Seller Rules & Guidelines

Seller Rules, Entry Requirements, & Code of Conduct

To ensure a safe, efficient, and professional marketplace for everyone, all sellers participating in Private Auto Market must adhere to the following rules:

1. Vehicle Eligibility & Titles

• Legal Ownership: You must be the legal owner of the vehicle or possess legal power of attorney to sell it.

• Title Status: Vehicles must have a valid, clean, or clearly disclosed title (e.g., rebuilt/salvage titles must be explicitly disclosed on your vehicle spec sheet). Vehicles with active liens must have lender payoff documentation readily available.

• Street Legal Condition: All display vehicles must be driven onto the lot under their own power (unless prior arrangements have been made for trailer-in specialty/project cars).

2. Event Arrival & Parking

• Staging Window (7:30 AM – 8:45 AM): Sellers must arrive during the staging window to park, check in, and receive their custom window spec sheet.

• Late Arrivals: Sellers arriving after 8:45 AM risk forfeiting their reserved space to maintain event safety as buyer entry begins.

• Space Allocation: Parking spaces are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis upon arrival unless a VIP lot pass was purchased.

3. Lot Safety & Vehicle Operation

• Zero Burnout / Zero Speeding Policy: Reckless driving, engine revving, tire spinning, or speeding on or near the event grounds is strictly prohibited and will result in immediate removal from the premises without a refund.

• Keys & Test Drives: Sellers are solely responsible for managing their vehicle keys. Test drives are conducted at the seller's discretion. Sellers must verify that any prospective buyer holding the keys possesses a valid driver's license.

4. Fees, Sales, & Disclaimers

• Lot Pass Non-Refundable: Your $100 registration fee reserves a dedicated physical space and marketing exposure. Registration fees are non-refundable If your car has pre-sold, your pass may be applied to a substitute vehicle.

• No Sales Commissions: Private Auto Market does not take a percentage or commission on your sale. 100% of the agreed purchase price belongs to you.

• Transaction Responsibility: All negotiations, bill-of-sale agreements, and title transfers are direct transactions between the private buyer and private seller.

Legal & Operational Disclaimers

1. Marketplace Disclaimer & Seller Responsibility 

• Private Auto Market (PAM) solely provides physical event space and promotional exposure. PAM is not a vehicle dealership, or agent, does not inspect vehicles, verify titles, or act as a broker or party to any transaction. Sellers are 100% legally responsible for the accuracy of all vehicle details, history reports, and title statuses. All vehicles are offered strictly "As-Is" directly between seller and buyer.

2. Official PA Title Transfer & Notary Requirements

• Under Pennsylvania law, vehicle title transfers must be completed and signed before an authorized PA notary or tag agency. Sellers must not hand over a title without proper notarization. Please visit our info booth for a directory of nearby Erie notary agencies open during event hours.

3. Parking & Staging Area

• Sellers must park strictly within their assigned Seller Display Lot space. Do not park support vehicles, trailers, or non-display personal cars in the buyer parking areas or pedestrian walkways.

4. Driving & Speed Limit Rules

• Vehicles moving anywhere within or near the PAM event grounds must adhere to a strict 5 MPH speed limit and yield to all pedestrian traffic at all times. Reckless driving or revving will result in immediate removal from the lot.

5. Post-Sale Vehicle Departure

• Once your vehicle is purchased and paperwork is signed, please inform the main gate crew before moving or driving the vehicle off the seller lot so staff can safely guide traffic through pedestrian areas.

6. Vehicle Condition & Representations 

• Sellers are 100% legally and financially responsible for the accuracy of all vehicle details, history reports, title statuses, and verbal or written statements made regarding their vehicle.

7. Property Damage & Loss 

• PAM assumes no responsibility or liability for loss, theft, vandalism, or damage to any vehicle, trailer, or personal belongings brought onto the event grounds. Parking, test drives, and displaying vehicles is done entirely at the seller's own risk.

8. PA Legal Limits 

• Sellers are solely responsible for ensuring their sales activities comply with Pennsylvania state laws, including PA title notarization requirements and state limits regarding private vehicle sales per calendar year.

9. Indemnification

•  By registering and entering the lot, sellers agree to hold harmless and indemnify Private Auto Market, its LLC, owners, and event staff from any claims, disputes, legal fees, or damages arising from transactions or interactions conducted on event grounds.