HOW DO THE AUCTIONS WORK?
Before each auction, we will determine the bidding fee, maximum bid amount, and the maximum number of bids that will be accepted for that auction. This information will be shown on the auction listing. The maximum bid amount will be displayed for each auction and is referred to as the "Maximum" bid.
To participate in an auction the bidders submit bids, less than or equal to the "Maximum" bid in US dollars and cents and pay the listed bidding fee for each submitted bid.
Each Auction will close when it receives the maximum number of bid allowed for that auction.
After the auction closes, the participant that submitted the winning bid is determined. The winning bid is the highest unique bid out of all bids received for the auction.
The successful bidder may then purchase the product for the winning bid amount submitted by them in the Auction.
After receiving payment for the winning bid amount, the product will be delivered to the winner.
WHAT IS A UNIQUE BID?
A unique bid is a bid that is NOT a duplicate bid.
A "duplicate bid" is a bid submitted by a participant in an auction where another participant has submitted a bid for the identical amount.
Duplicate bids are included in the number of bids required to close an auction, but will not be selected as the successful bid. A bid can be unique and still not qualify as the successful bid as only the bidder with the highest unique bid wins.
For example, in an auction for an item worth $600.00 there is a maximum allowable bid of $29.45. The following bids are submitted:
Participant "1" bids $29.45 -- duplicate bid
Participant "2" bids $29.45 -- duplicate bid
Participant "3" bids $00.01 -- duplicate bid
Participant "4" bids $20.36 -- unique bid
Participant "5" bids $28.88 -- duplicate bid
Participant "6" bids $28.88 -- duplicate bid
Participant "7" bids $18.41 -- unique bid
Participant "8" bids $22.16 -- HIGHEST UNIQUE -- WINNING BID!!!
Participant "9" bids $00.01 -- duplicate bid
In this example,
Bids #1 and #2 are for identical amounts and therefore cannot be the winning bid.
Bids #5 and #6 are for identical amounts and therefore cannot be the winning bid.
Bids #3 and #9 are for identical amounts and therefore cannot be the winning bid.
Bids #4, #7, and #8 are all unique bids and qualify to be selected as the winning bid.
Bid #8 is the highest unique bid and is therefore the winning bid.
All participants paid the bidding fees for the bids they submitted.
Participant #8 is awarded the right to purchase the product offered in the auction at the winning bid amount of $22.16.
That’s right! In this example, the winner can buy the $600.00 item for only $22.16…..What a deal!!
WHAT IS THE MAXIMUM PRICE?
The maximum price will be shown on each auction. This is the highest bid that can be placed on that auction.
The maximum price listed will be at least 90% less that the normal retail price for that item which means that if you win the auction, you will then be able to purchase the item for no more than 10% of it’s normal retail price.
CAN I BID MORE THAN THE MAXIMUM PRICE?
No. You may not bid higher than the maximum allowable amount listed on the auction.
Bids higher than the maximum price shown on the auction will not be accepted.
HOW MANY BIDS CAN BE SUBMITTED IN AN AUCTION?
There will be a limited number of bids accepted for each item and that limit will be shown on each auction’s description.
HOW CAN I TELL IF MY BID IS UNIQUE?
As time permits, we will send you an email letting you know the current status of your bid (whether it is highest unique, unique or duplicated).
Once about 90% of the maximum allowable number of bids have been placed, we will try to notify you by email that the auction is nearing an end; but as things can move fast in the bidding, you may not be notified before the auction actually ends.
This is the only information that we will be able to give out until after the auction has ended.
WHEN DOES THE AUCTION CLOSE?
The auction will close when the allowable number of bids has been submitted for that auction.
All bids will be accepted in the order that they placed. This will be based on the date/time shown on the invoice/receipt however we are not responsible for email or computer errors or delays, which are beyond our control.
WHAT IF THERE AREN’T ENOUGH BIDS SUBMITTED TO END THE AUCTION?
It is our intention for each auction to remain open until complete, however there may be circumstances in which this doesn’t happen. In this case we may choose to do one of the following:
In an auction where enough bids are not submitted for the auction to end, but we have received enough bids to pay the costs of the auction, we may choose to end it early. In this case all current bidders will be notified and given a chance to enter final bids. Of course each bidders odds would be improved if the auction were to close early due to fewer bids having been placed than if the auction went to the intended ending.
In an auction where there are not enough bids entered to cover the auction costs, we may at out discretion cancel the auction and issue a full refund of each bidders bid fee(s).
HOW CAN I FIND OUT WHAT THE WINNING BID WAS?
Once the maximum number of bids has been received, the auction will be closed and we will notify all of the bidders by email with the complete auction information and a list of all bids.
No personal information about the bidders will be shown on this list other than the winner’s initials and hometown.
The person with the highest unique bid is the winner and will be notified along with instructions for completing the purchase.
HOW MANY BIDS CAN I SUBMIT IN AN AUCTION?
You may submit as many bids as you wish for the auction until the allowable number of bids for that auction has been reached.
You will be charged the bid fee for each bid that you place.
HOW IS THE WINNER DETERMINED?
The bidder with the highest unique bid wins the right to purchase the item at the winning bid amount.
WHAT IF I DON’T HAVE THE WINNING BID?
There will be a consolation auction open only to the unsuccessful bidders from the main auction.
The main auction winner will NOT participate in the consolation auction.
You will get 1 free bid in the consolation auction for each unsuccessful bid you placed in the regular auction.
The item up for bid in the consolation auction will be determined by us and will be of less retail value than the item that was bid on in the regular auction.
Other than no bid fee, and the time limit on this auction, all of the same rules will apply to this auction as the regular auctions.
This consolation auction will be open for 7 days only and then will close. Any free bid not used will be void after that time.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO BID?
The bid fee will be listed on the auction. It will normally be less than $10.00
This will vary based on our cost of the item and the number of bids allowed.
HOW DO I PAY FOR THE ITEM IF I WIN?
If you are the winner of the auction you will have won the right to purchase the item at your winning bid amount.
You will be sent an email with instructions for completing the purchase.
WHERE DOES THE MONEY GO?
Once the auction gets the total allowed number of bids and the auction closes, the money raised will be divided as follows.
Part of the money goes to pay for the item and administration costs.
At least 15% of the money raised in the auction will be donated to Ducks Unlimited.
At least 15% of the money raised in the auction will be donated to Delta Waterfowl.
At least 5% of the money raised in the auction will be donated to other waterfowl related organizations. These will be chosen at our discretion from a list compiled from suggestions received from bidders. Feel free to suggest an organization you would like to have included on this list.
We are not affiliated with any of the organizations listed above but are simply making a donation to them because we feel that they are best able to covert the money to good use in their efforts to improve the overall duck habitat and production. We reserve the right to change this and instead donate the money to other waterfowl related organizations as we feel appropriate.
We may choose to make these donations at the end of each auction, quarterly, or at some other interval as we deem appropriate.
ARE THESE PRODUCTS NEW?
Yes. All products are new, brand name products with warranty, provided by the manufacturer or distributor.
DO I HAVE TO PAY FOR SHIPPING?
All shipping is free to any address in the lower 48 United States.
Shipping to other locations may be available for an additional cost.
NOTE: If you are NOT a resident of the lower 48 states please contact us about shipping costs before bidding on an auction.
CAN I CANCEL MY BID ONCE IT HAS BEEN SUBMITTED?
NO. Once a bid has been placed it cannot be cancelled and no refunds of bidding fees will be issued.
If you are the winner of the auction, you will be sent an email with instructions for completing the purchase. At that time you will be able to purchase the item at your winning bid price however you are not required to complete the purchase if you don’t want to.
CAN I CHANGE MY BID ONCE IT HAS BEEN SUBMITTED?
Generally the answer to this is NO; however, if you make a mistake in bidding and notify us by e-mail immediately afterwards, we may allow you to change the bid amount. This will be determined based on the situation and may be allowed only if requested in a timely manner and before you have been notified of the status of your bid.
As a general rule, no change request submitted more than 24 hours after the bid has been placed will be approved.
WHAT IS YOUR REFUND POLICY?
We will allow returns of the items in new, unused condition for a full refund of the amount you paid for it.
This refund does not include any bidding fees that you paid in order to participate in the auction.
WHEN WILL I RECEIVE THE ITEM IF I WIN THE AUCTION?
All items placed up for auction will be in stock and ready for shipment once the auction closes.
All shipping will be by UPS ground or Parcel Post.
We will make every effort to ship out all items within 2 business days from the time you complete the final purchase.
CAN I SEE THE OTHER PARTICIPANTS BIDS?
No. This is a "blind" auction and all bidding information is kept in the strictest confidence until the auction has closed.
Once the maximum number of bids has been received, the auction will be closed and we will notify all of the bidders by email with the complete auction information and a list of all bids.
No personal information about the bidders will be shown on this list other than the winner’s initials and hometown.
The person with the highest unique bid is the winner and will be notified along with instructions for completing the purchase.
WHO CAN BID IN THE AUCTIONS?
Our auctions are open to anyone 18 years old or over.
All bidding is in US dollars and the item will only ship to addresses in the lower 48 United States unless other arrangements are made.