Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about bidding, buying, and selling on Bidding Fever.
General
Bidding Fever is an online auction marketplace serving Canada. Independent auction houses and liquidators list and sell the lots; Bidding Fever runs the platform and usually does not own the items. You need a free account to bid, and every bid is a binding commitment to buy the lot if you win.
What is Bidding Fever?
Bidding Fever is a Canadian auction marketplace that connects buyers with independent sellers and auction houses.
Does Bidding Fever sell the items directly?
Usually no. In most cases, items are listed and sold by independent sellers or auction houses using the Bidding Fever platform.
Do I need an account to bid?
Yes. You need an account to place bids, manage payments, track purchases, and access support tools.
Is bidding binding?
Yes. When you place a bid, you are making a binding commitment to purchase the item if you win.
Bidding
Register for each auction, then bid at least the minimum shown, or set a maximum bid that the platform uses to bid for you, one increment at a time. Increments rise with the price. In auctions with soft close, a late bid extends the lot's closing time, up to 10 times per lot.
How do I register for an auction?
Open the auction and register: accept that auction's terms, choose pickup or shipping (whichever the sale offers), and save a verified payment card. Some auctions also ask for a $1 card authorization that is never captured, a deposit, phone or identity verification, or the seller's approval of your registration.
What is a maximum bid?
Instead of bidding the minimum each time, you can set the most you are willing to pay. The platform then bids for you, one increment at a time, only as far as needed to keep you in the lead, up to your maximum.
How much do I have to bid?
At least the minimum shown on the lot. Bid increments are tiered, so the step between bids grows as the price rises.
Why did the closing time of a lot change?
Auctions with soft close extend a lot's closing time when a bid arrives in its final minutes, so nobody wins by sniping in the last second. Each auction sets its own window, and a lot can be extended up to 10 times.
Does it cost anything to bid?
No. There is no fee for placing a bid. If you win, you pay the hammer price plus the buyer's premium, applicable taxes and any shipping or handling fees shown for that auction.
Selling
Auction houses and liquidators apply on the seller application page, and Bidding Fever reviews each one. Approved sellers choose a monthly plan from $99 to $260 and pay a 2% commission on collected hammer. Card payments are paid out through Stripe Connect, net of commission; offline collections are billed to the seller monthly.
Who can sell on Bidding Fever?
Auction houses and liquidators. You apply on behalf of your business at /sell, and Bidding Fever reviews every application before the account can run auctions.
How do I start selling?
Submit the seller application at /sell. Once your auction house is approved, you receive an email link to start your plan, then you can create auctions and add lots by hand or by import.
What does it cost to sell?
A monthly plan plus a commission. Plans: Solo $99/month, Team $145/month, Unlimited $260/month. Every plan pays 2% commission on collected hammer price; buyer's premium, taxes and shipping are not part of the commission. There is no per-bid fee and no limit on auctions or lots. Full details are on the pricing page.
Is there an offer for new sellers?
Yes, for the first 5 approved sellers, on any plan: 3 months free, then 25% off for the rest of the first 12 months, then 10% off for life, while the subscription stays active (cancelling ends it).
How do sellers get paid?
Card payments that buyers make through the platform are paid out to the seller's Stripe Connect account, net of the 2% commission. For cash or e-transfer collections, the same commission is billed to the seller monthly.
Payments
If you win, your invoice shows the hammer price, buyer's premium, applicable taxes and any shipping or handling fees. When you pay depends on the auction's terms. Some auctions place a temporary hold on your card or take a refundable deposit, and a failed payment may be retried over about 24 hours.
When do I pay if I win?
Payment timing depends on the auction. Some auctions require immediate payment after close, while others may require a deposit, pre-authorization, or balance payment within a defined deadline.
What fees may apply?
Your total may include: hammer price, buyer’s premium, taxes, and shipping, pickup, or handling fees where applicable.
Can Bidding Fever place a hold on my card?
Yes. For certain auctions or risk scenarios, Bidding Fever may place a pre-authorization or require a deposit before or after bidding.
Shipping & Pickup
Each seller decides whether a lot ships, can be picked up, or both, and sets the pickup times and deadlines. Check the lot page before you bid. Bring the pickup code or invoice shown in your account. Missing a pickup deadline can lead to fees, cancellation or forfeiture under the auction's terms.
Does every lot ship?
No. Shipping availability depends on the seller and the listing. Always review the lot page for shipping, pickup, and location details before bidding.
What if I miss my pickup window?
Pickup rules are set by the seller or auction house. Missed pickups may lead to storage fees, cancellation, forfeiture, or other penalties disclosed in the listing or auction terms.
Disputes
Open a claim as soon as you notice a problem, and no later than 14 days after pickup or delivery. The seller has 5 business days to respond, or 3 during its first 90 days. Bidding Fever does not guarantee an outcome. Refunds go back to the original payment method, usually within 5 to 10 business days.
Does Bidding Fever guarantee refunds?
No. Bidding Fever does not guarantee dispute outcomes. We provide a fair, structured, and transparent resolution process.
When can I report an issue?
You can report an issue if an item is significantly not as described, damaged, not received, or missing major components. Claims must usually be submitted within 14 days of payment, delivery, or pickup.
What happens after I submit a claim?
The seller is notified and given a response window. If needed, Bidding Fever reviews the case using listing details, evidence, seller history, and buyer history.
What outcomes are possible?
Outcomes may include: full refund, partial refund, claim denied, or recommended external resolution in certain cases.
Trust & Verification
Bidding Fever keeps a trust score for each bidder, based on payment history, pickups, claims and verification. It can set your bidding limit and whether some auctions need the seller's approval. Accounts can be limited or suspended for unpaid invoices, fraud risk or abuse, and some auctions require phone or identity verification.
Why does trust score matter?
Trust score helps Bidding Fever reduce fraud, reward reliable behavior, and apply category or bidding access rules for certain auctions.
Can my account be restricted?
Yes. We may restrict, suspend, or require additional verification for fraud risk, unpaid invoices, abuse of the platform, or dispute misuse.
High-Value Items
Sellers can add requirements to auctions of valuable lots: a deposit, a card authorization, phone or identity verification, a minimum trust score, or approval of each registration. These requirements appear on the auction page before you register. A bid above your account's bidding limit is refused, whatever the auction.
Do high-value items work differently?
Yes. Some high-value items may require extra verification, deposits, pre-authorization, inspection periods, or additional terms.
Are final-sale items still reviewable?
Yes, in limited cases. Final-sale items may still be reviewed for fraud, major misrepresentation, title issues, or other serious policy violations.
Support
For help with an account, a bid or an invoice, email support@biddingfever.com. Sellers with questions about plans, billing or payouts can write to sellers@biddingfever.com. Privacy, CASL and copyright notices go to privacy@biddingfever.com. You can also reach Bidding Fever through the contact form on the contact page.
How do I get help?
For support, contact: support@biddingfever.com
Still have a question?
Most bidding, payment and pickup rules are set per auction and appear on the auction page, so check it first. If your question is not answered there or above, use the contact page or email support@biddingfever.com, and include the auction or lot number so your request can be found quickly.
Our support team is happy to help with anything not covered here.