Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to some of the most common questions we receive can be found here.
Note: The auctioneer will cover a list of announcements at the start of each auction, which supercedes any prior information, verbal or written.
⇒ What type of auctions do you host?
We offer three types of auctions:
- Live - In this type of auction, the lots and descriptions are posted on Proxibid, but they are informational only, as all bidding occurs live at the auction site on the day of the auction. All equipment will be located at the auction site.
- Theater - Seating is provided and the lots are displayed on large screens at the auction site during the bidding.
- Walking - The auctioneer and the buyers walk the entire auction and bidding is done while standing beside the item.
- Virtual Only - This type of auction is conducted only online. Bidders need to register and bid through Proxibid. Consigned equipment may be located anywhere in the USA and will be noted in the lot's description.
- Simulcast - This is our most common type of auction and offers buyers the most flexibility. People may either register and bid through Proxibid or bid onsite and in-person on the day of the auction. All of the equipment will be located at the auction site.
⇒ How do I register to bid online?
⇒ I am having trouble logging into my Proxibid account, can you help me?
Unfortunately we are unable to help you with your Proxibid account. You will need to contact Support at Proxibid.
⇒ Can I come and inspect items prior to the auction?
Yes. We are onsite the day before the auction and welcome you to come inspect items between 8am to 5pm.
Some sites set up specific days for open houses and we strongly encourage you go see the equipment during these scheduled times.
If no open house is announced, it is sometimes possible to schedule an appointment to view the equipment. Call our office at 731-986-4351 to ask about scheduling an appointment to view specific auction sites.
Note: Some auction locations are gated, others are working facilities. Please do not show up to an auction site outside of the above mentioned times, as without an appointment, they may not be able to accommodate visitations.
⇒ Why is there sales tax added to my invoice?
Sales tax will be added per local and State requirements based on the location of the equipment you purchased. If you are Tax Exempt, onsite bidders can leave a sales tax exempt form with the auction clerk, while online bidders can fax it to 731-986-4529 or email it to accounting.
If you have questions about your invoice you may call our accounting department at 731-535-3401.
⇒ If I win a bid online will you ship my items to me?
No. Purchasers are responsible for picking up their items or locating and hiring a rigger / machine mover to ship the items for them.
At the start of the auction, the auctioneer usually announces contact information of riggers that can be hired to move equipment from the auction site.
There is a list of riggers on our Resources page.
⇒ What are Tiebacks and how do they work?
Some lots will be grouped together and attempted to be sold as a single unit. They are normally identified with a "T" in their lot number, though other letters such as "P" for partial may be used as well.
Example: 23T TIEBACK LOTS 21, 22 & 23 W/ 10% RAISE
In the above example, the Tieback lot is 23T and it is identifying the grouping to include lots 21, 22 and 23.
The individual items, in this case, lots 21, 22 and 23 are run through the bidding process and high bidders noted. Then the high bid of each lot is summed up and raised 10% to determine the starting bid of the Tieback.
For example, if lot 21 had a high bid of $300, lot 22 had $1050 and lot 23 had $1600; the sum of them would be $2950. 10% would be $295, so the starting bid for lot 23T would be $3245 ($2950 + $295).
If someone bids on the Tieback, then the prior bids for the individual lots are voided and marked as passed, because they have been outbid, and the items are sold to the highest bidder for the Tieback. If nobody bids on the Tieback then it is marked passed and the high bidders of the individual lots are declared the winners of their lots.
Sometimes the auctioneer will jump straight to the Tieback to see if anyone wants to start the bidding as a unit, skipping the individual item bidding and the 10% raise. This is completely at the auctioneer's discretion.
In the case of large equipment lines, a Tieback can be included within another Tieback, called a Super Tieback. These follow the same rules. If the Super Tieback gets a bid, then winner takes all lots and Tiebacks in the listing. If it doesn't, then it works backwards to first the Tieback high bidders, then finally to individual lot high bidders if no Tieback was won.
→ Super Tieback
→ → Tiebacks
→ → → Individual Lots
⇒ What order are items sold during the auction?
Sale order generally follows the lot numbering, but it can dynamically change during the auction proceedings at the discretion of the auctioneer.
⇒ Can you run an auction in my State?
Yes. We are based out of Tennessee, License #6156 Firm #5524.
We are, or can be, licensed in all of the States.
⇒ I won items at the auction, when can I pick them up?
You must have a paid invoice before your items can be removed from the auction site.
Small items can be removed immediately, but larger items cannot be picked up until the auction is completed for the safety of attendees.
The window for picking up your items from the site is usually 30 days. The pick up window will be announced at the start of the auction and overrides any prior information, verbal or written.
It is not recommended to show up at the auction site to pick up your items without calling ahead to confirm someone will be onsite, as buildings will be locked and many locations are gated.
⇒ I bid online and won an item, how do I pay?
Your winning bid will be processed in the office on the first business day following the auction and you will receive an invoice in your email with wiring instructions.
⇒ Can I pay for my auction winnings via credit card?
In person auction attendees must pay for their winning lots via check or cash as the auction clerk cannot process credit cards on location.
Online auction attendees can pay for their auction invoice via credit card; however, the 3% credit card processing fee will be added to your invoice.
⇒ Will there be a forklift available onsite to load my items?
This will vary from site to site and should be addressed in the announcements at the start of the auction, but often arrangements are made for a forklift to be available for loading purposes the week after the auction.
Extremely large items that require disassembly to ship should use the services of a rigger. They will have the equipment necessary for loading and shipping heavy pieces and can cover the insurance requirements. Listen to the announcements at the start of the auction for contact information of riggers that have made themselves available for that site.
⇒ What is a rigger and what do they do?
A rigger is a contracted machine mover. They can be hired to disassemble and ship items purchased at auctions. They are individual contractors and do not have an affiliation with Associated Auction.
Riggers that have made themselves available for specific locations are announced at the beginning of the auction. They typically accept contracts on a first come, first serve basis, so it is important to contact them as quickly as possible in order to have your equipment removed within the allotted window of time.
You may hire the rigger of your choice. We have created a list of riggers that have contacted us or worked with our customers in the past on our Resources page or you can search online for machine movers near the location of the auction.
⇒ Do you provide equipment financing?
No, we do not provide in-house financing. There is a list of companies that offer equipment financing on our Resources page. These companies are unvetted and listed for your convenience.
Note: Once you have won an item, you are immediately responsible for the transaction. Any financing must be arranged prior to the auction and you will need to send a copy of your letter of credit to the office and take one with you to the auction site for the auction clerk.
