Frequently Asked Questions

We charge the winning bidder or buyer a Platform Fee, also commonly known as a Buyer’s Premium. The Platform Fee is applied to the buyer’s preferred payment method. This fee is charged for the use of the platform and is not to be confused with being a deposit or part payment of the purchase price. It is generally calculated as a percentage of the final sale price in an Auction or a Buy Now sale, and the percentage is variable, based on the category the item is listed in. The Platform Fee may have a Minimum Fee associated with it. If a Minimum Fee applies, this will instead be payable if the calculated amount is lower. The applicable Platform Fee and Minimum Fee is displayed below the Submit Bid box or Buy Now box on every sale page.

While the Platform Fee is paid to you.bid, the final bid price or Buy Now sale price is to be paid in full directly to the seller of the item. For a detailed breakdown of fees per category, see the Fees page.

 

Click on the “LOGIN / REGISTER” button on the top bar of the web page.  This will open a pop-up window or page.  Click on the “SIGN UP” button to begin the registration process.

To register, you will need to be at least 18 years of age.

Exact Bid: when you submit an Exact Bid, you are placing a bid on an item at the exact amount that you enter, providing that it is equal to or above the next incremental bid.

Example:  if the current bid price is $3,500 and you enter an Exact Bid amount of $5,000, the new bid price will show $5,000.

The Exact Bid amount you enter is unlimited, so take care when placing a bid, as all winning bids are legally binding, and cannot be retracted once placed.

Maximum Bid: (also known as a proxy bid) when you submit a Maximum Bid, you are specifying the maximum amount that you are willing to bid. When you place a Maximum Bid, the platform will place the lowest bid that is necessary for you to become the highest bidder, whilst only bidding up to your Maximum Bid.  The platform will continue to do the bidding automatically on your behalf, by comparing your bid to other bidders and increasing your bid until you are the highest bidder each time, but only up to your Maximum Bid amount.

Example:  if the current bid price is $3,500 and you enter a Maximum Bid amount of $5,000, then the current bid price will increase to $3,600 (assuming bid increments of $100, and providing there are no higher bids), providing there are no higher bids), and you will become the highest bidder.  If another bidder places a bid of $4,000, then the system will automatically raise your bid by the lowest bid needed for you to become the highest bidder, which would be $4,100.  You will then become the highest bidder and the other bidder will see that he/she has been outbid by another bidder, you.

You can, however, keep increasing your Maximum Bid at any time, either before or after you have been outbid.

When you use Maximum Bid, the you.bid platform does the work for you!  It gives you peace of mind that you are staying on top of the bidding.  It eliminates the need for you to continuously check your bidding status, and is particularly helpful if you’re bidding on multiple items or if you’re away from your computer or device and can’t physically watch the end of the auction.  You can also rest assured that the you.bid platform will not bid any higher than the maximum you have set.  Please note that once you have confirmed your Maximum Bid, you are committed to paying up to your Maximum Bid amount, and if you are the winner of the auction, then your winning bid is legally binding.

If you have been outbid, you will be notified by email and/or SMS (depending on your system preferences) that you have been outbid. You can then choose to submit another bid.

We do not offer any financial services at this time.

Please note that it is very important to have your finance organised prior to buying or bidding on an auction.

you.bid is committed to protecting the integrity of the sale process and as such we cannot cancel or retract a bid once it has been placed.

As a bidder, you are bound by the Terms and Conditions of the site.  It is your responsibility to thoroughly check the full description, photographs and other details, including the Platform Fee and any after-sale costs such as shipping/transport and registration (for vehicles), and be totally satisfied that the item suits your needs before placing a bid.

you.bid endeavours to provide as much information in our listings as possible, including detailed descriptions, photos and videos (if available), allowing you to make informed decisions.
 
However, if you still wish to inspect the item, you can request an inspection. Visit the Contact Us page or click on ‘Make an Inquiry’ on the item sale page if you wish to arrange an inspection with a seller. We ask that sellers make items available at convenient times.
 
Buyers and sellers are reminded that they shall not engage in any activity designed to complete a sale transaction outside of the you.bid platform.

If you can’t attend the inspection yourself, you can always send a third party to do so on your behalf. This could be a family member, friend or your preferred mechanic. Alternatively, you can arrange a professional inspection for a nominal fee. Please see our Extra Services page for providers. 

Standard auction practice allows for vehicles to be inspected and started during viewing, but not driven. Due to Health and Safety regulations, as well as insurance implications, bidders cannot test-drive vehicles. However, if the seller allows, you may start the engine, test dashboard functions, and open the bonnet to view the engine.

If you are the winning bidder or buyer of an auction or a buy now item:

  • You will receive an email stating that you have won the auction
  • You will also receive an SMS notification (if enabled) on your mobile phone
  • Under the bidding section of the item’s auction page, it will display: “Congratulations! You have won this auction.” You will also find the seller’s contact details displayed here. Likewise, the seller will be provided with your contact details, so that you can both communicate and finalise the sale.

When an auction closes successfully, a Platform Fee, as detailed on the Fees page, is automatically charged to the winning bidder’s preferred payment method.  The Platform Fee is the fee for using the you.bid platform and NOT to be mistaken as a deposit or part payment of the final bid amount.

Once the Platform Fee payment is successful, you are then ‘digitally introduced’ to the seller so you can arrange to pay the final bid amount and pick up your item.

If you were the highest bidder but the reserve price was not reached, you will be informed of this at the end of the auction. We will then refer your highest bid to the seller who will decide to accept or decline, or to make a counter-offer.
  • If the seller wishes to accept your bid, you will be made the winner of the auction, and we will instruct you on the next steps.
  • If the seller wishes to make a counter-offer, we will notify you.
  • If no agreement on price is reached between you and the seller, we may relist the auction, or place it in a Buy Now auction for a specified period of time, or the Seller may take the item off the market.

No.  ‘Sniping’ the auction in the last few seconds is not possible with you.bid.  The you.bid auction platform features an “Auto-Extend” delayed auction-closing function.  If the auction receives a bid within the last 10 minutes of the set closing time, the auction’s closing is extended by a further 10 minutes.  There is no limit to the number of times the auction’s closing time can be extended.  This will continue to occur until all bidding has been exhausted.

This allows the auction to function similar to a live auction where the bidding doesn’t stop if there is still interest in the item, rather than assigning an arbitrary cut-off time.  This feature ensures the auction process is fair and gives all bidders plenty of time to reconsider bidding before the auction ends.

As the winning bid represents a legally binding contract, you are legally obligated to proceed with the sale. It is up to the seller to decide whether they will accept your decision to not proceed or to seek a legal remedy.
 
The Platform Fee that is automatically charged at the end of the auction is non-refundable if you choose not to proceed.

The Item Condition of each item is stated in the bidding/price frame on each lot page.  We strongly urge you to familiarise yourself with the Item Condition before bidding. This is because you.bid sells a wide range of products in a variety of conditions on behalf of our vendors.

It’s important that you read the Item Description for possible additional information on the condition of the product. You should take the Item Condition and the Item Description into account when you place your bid as we do not offer refunds if you change your mind about your purchase or auction win.

Item Condition Types:

Brand New
This item is still in its original packaging (if applicable). It is in perfect condition and has not been removed from the box/packaging or exposed to any elements.

New
This item is new and unused, though it may have been opened or removed from its packaging. It is in perfect working condition with no signs of prior use.

As New
This item is in excellent condition, appearing as if it has never been used or very lightly used. It shows no significant signs of wear or damage and is fully functional. It may not include its original box/packaging.

New/Unused
This item is new and has never been used, though the original packaging may be missing or opened. The item is in pristine condition.

Demo
This item was used for demonstration purposes, typically in a showroom or for display. While it may have been lightly handled or operated, it remains in excellent condition with minimal signs of wear. It is being sold as-is.

Not Working
This item is not functioning as intended and may require repair. It is being sold as-is, in a non-working condition, and no guarantees are made regarding its usability.

Other
The condition of this item does not fit into a predefined category. Please refer to the specific description for more details about the item’s condition. It is being sold as-is.

Parts Only
This item is being sold as-is for its parts. It is not functional or incomplete, and is intended for buyers looking to salvage or repair other items.

Refurbished
This item has been professionally restored to a fully functional state by the seller or a manufacturer. It may show minor signs of previous use but has been tested and certified to be operational.

Unknown
The condition of this item is unknown. The seller is not able to provide details on its functionality or appearance.  No guarantees can be made regarding its usability. It is being sold as-is.

Unopened
This item is brand new and has never been opened. It remains sealed in its original packaging, ensuring that it is untouched and unused.

Untested
This item has not been tested for functionality. The seller makes no guarantees about whether it works or not, and it is being sold as-is.

Unused
The item is has never been used, though it may not be in its original packaging or may have been stored for a period of time. It is being sold as-is.

Used
This item has been previously owned and shows signs of regular wear and use. It remains in working condition but may exhibit some cosmetic imperfections. It is being sold as-is.

Absolutely! Our categories include Cars, Classic Cars, Boats, Trucks, Number Plates, Earthmoving and Industrial Equipment and more! Our categories are constantly growing so if you don’t see yours here, just ask!

Click the green SELL button at the top of this page and let us know what you’ve got to sell.

The great thing about you.bid is that there are no fees to sell on you.bid! In fact, there are no fees to list or to sell on you.bid! 

Buyers will pay a Platform Fee when they buy or are the successful bidder on an auction, but sellers pay nothing.

Note that some fees may apply in the case of early cancellation of a listing. Please see the Terms and Conditions for full details.

Please visit the How It Works page to learn about selling with you.bid.

Our goal is to provide high quality, detailed and accurate information in all of our listings so buyers can bid and buy with confidence. Therefore, it’s important to provide as much detail and accuracy as possible. In the case of motor vehicles or equipment, such as earth moving and industrial machinery, the condition and any mechanical faults are critical factors for the buyer to consider so these must be included.

It’s also essential that the information you provide is truthful, honest and in no way misleading.

The Seller’s Guide details the information we need from you and the things you need to consider when gathering details and photos of your item.

IMPORTANT:  Please note that misleading and deceitful listings not only undermines the integrity of the platform but may make you liable for Platform Fees resulting from auction defaults.

When it comes to vehicles, it is critical to capture high-quality, detailed photos so that potential buyers can accurately assess what they are purchasing. Ensure that you use a good digital camera or a high-quality phone camera, and take photos in well-lit conditions, avoiding shadows and obstructions.

Take a look at our Seller’s Guide for tips and tricks on how to best present your vehicle through great photos and videos.

We recommend approximately 50 to 150 photos (depending on the type and condition of your vehicle), including both wide and close-up shots. Photograph the vehicle from all angles, including interior shots of the seats, carpets, headlining, boot area and engine bay. Capture close-ups of any damaged areas, dents, scratches, wheels, tires and areas affected by rust or corrosion.

Additionally, it is best to photograph the vehicle when it’s in a clean and tidy state for maximum appeal.

You may also choose to have your photos taken by a professional photographer. They can advise on the best nearby location to suit your type of vehicle, as well as lighting, angles and all those good things to give you maximum bang for your buck!

You sure can!  you.bid allows sellers to set a reserve price for most items. The reserve price will be agreed between you and you.bid prior to the auction going live and it will be stated in the Seller Agreement. It’s important that the reserve price is set at a realistic level to help facilitate a successful sale. Setting an excessively high reserve price often results in items remaining unsold.

As some items have reserve prices, and some do not, bidders are not aware if a reserve price exists on the item they’re bidding on. They will only be told that a reserve price exists at the end of an auction if they are the highest bidder and the reserve price has not been reached. 

In the event that an item falls short of the reserve price, you.bid reserves the right to pay the seller the shortfall between the auction’s final bid price and the reserve price in order to achieve a successful sale.  Please see the Terms and Conditions for full details.

During the course of the auction, you may receive inquiries from potential buyers. You will receive these via email. You will also see the inquiries under the Inquiries menu on your Seller Dashboard. Please respond to the inquiries as promptly and accurately as possible so that buyers can make timely decisions around bidding.

Buyers may also request an inspection of your item. Please endeavour to accommodate inspection requests at times that are conventient to both you and the buyer. This will encourage confident bidding by buyers and help you achieve a succesful sale. 

If at any point during the auction you wish to reduce your reserve price, please Contact Us. Note that reserve prices can only be decreased or removed, but they cannot be increased. Please be aware that updates to reserve prices can take up to 48 hours to take effect so please check in on your auction regularly and notify us of any adjustments you want to make as soon as possible.

While all auction listings contain detailed descriptions, photos and videos (if applicable), some buyers will still wish to inspect the item prior to making a bid.  Buyers can contact you through the ‘Make An Inquiry’ button on the auction page, where an email will be sent to you. You can then reply to arrange a suitable inspection time that’s convenient for both parties. We encourage inspections as they give buyers the confidence to bid and sellers the best chance of a succesful sale. 

IMPORTANT:  Buyers and sellers are reminded that attempting to transact a sale outside the auction platform is strictly prohibited. If a sale is transacted outside the platform, the seller may be required to pay to you.bid the appropriate Platform Fee as specified in the Terms and Conditions.

Yes, absolutely!  We will only set your auction or Buy Now to go live once we have final approval from you that the listing and description is thorough, accurate and meets your satisfaction. It’s very important that you take the time to read all of the details in the final draft listing, ensuring any defects and issues are included if applicable, as the sale is between you and the buyer.

No, bidding on your own auction listing is strictly prohibited. Nor can a friend or someone connected to you bid on your item, unless they have genuine intent to buy.

you.bid is committed to maintaining fairness and transparency in all aspects of the auction process. Aside from compromising the integrity of the auction process, if you bid on your own item and become the successful bidder, the Platform Fee will be automatically charged to your nominated payment method and this is non-refundable.

Once you have submitted the Seller Agreement, cancelling the listing before the scheduled closing time will result in a fee equivalent to the Platform Fee that would have been charged to the successful buyer.

Only under extraordinary circumstances can this fee be waived. This is at the discretion of you.bid. Please see the Terms & Conditions for more information.

Upon a successful auction, the Platform Fee, as specified on the Fees page, will be automatically charged to the buyer’s nominated payment method. It is important to note that the Platform Fee, commonly known as the Buyer’s Premium, should not be mistaken as a deposit or partial payment for the auction item.

The buyer’s and seller’s details will then be exchanged digitally so that payment and pickup can be arranged by the two parties. The buyer is required to make full payment of the final bid price to the seller and payment and pickup should be finalised within 7 working days of the end of the auction. For more details, please see the How It Works page.

In the event that the auction closes and the reserve price has not been reached, we will present to you the highest bid offered for your consideration. You, as the seller, have the option to accept or reject the offer, or make a counter-offer. We will work with you and the buyer to try and negotiate a price that satisfies both parties.

Items may be listed as auction only, Buy Now only or with both auction and Buy Now options. Buy Now offers certainty in terms of both pricing and timing as it is set with a specific price and, when chosen by the buyer, the sale is immediate.

In listings where both auction and Buy Now are offered, the buyer may choose to Buy Now at the specified price and this will end the auction immediately.

Buy Now may also be offered at the end of an auction period when the auction ends without a successful winner. The seller may choose to re-list but opts to list the item on a Buy Now basis rather than as an auction. For Buy Now listings that follow an auction, we suggest setting the Buy Now price as the lowest amount you are willing to accept for your item. This increases your chance of a successful sale and gives buyers a second chance at buying your item if they missed out at auction.

To consign an item for auction on you.bid, start by Registering for free if you don’t already have an account.  During registration, select “I want to become a seller”.  Once we have approved you as a seller, you can then complete the SELL WITH US form.

 

Yes, of course!  You can send us details of the item you wish to sell by clicking the green SELL button at the top of this page, or you can just Contact Us.

No. It costs nothing to register and place bids, and to list and sell on you.bid, however, before you can place a bid or buy or sell an item, we require you to provide a valid form of ID and nominate a valid and active payment method.

It is not until you actually buy or successfully win an auction that you, as the buyer, are charged the Platform Fee for the item. This Platform Fee is charged automatically to your nominated payment method. See our Fees page for more details on Platform Fees.

 

A Platform Fee is the fee charged to the winning bidder or buyer and is also commonly known as a Buyer’s Premium. The Platform Fee is automatically applied to the buyer’s preferred payment method at the time of the sale or end of a successful auction. This fee is charged for the use of the platform and is not to be confused with being a deposit or part payment of the purchase price. It is generally calculated as a percentage of the final bid price or Buy Now sale price, and the percentage is variable, based on the category the item is listed in. The Platform Fee may have a Minimum Fee associated with it. If a Minimum Fee applies, this will instead be payable if the calculated amount is lower. The applicable Platform Fee and Minimum Fee is displayed below the Submit Bid box or Buy Now box on every sale page.

While the Platform Fee is paid to you.bid, the final bid price or Buy Now sale price is to be paid in full directly to the seller of the item. For a detailed breakdown of fees per category, see the Fees page.

A ‘Reserve Price’ is a pre-determined minimum price a seller is willing to accept for their item when sold at auction.  While some auctions are offered with a Reserve Price, others are offered with No Reserve price set.
 
you.bid will provide the seller an indication of the price the item should reach at auction, however the final Reserve Price is set by the seller.
 
Bidders do not know the Reserve Price during the auction, nor do they know if a Reserve Price has been set at all. Only the highest bidder will be advised at the end of the auction that a Reserve Price exists and only if the Reserve Price has not been reached.

You can reset your password from the ‘Account Details’ menu from ‘My Account’. You can get to ‘My Account’ from the menu items under your username in the top right of the page. Note that you must be logged into your account in order to do this.

You can update all of your acount details from ‘My Account’. You can get to ‘My Account’ from the menu items under your username in the top right of the page. Note that you must be logged into your account in order to do this.

If you’re having trouble logging in, please Contact Us. We are more than happy to help.