Register Now To Bid In Our Online Auctions 

FAQ is intended to be a general guide for the online auction process and is subject to change. Please see full Terms and Conditions for each individual auction as they may differ on a case by case basis.

How do online auctions work?
Online auctions work just like a live auction except the bidding is done from your computer. Your simply register and place bids on items your wish to purchase using your pre-assigned bidder number.

Only registered bidders can participate in our online auctions. To register click the "Register Now" link on any page of our site.

How do I get my bidder number?
After you have registered online you will receive your bidder number via email.

Note: If you forget your bidder number or password click the "Register Now" link then click "forgot bidder number or password" on the form, re-enter your email address and your bidder number and/or password will be resent to you via email.

How do I bid?
Go to our "Online Auction Calendar" page and select the auction you would like view. When the bidding for the auction is open you simply enter "Your Bid" or your "Maximum Bid" for each item you may be interested in. Next you enter your bidder number and password at the bottom of the screen to submit your bids.

What is a Maximum Bid?
A maximum bid is the highest dollar amount you are willing to pay for an item. If you enter a maximum bid, the system will automatically bid on your behalf up to your maximum bid amount. For example, let's assume that the next required bid is $10.00 and you enter a Maximum bid of $40.00. If no other bids are placed on that item you will be the winner at $10.00. If another bidder places a bid of $20.00 on the item you will still be the current winner but the price will now be at the $20.00 plus the next increment level.

What is a Bid Increment?
The Bid Increment is the minimum dollar amount that the next bid must be raised by. Bid Increments will typically be in $1.00, $5.00, $10.00, $20.00, $50.00 or $100.00 increments. You can bid higher than the Minimum Bid or you may enter a Maximum Bid, but you may not bid in denominations less than the next Bid Increment.

May I raise my Maximum Bid?
You can also raise your Maximum Bid WITHOUT raising your own previous bid! For example, if you originally placed a Maximum Bid amount of $50.00 and now you want to increase your maximum bid to $100.00. All you need to do is submit another bid for $100.00 in the "Maximum Bid" box. As long as your previous Maximum Bid was at least 1 increment higher then any other bidders' Maximum Bid, the current price on the item will not change.

How can I make sure I am seeing the most current bidding information on the screen?
During the bidding process you will need to refresh or reload your page frequently to ensure you are viewing the most current bids and times.

How does the auction end?
Each auction will end at a specified time, however, auctions with multiple items will have staggered ending times. We also have an "Auto-extend" time feature on each individual listing within an auction. The Auto-extend time feature will leave the bidding open for any item that has received a bid within the last few minutes of the sale. This will extend the end time for that particular item until no further bids are placed.

How do I know I've won?
If you are the high bidder, you will receive an Invoice via email when the entire auction's bidding has concluded. This Invoice will have information regarding the location and time for pickup and payment as well as contact information for that particular auction.

How can I pay and pickup my items?
Payment is generally accepted in the form of cash, check or Visa, MC at time of each auction's pre-scheduled pickup and payment time. Pickup and payment dates and times will be posted at the time of each auction's start. If you are unable to attend the pickup you are still required to pay for your item or items. By bidding you are contractually agreeing to pay for any item won. Items not payed for and/or picked up during the auction's pre-scheduled time will either be returned to the consignor or re-sold. You will also be blocked from bidding in future auctions.

How do I find out more about a listed item?
All auctions have a scheduled preview time that will be posted at the time of the auction's start. You can also give us a call at the contact number posted in the auction’s listing. Items are described to the best of our ability but due to the wide variety of items we encounter all items must be sold "AS IS" and "WHERE IS". Please preview any items you may have concerns about. It is your responsibility to preview items you wish to bid on to personally assess condition. If you choose not to preview items you are bidding on you then waive your right to not accepting an item you have won due to any condition or completeness issue.

Why is there Tax on some sales?
The tax laws governing auctions are complicated. We make every effort to determine before hand if sales taxes must be collected. There are several situations in which you do not have to pay a sales tax. If you provide a sales tax number from the state where the auction is held and sign the appropriate sales tax exceptions form, or if you are purchasing an item for use in another state you may not have to pay sales tax. Sales tax exemption forms must be filed with Rowell Auctions, Inc prior to bidding.

Why may some auctions require a deposit prior to bidding?
We will determine prior to the opening of bidding if a deposit will be required. If a deposit is required prior to bidding the deposit amount will be advertised. If you are not the winning bidder, your deposit will be refunded following the auction.