How to Bid
See below for instructions to: 1. Create an account 2. Register to Bid 3. Receive email notifications/alerts of upcoming auctions...
1. Create an Account: Go to "Login/New Bidder" by clicking here - you'll find Login/New Bidder at top of the page.
Step 1. Will ask you for your email; Step 2., complete your account information with name, address, and phone, set your user name and password, and select some account options such as hide user name.
2. Register to Bid: Once you have created an account, you can then register to bid at Alston Bid with your contact and credit card information. If you try to bid, without registering, you will be prompted to register.
3. Receive Auction Email Notifications/Alerts: Remember to sign up for our future emails notifying you of all upcoming auctions, here
Details:
Sign up with your name, address, email, and phone contact information so that we can contact you if you are a winning bidder. You will also obtain a username and password. Bidders are required to provide a valid credit card as all items are purchased via this means of payment. Registration information provided must be current, complete and accurate. Your credit card information is protected via SSL. Please read about how SSL works in our Privacy Policy here
You must be 18 years of age or older, have read and agreed to the Terms and Conditions and understand that the terms are binding.
How It Works:
When you view the tab "View Auctions" and dropdown "Current Auctions" you will be taken to the list of all auctions either current or upcoming in Auction List View. Click to enter a specific auction and view all items in the catalogue. Note auction start/end, preview and pick up times. If the auction is active, a green box with flag will show up in the top/right corner of the page.
Once bidding starts, you can enter your bid on the right in the "Bid" box. You'll note a dollar figure in the Bid box which indicates the next bid required to win the bid. You can bid on any and all items and track your bids by clicking "View Bid History" after logging in. You can check the status of your bid at any time.
Bid Increments:
Bids for all items starts at $2.50. Bid increments are as follows:
$1 up to $24.99
$5 up to $99.99
$10 up to $499.99
$25 up to $999.99
$50 up to $2,499.99
$100 up to $4,999.99
$250 up to $19,999.99
$500 up to $49,999.99
$1000 over $50,000.00
Maximum Bid:
Strategically, many Bidders place a maximum bid. Placing a maximum bid is a placeholder of the maximum amount you intend to bid on an individual Lot in the event you are not available to be online present for the auction close. Your max bid is concealed from competing Bidders. You can increase your max bid at any time prior to Lot closing. You will only pay the amount reached by other bidders, plus the next $ increment.
Example: You place a bid of $9 on Lot 6 and a concealed maximum bid of $20. A competing Bidder then bids $10 on Lot 6. Your maximum will automatically accelerate the bid so that you are the winning bidder if there are no subsequent competing bids. Your bid win for Lot 6 will be $11 (the next increment), plus applicable buyers’ premium, taxes.
Note: if two Bidders place an identical maximum bid on one lot, the first to place the maximum bid will be in first position for that maximum bid.
Staggered and Soft Close:
Auctions are scheduled to a staggered close - every 30 seconds - to give bidders a chance to do last minute bidding on multiple items of interest. If the auction has 100 Lots and the first closing Lot time is 8:00 pm, the final Lot closing time would be 50 minutes later.
And, to ensure a fair auction and prevent 'sniping', bids entered in the final minute of the auction will add an additional 2 minutes to that item's close time, until all bidding has ceased. This is known as a 'Soft Close'.
Refresh Button:
NOTE: It is good practice and highly recommended that bidders use the "Refresh" button in the final moments of the auction.
Live View:
Our bidding platform includes a Live View feature, which takes effect 10 minutes before a given auction begins to close. In Live View mode, bids on items will be reflected immediately on the auction page. Items are automatically removed from the view as soon as they close.
Changes to Bid:
Be sure your bid is as intended as once a bid is placed, it cannot be changed or cancelled. All sales are final with no exceptions. If you are the winning Bidder, you are obligated to pay for the items that you have won at the price bid by you. All goods are sold on an "as is, where is" basis.
Win Notification:
You will be notified of your winning bid by email within 24 hours of the auction close. At that time you will receive complete instructions as to payment and items pick up.
Buyer's Premium/HST:
Please note a Buyer's Premium of 15% is added to the price of each item purchased, as well as HST of 13%. Please keep this in mind when bidding so that there are no surprises or regrets. Calculation is as follows: Winning Bid $ plus 15% Buyer’s Premium = Subtotal, plus 13% HST = Total.
Example:
$10.00 winning bid + 15% BP of $1.50 = $11.50 + 13% HST of $1.50 = $13.00
Pick up:
Winning Bidders will have an announced window in which to pick up purchased auction items. Please bring all assistance, tools and packing materials to remove items purchased. Please note designated address and time for pick up. Items left after the pick up window close will be disseminated appropriately and winning bidders will be charged on their credit cards for any expenses incurred for same.
