Gauger Ventures® Bidding Instructions

Once you have registered with Gauger Ventures you will be able to bid on any of our auctions. There are some key terms and information you should know before bidding.

Auction Site

Our auctions are all local auctions, with a physical auction house that you can visit and inspect any item prior to bidding. This is important for a few reasons:

• Items are sold as-is. We make items available for inspection, Mon - Fri 9-6pm and Sat. 10-3pm so there's no question about what you're getting. This means that once you buy it, it's yours. If you can't get to the auction house to inspect an item, you can call us at 715-503-1301 and we'll try to help you.
• Items are sold where-is. You need to pick up items from our auction house (or, occasionally, another location (items will be marked as 'OFFSITE')) within 2 days of the auction ending.
• Any special arrangements need to be made before you bid. We can allow a friend of yours to pick up an item for you. But if you're counting on a special arrangement, you need to make sure you've talked to us before you bid!

Bidding

When our auctions are running, each item has a box next to it with a button labeled "Bid".

1. Enter whole dollar amounts only. All bids must be in $1 increments.
2. Do not include the .00 or the $ symbol. If you want to enter a bid of $20, type "20" into the bid box.
3. Double-check the amount. If you want to bid $20, make sure you haven't accidentally entered $200!
4. Click the "Bid" button.
5. After confirming your bid, your bid will be entered.

Proxy Bidding

In this respect we're similar to eBay. "Proxy bidding" means that you enter your maximum bid, and we'll automatically bid for you up to that amount. For example:

• Tyler is the high bidder on an electric heater, with a maximum bid of $1.00.
• Gene really wants the electric heater, so he puts in a bid of $20.00.
• The bid now goes to $2.00, with Gene as the high bidder.
• Tyler bids again, with a maximum bid of $15.00.
• The bid now goes to $16.00, with Gene still as the high bidder.
• Heidi bids $18.00 on the electric heater.
• The bid now goes to $19.00, with Gene still as the high bidder.
• Tasha bids $25.00 on the electric heater, finally exceeding Gene's bid.
• The bid is now $21.00, with Tasha as the high bidder.

Throughout the example above, Gene never had to touch his account - the system kept bidding on his behalf, up to his maximum bid of $20.00. Had the auction closed after Heidi's bid, Gene would've won the auction for $19.00.

Many people don't put in their maximum bid right away because they believe they'll "snipe" an auction at the last minute - but our system is designed to prevent that from happening, as you'll see in the next section. Put in your maximum bid, and let our system handle it for you.

Anti-Sniping Measures ("Soft Close")

Our auctions all use a feature called "soft close". This means that they will end at the posted time, provided there are no last-minute bids. We'll give you two examples.

• Genee wants to win a book that ends at 8:00 pm.
• Genee places a $5.00 bid half an hour before the auction ends, and becomes the high bidder at $4.00.
• Nobody bids on the auction after Genee.
• The auction ends at 8:00 pm, and Genee wins the book.

This is exactly what we'd expect. But watch what happens when another bidder tries to "snipe" the book:

• Genee wants to win a book that ends at 8:00 pm.
• Genee places a $25 bid half an hour before the auction ends.
• Five seconds before the auction ends (8:00 pm), Naomi bids $10 on the book and is auto-bid out.
• Five minutes are added to the auction's end time, giving Naomi an opportunity to bid again.
• Naomi bids again at 8:02 (two minutes after the auction was originally scheduled to end), for $12.
• Three more minutes will get added on (having a grand total of five minutes) if Naomi does not place another bid, Genee wins the book.

The bottom line is that you can't "snipe" our auctions like you can on eBay. This is good for both the bidders and the sellers, and makes our online auction much more like an in-person auction.

I placed a bid, now what do I do?

Now that you have registered and placed a bid, you may be wondering what you should do next. This is an online auction so other people are also looking to get a good deal and may out bid you. If you have not entered a maximum bid you may want to consider this option. The auction software will then automatically place a bid for you if another bidder bids on the same item below your maximum bid.

What happens if I am out bid?

If you are outbid on an item or items, Gauger Auctions will notify you via your registered email address. You can then log on to Gauger Auctions, browse to your item and place another bid if you choose. Another option is to place a maximum bid. The auction software will then automatically place a bid for you if another bidder bids on the same item below you maximum bid.

Can I correct my bid?

The only reason in which you may correct your bid is if you accidently added extra digits to your bid. For example if you wanted to bid $20 and you accidently put a bid in for $200. This is an auction and once you have placed a bid, it gets accepted. Please review all your bids carefully. The software accepts your bid at $31.00 (someone else had a bid of $30.00 in, you can go in and lower your bid to $31.00)

Ok I won an item, what do I do now?

Now that you have won an item or items Gauger Auctions will send you an invoice with your total bill. You will also be instructed how to pay for your items, pick up location and times and forms of payment accepted. You can also view our web site for other auctions. Gauger Auctions will have at least one auction ongoing per month.

Can I pay by credit card?

Gauger Ventures accepts credit cards, cash, local checks. Credit card payments will be charged an extra 4% processing fee.

I live out of state, can I still bid?

Gauger Ventures has no policy against out-of-state bidders bidding on our auctions, but all items must be paid for and picked up at our auction house. If you live out of state, it is up to you to arrange for your items to be picked up. Shipping is an option, but it is up to you to contact us to get shipping arranged. All out of state bidders will need to pay via cash (upon pickup), or via credit card - Gauger Ventures does not accept out-of-state checks.

Can I return my item?

In most cases the answer is "no", just as you can't return an item at a live auction either. EVERYTHING, and we mean EVERYTHING, in each sale is sold as-is, where-is. We post pictures on our website, but it is ultimately up to you to come and look at the item PRIOR to bidding. We take consignments and don't have the time to look at and test every item that we get. If you cannot come here and look at the item yourself please call the auction house and someone will be happy to do it for you. We do offer returns on Tuesday and Wednesday immediately after the auction closes. However, it is only if the item was misrepresented by the seller 

Gauger Ventures® Terms & Conditions

All online auction sales will be conducted according to the following plus any other conditions added via email or posted on this web site. In bidding you consent to be bound by these terms and conditions.

1. Full Name and Address Required: All bidders must provide their full name, address, daytime/evening phone number, and driver's license number. Gauger Ventures reserves the right to deny registration.
2. Sold to Highest Bidder: All items in the auction will be sold to the highest bidder unless the seller has a minimum reserve price. In this case the bid price is subject to the seller's confirmation. Disputes over the winning bid price or any other problem will be settled according to records kept by Gauger Ventures.
3. Bidder Inspection and "As Is, Where Is" Condition: When Inspection Times are provided, bidders should examine and inspect items prior to bidding. In all cases, all items are sold AS IS, WHERE IS WITH ALL FAULTS. The seller and Gauger Ventures expressly disclaim any warranty concerning the condition, quality, and nature, fitness for particular purpose, value or merchantability of any item. No allowance will be made for errors in cataloging, genuineness, defects or imperfections not noted. Online photographs are provided for bidders' convenience and will not be interpreted to create representations or warranties for any item. Gauger Ventures relies upon information from the seller concerning all items and makes no investigation or warranty about the accuracy or completeness of this information.
4. Removal and High Bidder's Responsibilities: All removal is at the expense, liability, and risk of the purchaser including disconnecting of utilities. Rights of the high bidder to purchase the item end on the last day and time of announced checkout. At this time the item(s) will be considered abandoned by high bidder. Gauger Ventures reserves the right to dispose of the item(s) according to its discretion. Any high bidder that fails to complete a transaction will be held responsible for all damages resulting from that action include, but not limited to, storage costs, interest, filing fees, and attorney's fees. Items paid by the high bidder but not removed by the announced checkout will be considered abandoned, and will be disposed of at the discretion of Gauger Ventures. A refund will not be given.
5. Claims and Non-Delivery: No claims will be allowed after an item has been removed from the auction site. Neither Gauger Ventures nor the seller shall be held liable for non-delivery to any high bidder of any item. If payment has been made the high bidder shall receive a refund for the sum paid. This guarantee of refund shall be null and void if high bidder fails to remove item before the last day of announced pickup/removal times. In no event shall Gauger Ventures be liable to any bidder for any act or omission occurring in connection with the auction for an amount that exceeds the amount that such bidder has actually paid to Gauger Ventures, as a deposit or as payment for a purchased item.
6. Item Offerings and Removals: Gauger Ventures according to its discretion may offer items by the piece or by the lot. It also may intersperse the auction with items from various sellers. The seller, with the consent of Gauger Ventures, has the right to remove items from the auction before or after bidding is completed. In the event of removal after bidding is complete, the high bidders sole remedy shall be the refund of the amount actually paid if payment has been made.
7. Auction Participation and Compliance with Terms: By participating in an auction, bidders represent, irrefutably warrant and covenant that:-They shall not misrepresent their ability to close the transaction pursuant to the terms and conditions of the auction.-They have the capacity to close the transaction and that any bid they make on the item constitutes an irrevocable offer to buy the item for the full amount of the bid plus 14% buyer's premium and applicable taxes-They have the legal authority to enter into an agreement to purchase the item-They shall forfeit all deposits or otherwise pay as liquidation damages all monies paid if payment is not made in full by the time specified.
8. Auction Participation and Bidding Errors: Immediate notification is required if a mistake is made in bidding. Bidders may still be held responsible for the bid.
9. Gauger Ventures as Agent Only: Gauger Ventures is acting only as an agent, and is not responsible for the action of the principals.
10. Item Removal from Auction Site: Gauger Ventures will announce the removal or "check-out" period for each auction on that auctions online site. Our auctions will have the details posted on the home page. Gauger Ventures will assume no responsibility for any part of item removal. High bidders/purchasers will assume sole responsibility and risk for disassembling, disconnecting, loading and trucking all purchased items. Purchasers will repair personal property that is altered or damaged in the removal of their items.
11. Malfunction, Shutdown, Loss of Service: The results of the auction may be rendered void if malfunction, shutdown, or temporary loss of service occurs. In such an event, Gauger Ventures reserves the right to remedy the situation in whichever way best represents the seller, including the cancellation of existing bids. Gauger Ventures shall not be held liable in any way for any malfunctions, shutdowns, or loss of service.
12. Auction Closing, Payment and Pickup: Each auction has its own ending time listed on our auction's site and in advertisements. Auctions end automatically at this time unless the three minute extended bidding is in effect. Notification/invoices will be sent to winning bidders. In the event that you have not received your notification/invoice by the afternoon of the day following the closing of the auction, please contact Gauger Ventures at 715-503-1301. High bidders/purchasers are expected to make arrangement for removal, riggers etc so that they can conform to the pickup days allotted. Methods of payment include: Cash, Cashier's Checks, Money orders (payable to Gauger Ventures), and credit or debit cards. All high bids are subject to applicable sales tax. A 14% buyers fee will apply to all purchases (4% discount on cash orders). For resellers or tax exempt, provide a copy of your state exemption certificate.
13. Indemnification and Acceptance of Auction Terms by Bidders: Purchaser and Bidders agree to indemnify and hold harmless both the seller and Gauger Ventures from and against all claims and liabilities resulting from online auction, including but not limited to: proximate or consequential damages, failure to comply with local, state, or federal laws, and cost of legal expenses arising there from. No person shall have any claim against Gauger Ventures, their respective agents or employees for any injuries sustained or damages to or loss of property that may occur at the auction site.

These Terms and Conditions, and all questions with respect to the interpretation of these conditions, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Wisconsin, without regard to conflict of law's provisions. All bidders expressly consent to personal and exclusive jurisdiction in the courts of the State of Wisconsin located in Clark County. In bidding, you consent to agreeing with all the Terms and Conditions stated above and any auction specific terms posted on each auctions event page and/or terms emailed to you and or terms posted on Gaugerauctions.com.

BY REGISTERING FOR THIS SITE, YOU STATE THAT YOU HAVE READ THE BIDDER CONTRACT AND HEREBY AGREE TO THE ABOVE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF AUCTION.

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