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.
Innovative Revenue Solutions: “Terms: Buyer’s premium of 15% will be added to the final bid price. There is an additional 3% fee for ALL credit cards. NO PERSONAL CHECKS ACCEPTED. Business checks may apply for exemption. NO ADDITIONAL 3% FEE FOR CASH!”
Proxiblog: In other words, your Internet buyer’s fee is 18% with a 3% discount for cash but not checks.
Baily Auction Company: “All registrants to the auction request and agree to be placed on out email list for future sales. If you do not want to receive an email of upcoming sales, please do not register using the proxibid service. You may register over the telephone and you will not be placed on our email list.”
Proxiblog: Well, we never heard of this; but at least the company is upfront about it. We receive several “bid now!” emails per day from one Proxibid company.
Mayer Auctioneering: “A HANDLING FEE OF $5.00 PER LOT WILL BE ADDED TO EACH LOT REGARDLESS OF HOW MANY LOTS ARE PURCHASED. THERE WILL BE A SHIPPING FEE OF $15.00 FOR A SINGLE BOX HOLDING AS MANY COINS AS WILL FIT…IF ALL YOUR PURCHASES DO NOT FIT INTO ONE BOX ADDITIONAL SHIPPING CHARGES WILL BE ADDED. SHIPPING DOES INCLUDING INSURANCE. If you pick up in person, the shipping charge but NOT the $5.00 PER LOT handling charge will be waived. ”
Proxiblog: Why charge your best customers $5 handling fee per lot? You’re shipping coins, not furniture.
Karlin Daniela & Associates: “Shipping Instructions: It is the Buyer’s responsibility to arrange and pay for shipping. We recommend the following firm if you don’t have one you already use. Please contact Parcel Plus at orlando@parcelplus.com or 407-872-0533 to ship via FedX, UPS, DHL or US Mail.
Proxiblog: APN clearance is meaningless if bidders have to give credit card information to local shippers.
Philip Weiss Auctions: “You, the customers, are the experts. While our staff has a wide range of knowledge in the collectibles and memorabilia field, we cannot possibly have expertise in every specific category of collectible. PLEASE BE COMFORTABLE WITH THE ITEMS YOU ARE BIDDING ON, IF YOU HAVE ANY DOUBTS, WE PREFER THAT YOU DO NOT BID! This is not because we don’t value your business, but more the fact that WE WANT HAPPY CUSTOMERS!”
Proxiblog: There are many ways to phrase this. This one ranks among the nicest and most sincere.
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.
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I do appreciate as well as enjoy these messages. It helps me understand why I DO NOT bid on many auctions. The absolute worst is one where they substituted a semi-key dated coin with one far inferior. I sent them their own photo of both the coin they advertised and that I received – no answer. I see they still are in the business.
Hi, Dick. Sorry to hear about that bait-and-switch that happened to you. If it happened on the Proxibid portal, you should file a complaint. What happened to you is unacceptable.
Increasingly I’m only patronizing a handful of the best auction companies on Proxibid. Often the terms of service, which too few folks spend time reading very carefully, reveal which auctioneers are bidder friendly and the best bets for online business.
Thanks so much for writing and sharing your experience!