User guide - OpenFlex platform automotive professional PriceBack

 

Introduction

• The PriceBack tool provides distributors with a used-vehicle sales channel aimed at automotive professionals (car traders, bidders).
• Through it, distributors will be able to create auctions in which merchants and partner bidders will participate.

 

 

Prerequisites:

 

 Create a PriceBack account.

Have a single-use email address for account creation.

 

 

1-Creating your PriceBack account and logging in for the first time

 

 

1) Creating a PriceBack account

 

• Once you have created a customer file in your company's name, the distributor will send you an e-mail requesting you to create your PriceBack OpenFlex account.
• To do this, follow the instructions and complete the mandatory fields.
• The interface key supplied in the email will be automatically adopted.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2) Logging into your PriceBack account

 

• Once you have registered, you can access to your PriceBack-OpenFlex platform at any time by using the link contained in the e-mail confirming the creation of your account and your login details.

 

 

 

 

 

3) / Introducing the welcoming page

 

• When arriving at your PriceBack space, you will see several buttons: to return to the homepage, to follow the auctions and one last button to manage connections with partner distributors.

• The centre of the screen will be divided into 2: on the left side, you can quickly consult the list of current auctions in which you can participate (see chapter 2 ‘Stock auctions management’).

• On the right side, you will find a list of auctions coming soon (Auctions planned by the distributor that have not yet started).

• The details of the vehicles on auction will be available for consultation before the start to enable you to make your enquiries.    

 

When you arrive on the PriceBack home page, you will see different menus to :

• Follow up the auctions using the search bar and filters (archives available).

and

•  To manage distributors.

 

 

 

 By clicking on your initials, you can :

•  check the notifications you have received (auction start/end).

 

• access to your account settings

or

• log out of the platform.

 

 

• From the "Settings" menu, you can add one or more users to your PriceBack-OpenFlex account.

   

• This means that everyone who has access to your account will receive e-mail alerts and notifications as soon as an auction is launched.

   

 

2/ Stock auctions management

 

1) Presentation and reception of the different types of auctions

Two types of auctions can be set by the distributor:

 

• Auction on a lot : auction on a lot of vehicles that cannot be split up and for which an overall price is quoted.

 

 

• Unitary auction: all participants in the auctions will be able to select the vehicles of their choice from among those available. They will be able to bid for each vehicle they are interested in.

• In the case of unitary auctions, you will receive an individual email for each VO listed in the auction.
• In the case of an auction on a lot, all the VOs available in this auction will be displayed in a single mail alert.
•  A link to switch directly to the PriceBack-OpenFlex platform will be available in the e-mails.

 

 

Overview of an upcoming auction: plenty of useful information is available about the lots that will be on auction:

• The date, time and duration of the auction are displayed, along with a countdown before it starts (1).
• The name of the distributor who initiated the auction, with his contact details (2).
• The starting price of the lot or lots at auction (3) and the eventual presence of a reserve price set by the distributor.
• If you are not interested in bidding for the lot or lots on auction, you can indicate that you refuse to take part in the auction (4).

 

• The list of vehicles up for auction, with access to these vehicles' details by clicking on button “See details” (5).
• The used vehicle storage area (6).

 

 

2) How do I bid?

 

•  By opening the auction link, you will see: the time remaining to bid (1), the starting price of the vehicle or lof the lot (2), the presence of a reserve price (ceiling price to be exceeded to have a chance of winning the auction) (3), the amount of the last bid made by one of the participants (4) and the last price you bid (5).

 

•  By clicking on the "See details" button, you can consult the characteristics and the list of equipment/options of the vehicle. The dealer can also provide additional documents to prove the condition of the vehicle in the "Attached documents" tab.

 

 

•  After examining the used vehicle, you will be able to bid. The auction will start at the amount of the "Starting price" of the vehicle or of the lot (1). You will see live the time remaining before the end of the auction and the amount of the last bid made by one of the participants (2).

•  An indication below the price of the vehicle will tell you whether the reserve price set by the distributor has been reached.

 

•  If you wish to place a higher bid, a minimum amount must be offered. The system will automatically display the amount required to be able to outbid (3).

•  Once you have outbid, your bid will be displayed (4), in green if it meets or exceeds the reserve price. Otherwise, it will be displayed in red.

Auction extension :

 

• If a participant overbids 3 minutes before the end of the auction, the auction will immediately be extended by the same amount of time.
• The end of the auction will be postponed by 3 minutes as long as a participant continues to bid.

 

In the case of unitary auctions, a reminder will be visible next to the amount of the last bid to remind you that an extension is underway.

This means that the time remaining before the end of an auction on a vehicle may be different depending on when a participant overbids.

The countdown will be updated automatically with each new higher bid.  

 

3) End of auction

•  At the end of the auction, its status will change to "Won" or "Lost" on PriceBack.
•   You will be informed of the result by : Notification or message (displayed in the top right-hand corner of the screen), by email or by filtering the auctions by status (pending, won, lost...).

 

 

4) Receipt of order form and delivery

•  Meanwhile, the distributor will receive an email to advise him that the auction has ended.
• An offer will automatically be generated for the automotive professional who won the auction.
• The distributor will then be able to finalise the transaction by validating the order before sending it by email.
• The date and place of delivery of the new vehicle(s) will then be scheduled at the dealership.