L B.

Bidders should read every auctions TERMS AND CONDITIONS PRIOR TO REGISTERING AND BIDDING!
I am an auctioneer and will answer some of these complaints.

1) Shipping is a CONVENIENCE provided to the bidders by an auction house. Many auctioneers will not even touch shipping. They will either flat out refuse or some will send to a 3rd party company like UPS Stores. If an auction house ships, you should expect to pay a small boxing fee, postage cost to cover Priority Mail INSURED. This is why shipping is expensive. Read the Terms and Cobditions.!

2) Buyers Premiums:. When you attend an on-site auction that doesn't have a bidding option via online auction hosting platforms (Invaluable, Auction Zip, Live Auctioneers, etc), premiums are usually around 10-15%.

When you have an ONLINE BIDDING OPTION, the auctioneer has invested in photography and editing, lot descriptions, estimates, condition, and other fees such as premiums paid to the auction platform in addition to the expensive listing fee.

Lots you lost:. Many auctioneers list the same auction on multiple online platforms. If it's also being held live in an auction house, you have serious competition because those bidders took the time to attend in person. They can also touch and hold an item and you can't.

Why you didn't get approved to bid: perhaps you registered too late or your registration is incomplete (most often bad phon numbers and no credit card verification).

You may also have a strike(s) against your account that auctioneers around the world can see. If you fail to pay within the time stated in the Terms and Conditions, if you fail to pay, if you do not reply, if you fail to complete the sale... It's a little emoji type of icon next to your name. It lists all your strikes.

EBay is not Invaluable, Live Auctioneers, Auction Zip, etc. Bidders think every platform is eBay. It isn't. The platforms above are real auction houses that auction for a living and offer many lots per sale. They are not resellers scouring Goodwill to sell some items on eBay.

Why your bid was not accepted:. The auctioneer may have seen another bid before yours. Waiting until the last second is not the way to bid on these platforms. The auction is happening quickly and there is a lag on the internet. Bid your maximum amount and leave it. Auctioneers never see your max bid amounts. They are private. Another reason is there was a reserve on that item and it didn't reach the reserve price. Only auctions that clearly state "ABSOLUTE AUCTION" ARE REQUIRED TO SELL EVERYTHING IN THE SALE REGARDLESS OF BID PRICE.

You should also be aware that not all states require auctioneers to have a license. Wow is you who buy from unlicensed auctioneers

Finally, bidding on online auctions is a CONVENIENCE the auctioneer has offered the public. Period. The platforms themselves are just the software host and are not like eBay where a buyer can complain and return anything at anytime.

Always read the Terms and Conditions of the auction before you bid. By registering, you are entering into a contractual agreement. Bidders can find themselves in legal trouble when bidding and not paying once you reach a certain dollar value. Laws everywhere protect people from scamming them.

Finally, Buyer Beware. The photos and descriptions are there to help you make an educated decision based upon your own experience. Expecting an auctioneer to be a certified expert in anything other than auctioning is your issue.