Bidding Guides and Tips
Short answers to what bidders ask us most. Still have a question? Call 804-677-6281.
Before you bid
Registration
Register once and your bidder account works for every Cardinal auction. We accept all major credit cards. The billing address in your profile must match the billing address on your card, or the payment will be rejected. We place a $1 authorization to verify the card. It is not charged.
Payment
When the auction ends, your registered card is charged automatically for what you won. A 15% buyer’s premium is added to each item.
Example: a $100 winning bid comes to $121 ($100 bid + $15 buyer’s premium + $6 tax).
Max Bid
Enter the most you’re willing to pay and the system bids for you, one increment at a time, only as much as it takes to keep you in the lead. If someone else’s max is higher, you’ll be outbid and can bid again or raise your max.
Watch List
Click the star next to any item to save it. Your Watch List shows everything you’ve starred across all our auctions, and you can bid right from it.
When the sale closes
Rolling Close
Our auctions don’t end all at once. If a sale closes at 10:00 AM, the first group of lots closes at 10:01, the next at 10:02, and so on. Each group is two to four lots, and the number is in each auction’s details.
Extended Bidding
If a bid comes in during the last three minutes of an item, that item stays open three more minutes, and keeps extending until the bidding stops. Only that item is extended. It keeps a last-second bid from stealing a lot.
After you win
Preview
Every auction has a preview. Come see, measure and test what you’re interested in, because items are sold as is and all sales are final. Can’t make it? Call 804-677-6281 and we’ll answer what we can.
Pickup
After the sale you’ll get an invoice by email. Book a pickup time, bring your invoice (printed or on your phone), and bring your own help, packing materials and tools. If the invoice shows a balance due, update your card in your profile first and bring the paid receipt. Someone else can pick up for you as long as they bring the invoice.
Shipping
Shipping is available on most items through an independent shipping contractor. Call Beth at 804-366-2989 before pickup day to request it. She’ll give you a quote and you pay her directly. Shipping is never on your Cardinal invoice.
Movers
Can’t load it yourself? Send a friend, a family member or a mover. Our recommended movers are listed on the Resources page. Book them early, because pickup day is the only day.
Abandoned Items
We are only at the pickup location during the posted pickup time. Items not collected by the end are considered abandoned, and there are no refunds. If something comes up, call us before the pickup window ends and we’ll do our best to work with you.
