Belhorn Auction Services - Absentee Bidding Policies

Absentee Bidding Policies.

Absentee bidders must agree to and abide by all written and verbal terms and conditions of auction as if they were present and bidding in person. This also includes these absentee bidding policies.
All absentee bids are the property of Belhorn Auction Services, LLC and its principals. Absentee bids are accepted by mail, fax, phone, e-mail and through our website. Unless otherwise instructed, Belhorn Auction Services, LLC uses the strictest measures of confidentiality maintaining and executing absentee bids. Only when required by a governing or regulatory body or similar entity will absentee bid information be disclosed.
Absentee bids are executed in a competitive manner as though the bidder were in attendance and bidding in person. Absentee bids are handled by a designated staff member of Belhorn Auction Services, LLC at each auction. This designated agent will attempt to purchase lots with absentee bids up to, but not exceeding, the maximum absentee bid. In compliance with the auctioneers' bidding increments lots will be bid on until competition stops or the amount of the absentee bid is exceeded. If an absentee bid is submitted that does not comply with the auctioneers' bidding increments, it will be reduced to the next lower increment.
Unless otherwise directed, bidding will be opened from the floor or gallery for all lots. Once bidding has been opened, an absentee bid on the lot will be executed. In the rare instance that an opening bid from the floor cannot be obtained, the designated agent executing absentee bids may open the bid on behalf of the absentee bidder.
In the event of multiple absentee bids on the same lot, bidding will open one increment higher than the second highest bid. At that opening amount the highest absentee bidder will be holding the high bid. As an example, absentee bids of $250 and $200 on a lot would cause the bidding to be opened at $210 with the higher bidder holding the bid.
If two or more absentee bids are the highest and for the same amount the absentee bid received first will hold precedence. Time and date of postmark, fax, phone call or submission of bid via internet will be used to determine precedence. Similar to the above example, bidding would be opened at this highest amount with the first bidder to place the absentee bid holding the bid.
Belhorn Auction Services, LLC utilizes online bidding services such as eBay Live Auctions, Live Auctioneers and Proxibid for its cataloged auctions. While time stamps are recorded for bids placed on these services, the bids are transmitted to us in real time during the auction. We have no knowledge of the high bid amount made nor does the time of the bid online warrant precedence over prior absentee bids made directly to us.
Belhorn Auction Services, LLC does not accept "plus bids." We view (as do State laws regulating auctions) that a bid is an offer to contract for an item at a definite price. Plus bids create a situation that brings indefiniteness to the offer to contract. We strongly encourage all absentee bidders to bid the highest amount they are willing to pay for the lot(s) they are interested in purchasing. As an example, if you are concerned that you may get "shut out" at $200 on an item based on the bidding increments, we suggest that you bid $210. As stated above all absentee bids are executed competitively up to, but not exceeding, the maximum absentee bid.
While we provide absentee bidding as a service and convenience to our buyers, Belhorn Auction Services, LLC is not liable or responsible for any errors or failure to execute an absentee bid as instructed. Additionally, buyers should not consider this service to be a contractual relationship between the buyer and Belhorn Auction Services, LLC. Belhorn Auction Services, LLC is commissioned by the consignor(s) in all cases and operates as an agent for the consignor(s).