Frequently Asked Questions
When will I receive my check?
Checks will be mailed 7-10 business days after the auction pick up is complete & funds have been received. A wire transfer can also be done.
How do I create an account (sign up)?
When you are on a page where there are lots for an auction, there will be a red button that says “Sign-In”. Click on that & click "Sign up". Complete the form & click the "Continue" button. Check "I agree with the Terms of Use" & click the "Sign Up" button. You should be redirected back to the auction lots. You will then need to register for the auction if you want to bid. Click the "Register to Bid" button. Complete the rest of the information & click the "Continue" button. Check "I agree with the Terms of Use" & click the "Continue" button. Then a credit/debit card is required to bid. Enter that information & click the "Submit" button.
How do I search for an item in all auctions?
Make sure that you can see the list of all auctions on our home page. In this view, when you type a search term in the search box, all open auctions will be searched.
Is there a preferred internet browser for using the website?
Our bidding system supports Google Chrome, Safari & Mozilla Firefox internet browsers. Other browsers can work but not as consistently. Usually when bidders switch to one of these browsers, the issues they were experiencing stop.
What is a buyer’s fee (sometimes called an internet buyer’s premium or buyer’s premium)?
That is a percentage added to the final bid. Ex: Final bid is $100 + 10% buyer’s fee = $110 total.
What is a max bid & how do I place a max bid?
Make sure that you click the button that says "SET MAX" when placing a max bid. When a bid is placed that is higher than the next required increment using the "SET MAX" button, the computer will automatically bid for you up to the max bid you placed in the increments specified as other bidders bid.
Why did I get outbid immediately after bidding?
Another bidder has a max bid in place. When you placed your bid, it triggered the system to bid for that person.
What is auto extend (also called soft close)?
If any bids on a lot are placed within the last 10 minutes, the bidding for that lot will extend for 10 minutes. The lot will continue to extend in 10-minute increments until the bidding has been idle for 10 minutes.
Can I remove a bid or a max bid?
A bid that has been placed cannot be removed. However, if there is a max bid that hasn't been placed yet, that can be adjusted by the bidder when they are logged in. It can be removed (to the current placed bid), adjusted or increased.
Where do I find my watchlist & how do I add items to it?
You must be logged into a specific auction. Then above the bidding there is a tab called "Your Items". If you click the star button, that item will show in this list. Any items you have bid on will also show in this tab.
What are the bidding increments?
$0-25 is $1
$25-100 is $2
$100-500 is $10
$500-1500 is $25
$1500-5000 is $50
$5000-10,000 is 100
$10,000-30,000 is $250
$30,000-100,000 is $500
$100,000-250,000 is $1000
$250,000+ is $2500
PAYMENT & PICK UP INFORMATION
What is the convenience fee on my invoice?
For payments made with credit or debit cards, there is a 3.5% convenience fee. If you pay with another form of payment, you will not have to pay this.
What payments are accepted?
Cash, certified check, money order, cashier check, credit/debit card, ACH, wire transfer.
I’m Sales tax exempt. Why is there sales tax on the invoice I received?
Once you have reviewed that everything on your invoice is sales tax exempt and a form has been filled out (or it is confirmed there is one on file), the sales tax can be removed from your invoice. You will need to contact us each time to get this done.
Where do I get wire transfer payment information?
Please allow 24 hours for wire transfer to be completed before scheduling a pick up.
Can I pay with personal or business check?
We only accept personal or business checks with a letter of guarantee from the financial institution that is dated & signed for the date of payment. It can be faxed, emailed or hard copy. If the check bounces, there will be a $30 fee added & your checks will no longer be accepted.
The item I purchased is located somewhere else, can I just pay the seller when I pick up the item?
No. The payment needs to be made to Schaardt Auction Service through our office or online.
Can I pay online?
If you click on the invoice link in the email sent to you, you should see a pay button at the top of the invoice. You will need Adobe Reader to see the invoice.
What if I don’t pay for my items?
If purchases are not settled by the end of the scheduled pick up, it is in default. Upon default the bidder would be black listed meaning that they can no longer bid with Schaardt Auction Service. There will also be a charge of 25% of the bid price or $500, whichever is greater and the merchandise will be forfeited back to the auction company.
Can someone else pick up my items?
Yes. They will need to know the name on your invoice. It is best if they know what items they will be picking up.
Will there be help loading?
You will want to bring help to assist with your loading. Usually for machinery there is loading but it is best to check availability before bidding. It is typically only available during the scheduled pick up.
Will there be packaging materials at pick up?
No. Please bring anything you may need to protect & secure your items during transit.
Will there be tools available to take apart what I bought if needed?
We recommend that you bring anything you may need with you.
What are the auction terms?
If you do not understand these terms or the bidding platform, DO NOT BID. Please give us a call. We can walk you through it & answer questions.
