Bidding and Buying at Albrecht Auction:
GETTING REGISTERED:
If you would like to place a bid on an item that is up for auction, you must first register for a user number on our website. To begin, click the “Register” link located in the upper right-hand corner of the webpage. After entering your information in the form provided, registering a valid credit card, and agreeing to our terms and conditions, you will then be sent an e-mail containing your permanent user number. If necessary, we can register and place bids for you over the phone. Please call our office at 989-823-8835 if you need any assistance.
LOGGING IN:
Once you’ve registered for a user number, click the “Login” link in the upper right-hand corner of the webpage. On the login page, enter your user number and password and click the “Login” button. If you have entered incorrect information, “Invalid User Number and/or Password” will appear on your screen. Re-enter your information and try again. If you continue to see this message, please contact us by phone or e-mail.
PLACING A BID:
In order to place a bid, you must first be registered and logged in (See “Getting Registered” and “Logging In” above). Next, enter a “Current Auctions” listing and browse/search for an item you’d like to bid on (You may search for an item in the “Keywords” box, or select a specific category of items in the “Category” drop-down menu). Once an item has been located, click the “Bid” button on the individual item listing. Enter a bid amount that you would like to bid, and click the “Place Bid” button.
RECOVERING YOUR USER NUMBER / PASSWORD:
If you’ve forgotten your user number or password, click the “Login” link in the upper-right hand corner of the webpage. Next, click “Forgot Password / User Number”. After typing your e-mail address (the one registered to your account) into the space provided, click the “Recover Login Information” button, and an e-mail will be sent to you containing your user number. This e-mail will also step you through the process of resetting your password.
INSPECTING ITEMS:
Preview dates and times are listed in the terms of each individual auction. We highly recommend coming to a live preview to inspect items before bidding! Everything is sold "As-Is, Where-Is."
BIDDING EXTENSION:
If an item receives a bid within the last 5 minutes of its closing, bidding time will be extended on that specific item. When bidding is extended, the countdown timer will turn red and automatically reset to 5 minutes remaining. Bidding will close on an item when there is no more bidding activity within the bid extension period. If an item remains in bid extension well beyond an item's scheduled close time, the extension period may be shortened to as little as 1 minute - be sure to pay close attention and bid immediately if you are outbid! NOTE: The "Bid Extension Period" may be longer for land auctions or offsite auctions.
GROUP FEATURE:
When a lot is consigned which matches and/or is similar/related to one or more other consigned lots, the lots may be listed as part of a GROUP. All lots that are part of a group will remain open for bidding (bid time will extend) as long as one or more of the lots is still receiving bids. If a lot is part of a group, it will display a "Chain Link” symbol below the bid amount, followed by a specific number that will display on all lots that are in that group feature.
WINNING BIDDER NOTIFICATION:
If you are the high bidder on one or more items at the close of an auction, you will soon receive an e-mail notifying you of your purchase. If you do not see your invoice in your inbox, please check your spam. If you still cannot locate your invoice, contact us by phone or by e-mail.
MAKING PAYMENT:
Purchases must be paid for during the checkout hours posted on an auction listing. If a bidder fails to do this, his/her bidding will be suspended (temporarily, or permanently) until payment has been made. If you are participating in an offsite auction, please read the auction terms for any additional information concerning accepted forms of payment, checkout arrangements, etc. We accept cash, cashier’s checks, wire transfer, personal and business checks from established customers*, and Visa/MC/Disc/PayPal** (Credit Cards and PayPal not accepted at some offsite auctions.). When paying by PayPal, please reference the invoice you receive by e-mail for the full amount owed before sending a payment.
*No checks in excess of $500 will be accepted from non-established customers without pre-approval.
**No Credit Card/PayPal Payments accepted on individual items over $2,500.
BUYER’S PREMIUM:
A buyer’s premium is a percentage added to the final bid price which goes to the auction company. If a 10% buyer’s premium is charged, a $10 item would end up costing $11 plus tax. The tax is charged on the total purchase price (bid price plus the premium). The buyer’s premium percentage varies from auction to auction and can be found in the terms of each auction.
SALES TAX:
Sales tax is charged at our consignment auctions in Vassar as well as some of the offsite auctions. Look at the terms of each offsite auction regarding sales tax. If you are exempt from paying sales tax you must fill out a tax exemption form.
MERCHANDISE REMOVAL:
Buyer shall be responsible for making arrangements for merchandise removal during the checkout times listed for each individual auction. If a buyer does not pick up his/her items during the scheduled times, the auction company reserves the right to suspend bidding for future auctions. The auction company also reserves the right to charge the full amount of the purchase price on a buyer’s credit card, or to resell any property not removed during the removal times (even if paid in part or in full). This applies to items that were charged storage fees but then left beyond the 14-day storage agreement. After 14 days (following the close of an auction), all items - paid or unpaid - that have not been picked up will be considered abandoned/forfeited/unavailable, and no refunds will be given. Albrecht Auction may deny your storage request for large indoor items depending on available space in Warehouse. Buyer may also be responsible for reselling fees, storage fees, and any deficiencies as a result of reselling or disposing of abandoned items.
SHIPPING:
We offer in-house shipping on smaller items via UPS or US Mail (to the continental US). If you wish to have your auction item(s) shipped to you, call or e-mail us by 5pm the day after an online auction has ended. Shipping charges will include the following: Your invoice total for the auction items purchased, a modest handling fee, packing materials cost, and the UPS/USPS Mail charge. We do not price UPS/USPS in advance. We prep it for shipping, weigh it, and send it. When you contact us, please indicate your 1) user number, 2) which auction your items were purchased in, 3) which items you wish to have shipped, and 4) the best way to contact you. We will do our best to have your items shipped within 5 business days. We are not responsible for acts or omissions in the shipping and handling of purchased lots. Purchaser assumes all risks associated with the shipping and handling of purchased lots.
AS-IS, WHERE-IS:
All sales are final and, unless guarantees are specifically stated in the item description, as-is. No adjustments will be made with regard to an item after the item has been removed from the location the item was auctioned from or after the removal date posted by auction company, whether or not the property has been removed. Auctioneer reserves the right, for any reason, to terminate, change or suspend any aspect of any auction.
ASSESSMENT OF CONDITION:
Most item descriptions on online auction listings have been provided by the sellers, and bidders should rely solely on personal inspection and not on information listed on the site or otherwise provided by auctioneer or seller. Bidder's failure to inspect, or otherwise be fully informed as to the nature, quality, condition, quantity and size of any item will not constitute ground for any claim, adjustment, refund, termination of the contract for sale, or refusal to close the sale.
BID REJECTION AND RESERVES:
Albrecht Auction Service L.L.C. reserves the right to reject any and all bids if they so choose. Albrecht Auction also reserves the right to place reserve bids on behalf of the seller to protect their investment.
BID RETRACTION:
Buyer must acknowledge all terms of the auction and agree not to retract the purchase offer. If bidder cannot satisfy the terms of the auction, the bidder is asked not to bid.
AUCTION CO'S RIGHT TO TERMINATE PURCHASE:
If for any reason Auction Co. is unable to complete the sale of any purchase to buyer or provide such purchase free and clear of liens, even if the buyer was given notice that he is the high bidder and purchaser, buyer agrees that the Auction Co. may terminate the purchase/agreement, in which case Auction Co.'s only liability shall be the return of any monies actually paid by buyer. This reason for termination would also include a missed reserve or minimum price or the seller's unwillingness to release said item. Auction Co. also reserves the right to settle all disputes that may arise between bidders, sellers or auction company. In the event that the written description of a listed item is in contrast with (or is in any variation from) the pictures accompanying the auction listing, it is at the discretion of the Auction Co. as to whether or not the sale will be completed or terminated.
AUCTION CO'S RIGHT TO SUSPEND BIDDING:
Auction company may for any reason suspend a bidder's bidding privileges, without notice, if it is determined to be in the best interest of the auction company or the seller. A bidder's bidding privileges may be suspended or permanently terminated if the bidder provides false information when registering to bid. Auction company may also suspend bidding for any reason on an individual item or the entire auction.
CONSENT TO SUIT IN MICHIGAN:
In the event of legal proceedings arising from this contract or from the auction in connection therewith, buyer consents to being subject to the personal jurisdiction of the courts of the State of Michigan. Buyer also agrees that venue shall be in Tuscola County, Michigan and that the laws of the State of Michigan shall govern this Agreement and the parties' transaction hereunder.
LEGAL COURSES OF ACTION:
Internet bids are a contract and you are responsible for honoring them. Every legal remedy available may be used to insure the performance of winning bidders. Bidder accepts responsibility for and agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless each seller and auctioneer and their employees, governing body, officers, owners, affiliates, subsidiaries, directors, agents and representatives from and against any and all claims, losses, damages, liabilities, judgments, fees, costs and expenses including reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses related to, arising from or associated with buyer's, his agents or representatives, use of the site, including but not limited to personal injuries or property damage incurred on the sale premises or during removal and transport of any auction item, and arising out of, based upon, or resulting from any breach or violation by bidder of this site user agreement or any use by bidder of the site or as a result of a dispute with another bidder.
LIMIT OF LIABILITY:
In no event will our liability to a purchaser exceed the purchase price actually paid. Auction company cannot, and will not, be held responsible for any interruption in service, errors, and/or omissions, caused by any means and does not guarantee continual, uninterrupted or error-free service or use of the site. Bidder acknowledges that this auction is conducted electronically and relies on hardware and software that may malfunction without warning. The auction company, in its sole discretion, may void any sale, temporarily suspend bidding and re-sell any item/lots that were affected by any malfunction or for any other reason. The decision of the auction company is final. Auctioneer is providing services as an independent contractor for the owner/seller only and is not responsible for statements made by other parties.
ITEM AUTHENTICITY:
Albrecht Auction does not provide authentication services for items consigned at auction. The bidder is responsible for investigating/determining the authenticity of an item prior to bidding (it is not guaranteed that a bidder will have any recourse after an auction has ended). In the event that a bidder discovers he/she has purchased an item that is not authentic (a reproduction, fake, etc.), please refer to our "Item Authenticity Policy and Procedure". We will do our best to ensure a fair and forthcoming auction process, but Albrecht Auction does not assume responsibility beyond the scope of what is known at the time of auction.