Alberta Online Auction

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Frequently Asked Questions

The following questions and answers listed below are commonly asked questions from users about the Alberta Online Auction.

Q:	What are the hours of operation?
A:	Alberta Online Auction is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our locations in Edmonton and Calgary are open from 8:15-4:30 weekdays except statutory holidays.

Q:	Is there any cost to register?
A:	Registration is free; anyone with a valid email address can register and bid from any computer.

Q:	Are there any additional charges for my purchase?
A:	There are no buyer’s fees or other charges; all you pay is your high bid and applicable taxes plus any shipping costs.

Q:	What if I change my mind, can I retract or withdraw my bid?
A:	It is the buyer’s responsibility to determine the suitability of an item. Bidders should ask any questions before placing a bid. Once a bid is placed, it cannot be withdrawn or retracted and the higher bidder is obligated to purchase the item at the high bid price. Failure to honour a bid will result in the cancellation of your Alberta Online Auction account.

Q:	How do I pay for an item I won?
A:	Payment is done by Visa, Master Card or American Express through our secure online checkout. Unless otherwise indicated payment is due within 3 days of auction end.

Q:	I keep placing bids but keep getting outbid immediately,what is happening?
A:	Alberta Online Auction uses a process called "Proxy Bidding". This is the standard for online auctions. Proxy bidding is an automatic bidding system to make bidding on auctions more convenient for buyers.

Q:	What is the difference between a Manual bid and a Proxy bid?
A:	A Manual bid is a one time bid where you enter the amount that you are willing to pay for the item. The bid must exceed the next increment which is shown where the current high bid is shown. You can choose to be notified by e-mail when you are outbid so you can re-bid on the item if you choose. Your bid amount is the amount that you will be expected to pay regardless of the next highest bid.

Q:	How does Proxy Bidding work?
A:	When bidding on items you can choose to enter a proxy bid. When you place a bid, you enter the maximum amount you'd be willing to pay for the item. Your maximum amount is kept confidential from other bidders and the seller. The Alberta Online Auction system compares your bid to those of the other bidders and places bids on your behalf based on bid increments using only as much of your bid as is necessary to maintain your high bid position. The system will bid up to your maximum amount. If another bidder has a higher maximum, you'll be outbid right away and be notified immediately that you have been “outbid”. BUT, if no other bidder has a higher maximum, you win the item. And you could pay significantly less than your maximum price! This means you don't have to keep coming back to re-bid every time another bid is placed.

Q:	I entered a proxy and the auction was won by another bidder that matched my maximum proxy, how did this happen?
A:	Proxy bidding occurs sequentially. A proxy amount only becomes a bid when a competing bid against it is submitted. You may have submitted a proxy for the winning amount, but because you are not the next bidder in sequence you have been outbid. All bids are recorded on the Alberta Online Auction to show that actual bids are happening in a competition. If your proxy is matched or the incremental amount exceeds your proxy, then the bidder in sequence will win or be winning the auction.

Q:	Can I pick up my item to save on shipping?
A:	Yes, at the time of checkout you can choose to pick up the item and we will issue the receipt without shipping costs. Payment must still be processed through the online checkout using a credit card to avoid delays in pick up.

Q:	Can I return an item purchased on Alberta Online Auction?
A:	As with any of our sales, there are no returns. All items are sold “as is, where is” with no warranties expressed or implied. Please refer to the Alberta Online Auctions Terms and Conditions of UseTerms and Conditions of Use

Q:	I have paid for my item, now what?
A:	If “Pre-arranged Shipping” is available for the item the cost will be provided in the item listing. We will ship within 2 business days of receiving payment for these items. Shipping is done through Canada Post’s Expedited Parcel service and will require a signature at the receiving end. “Arranged Shipping” may be available for some items where the cost cannot be determined until we know the destination of the items. We will advise you of the shipping costs prior to paying for the item and you can choose whether you want us to provide shipping or not at the checkout. If you choose to have us ship the items, we will ship within 3 business days of receiving payment for these items. Where No Shipping is available, packaging and shipping of the items and all associated costs are the responsibility of the buyer. These types of items must be removed within 5 days of auction end.