A&M Auctioneers and Appraisers, LLC.Local Fax:(410) 835-0370
ONLINE BIDDING POWERED BY:
Thank you for your interest in online auctions with A&M Auctioneers and Appraisers, LLC. Online bidding is the future of personal property auctions; it allows prospective buyers to bid from the comfort of their own home, while still maintaining the competitive nature of a traditional auction. Below are some common questions regarding the Online Auction process. We hope that this will help you familiarize yourself with the system. If you have questions we haven’t answered below, feel free to give us a call! (410) 835-0384.
At A&M Auctions we are utilizing two online bidding platforms at this time. They are HiBid & PROXIBID. Click the button below to view our upcoming auctions.
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All of our Weekly General & Household Merchandise Auctions are held on HiBid.com |
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Specialty Auctions like our Annual Firearm Auction are held on PROXIBID.com |
Types of Online Auctions: Click the “+” to view the info!
Explanation: A Live Online Auction is a combination of a Live and Internet Auction. You can bid live and onsite at the Auction or you can bid live from your computer at home or work. An online clerk will relay your bids to the Auctioneer and you will bid against floor bidders who are at the auction and other online bidders. Typically you can bid via computer two ways. You can leave prebids (Like an Absentee Bid. Described below) or you can bid live over the computer. The Auction will be set to live approx. 30 minutes prior to the start of the auction. Once you have logged in and the bidding begins you will be able to follow along as the items are sold. The screen will automatically update to the next lot as the item progresses. Once an item comes up that you are interested in you will be able to follow the bidding in real time. The lot will reflect what the current prebid amount is on the particular item. For example if a pre bid was left on your item and the current starting bid is $50 the Auctioneer will ask for the next bid increment. If he asks for $60 the online clerk will update the asked bid and your screen would show that the requested bid is $60. If you are willing to pay $60 you would click bid. The clerk would relay your bid to the Auctioneer. He will then ask for $70. The online clerk will update the asked bid to notify other online bidders the current asking amount. Your computer will show that you have the high bid until another bidder bids. If a person on the floor bids $70. The online clerk will update the asked bid amount and your computer will show that you are no longer the high bidder. It will ask if you would like to bid again at $80. This process will continue until there is no further competitive bidding. If you clicked $80 and no one else bids than you would win the item for $80 plus taxes & buyer premium.
These auctions are generally reserved for Firearm, Sportsman & Decoy Auctions and will be conducted on Proxibid.
Explanation: An online only auction is an auction that is held online only and there is no live in person bidding available. Bidding can be done on most current computers with an internet connection.The Online Only Auction will feature a Start Date/Time & will be open up until the start time of the Auction. Typically the auction will open a few weeks before the Live Start Date & Time. For our example the Auction will open for Bids on Monday June the 2nd at 12 PM EST. The live online auction will start on Wednesday June 16, 2014 at 3:00 PM Eastern Standard Time. This will be a cataloged auction with each item having a lot #. You are interested in Lot #10 a Roseville Pottery vase. At anytime between June 2nd and June 16th you could register, log in and place a bid on lot #10. You will have the option of putting in a starting and maximum bid. Other bidders can bid on the same item at any time. If you put a Starting bid of $10 on the item someone can come along and leave a bid of $12.50 and knock you out. If you put a starting bid of $10 and a maximum of $50 the computer would bid for you up to your maximum bid. If competitive bidding occurs the computer would keep bidding for you until it reached $50. At that point you would be out. You can still log back in and re-bid a higher amount. This process of bidding occurs up until the time your lot is scheduled to close. Most auctions will feature a staggered ending and feature a soft closing. For the staggered ending a lot will end every 2-5 minutes depending on the Auction settings. For our example let’s use 2 minutes. Lot #1 would start closing at 3:00 PM on the 16th. Lot #2 will close at 3:02 PM. Lot 3 will close at 3:04 PM and so on. Lot 10 would be scheduled to close at 3:20 PM. If you log in at say 2:50 PM you will notice a link to enter the live auction. Lots will start closing at the prescribed times. To watch your lot you would wait until the closing time. The screen will automatically update. Lots that are closing will drop off the screen and the next 5-6 upcoming lots will scroll across the screen. Once your lot becomes visible the computer will show you if you are in the high bidder position or not. If not you can bid at that time and increase your bid. Your lot will keep progressing to the left of the screen as items close. If someone outbids you in the last 3 minutes before your lot closes the computer will automatically extend the bidding time on that lot only by 3 minutes. This protects you and provides you time to place additional bids. You would have to be online and paying attention to see this. This process will continue as long as there is competitive bidding. If you are the high bidder and the bidding ends for example at $75 and no one else bids you win the item for $75 plus taxes and buyer premium.
These auctions are generally our weekly Offsite/Onsite Auctions conducted at the Sellers Property/Our Auction Facility.
Explanation: An online Absentee Bid Auction is an auction that is held live at either our facility or onsite at a home or business. This type of auction will be cataloged and each item will have a lot #. The auction will have a starting date + a stop date and time that bid’s must be received by. Typically bids will be due anywhere from a few hours prior and up to 1 day before the start of the live auction. Through the online bidding platform you can leave bids on lot numbers that you are interested in. For example if Lot #25 is a 1 Carat Diamond ring. You are willing to pay up to $1,000 for it. You would log in and on the bidding screen you could place a starting bid of $25 and a maximum bid of $1,000. If several other people place bids on the same item before the bids are due for example lets say the absentee bidding got to $800. That bid will be downloaded from the internet and uploaded into our Auction Software. When lot #25 is sold the computer will show that we have an $800 Absentee bid. The Auctioneer would open the bidding with that $800 and ask the next bid. If someone bids $850 the Computer shows us that you are willing to bid again and you would be put in for $900. The Auctioneer would ask for the next bid of $950. If no one else bids you would win the bid for $900 on the Lot + Taxes and Buyer premium. If the bidding didn’t stop and the ring ended at $1,200 the computer would have stopped bidding for you at your $1,000 bid due to your maximum bid being exceeded.
These auctions are generally used in conjunction with a Firearm, Sportsman & Decoy Auctions and offer bidding via HiBid. We can’t run two Live/Simulcast Auctions on two different bidding platforms as the same time. This allows a person who is Registered with HiBid to place bids in a Live Auction. The bids are downloaded prior to the start of the Live Auction. These bids are executed by the Auctioneer during the live Auction.
Why are there 2 different Auction Platforms?
A&M Auctions utilizes two different Online Auction Platforms. HiBid.com and Proxibid.com
#1: HiBid is part of our Auction software that we use to conduct our Auctions, and it is called Auction Flex. We use this platform for most of our Online Only Auctions.
#2: Proxibid. We utilize Proxibid for our Specialty Auctiond including Decoys/Wildfowl Art & Firearms/Military Items.
Why do you need my credit card information?
Just like with a live auction, we must verify that you have funds available to make a purchase. Your credit card information is kept secure with either HiBid or Proxibid. We have access to process payments against the card on file. We don’t maintain the card information locally and we do not share this information with anyone. When you register a $1 Authorization will be processed to verify that the card is valid. The $1 never leaves your account and will disappear after a few days. In the event that you are a winning bidder, we will charge purchased items on the credit card on file in Personal Property Auctions.
How do I bid on HiBid?
Visit https://allenmarshallauctions.hibid.com/auctions/
On the Main screen you will see the A&M Auctioneers Logo on the upper left. Just to the left you will see either “Login/New Bidder” if you are not currently logged in or your name/username. If you see your name you are currently logged in and already have an account. If you don’t see your name you will likely need to Login if you have already created on account. If you are new to HiBid and need to create an account Click the “Don’t have a HiBid Account? REGISTER HERE button.
As part of the registration process you will chose a Username & Password. Please maintain this information a secure location. The Auction Co. does not have the ability to change your Username or Password.
Once you have completed the registration process to use the HiBid website you will still need to register for the particular auction. Each auction has slightly different terms. You must acknowledge those terms in order to register. Once the registration is complete you can start leaving bids.
On HiBid, each Auction will have a Gray bar with “Auction Details”, “Register to Bid” and “View Catalog. To Register click the “Register to Bid” button in the center. You will have to verify the credit card that you want to register with, check the box at the bottom acknowledging the “Terms and Conditions” of the auction. In order to view items in the Auction click the “View Catalog” button. That will take you to the individual items. Each item will feature a short text description and photograph, Countdown clock, current bid price and a “Bid” Button. Once you are ready to bid you will click the “Bid” Button. A Confirmation window will open and ask you to confirm the bid. You can either confirm the next bid price or at this point you can tell the computer a maximum price that you are willing to bid. The computer will then increase your bid with competitive bidding up to your maximum bid. Within the HiBid system if an item you are bidding on is highlighted in Green you are winning the bid. If that color changes to Red you have been outbid.
Please carefully review that the information you have entered for accuracy before submitting bids. Once you submit the bid, the bid cannot be canceled and is binding.
Click here for a step by step process for registering on HiBid.
How do I bid on Proxibid.com?
Visit https://www.proxibid.com/asp/AuctionsByCompany.asp?ahid=3511
Any current auctions that we have on Proxibid will be listed here (NOTE: We utilize Proxibid 4-6 times a year on average so there can be times that no current auctions are listed). You can view our older Archived Auctions.
To Sign In or Sign Up there are buttons in the Upper right hand corner of the screen. When you sign up you are creating an account to use on Proxibid.com. This account will allow you to register for Auctions no only by A&M Auctions but any other Auction Co. that utilizes Proxibid. Please write down you Username and Password and secure it in a safe place. We do not have any access into Proxibids system to assist you with lost passwords. You would need to contact Proxibid.
There will be a button to register for a particular auction. Click that button. If your account has been approved and you are in good standing you will normally get immediately approved.
Once you are logged in Your name will appear in the upper right hand corner of the screen. Click the My Proxibid under your name to view current auctions that you are registered for. You can also view your current lots that you have placed bids on.
Do I have to pay any fees to participate in or Register for an Online Auction?
No, you are not charged any fees to register/participate in an Online Auction. When you register to use the Auction Platform you will have to provide credit card to place on file. If you win an item there will State Sales Tax and a Buyer Premium added to the purchase.
Do I need to register for each Online Auction?
Yes. Once you have registered with Hibid or Proxibid’s bidding platform your account it will remain active with them. Please remember to write down and secure your Username & Password in a safe place. You can use your HiBid/Proxibid account with any other auctioneer that utilizes those platforms. Each auction will have slightly different terms so when bidding in an auction you will have to accept the terms and conditions for that particular auction.
How do I know if I am winning a lot?
When viewing the online auction, you will see your name at the top of the page when logged in. Hover over your name and a drop down menu will appear. Click on the Current Bids on HiBid and you can see the status of your current bids. On Proxibid click the My Proxibid under your name to view your current bids.
What if I get outbid just before the lot closes?
Most of our online only auctions are set to “soft close.” This means that if someone bids in the last 1 minute before the items closes the bidding will be extended by “1” minute. This allows you additional time to place another competing bid, just as you would at an auction in person. Note: You would have to be viewing the auction item as it’s closing to notice this.
What is soft close?
Most of our online auctions are set to “soft close.” This means that you will be given an additional amount or predetermined time to place another competing bid, just as you would at an auction in person. Normally this time frame will be from 1-2 minutes. If a bid is placed within the specified amount of minutes (Normally 1 Minute) before the auction closing time of that item, the closing time of the auction will automatically extend by that specified time to accept bids from when the last bid was placed. This allows all participants to have an equal and fair chance of competitive bidding, just as they would at an auction taking place in person.
“Your Bid” vs. “Your Maximum Bid”
By placing your maximum bid, the system will automatically place bid increments for you, in pre-determined (see auction terms) amounts. This will increase your bid if your original bid is out bid by another bidder. This speeds up the auction process, and assists you with your bidding. If another bidder bids higher than your maximum bid, the system will stop increasing your bids, and you will have to increase your maximum bid amount in order to continue competitive bidding.
Can I cancel an unwanted bid?
No, bids cannot be cancelled once they have been placed. By placing a bid you are entering into a binding contract. There are no refunds or bid cancellations. The registered bidder is personally responsible, legally and financially, for all auction items bid upon, whether representing one’s self or acting as an agent. An online bid accepted at public auction is a legal and binding contract to purchase. Any bidder who fails to consummate a purchase will be banned from bidding at all future seller auction events and may be pursued for civil and/or criminal violations.
How do I know if I won a lot after it has closed?
The auction will be listed as “Past Auction.” When you log in and view the “Current Bids” that should show your winning bids. You will receive an email from A&M Auctioneers and Appraisers that will confirm items won.
What is the bid history?
A bid history lists the Bidder Name (Usually Obscured), # of bids placed by that person, the Highest bid placed by that person and the time that the bid was placed. This allows you to see how many bidders are bidding and how many times they have bid for each lot.
What is a reserve price? How do I know if a lot has a reserve price? Will I know when the reserve price is met?
A reserve price is the minimum dollar amount that an item will sell for. Most of our auction items “WILL NOT” have a reserve bids attached to the items. Occasionally an item may require a reserve. For instance it we are selling a Motor vehicle that has a lien attached the vehicle will likely have a reserve. This is to ensure that we can convey marketable title and know that the lien can/will be satisfied by the consignor. If an item has a reserve it will be notated in the bidding platform. It will show “Reserve not meet” until the reserve price has been achieved.
What if I cannot bid online?
Bidding now is easier than ever. You can place bids on a Desktop, Laptop, Tablet, Smartphone & a variety of other devices. Please contact our office if you still can’t figure it out and we will be happy to assist you through the bidding process.
I registered for the website, placed a bid but the computer says that my bid is pending. Why can’t I place a bid?
On HiBid when you register a new account you start with a “0” feedback score. A&M Auctioneers and Appraisers must approve all new accounts that have “0” or no Positive feedback. We normally check the system 4-5 times a day. This process can take up to 12 Hours if the bid was placed at night time. If the bid was placed on the weekend it may take up until the next business day. If you have not heard from a member of our team within this time frame, please give our office a call and we will be happy to look into your account.
Once you start placing and winning bids you will start to accrue Positive Feedback. At that point your account will be automatically approved for a predetermined amount for each Auction that you are registering for.
Can I inspect the Personal Property prior to bidding?
Yes! We offer a Preview day/time for nearly every personal property auction that we conduct. The date and time will be posted in the Advertisements, on the website and in the bidding platform. We encourage bidders to preview items when possible as all items are sold “AS IS WHERE IS” and All Sales are Final.
Are there any documents I can review prior to bidding?
All documents received by the auction company for each property are posted to our online listing when possible. Please carefully review these documents prior to bidding.
Will I be required to demonstrate proof of funds to bid?
Yes. To register to bid you must submit a valid credit card which will be used to authorize a predetermined amount in order to qualify to bid.
What is the Buyer’s Premium?
A buyer’s premium is a percentage paid by the buyer to the auction company on top of the winning price. This amount varies per property and is listed in the auction terms for each property. Please carefully note the buyer’s premium before placing your bid.
Do you publish auction results?
We typically list our recently sold auctions online under the “Recent Sales” portion of our website. Prices are generally not disclosed until after the sale has been finalized.
