FAQs
Buying at Auction
How do I bid in your auction?
The first step to bidding is to register. You can do that HERE.
You’ll be asked for basic information and required to put a credit card on file. We automatically charge credit cards of winning bidders at the end of the auction.
Once registered, you can join and bid in any auction you’d like!
Why did the time reset on a lot I was bidding on? (Soft Close)
What is a Soft Close in an Online Timed Auction?
A soft close is a feature in online timed auctions that extends the bidding time if a bid is placed within the final moments before the
auction ends. Instead of closing at a fixed time, the auction remains open for an additional set period (60 seconds in our case) after each last-minute bid.
This process continues until no further bids are placed within the extension window.
Benefits for Buyers and Sellers For Buyers:
Prevents “sniping,” where last-second bids unfairly shut out competition.
Allows time to react and place a higher bid without being rushed.
Ensures a fair chance to win the item at a competitive price.
For Sellers:
Maximizes final sale prices by allowing true market demand to play out.
Encourages active bidding rather than last-minute sniping strategies.
Creates a more engaging and competitive auction experience.
Soft close auctions provide a fair and transparent bidding environment for all participants, ensuring that every bidder gets an equal
opportunity to compete while helping sellers achieve the best possible results.
I won an item on an auction. What now?
I won. What now?
Your registered card will be charged within 24 hours of the auction closing date. After that, you can expect an email from Shipping Saint, our software designed to deliver your winnings or set you up for pick-up. Additional instructions are provided at that time. If you did not receive an email from Shipping Saint, please check your SPAM folder.
Access more details and terms and conditions for each auction by clicking the “Terms” button within each auction listing.
How do I schedule a pickup or see pickup location in Shipping Saint?
We’ve created a handy guide for this, which you can see HERE.
What is a Buyer's Premium?
A Buyer’s Premium is an additional fee that the winning bidder has to pay on top of the final bid price of an item at auction. It’s a standard practice in many auctions, both online and in-person, and it’s how the auction house or platform generates revenue to cover their costs.
How It Works
- Example: Let’s say you win an auction for a vintage watch with a final bid of $500.
- Buyer’s Premium: If the Buyer’s Premium is 10%, you’ll pay an additional 10% of $500, which is $50.
- Total Cost: So, your total payment for the watch will be $500 (winning bid) + $50 (buyer’s premium) = $550.
- Tax: Tax is added to the final price, including Buyer's Premium.
Why It’s Used
- Covers Auction House Costs: The buyer’s premium helps the auction house cover the costs of hosting the auction, promoting the items, processing bids, handling logistics, warehouse space, boxes, lot stickers, equipment, and much more.
- Market Standard: It’s a common practice in the industry.
- Most auction houses, especially for high-value or unique items, include a buyer’s premium.
To Summarize
- It’s Not a Hidden Fee: It’s always disclosed before the auction, and the percentage of the buyer’s premium should be clearly stated, often in the auction terms or descriptions.
- It’s Added to Your Bid: It’s calculated on top of whatever you bid, and it’s part of the total amount you’ll owe when you win. The Buyer's Premium is taxable.
I'm buying as a business and am tax exempt. How do I let you know?
Please email a copy of your filled out and signed tax exempt form to info@auctionsolutions.com and include the name of the auction you are bidding on. We will file it and add it to your account.
Note: Auctions conducted on Proxibid do not automatically recognize tax exempt bidders. Please call us to have tax removed if it is on an invoice for a Proxibid auction.
Why did someone else win the lot when I placed the same max bid?
Please see the document linked HERE
Selling at Auction
How do I sell with Auction Solutions?
You can visit the Consignments, give us a call at 402-571-0393 or email info@auctionsolutionsinc.com to get started!
What can/do you sell?
We get this question a lot. The short answer is, if it can be legally sold, we can sell it!
There are a few exceptions. If you wonder if we can sell it, give us a call and we can let you know.
We are a licensed FFL Type 01, have Real Estate Brokers and automobile dealers on staff. We strive to be a one-stop shop for all your liquidation needs!
Other Stuff
What do I need to know about bidding at firearm auctions?
Auction Solutions, inc. is a Type 01 FFL
For those picking up the firearm in person, we ask that you visit the main office to fill out the mandated federal paperwork. Form 4473 is required to transfer the purchase from a Federal Firearms License (FFL) dealer to a customer. You can either find the form online or fill it out in the office. If you come to the office with a 4473 prefilled out, you get a free cup of coffee from Keystone Kafe!
You’ll also be asked to provide a valid ID — the name must match the invoice — and a concealed carry permit or a permit to purchase. If you don’t have either permit, Auction Solutions Inc. will perform a background check in the office.
For online firearm auctions, how do I have my winnings shipped?
- You or your local FFL dealer must provide a copy of their FFL by email to info@auctionsolutionsinc.com promptly following the auction’s closing. Your firearms will be shipped to the dealer’s address. Once your order is delivered, it’ll be up to your FFL to contact you for pick-up.
- If Auction Solutions Inc. doesn’t receive a copy of an FFL, we cannot ship your firearms. For safety reasons, you will not receive a tracking number to ensure that the order isn’t intercepted.
- If you and another family member are getting firearms shipped to the same FFL dealer, you can contact Auction Solutions to have these shipment orders combined to minimize costs.
I bought a firearm. How do I pick it up or have it shipped?
Congratulations on your purchase! You can pick up your firearms during the scheduled pickup time or have them shipped to an FFL of your choice.
Here’s the details:
- All firearm transfers require a Form 4473 be filled out for the transfer.
- A $15 transfer fee per firearm applies to ALL firearm purchases.
- If you do not have a Permit to Purchase, NE Concealed Handgun Permit, or FFL License in your name, you must submit to a NICS check.
- All firearm transfers must be completed in person, unless shipping to an FFL.
- If shipping to an FFL, have that FFL email a copy of their SIGNED FFL CERTIFICATE to info@auctionsolutionsinc.com with a copy of your paid invoice. Then, watch for emails from Shipping Saint to pay for your shipping costs.
Helpful Terms
Auction Terms & Definitions
We’ve put together a couple of essential terms so you can focus on placing the highest bid.
- Buyer’s Premium: A percentage added of your winning bid that is added to your final invoice. This is retained by the auction company. It helps cover costs like bidding platform fees, credit card processing fees, etc.
- Times the Money: This is applied when more than one item is in the quantity of a specific lot. It automatically multiplies your bid by the quantity listed. For example, if there are eight chairs in a single lot and you bid $5, your bid will automatically be $40 since you’re paying $5 per chair.
- Simulcast: When an auction is run simultaneously in-person and online — the best of both worlds.
- As Is, Where Is”: Items are being sold in their current condition on the day of the auction. Buyers are responsible for inspection of the item for sale and deciding as to its suitability for their intended purpose before bidding.
- Proxy Bid: This occurs when bidders have the option to set the maximum price they're willing to pay for an item and then allow the computer system to bid on their behalf. For example, one could set their maximum at $100, and the system will auto-bid for them until someone outbids their $100.
- Pre-Authorization: A temporary lock on a certain dollar amount of credit on your card. It’s not charged but keeps the funds available for the authorizing merchant. Within the authorization period, the merchant may capture the authorization (charge the card up to the authorization amount) or release the authorization (return the amount to the card's available credit). Depending on the credit card's issuing bank, an authorization will be automatically released after 1-8 business days. An authorization might show on the customer's credit card statement or mobile app as a pending charge, or it might not show at all.
More FAQs coming soon!
We’re constantly taking feedback from customers like you and adjusting our FAQ as necessary. Keep an eye out for updates!
Have any additional questions the FAQs didn’t address? Contact us directly!
