Help & Support

Auction General Rules

General Information

While we manage the website and software, the transactions occur directly between the buyer and the seller.  Therefore, if you should encounter an issue with an item, please first contact the selling agency via email and phone, before contacting us about the issue.

Most items are offered in a general auction to the public. Few items are offered under a restriction. If an auction is restricted, there will be a red banner below the photos that reads “Restricted to…”, you may read more about restricted autions under “Restricted Auctions” in the help file.

Ask as many questions, or inspect the item before bidding.

All accounts start on probation, refer to “Probation” in the help file.

NOTE: You are responsible for your account. No matter who places bids from your account, you are the responsible party.

Bidding
All bids are placed online.

Auction Ending Times
Most auctions end at the time specified.

Reserve Auctions
If there is a reserve on the item, it will be disclosed in the bid box.
If the auction ends without meeting the reserve amount, the seller may offer the item to the high bidder or re-list the item.

Payment
Each asset page reveals the payment and removal method as well as the Seller’s Terms & Conditions.
Be sure to read the Seller’s payment terms, because some sellers you pay directly, others use online payment through our system.
All sellers have a strict payment due date.  If the item is not paid for by the time stated, the seller may lock your account for default, and you will be assessed a fee equal to 40% of your winning bid amount.

Asset Removal
Most sellers do not ship, pack, or palletize.  Therefore, before bidding, contact the seller regarding any shipping or removal questions.

Bidding

How to bid

NOTE: You are responsible for your account. No matter who places bids from your account, you are the responsible party.

You must be signed in to place a bid.

On the asset page, enter a bid amount in the “Enter Bid” field, and then click the “Place Bid” button.  Before placing the bid, however, here are a few important notes about the “Auto-Bid”:

  1. “Auto-bid” is checked by default. If you uncheck it, you will be placing a straight bid.
  2. Our “Auto-bid” feature will allow you to set a limit as to how high you are willing to bid on an item.
  3. Any time you are outbid on this item, the system will automatically place a bid for you, up to your set limit.
  4. At any time, you may lower your Auto-Bid amount to the “minimum bid” amount or higher.

Once you’ve clicked “Place Bid,” you’re brought to the bid confirmation page.  Review the bid amount and the seller’s terms.  If the bid amount is correct and you agree with the seller’s terms, select “Agree.” If the bid amount is wrong or you do not agree with the seller’s terms, select “Disagree.”


Notifications if outbid

Before placing your bid, check the box “Email if outbid.” 

Please note that the outbid notification(s) may route to your spam or junk folder.
 


Can I retract a bid?

If you have an Auto-Bid in place (e.g., $10,000), please lower it to the minimum bid amount (e.g., $1,000) by placing a new Auto-Bid.  This will increase your chances of becoming outbid.  If you win the auction, however, please contact the seller immediately.


How to increase a bid

Place an amount equal to or higher than the minimum bid amount shown on the asset page.


Reserve

reserve price is a hidden minimum price. This is the lowest price that the seller is willing to accept for the item.

If the listing ends without any bids that meet the reserve price, the seller is not required to sell the item.

As a buyer, you are not shown the reserve price.

Trouble-shooting issues

 Message received:

“Your bid is not in the correct format”

This means you have entered a dollar sign or a comma. Here is an example: (Correct) 1000 (Incorrect) $1,000.00

“You are not authorized to bid on this item”

This is a restricted auction. The restriction type is displayed in the red-colored strip below the photos. Click on the restricted auctions link to read more on this.

“Your account is on probation, you are limited to … open auctions”

Your account is on probation, all accounts start on probation. Learn more about the probation policy by clicking the probation link. 

No bid field

This means you are not logged in, or you are not on the “asset page.”  In the upper, right-hand corner, click “Sign In.”  If you’re already signed in and you do not see a bid box, click on the description of the item to open the “asset page.”

Customer Support’s Contact Info

Customer Support’s Contact Info

Forgot Username / Password

Forgot Username

  1. Click on “Sign In” (upper, right-hand corner of your screen)
  2. Underneath the blue-colored “Log In” button, click “username”
  3. Enter your email address
  4. Click the “Send” button
  5. The system sent an e-mail to you with your username

Trouble-shooting issues

Message received :

“The information you have provided does not match and cannot be validated.  Please try again or register as a new user.”

The reason you received the above message is due to one of the following reasons: You registered with a different email address, or you are not registered with us.

Please try a different email address, or click on register. If you get the message that the email address is already in use, this means that you are registered at another Liquidity Services marketplace. Please call us for assitance, 855-587-8810.
 

Forgot Password

  1. Click on “Sign In” (upper, right-hand corner of your screen)
  2. Underneath the blue-colored “Log In” button, click “username”
  3. Enter your email address
  4. Click the “Send” button
  5. The system sent an e-mail to you with your username

Trouble-shooting issues

If a registered email address was entered, an email with reset instructions has been sent to the associated account.

If you are having difficulty locating the email in your inbox, please be sure to check your spam folder.

How does an Auto-Bid work with a reserve amount?

How does an Auto-Bid work with a reserve amount?

When placing an Auto-Bid on an item with a reserve, the Auto-Bid is compared to the reserve amount.  Here are some examples:

1. The Auto-Bid amount is lower than the reserve amount
– The bid is placed for the total amount of the Auto-Bid and the item reflects the high bidder as well as “Reserve Not Met.”

2. The Auto-Bid amount is equal to the reserve amount
– The bid is placed for the total amount of the Auto-Bid (equal to the reserve amount) and the item reflects the amount of the bid as well as the high bidder.

3. The Auto-Bid amount exceeds the reserve amount
– The bid is placed for the amount of the reserve and the item reflects the amount of the bid as well as the high bidder.

How to view sold items

How to view sold items

An item shows up under “sold” approximately 10 minutes after an auction closes.  To view sold items and the bid history, please follow these steps:

  1. Select “Advanced Search” (located directly beneath the “Search Assets” box)
  2. For “Timing,” select “Sold,” and select the number of days
  3. Click the “Search” button
  4. Navigate to the item you want to view
  5. Click on the description of the item
  6. Near the bottom of the page, click “show more bids.”
I won, now what?

Congratulations!

A buyer certificate has been sent to the email address on file. This may end up in your junk or spam folder.  You may also access the buyer certificate via these steps:

  1. Click “Sign In” (upper, right-hand corner)
  2. Click your name, then click “My Bids”
  3. Refer to “Lots Won”
  4. Locate your asset, then click “Certificate”

Follow the instructions concerning payment and pick-up.

My Account

My Account – Keeping your information up-to-date

To ensure that all of your information is up-to-date, please check “My Account.”

How to access “My Account”:

  1. Click “Sign In” (upper, right-hand corner)
  2. Click your name, then select “My Account”

To change your password:

  1. Click “Reset Password”
  2. Enter your current password
  3. Enter the new password in the “New Password” and “Confirm Password” fields
  4. Click “Update”

To Make changes to your account information:

  1. Click the applicable subcategory, “Account Information,” Addresses,” or “Phone Numbers.”
  2. Click the “Edit” or “Add new…” option
  3. Make your alteration/addition
  4. Click the “Update” / “Save” button

Address Change

If you change the address from one state to another, the account is automatically locked until we can verify the new address.  In addition, if you have open auctions, you may not be able to use a credit card or PayPal until the account information is verified.  To verify the new address, send a copy of your driver’s license and a recent utility bill to buyerhelp@allsurplus.com.

Probation

What is probation?

All accounts start on probation.  There are three levels of probation, each lasting at least 30 days. During each level of probation, 30 days must pass AND you must have completed three auctions. A completed auction or closed transaction is marked picked up by the seller.  Your account will move to a higher level of probation once ALL points above are met.  A high bid or an auction won and not paid for or marked picked up, is considered an open auction.

To remove the probation status of your account sooner, you may pay a bid deposit in the amount of $1,000.00 (one thousand). This is held in a non-interest bearing account for 60 days, and then returned to you.  You may send this in the form of a cashier’s check or money order.  We do not accept Western Union, Bank Deposit, Wire Transfer or Counter Transfer.  You must reference your username or email address on the cashier’s check or money order.

Mail the cashier’s check or money order to:

The Probation Policy is as follows:

Level One

During the first level of probation, a bidder may only have 3 (three) transactions open at any one time.  As soon one transaction is completed or closed, another transaction may be opened.  If at the end of the first 30 day period, a bidder has a minimum of three (3) completed transactions, their account will be moved to Level two probation.  A completed auction is one that has been paid AND picked up AND the item marked picked up by the seller.

Level Two

During the second level of probation, a bidder may only have 6 (six)  transactions open at any one time.  If at the end of the second thirty day period a bidder has completed a minimum of 6 (six) completed transactions (three within this 30 day period), they will be moved to Level three probation.

Level Three

During the third level of probation, a bidder may only have 9 (nine) transactions open at any one time.  If at the end of the third thirty day period a bidder has a minimum of nine (9) completed transactions, (three within this 30 day period), their account will be removed from probation.

Restricted Auctions

Restricted Auctions

Before you are allowed to bid on an item offered under a restricted auction, you must meet certain requirements.  Please see the applicable restrictions below.

Fire Departments or Law Enforcement Restriction

– Requirement: A copy of your government issued photo ID along with a letter from your superior on your agency’s letterhead, authorizing you to buy for your agency. In the letter, also indicate that it is known that the item is for agency use only and not for resale or personal use.  Please e-mail the aforementioned to buyerhelp@allsurplus.com.  

– Please note that your agency must be funded by tax payers to qualify to buy under this restriction. Security companies commissioned to a law enforcement post do not qualify.

Gun Dealers Restriction

– Requirement: A copy of your FFL and driver’s license.  Please e-mail the aforementioned to buyerhelp@allsurplus.com.   

Licensed Auto Dealers or Salvors, Liquor Dealers, Scrap Metal, or Electronic Certified Handler Restriction

– Requirement: A copy of your business license and driver’s license.  Please e-mail the aforementioned to buyerhelp@allsurplus.com. 

Sales Tax Exemption

Effective January 01, 2020, GovDeals and AllSurplus are registered in the following 39 (thirty-nine) states from a sales tax perspective.  Therefore, if the property you won at auction is located in one of these states, and you hold a valid sales tax exemption in any state, you can request sales tax exemption from us. 

To download the applicable sales tax exemption form(s), please click here.

  1. Alabama (AL)
  2. Arizona (AZ)
  3. Arkansas (AR)
  4. California (CA)
  5. Colorado (CO
  6. Connecticut (CT)
  7. District of Columbia (DC)
  8. Hawaii (HI)
  9. Idaho (ID)
  10. Illinois (IL)
  11. Indiana (IN)
  12. Iowa (IA)
  13. Kentucky (KY)
  14. Louisiana (LA)
  15. Maine (ME)
  16. Maryland (MD)
  17. Massachusetts (MA)
  18. Minnesota (MN)
  19. Nebraska (NE)
  20. Nevada (NV)
  21. New Jersey (NJ)
  22. New Mexico (NM)
  23. New York (NY)
  24. North Carolina (NC)
  25. North Dakota (ND)
  26. Ohio (OH)
  27. Oklahoma (OK)
  28. Pennsylvania (PA)
  29. Rhode Island (RI)
  30. South Carolina (SC)
  31. South Dakota (SD)
  32. Texas (TX)
  33. Utah (UT)
  34. Vermont (VT)
  35. Virginia (VA)
  36. Washington (WA)
  37. West Virginia (WV)
  38. Wisconsin (WI)
  39. Wyoming (WY)
Shipping

Unless otherwise noted, most sellers do not ship, pack, or palletize.  Before bidding, please contact the seller regarding shipping and removal.

Exporting

Export compliance is the responsibility of the buyer.

Transactions take place within a sovereign country. If the buyer wishes to export the assets they have purchased, they must comply with all export laws.

Customs is a government agency that is responsible for regulating shipments entering a country. All shipments being sent to and from a country must clear customs first.  The buyer is responsible for paying any additional costs such as duties, taxes, and customs clearance fees.

International Buyers

Import duties, taxes, and charges are not included in the item price or shipping cost. These charges are the buyer’s responsibility.  Please check with your country’s customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to bidding or buying.