FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS We strongly recommend that all users review ALL questions and answers below to understand the features available to both buyers and sellers.  You will also find help throughout the site in the blue boxes on the right of various pages.  These provide more detailed instructions to help you if needed! All Users  |  Sellers  |  Bidders For Sellers Can I change my item's information? How do I change my item's description? How do I end my auction early? How do I find the results of an auction? How can I contact the high bidder of an auction? What can I do if the high bidder(s) fails to complete the transaction? What are the fees to post auctions? How do I make my item(s) more marketable and stand out from the others? How can I add pictures to my listing? How do I set up an account? Can I re-list an item after its auction has expired? What is the My Archive area for? What is a reserve price? Can I bid on my own auctions? How do I submit feedback? For Bidders What is proxy bidding? How do I find the results of an auction? Why do some items appear in red when I review My Bids? Can I retract my bid? What if the seller no longer wants to deliver the item? Are there any fees for bidding on items? How do I contact the seller of an auction? What is the My Archive area for? For All Users How do I change my username and password? How do I contact support? How do I change any of my personal information (address, e-mail, etc.)? What is a feedback score? How often are your pages updated? How are the bid increments set? What is Auto Extend for the end of an auction?

For Sellers

	Can I change my item's information?
	Yes.  If your item is active and has no bids, you can change a number of fields.  If your item is active and has at least one bid, all you can do is make description additions.  Both these options are available via the edit link under the title of each item you are selling.
	How do I change my item's description?
	If your item is active and has no bids, you can change a number of fields.  If your item is active and has at least one bid, all you can do is make description additions.  Both these options are available via the edit link under the title of each item you are selling.
	How do I end my auction early?
	If your item has no bids against it, you can inactivate or delete the item.  Inactivation means it remains in the system and can be re-activated later.
	How do I find the results of an auction?
	From your Auctions Main Menu select either My Active Auctions or My Closed Auctions. This will display a list and the status of all auctions you posted and provide easy to follow links for more detailed information within each one.
	How can I contact the high bidder of an auction?
	Each auction contains a link to allow the seller to "Contact Buyer".  Contact forms automatically display the e-mail address of the high bidder and allow the ability to send a copy of any message to yourself.  FYI - E-mail notifications automatically sent to the highest bidder of each auction.
	What can I do if the high bidder fails to complete the transaction?
	Please allow at least 5 working days for the high bidder to respond to you.  Some people only check their e-mail every few days.  If you still cannot contact the high bidder,  contact our support department and we will try to assist you.  You can also, as always, re-list your item(s).
	What are the fees to post auctions?
	Click Here for Pricing Options to post items for auction.
	How do I make my item(s) more marketable and stand out from the others?
	Use quality pictures and make use of HTML to spice up your item descriptions.   You can even link to an external web site which contains more detailed information about your item(s).
	How can I add pictures to my listing?
	When posting your item, you can attach up to 4 pictures. You can also include html links in your item description that point to images stored on a web server (for example: https://www.yourdomain.com/images/yourimage.gif).
	How do I set up an account?
	For those agencies (sellers) that are members of this online bidding system please register to post auctions by visiting the surplus auctions area from your Administration Main Menu.  For those agencies that are not members of an online bidding system but would like to use our auction site, we recommend you register by visiting the National Auctions Area.
	Can I re-list an item after its auction has expired?
	Yes.  From your Auctions Main Menu select My Closed Auctions.  Each auction that has expired will include a link to Offer again.  When used, sellers can set the item up for auction again using the same information or modified information.
	What is the My Archive area for?
	When an auction is complete and you finish all feedback/comments for the auction, you can move an item into your My Archive area.  This moves the item off your My Auctions page so it is less cluttered with old auctions.  From the My Archive area, you can review old item information, un-archive old items so you can re-offer or offer similar items, or you can permanently delete the item from the system.
	What is a reserve price?
	A seller can set a reserve price for any auction.  The reserve price is the minimum amount the seller will accept.  If the reserve price is not met, the seller is not required to sell the item   The reserve price is always hidden from all bidders and is kept confidential.
	Can I bid on my own auctions?
	No.  However, sellers can bid on any auction they like, as long as they are not the originator of the auction, they do not need to create a separate bidder's account.
For Bidders
	What is proxy bidding?
	Proxy bidding means a bidder can enter a maximum bid amount and the auction will automatically bid in their absence, executing their bid for them and trying to keep the bid price as low as possible.  This is helpful because it means a bidder doesn't have to be at the auction every minute to make sure they are not outbid.  When you are the highest bidder and you have been out-bid by another user, you will receive an e-mail notification so that you have a chance to re-enter a new bid amount.  If the reserve price is not met on an item you are bidding on your bid will be either the reserve price or the total of your proxy bid if it is less then the reserve price.
	How do I find the results of an auction?
	From your Auctions Main Menu select My Bids.  This will display a list and the status of all auctions you placed bids on provide easy to follow links for more detailed information within each one. You will also get an e-mail notification anytime an auction expires and you are the highest bidder.
	Why do some items appear in red when I review My Bids?
	Items appear in red when someone has out-bid you.  You need to raise your bid else lose the item!
	Can I retract my bid?
	No.  A bidder cannot retract a bid.
	What if the seller no longer wants to deliver the item?
	When registering, all sellers agree to follow through with the results of their auctions.  This includes releasing items that they have received fair bids for.  If a buyer encounters a problem with a seller contact our support department and we will try to help resolve the issue.
	Are there any fees for bidding on items?
	No.
	How do I contact the seller of an auction?
	Each auction contains a link to allow the high bidder to "Contact Seller".  Contact forms automatically display the e-mail address of the seller and allow the ability to send a copy of any message to yourself.   FYI - E-mail notifications automatically sent to the highest bidder of each auction.
	What is the My Archive area for?
	When an auction is completed and you finished with all you need to do with an auction, you can move an item into your My Archive area.  This moves the item off your My Bids page so it is less cluttered with old auctions.  From the My Archive area, you can review old item information or you can un-archive it to put it back on your My Bids page.
For All Users
	How do I change my username and password?
	Agencies (sellers) that are members of this online bidding system cannot change their username or password as these are kept the same as your username and password to access your Administration Main Menu.  These members can contact BidNet and they will change this information for you. Agencies (sellers) that are not members of this online bidding system and all registered bidders can login then click on My Account to change their username and password.
	How do I contact support?
	Use the contact support link under our logo.  For general questions users can send an e-mail message, with their questions, or for more immediate assistance users can call the support department directly.
	How do I change any of my personal information (address, e-mail, etc.)?
	All users can login then click on My Account to change this type of information.
	How do I submit feedback?
	Sellers can enter feedback (comments) regarding their experience with the high bidder of each auction.  This form can be accessed by logging in to your auctions main menu and visiting the My Closed Auctions areas.  Sellers can only enter feedback once per auction.
	What is a feedback score?
	A feedback score is a way to rank a member's overall profile based on feedback from other members.  The feedback score is calculated by adding up the positive, neutral, and negative ratings received from other members.  A positive rating is worth one point, a neutral rating 0 points, and a negative rating -1 points.  So, a higher feedback score means this member has received many more positive than negative ratings from other members.
	How often are your pages updated?
	Our pages are updated every time you view any page.  If there is any doubt, click your refresh button in your browser.  Also, your My Bids or My Auctions areas web pages refresh automatically -- see the blue help boxes on those pages for more information.
	How are the bid increments set?
	A bid increment is the minimum amount a new bidder must add to an auction in order to be recognized as the high bidder. The auction will automatically set the bid increments. The amount of the increment is set by the dollar amount of the current high bid. To see the chart of bid increments Click Here
	What is Auto Extend for the end of an auction?
	If a bid is placed during the last 10 minutes of an Open or Reserve Price Auction, the auction will be automatically extended to 10 minutes left. The auction will close once all bidding activity has stopped for a period of 10 minutes.