Frequently Asked Questions

An internet-only auction is a place where Sellers sell items in an online atmosphere. Internet-only events contain the same ideas (items, seller, bidder, price, quantity) as a traditional live auction; of course online events are done via the computer on the internet. At the scheduled time, items start closing in catalog order.

Each auction will have information regarding where the items are located and a scheduled preview time. If there is a specified preview time, you may preview auction items only during this time, no exceptions.

Each organization decides what it will sell. VP Bid is the venue and does not consign items itself. Use the Contact page if you are not sure which organization should see an item.

We will send your invoice by e-mail by noon the day after the auction closes.

Each auction has a deadline for payment. Review the auction terms carefully to be sure you understand all deadlines. THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS TO DEADLINES!!

We accept Cash, Visa, Mastercard or Discover. Credit cards accepted up to $5000.

Each auction has a deadline for pick-up. Review the auction terms carefully to be sure you understand all deadlines. THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS TO DEADLINES!! Ownership of any item not removed by the stated pick-up deadline will automatically revert to the Seller, and any funds paid will be forfeited for failure to comply with auction terms.

There is no fee for bidding on auction items, however the buyer shall pay a buyer’s premium of the percentage stated on that sale. The buyer’s premium is not negotiable and is payable by all Buyers on that sale. When and where Minnesota State Sales Tax is applicable it would be invoiced on top of the sale price plus buyer’s premium since the buyer’s premium is considered part of the contract sale price in accordance with state law. VP Bid collects the payment. The seller named on the sale is the seller of record.

If an auction receives a bid in the last five minutes, the ending time for that auction will automatically be extended by five minutes. Once five minutes have passed without any bidding, the item will close. This feature prevents “sniping” and allows all bidders an equal opportunity to be the high bidder if they so choose.

Many of our bidders begin bidding actively as items are closing. Internet only Auctions can be more exciting than live auctions, because up to 2-5 items maybe closing simultaneously. However, to assure you do not get caught up in the frenzy of last Minute bidding, we strongly recommend that you consider using the Max Bid feature. Just enter your maximum price. No matter how many items are closing, Max Bid will bid on your behalf—using only what it needs to keep you the “winner.”

The “Max Bid” feature allows a bidder to enter a maximum amount they are willing to pay for an item without disclosing that amount to other potential bidders. Example: If the next required bid for an item is $50, but you are willing to pay up to $500, you enter $50 as the “next required bid” and $500 for the Max Bid. So long as nobody else bids more than $500 you will win that item, if no one else bids then you will only pay $50. Max Bids are especially useful when you are bidding on many lots that are closing within minutes of each other. They will make sure that you don’t miss out on lots just because you are bidding on another lot.

Yes, remember that your mover will require a copy of your paid sales receipt. We strongly recommend that you meet your mover at the pickup location listed on that sale to point out your sales items and to assure your mover collects all of your purchases.

Yes you can, when that sale offers shipping. The cost associated with shipping will be decided at the end of the auction. The Buyer will pay for the item and all of the associated costs before the item will ship. Buyer is Responsible for Arranging any Rigging and Trucking Needs.

Payment must be made upfront. The title will be released to be transferred. Once the seller has proof of the title transfer then the item can be released to the winning bidder.