Auction Procedure - Online Sales

As procedures vary widely from one site to another, we will attempt here to provide only a brief overview of what you might expect when you begin buying and selling via online auctions.

Each online auction site has it's own set of "Terms and "Conditions" and you should make sure you are fully aware of your legal rights and obligations by reading these thoroughly before you agree to them. Many sites provide the option to "send questions to the seller", where you can make further enquiries on any points which need clarification, or to arrange viewing. Replies are normally in the form of an email, and it is advisable to save any correspondence, just in case disputes should arise after the purchase has been made.

As an unregistered user you can usually view all currently offered items. Most online auctions will include a search facility, so that you can find the article you are looking for quickly and easily. You will usually have the option to search for a specific item, or browse items for sale in a particular category.

In nearly all cases you will need to register before you can bid. This is usually a simple process which is free of charge, open to all and should take only a few minutes. The amount of personal and/or company information you will need to disclose varies from site to site, but as a bare minimum will include name, address, telephone number and email address. Typically, you will then be emailed a unique userID and password, which will allow you to submit and accept legally binding offers. Once logged in with your user name and password, you are in a position to buy and sell.

For your own security, you should not disclose your logon details to anyone else. Many sites recommend that you log off when you end your session as an extra precaution to protect from unauthorized "hackers" from carrying out transactions in your name.

There may be several different types of sales format, (i.e. methods by which an item may be sold) and this is predetermined by the seller. Auction formats do differ from one site to the next so you will need to familiarise yourself with the various options available on each site you use. For example, one well known online auction site has six different auction formats namely: High Bid Auction, SuperBid Auction, Low Bid Auction, Multiple Lot Auction, Sealed Bid Auction (Tender Procedure) and Reverse Auction!

In addition to the auction format, the seller normally specifies the duration of the auction, the reserve price and the shipping arrangements. Bear in mind that online auctions are unlike traditional auctions in that they may last for anything from a few days to several weeks.

The description given for any lot or product entered for sale forms the basis of the Contract of Sale entered into by the Vendor and the Buyer. Guarantees offered by online auction sites range from nil on those sites who act merely as a go-between buyer and seller, to full money-back satisfaction guarantees on other sites offering new products from known sources. Again, we can only advise buyers to check this out before making a bid.

If you are bidding for new items, especially where the amounts involved are relatively small, you may be perfectly happy to purchase an item on the strength of its lot description and a photograph. Where larger sums are concerned, or where second hand items are involved, it is preferable to arrange to view the goods "in the flesh" prior to purchase.

The actual bidding procedure, and that following a successful bid will depend on the site and the auction format chosen by the seller. However, before making a bid, it is important to bear in mind that bids are legally binding and cannot be retracted.

The sale is made to the buyer who has made the highest bid at the end of the auction as long as it satisfies the reserve price. If you are a winning bidder, you will be sent an email when the sale closes providing the necessary information so that you can complete the transaction and confirm delivery/shipping arrangements.