Frequently Asked Questions

New to online bidding?

Our welcome pack has all the information you should need to get started. Click here to download it

How do I register on BidSpotter.com?

Select ‘Register’ on the top right hand side of the home page and complete the online registration form. After sharing your basic information, a verification email will be sent. Once you’ve confirmed your identity, you are ready to:

• Use My BidSpotter
• Create Auction Alerts
• Create and Monitor your Watch List
• Browse our inventory

I am unable to complete registration on the site because I haven't received my pre-registration email.

Some Internet Service Providers run slower than others. Whereas most emails arrive in seconds, some can take minutes or even hours. Occasionally, the email might be blocked by your provider. It is also possible that you entered your email address incorrectly. If you have not received your Bidspotter.com welcome email within 15 minutes, please call our support desk at 1-866-597-2437.

Do I have to register for a live auction before I watch it?

Some auctions require that you register for the auction before being able to view as a guest.

If registration is not a requirement, you will see a “Watch auction” box, in which you can watch the auction before registration.

What is the difference between a live webcast auction and a timed online auction?

• Live webcast auctions are traditional room-based auctions broadcast by BidSpotter.com. You can bid at the auction over the internet in real time. Live audio and video feeds relay the atmosphere in the auction room as it unfolds.
• Timed online auctions take place without an auctioneer calling the sale. Each lot can be bid on for a defined time period. At the end of this period, the bidder who has submitted the highest bid wins the lot, provided that the bid exceeds the reserve price.

How do I participate in auctions on BidSpotter.com?

If you wish to bid, you need to first register for a BidSpotter.com account. This is free and takes 30 seconds! If you have not yet registered, register here now.

If you are already a registered user on BidSpotter.com, log in and click through to the auction catalog page. Click the ‘Sign up to bid’ button, complete the auction sign-up form and agree to the terms and conditions. Please note, a deposit to bid may be required.

Do I need to sign up for each auction?

Yes, you need to sign up for each auction. Auctioneer terms and conditions vary. Auctioneers may ask for credit/debit card details to be provided as a condition for bidding. Auctioneers may use your card details for a pre-auction deposit or to be later used as a payment option.

Bidding tips for beginners?

Before an auction

1. Call Bidspotter.com support, we will walk you through the registration process and can create a demo auction for you to see the process.
2. Browse our Featured Lots section, this is where you will find all of the lots our auctioneers have chosen to highlight for you, the buyer.
3. Call the auctioneer directly if you have questions or need more information about specific lots.

During a timed online auction

• Use the ’maximum bid’ function to save time so you don’t have to watch each lot closing. Simply enter the highest amount you are prepared to pay as your ‘maximum bid’. BidSpotter.com bids on your behalf up to your ‘maximum bid’. BidSpotter.com will only bid as much as necessary to make sure that you meet the reserve price or that you remain in the lead up to your ‘maximum bid’. We’ll notify you by email if another bidder places a bid that is higher than your ‘maximum bid’.

During a live webcast auction

• Bid early and bid often, our auctioneers sell very quickly and you do not want to miss out on the items you need.
• Place autobids on lots that you may not be available for during the live auction, this will ensure that our operators will bid on your behalf up to the autobid amount.
• Set lot alarms for lots upcoming that you are interested in, make sure to set the alarm at least 5 lots in advance, providing you enough time to hear the alarm and return to bidding in the live auction.
• Dependent on the location of the auction, live audio and video feed may not be available, always bid by what you see on the screen, not by what you hear as there may be a delay.

How do I update my contact details?

Open the ‘My BidSpotter’ tab and click on ‘View account’ at the top of the page.

How do I add a new payment card?

New credit/debit cards can be added when you sign up for your next auction. If you need to add a new card for an auction you are already registered for, please call our support desk at 1-866-597-2437.

How do I unsubscribe from emails?

This can be done in the ‘My subscriptions’ section of the ‘Account Info’ page, which can be accessed from the homepage under ‘My BidSpotter’.

How do I subscribe to the newsletter?

This can be done in the ‘My subscriptions’ section of the ‘Account Info’ page, which can be accessed from the homepage under ‘My BidSpotter’.

I’ve forgotten my sign in details.

Click 'Sign in' then ‘forgot password’ and you will be prompted to enter your email address associated with your BidSpotter account. Click send and follow the instructions in the email you receive.

I was unable to register for an auction.

• Check that you have entered your credit/debit card details correctly.
• It can take time for the auctioneer to approve your registration. Please contact the auctioneer with any questions you have regarding registration. An auctioneer’s contact details can be found by clicking the ‘View full Sale Details’ link on the auction catalog page.

Where can I view my Watch list?

You can access the Watch list under the ‘My BidSpotter’ tab on the homepage.

What do I do if I am dissatisfied with an item I have bought or wish to return it?

Please contact the auctioneer directly. An auctioneer’s contact details can be found by clicking the ‘View full Sale Details’ link on the auction catalog page.

Please remember bidding whether online or in the room, is a contractual commitment to buy. By the terms of auction law, there is no right of return unless the item purchased is materially different to its catalog description. In consequence, it is important to find out as much as possible about the condition of an item before you bid. You can do this by clicking the ‘Message the auctioneer’ button on the ‘Lot Details’ page to contact the auctioneer directly.

I’m having trouble hearing a live webcast auction.

Ensure that the sound is turned on by selecting the speaker-image button in the live bidding window.

I am unable to access a page on the website.

Try using an alternative internet browser, such as Internet Explorer or Google Chrome. If your problem persists, call us on 1-866-597-2437.

I am unable to access My BidSpotter account?

Please contact us by email (support@bidspotter.com) or by phone 1-866-597-2437

How do I contact BidSpotter.com?

You can contact the BidSpotter.com support team during all live webcast auctions by email (support@bidspotter.com) or by phone 1-866-597-2437, or by instant chat. Even if there are no live webcast auctions taking place, support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

How do I search for an item?

Type the item you are looking for into the search box on the homepage or select the categories on the left hand side of the navigation menu.

I have questions about the condition of an item.

The auctioneer will be happy to answer any questions you have about an item. Simply click the blue ‘Message the auctioneer’ button when browsing the lot details page. This will send an email directly to the auctioneer.

How do I make a Watch list?

To add a lot to your Watch list, select the ‘Watch list’ button next to your chosen lot. Please note that you need to log into BidSpotter.com to do this.

How do I view my Watch list?

Items on your Watch list can be viewed under 'My BidSpotter' on the homepage.

How do I register for an auction?

Click the ‘Sign up to bid’ button next to your chosen auction on the Auctions page or in the auction catalog.

How far in advance should I register for a live auction?

As soon as possible. The sooner you register, the more likely you are to be approved by the auctioneer.

How do I bid at a timed online auction?

You can bid anytime during the start and end time period displayed that a lot is available for bidding.

BidSpotter.com bids on your behalf up to your ‘maximum bid’. BidSpotter.com will only bid as much as necessary to make sure you meet the reserve price or that you remain in the lead up to your ‘maximum bid’. We’ll notify you by email if another bidder places a bid that is higher than your ‘maximum bid’.

Your ‘current bid’ is clearly displayed when you log in and view the lot for which you’ve left a ‘maximum bid’. In many cases your ‘current bid’ is lower than the ‘maximum bid’ you entered.

If you have the leading bid and you have met or exceeded the reserve price when the defined time period ends, you will have won the bidding for this lot. Please remember, bidding online is a contractual commitment to buy.

In a timed online auction, can the end time of a lot change?

Timed online auctions on BidSpotter.com have an auto extension facility. The extension period varies between 1 to 10 minutes depending on the auctioneer. If a new bid is placed within the final extension period (between 1 – 10 minutes), time remaining on the lot automatically resets to that defined period of time remaining (between 1 – 10 minutes).

How do I bid online in a live webcast auction?

Log into your BidSpotter.com account in the top right hand corner of the site.

As long as you are approved by the auctioneer to bid in the auction, ‘Bid live now’ button will be blue. If you are not approved, you will see a grey ‘Bid’ button.

Clicking ‘Bid live now’ will open the live application bidding window. Enter your email address and password in the sign in box and you will be ready to bid.

When the auction is about to commence the first lot will be displayed in the bidding window on the left hand side. A button appears showing the amount currently being asked. To bid for the lot simply click the BID button when the amount you wish to bid appears on the screen.

If you are the successful bidder, the auction house will contact you to arrange payment.

Please remember, bidding whether online or in the room, is a contractual commitment to buy.

How do I know when I have successfully bid for a lot?

Within the live bidding software, you will see a tab of your ‘Won’ lots. The auctioneer will contact you after the auction to confirm you have won and arrange payment.

What additional costs are there?

Additional costs vary across auctions, and we advise you to familiarize yourself with additional charges before registering for an auction. These can be found within the ‘Sale Details’ page. We recommend you consider the following additional costs before bidding:

• Buyer's premium - covers the auctioneer’s costs and is calculated as a percentage of an item’s hammer price. The buyer’s premium is listed on the right hand side of the lot details page.
• Sales Tax - auctioneers will usually add Sales tax to the hammer price and the buyer’s premium, or it may be included within the hammer price. Some auctions and lots will be subject to different Sales tax rules so it is important to check the ‘Sale Details’ page and the ‘Lot Details’ page.
• Delivery – it is the responsibility of the bidder to organize delivery. Information about delivery is usually included in the ‘Sale Details’ page and can also be obtained by contacting the auctioneer. Charges vary depending on the item and auctioneer.
• Deposits – some auctioneers will require a deposit from those who register for the auction. Details of deposits payable can be found in the ‘Sale Details’ page.

How do I pay for an item?

The auctioneer will send you an invoice outlining your payment options. If you do not hear from the auctioneer please contact them directly. Their contact details can be found by clicking the ‘Sales details’ link on the auction catalog and Lot details page.

Does BidSpotter.com store my credit/debit card details?

We use a third party supplier to ensure that BidSpotter.com is Payment Card Industry (PCI) compliant. We do not store your credit/debit card details. As soon as you enter your card details, the card number is converted to a token and encrypted and the original data discarded.

How will my items be delivered?

You need to discuss delivery arrangements with the auctioneer.

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