Since Proxibid’s recent redesign, the site is more convenient, with one registration for all coins and currency auctions. Also, Proxibid’s enhanced search functions allow bidders to hone in on one item from different auctions. But terms of service differ from house to house. Below is a selection of service terms with a comment or two from Proxiblog.

Northern Colorado Estate Liquidators: “All property is sold “AS IS”, ALL SALES ARE FINAL – NO Refunds or Credit Card Chargebacks for ANY Reason. Anyone attempting a Chargeback will be Charged a Breach of Contract Fee of $1000.00 OR 50% of their Total, whichever is greater.”

Proxiblog: $1000? Really? That’s how much Casey Anthony paid for lying to investigators.

Schultz Auctioneers: “UNHAPPY WITH A PURCHASE OR OUR SERVICE? WE WANT YOU TO BE HAPPY! Please contact our office to discuss your specific circumstances. While we typically don’t accept returns, we do understand that items sometimes are not correctly described, are damaged in transit, or other unforeseen circumstances arise. We’d like to hear from you and be given the opportunity to review your circumstances and make you happy.”

Proxiblog: Always refreshing to read service terms that welcome repeat business and interaction!

Carolina Auction and Realty: “Shipping Instructions: No assets will be removed before the auction is finished and payment is made in full. Removal is at the expense, risk and liability of the buyer. If need of shipper call Auction Firm for approved shipper. Note: cost of shipper will be between shipper and buyer.”

Proxiblog: The best online auctioneers do their own shipping, especially ones with APN clearance. Internet buying should be hassle-free with use of a valid credit card. Period.

Affiliated Auctions: “Consignors are NOT permitted to bid on their own items. This is called “shill bidding” and is illegal by Florida Auction Law standards. By placing your item up for auction, you have agreed to sell.”

Proxiblog: A conscientious auction house serving both consignor AND bidder.

Don Hamit Auction Company: “Some coins have grading marks written on the flip. These coins were purchased with that writing on them and are not to be considered as grading from the seller or the auction company. Please use your own judgement.”

Proxiblog: Always good advice.

Osage Auction Company: “We guarantee all coins to be authentic unless noted in the description and will accept returns on coins only if the coin is sent to NGC or PCGS grading service and it comes back as not authentic. You must contact us within 3 days of receiving a coin and you deem it as not authentic and that you are sending it in to check authenticity so that we can hold funds from the consignor.”

Proxiblog: We welcome houses with terms like this, as Proxiblog has purchased no less than a half-dozen counterfeits in the past three years.

Big Daddy Auction: “All items and/or property sold is offered ‘AS IS’ and ‘WHERE IS’ and without recourse, and neither the consignor(s) nor Bid Daddy Auctions make any representations or warranties, expressed or implied with respect to age, condition, size, count, weight, style, authenticity, genuineness (Proxiblog emphasis), attribution, origin, quality, quantity, value, material, period, culture, rarity, importance, provenance, exhibitions, literature or historical relevance, manufacturer or any other warranty on any property offered for sale.”

Proxiblog: We bold-faced “authenticity, genuineness.” Guess federal counterfeiting laws banning sale of such lots do not count. Neither does US Hobby Protection Act. Clauses like this attract coin doctors and counterfeit sellers. Better to hold consignors liable for counterfeit coins in your contract, passing liability to them, as many of our top-ranked auction houses do (see rankings to the right) See Braden Auction service term below.

Braden Auction Service: “Although every effort has been made to accurately describe each item, Braden Auction makes no actual guarantee as to age, size, authenticity, or restoration. In the event of any discrepancy of description, Braden Auctions may elect, at our sole discretion, to allow the return of certain items. In no case will Braden Auctions ever be liable for more than the purchase price plus shipping costs. Any return must be arranged within 5 days of the receipt of merchandise, and must be in our possession within 30 days from the date of the auction.”

Proxiblog: Thank you, Braden Auction Service!

In the future Proxiblog will monitor terms of service and present interesting, odd or proactive terms in a round-up post such as this.

Proxiblog is an independent entity with no connection to the auction portal Proxibid. Our intent is to uphold basic numismatic standards as established by the American Numismatic Association and the National Auctioneer Association and to ensure a pleasurable bidding experience not only on Proxibid but also on similar portals such as iCollector and AuctionZip.