Bidding

Don't know what popcorn bidding is? Are you trying to cancel an order? Curious why you didn't win an auction?

How it Works: Bidding

All SupplyDemy sales are conducted in an online auction format. SupplyDemy’s platform connects sellers with buyers worldwide, allowing buyers to bid against each other with the highest bid winning an auction.

Each auction has a start time and a close time. Most auctions run for 48 hours and are posted Monday through Friday, typically ending between 10 am and 4 pm PST (1 pm - 7 pm EST). You can also find auction close details on any auction listing.

In order to bid on an auction, you must be 1) approved for that specific marketplace and 2) logged in to your account. To submit a bid, enter the amount you want to bid for an auction in the field next to “Your Maximum Bid” on the auction page. Your maximum bid must be equal to or greater than the minimum allowable bid amount listed. After you click the "Bid Now" button we will ask you to confirm your bid amount. Please double check your maximum bid before submission.

Please review the auction details carefully prior to bidding, especially the shipping type, seller location and merchandise condition. The auction details will include more specific descriptions of the auction, the number of units, the retail value and additional shipping information (e.g. whether shipping is included, or if a buyer must arrange shipping).

Merchandise condition is described using the definitions found on our Inventory Conditions page. Please refer to the Conditions page for guidance - please do not assume what a seller might mean by a certain condition. If you still have questions, please contact Customer Service prior to bidding on an auction.

The winning bidder for any auction is required to submit payment within two (2) business days of auction closing.

You can view your bids at any time by logging into your account and clicking "Bids" in the top right corner of your screen.

What is Popcorn Bidding?

If a bid is placed within the last 7 minutes of an auction, SupplyDemy’s platform extends the auction close time for an additional 3 minutes. Every time a new bid is submitted the auction will extend for an additional 3 minutes, until all bidding activity has ended. This is called popcorn bidding.

Popcorn bidding simulates a live auction and prevents last minute “sniping” of an auction.

What is Proxy Bidding?

All bids on the SupplyDemy platform act as "proxy" bids. Submit the highest bid amount you are willing to pay (your maximum bid), equal to or greater than the minimum allowable bid amount listed on the auction page. From there, SupplyDemy manages bidding for you, acting as your proxy.

For example: You see an auction with a starting bid amount of $1,000 and decide you would pay up to $5,000 for the lot. You would enter $5,000 as your maximum bid; you are now winning the auction at $1,000.

If another bidder comes in and bids $1,100 as their maximum, then your maximum bid of $5,000 will automatically outbid them one increment higher as your proxy. You are now winning the auction at $1,100 without having to manually bid a second time. Our system will automatically continue to incrementally outbid other bidders, but will never exceed your maximum bid of $5,000. Your maximum bid is not displayed to others.

If another bidder inputs a maximum bid over $5,000, then you will be outbid and are no longer winning the auction. You then have the option to input a new maximum bid to act as your proxy, or search for another auction on the SupplyDemy platform that meets your needs.

Can I inspect the merchandise before bidding?

Merchandise sold through SupplyDemy comes directly from our sellers; therefore, buyers are not typically able to inspect merchandise prior to bidding, unless otherwise stated.

SupplyDemy’s sellers are encouraged to submit high quality, detailed lot images to set the most accurate expectations for SupplyDemy’s buyers. Buyers are encouraged to review auction details including inventory type and conditions.

How do I cancel a bid?

All bids are considered binding contracts. Depending on the situation, one-time bid cancellations may be allowed as a courtesy, at SupplyDemy’s discretion.

If you wish to cancel a bid, please contact customercare@SupplyDemy.com with the Bid ID, the marketplace where the bid was placed and a reason for cancellation. Bid cancellation requests may be subject to a $50 cancellation fee.

The SupplyDemy Customer Service team reserves the right to deny a bid cancellation request at any time.

What happens after I win an auction?

Once an auction has ended, if you are the winning bidder you will receive a "Bid Won" email confirming the order details and prompting you to confirm and finalize any remaining details, including shipping address and any additional required services. The "Bid Won" email also includes important wire payment instructions; wire payment must be made within two (2) business days after an auction ends. Once payment is processed, you will receive instructions regarding the shipment of your order.

Why did I lose the auction if I bid the same amount as the winner?

If two bidders bid the same amount, the person who placed their bid first will become the high bidder.

My screen said that the auction ended and I was the high bidder, but I didn't win the auction. Why?

This experience is typically caused by a buyer’s slow internet connection, or by buyer inactivity as an auction is closing.

If you have a slow internet connection, it is possible that you will not receive a live update of subsequent bids placed. We recommend using the latest version of Firefox or Google Chrome for best results.

If you rely on a mobile device, SupplyDemy recommends that you update your account settings to receive SMS text notifications in the event that you are outbid.

Can I buy the products outright?

All products available through SupplyDemy are sold via the online auction format. There is no "Buy It Now" or lot quoting option.