Frequently Asked Questions
HiBid is a robust online auction platform supporting multiple types of bidding for online-only and in-person auctions. HiBid is the integrated web service and bidding solution for Auction Flex 360, which is the leading auction software for live auctions. HiBid is unique in that it is both a private-label solution and a portal.
Auction Flex 360 includes cataloging, clerking, cashiering, accounting, mailing list management, inventory management, multi-parcel, and more. Auction Flex 360 also provides a seamless solution for auction companies to upload auctions to their websites and accept internet absentee bids, conduct internet-only auctions, or offer webcast live internet bidding.
Visit Auction Flex 360 for more information
You can sell just about anything on HiBid. Cars, boats, motorcycles, toys, collectibles, sports memorabilia, artwork, antiques, guns, furniture, home décor, jewelry, coins, real estate, and personal property are just a few of the many types of items you can sell. Click Shop By Category at the top of the page to view all of the available categories.
The HiBid platform supports three different types of bidding:
• Webcast Live Bidding – allows internet bidders to bid live against floor bidders.
• Internet-Only Bidding – for auctions conducted completely online.
• Internet Absentee Bidding – used for pre-bidding prior to a live, in-person auction.
Auction Flex 360 and HiBid were built from the ground up to work together seamlessly. To upload an auction, simply build the auction using the Auction Flex 360 auction management software, click upload, and set a few options. HiBid will show both catalogued auctions and non-cataloged auctions. Images can be included for all lots, some lots, or no lots, or there can simply be preview images for the auction. It's up to the auctioneer or auction company as to how much to include.
Featured auctions provide auctioneers with an excellent opportunity to reach bidders quickly through the paid promotion of specific auctions. The top three spots on the HiBid.com home page and some state portals are auctioned off weekly (every Monday by 1 p.m. Eastern Time). These featured spots are also included at the top of the weekly email blasts to HiBid customers, providing extra exposure to those auctions. Click Here to bid on featured auctions
Hot Auctions are the auctions that have received the most views. On the HiBid homepage under Hot Auctions, click View All to access a list of all current Hot Auctions or click Browse By on the menu bar and select Hot Auctions.
Hot Lots are the most-viewed auction lots. On the HiBid homepage under Hot Lots, click View All to see a list of all current Hot Lots or click Browse By on the menu bar and select Hot Lots.
Once users are logged on to HiBid.com proper or a HiBid auctioneer/auction company’s website, they can select an auction, view the lot list, and click the Watch (black star) button on a specific lot to add it to their personal watch list.
When an item is added to a watch list, a pop-up box provides an opportunity to add personal notes for the specific item. To remove an item from the watch list, users click the black X button next to the lot.
Users who have logged on to HiBid.com proper, a HiBid state portal, or a private-label site and who have registered with a credit card (based on optional auctioneer credit card retention policies) can then place bids on an item. When viewing a lot list for an auction where bidding is open, the bidder can click the Bid (blue plus sign) button to place a bid on that item.
HiBid’s private-label offering gives auction companies an exclusive site for building their brand plus non-branded exposure through HiBid.com proper and any corresponding HiBid state category portal. A fully searchable auction calendar is provided for both the auction company’s cataloged and non-cataloged auctions. Auctioneers can upload all of their events to their auction calendar and will only be charged for the auctions that have bidding enabled.
Only auctioneers can approve pending bids. If you notice your bid is still pending, be sure to contact the auctioneer directly for assistance.
For managing your bidder account, viewing current bids, and accessing your watch list, please use the account menu located in the top left corner of HiBid.com.
For any issues, bidders should contact the seller directly first. HiBid can assist with registration problems, but concerns related to payments or items should be addressed with the seller. If you have trouble reaching the seller, HiBid can facilitate communication and help mediate disputes.
To reset your HiBid password, follow these steps:
- Click on the 'Login/New Bidder' tab and enter your email to receive a reset link.
- Check your spam/junk folders if you don't see the email, and add info@mail.hibid.com to your safe senders list.
- Use the most recent reset link sent to you; multiple requests will void previous links.
- If you encounter a red error screen, wait a few minutes before requesting a new link.
- If your new password isn't working, clear your browser history or cache.
No, the seller will not receive an update if you change your payment method after registering. Sellers only receive the initial payment method you used at registration. To update your payment details, you must contact the seller directly.
To retract a bid, you must contact the seller directly. You can find the auctioneer's contact information conveniently located on the auction listing page.
Shipping services vary by auctioneer. Please review the auction details to confirm if shipping is offered.
By default, HiBid will display 'May Have Won' on auction items. The auctioneer has the discretion to display final sale prices but may choose not to.
For detailed information on the final sale price, please contact the auctioneer directly. If you win an item, you will be notified through an invoice detailing the items you've won.
Q: I'm having trouble with address verification using my Capital One card. What should I do?
A: Ensure that your address matches exactly, including capitalization, punctuation, and abbreviations. Verify your address with a recent statement from your bank.
Q: What if my address still isn’t verifying?
A: Try different address formats or use an alternate card if available. If you’re using a PO Box, consider different combinations like 'PO Box 123,' '123 PO Box,' or just the number.
Q: What should I do if I only have a PO Box and it’s not verifying?
A: PO Boxes can be difficult to verify. If possible, use a street address instead. If not, try entering the PO Box in different formats.
Q: What if the address verification still fails?
A: As a last resort, provide your account representative with the bidder's contact information. The rep can contact the seller to explain how to 'send an invite' or explore other options.
Q: How do I verify a street address if it’s still not working?
A: If the street address is 100% accurate and still not verifying, try entering just the street numbers (e.g., instead of '123 Street,' just enter '123').
Q: How can I file a complaint against a seller?
A: If you need to file a complaint against a seller, such as for not receiving an item, receiving a counterfeit collectible, or waiting for a refund, please email support@auctionflex.com with all relevant details.
Q: What information should I include in my complaint?
A: Include all relevant details related to the issue, such as the auction ID, item description, and any correspondence with the seller.
- Absolute Auction: An auction where the item is sold to the highest bidder regardless of the bid amount, with no reserve price.
- Absentee Bidding: Allows a bidder to place a bid without being physically present at the auction. The auctioneer or a representative will execute the bid on behalf of the absentee bidder up to their maximum limit.
- Bid Increments: The fixed amount by which the price of an item goes up with each new bid. These increments are set by the auction service and usually increase as the current bid gets higher, keeping the bidding process orderly and competitive.
- Buyer’s Premium: An additional fee paid by the buyer, usually a percentage of the final bid price, added on top of the winning bid.
- Consignee: The auctioneer or auction house responsible for selling goods that have been entrusted to them by someone else, known as the consignor.
- Consignor: The person, agent, or entity that gives goods to an auctioneer to sell. The consignor is typically the seller of the items.
- Internet-Only Bidding: Internet-only bidding is similar to absentee bidding with the exception that there is no live auction. Your bid will be used to place bids for items on your behalf against other bids.
- Linked + Synched Lots: Similar to linked lots, but the sale of these items is synchronized in such a way that they close at the same time or in a coordinated manner.
- Linked Lots: Items that are sold together in a group or series, where the outcome of one lot may affect the others.
- Lot: A term used to describe a single item or a group of items that are sold together as one unit in an auction.
- Lot Number: The unique number assigned to a lot in an auction. Auctions, along with their catalogs, typically follow a numerical order based on these lot numbers.
- Minimum Bid Types:
-
Public Bid:
In public bidding, the current bid(s) are used to determine the minimum bid amount. The minimum bid amount must be met or exceeded when placing a new bid.
For example: If Lot#1 opens bidding at $10, and Bidder A bids $100, the system will then update the minimum bid to be $15. If Bidder B comes along and bids $15, the system will automatically put Bidder A back in at $20 and raise the minimum bid to $25. - Silent Bidding: In silent bidding, existing bids are NOT used to determine the minimum next bid. Existing bids have no effect on the minimum allowable bid when placing a new bid.
-
Public Bid:
In public bidding, the current bid(s) are used to determine the minimum bid amount. The minimum bid amount must be met or exceeded when placing a new bid.
- Online-Only Auction: An auction where all bidding takes place over the internet. There is no physical location for the auction.
- Progressive Bidding: A bidding process where the price increases incrementally as bids are placed, typically in predefined amounts or percentages.
- Times The Money: Times the money bidding allows you to bid per piece when a lot has a quantity greater than one. For example: if you are bidding on folding chairs, and there are 10 folding chairs, you can place your bid for $5 times the money, meaning your total bid is for $50 ($5 x qty of 10). When a lot has times the money bidding enabled it will clearly be labeled and you can choose to place your bid times the money or you can bid a total amount for the whole lot.
- Webcast Bidding: A webcast auction is a fully interactive, real-time auction where the online bidders are bidding against live, in-person bidders. You will be working with a clerk who will relay the floor bids to the online audience, and the online bids to the auctioneer.
- With Reserve: The auctioneer or seller sets a minimum price for which the item will be sold. If bidding does not reach this reserve price, the item may not be sold.