Frequently Asked Auction Questions

How do I register to bid?

You can bid in an online auction by registering for a US Auction Brokers account, providing valid contact information including: name, address, email, and telephone. Anyone may create an account and registration is free. By registering, you agree to the terms and conditions of our auctions. Once registered, you will receive a confirmation email, and then gain access to view all current item bids and place bids of your own.

How do I place a bid?

From the homepage, select the category you are interested in (jewelry, electronics, coins, etc.). Many of our categories have sub-menus to help you find what you’re looking for. Before each auction is opened, you will only be able to view the items. Once the auction is open, each item’s detail page will display the bid increments and dollar amount that bidding is currently at. There will be a space for you to enter your desired bid and a button to place your bid.

What are bidding increments?

Each auction item lists its own bid increment, the set minimum difference between the current bid and the next acceptable bid. At any time while the auction is open, you may bid using the exact increment or anything higher. For example, if the current bid is $50, with a set increment of $25, you could bid $75, $76, $85, $100, and so on. Please note that if you bid above the exact increment, you will automatically be placed in “Auto Bid”. If you do not wish to be placed in auto bid, please contact customer service for assistance.

What is the difference between auto bid and regular bid?

A "regular bid" is a one-time amount placed by the bidder, using the listed bidding increment, letting everyone know that this is what you are willing to pay for the item. If someone then bids against you, and you wish to continue bidding, you must place additional bids using the same process.

An “auto bid”, which is more convenient, allows you to enter the maximum amount you are willing to pay. Your maximum bid will not be displayed to other bidders. Instead, the computer will display the latest bid using the set bidding increment. For example, if the increment is $25, the next bid is $75, and you have an auto bid of $200, it will only show $75 as your bid. When another user places a bid, they will be notified that they have been outbid due to the auto bid, and your auto bid will increase. The computer will not place bids for you beyond your maximum amount.

If, at any time, you are outbid using either a regular bid or an auto bid, you will receive an email (if you checked the box to be notified in your registration page) and will have the option to place another bid on the item.

How do I change or cancel a bid?

Bidding on any item enters you into a legally binding contract. Once a bid is placed, it cannot be removed or canceled, unless there is a gross change in the description of the lot. Buyers are required and recommended to research an item prior to placing a bid.

How long is the auction open for bidding?

Generally, our auctions are open for 2-4 days but there are 1-day auctions and week-long auctions as well. Every item detail page displays the start and end date.

What is a buyer's premium?

Each item’s detail page will list a buyer’s premium. This is standard practice in auctions and is a percentage of the final bid that the buyer must pay in addition to the winning bid amount. Buyer’s premiums help offset auction costs and help us bring in high quality merchandise with little to no reserves. In addition to the buyer’s premium and final bid price, the buyer is responsible for paying all relevant taxes and shipping costs.

What is a reserve price?

As common auction practice, a reserve price may be set for certain items. This is the minimum amount that a seller will accept as the winning bid and is not disclosed on the site. US Auction Brokers reserves the right to bid on its own behalf or on behalf of the consignor up to the reserve amount on any item. If there are no bids above the minimum bid or reserve price (whichever is higher), then the seller is not obligated to sell the asset.

Why am I being asked to submit a deposit?

For the protection of our customers and consigners, security deposits may be required for various reasons including high end items, newly registered bidders, high volume bidding, open invoices, or suspicious activity. If a deposit is required, when you go to place a bid, a window will show for the deposit to be made. This deposit will go towards the winning bid and if the item is not won, will be fully credited.

How do I pay my deposit?

• Log in to your account.
• Click on "My Account", which will default to your invoice.
• Click on "View Invoice" to the right, highlighted in blue.
• Choose “Payment Information” and follow the instructions to enter your details.
• Click on “Apply Payment” to complete.

How do I find an item that I am looking for?

There are multiple ways to navigate our auctions. You can use the search bar to type in anything you desire and receive related item results. Or use our category listings, located on the left side of the page. Often, there will be sub-categories that appear on the left, either after you search or click into a main category. For example, if you are looking for a diamond ring, click on "jewelry”. The sub-categories will show, and you then can click on "Diamond Rings". At any time, you can repeat the process and refine your results.

Where do all the items come from?

Our merchandise comes from many different avenues. Various agencies and businesses come to US Auction Brokers to liquidate their inventory due to a surplus, bankruptcies, personal estates, close-outs and more.

How are estimated values determined?

If provided, estimated values are provided by listing agents using historical sales data for similar or identical items. Lots listed with estimated values are provided for informational purposes only and not guaranteed. Actual market values are determined by the bidding process and subjectivity in grading.

What kind of guarantee do you offer?

Estimated values listed on auction items are provided for informational purposes only and are not guaranteed due to factors including, but not limited to, market fluctuations and subjectivity in quality grading. Market values are determined by the bidding process. US Auction Brokers does not guarantee coin grades, as numismatic grading is a complex and subjective process that may involve the interpretation and opinions of experts. All items are otherwise guaranteed as described. We aim to provide accurate descriptions, however, should gross discrepancies between the item and its description arise, we will gladly accept returns for a full refund. If an item is accurately described but you remain dissatisfied, we accept most returns with deductions for shipping costs and a 20% restocking fee. Requests for returns and refunds must be received within 30 days of receiving your item. Information on how to initiate a return can be found on later on this page. For more information about our limited guarantee, visit our Terms page.

Will the item come with a Certificate of Authenticity (COA)?

Certificates of authenticity (COA) are provided for informational purposes only and are not a guarantee of value. Each auction listing will state whether the item is accompanied by a COA. If it is not stated in the description, no COA will be shipped with the item.

What are promotional auction credits?

Occasionally, US Auction Brokers offers promotional credits. These are credits you can earn during specified time periods by placing bids (whether they win or not). The amount of these promotions varies and can only be applied during following specified events and time periods.

How often are promotional auction credits offered?

There is no set schedule. To be notified of our promotions, simply register an account with us. Upon registration, you will be added to our email list to receive promotional offers and auction information. You can contact our customer service department to add you to the mailing list as well.

How do I earn the promotional auction credit?

Anyone can qualify for the auction credit during a promotion simply by placing a bid during the qualifying time period (typically 1–3 days, however every promotion is different). These times are listed within each promotional email. You will be eligible for this credit whether you win or lose during the qualifying auction. If you are unsure if you qualified for the credit, simply reach out to our customer service department to review your bid history.

When can I use the promotional auction credit?

If you have qualified for the promotional auction credit, you will receive an email notification. The auction credit is ONLY applicable toward items with winning bids in the auction FOLLOWING the qualifying period. Customers CANNOT use the promotional auction credit within the same auction in which it was earned.

For example: If the promotional time period runs from 4pm ET on May 5th to 4pm ET on May 6th, customers must place bids during that time frame in order to qualify for a $100 auction credit. Qualifying customers will then receive an email notice on May 6th prompting them that they have earned the auction credit. At this time, the next auction event has started and ends at 4pm ET May 8th. Qualifying customers would then need to bid in the new auction event to use the credit. On May 8th after 4pm ET, qualifying customers that have won items in the auction will receive a promotional code via email. This code is to be used at checkout.

Do promotional auction credits expire?

Yes, promo codes expire 24 hours after the auction ends, so customers are encouraged to check out as soon as possible. Promo codes cannot be applied to any other future or past auction events.

What do I do after I win my bid?

Within 5 minutes of an auction closing, winning bidders can login and click the "My Account" tab to view their open invoices and complete payment. US Auction Brokers will also send you a confirmation email stating that you have won. Payments are required to be received within 2 days of the close of auction.

How do I make a payment?

Payments are made securely from our site; we accept, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express. You may also pay by PayPal or call us directly at (888)366-2342. We can accept cashier’s checks, however, please note that paying by check may delay shipping, as invoice(s) will not be cleared until the check has cleared. Winning bidders with invoices totaling over $10,000 must call customer support to process the payment.

To pay for an invoice:

• Log in to your account.
• Click on the 'My Account' link in the upper right-hand corner. You will now be at your unpaid invoices page.
• Click 'View' on the right.
• Click the button to pay that appears in the top right and choose your payment method.

When will I receive my item?

Once we have received your payment in full, most items will be shipped within 10 business days. Larger items may take longer, as well as items originating overseas, which will be listed in a disclaimer on the bottom of the item’s detail page at time of bidding. The shipping costs described on the item page include shipping and handling for each item. US Auction Brokers insures up to the total amount paid for an item during shipping.

Can I expedite my shipment?

Unfortunately, due to the volume of orders we receive during each auction, we are unable to offer expedited shipping at this time.

What are the terms and conditions of sale?

Once you are a registered user of US Auction Brokers you legally accept and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions as described herein.These terms may be updated occasionally without prior notice. You have the right to browse the site without registering but to see and participate in the auction bidding, you must register, which is free of charge.

What is your return policy?

We aim to provide accurate descriptions, however, should gross discrepancies between the item and its description arise, we will gladly accept returns for a full refund. If an item is accurately described but you remain dissatisfied, we accept most returns with deductions for shipping costs and a 20% restocking fee. Requests for returns and refunds must be received within 30 days of receiving your item. Packages sent without a return authorization number posted on the receipt will NOT be accepted. US Auction Brokers is not responsible for any additional fees customers incur including insurance quotes, estimated quotes, and appraisals. To start a return, email support@usauctionbrokers.com

How do I update my contact information?

As part of the terms and conditions of sale, users are required to maintain up-to-date contact information including: email address, mailing address, and phone number. Updates can be performed by clicking on the ‘My Account’ tab on the top menu bar, logging in, and then clicking ‘View/Edit Your Personal Information’.

Can I change my username?

You cannot currently edit your username; however, our customer service team is happy to help. Simply email us at support@usauctionbrokers.com with the subject line “Request to change username”. Provide your current username and your desired username. If that username is unavailable, one of our customer service agents will let you know.

I forgot my password, what do I do?

If you cannot recall your account password, click on “Forgot Password” from the “My Account” screen, enter your email address, and a reset password link will be sent to you. If you cannot recall the email address you used to create your account, please email our customer service team at support@usauctionbrokers.com and our agents will assist.