase two?

Accepted Answer

Clearly state your intention to only purchase a set number of vehicles in the auction comments/notes section provided when you submit your bids. Our buyers will limit your purchased to that number.

Question 15

What order are vehicles auctioned at?

Accepted Answer

You may bid on as many cars as you wish, but your deposit of ¥100,000 only covers one successful Because iDirect vehicles come from many different auctions, and within each auction the order is not always made clear by the data available, it is not possible to determine this.

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