Q: What is Tom's Auction?
A:Full Services Auction & Appraisal Company/ On-Line Auction Platform / Providing Local classifieds and forums - community moderated, and largely free.
Q: What can I find there?
A: Auctions, real estate, antiques & collectibles, a wide variety of goods, on-line store, services, local activities, advice - just about everything regarding auction & appraisals business.
Q: What is the origin of Tom's Auction?
A: An auction directory customized for you that was started by Tom Perry in 1983.
Q: Who runs Tom's Auction?
A: Tom Perry has been CEO since early 1980's.
Q: Is Tom's Auction a nonprofit?
A: No, Tom's Auction was founded as a for-profit company in 1983.
Q: How much traffic does Tom's Auction get?
A: on average More than 20 thousand page views per auction.
Q: How many people use Tom's Auction?
A: More than in the US alone.
Q: What languages does Tom's Auction support?
A: Danish, Dutch, English, Filipino, French, German, Italian, Norwegian, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish.
Q: What is a buyer's premium?
A: A buyer's premium is a stated percentage added to the winning bid to determine the total price paid by the buyer.
EXAMPLE: An item sells for $10.00, and the announced buyer’s premium is 10%, the total cost of item will come to $11.00 plus any applicable sales tax.
Q: How do I register for auctions?
A: LIVE: Registration is a process of identifying yourself as a potential buyer. You have the option of registering online for a Live Auction or registering at the Live Auction event. If you register online for a Live Auction, you will need to provide proof of identity and sign the forms at the Live Auction event. You will receive a bid card with a bid number which is used to identify yourself as the successful bidder. This process will save you time at the live Auction event since you do not have to complete the forms by hand.
If you register at the Live Auction event, you will need to complete the registration form, sign the standard Terms & Conditions for the auction then you will receive a bid card with a bid number which is used to identify yourself as the successful bidder.
ONLINE: Register on the Tom's Auctions website. You will then be prompted to agree with the Legal Terms and Conditions. If you agree, you will be prompted to enter your bidder information. Once completed, you will receive a permanent bidder number which can be used for all ONLINE Tom's Auction Auctions.
Q: Why do you require a credit card to register and bid for ONLINE Auctions?
A: We want to ensure that all bidders are valid, qualified, and have met the same conditions to be able to participate in our ONLINE auctions.
Q: What if I change my mind after bidding?
A: By bidding on an item you are creating a contract that is enforceable in a court of law. Tom's Auctions will pursue all legal remedies required to enforce this contract. The terms of usage prevent retraction of a bid once it has been SOLD. If you are unsure about an item, DO NOT BID.
Q: How does the Auto-Extend feature on an ONLINE auction work?
A: If an item receives a bid in the last two minutes, the ending time for that auction will automatically be extended by three minutes. Once three minutes have passed without any bidding, the item will close.
Q: How will I know if I am the high bidder for an ONLINE Auction?
A: The highest bidder will receive an email after the auction closes.
Q: How long do I have to pay for my items?
A: LIVE: All items must be paid for in full on the sale day.
ONLINE: All items must be paid in full within 24 hrs of winning the item.
Q: How long do I have to remove items that I have purchased?
A: LIVE: Removal timeframes will vary, but are generally 3 to 5 days after the close of the live auction. A removal schedule will be announced and posted on sale day.
ONLINE: The date by which all merchandise must be removed from the premises is posted on an auction-by-auction basis, on the specific auction page.
Q: How do I pay my bill?
A: We accept Cash, PayPal (online only), Cashier’s Checks, Visa, Master Card, Discover, and American Express.
Q: Do I pay sales tax?
A: Buyers are responsible for all applicable State, County, and City sales taxes at our auctions. If items are purchased for RESALE, please bring, fax, or email a copy of your Tax Exempt Certificate to the sale.
Q: Shipping?
A: Yes! SAM Auctions does offer shipping at an additional cost.
Q: How do I sign up for auction notifications?
A: You can simply sign up by clicking our tab labeled Auction Alerts (and instantly start receiving email alerts for all our auctions).
Q: Can I buy equipment before the auction?
A: Once a piece is listed as ‘for sale at auction’ we are unable to pre-sell the item.
Q: Can I preview items before I bid?
A: Yes. Each auction will have information regarding where the items are located and a scheduled preview time.
Q: Will there be anyone onsite to watch over my purchase?
A: We make every effort to protect your purchase, but ultimately once the auctioneer has SOLD the item, it becomes the sole responsibility of the highest bidder. We suggest you bring a second person with you on auction day to protect your property.
Q: Can I leave an Absentee Bid at your LIVE auction?
A: YES. We accept all absentee bids at our live auctions. Please contact us for more information.
Q: Can you help me sell my equipment?
A: We are a full service company that will make every effort to help you sell your equipment. Our experts will consult with you to assess the value of the assets and determine which of our three methods will convert your asset into cash promptly and with greatest success: Online Auction - Live Auction - Premier Sale.
Q: Do you pay for sales leads?
A: Yes. Please contact us for more information.
