To participate in one of our auctions, all bidders must complete the registration process and be approved prior to bidding. Registration requirements are in place to ensure a fair, transparent, and secure auction environment for both buyers and sellers.
While specific requirements may vary by auction, bidders should be prepared to provide the following:
Government-Issued Photo Identification
A valid, unexpired photo ID is required for all bidders to verify identity. Acceptable forms include:
Buyers may register online once pre-bidding begins or on-site during the scheduled auction preview or on auction day. By registering to bid, all bidders acknowledge and agree to the auction’s Terms & Conditions.
To complete registration, buyers must provide:
Registration must be completed and approved before bidding privileges are granted.
Yes. Bidders may register online through our secure bidding platform directly from the auction listing page by selecting the “Register & Bid Now” tab. Online registration is quick, convenient, and accessible from any device, allowing you to register and bid with ease. At the time of registration, all bidders accept and agree to the auction’s Terms & Conditions.
Yes. Buyers may register on-site during the scheduled auction preview or on auction day. At the time of registration, all bidders accept and agree to the auction’s Terms & Conditions.
Yes. Kiefer Auctioneers offers multiple remote bidding options for buyers who are unable to attend an auction in person. These options are designed to provide full participation, transparency, and accessibility, regardless of location. Available bidding methods may include the following:
Some auctions are conducted entirely online. Registered bidders can:
Online-only auctions offer maximum flexibility and convenience.
For select live on-site auctions, a simulcast option may be available, allowing bidders to participate remotely while the auctioneer conducts the sale in real time. Remote bidders can:
This option combines the excitement of a live auction with the convenience of online access.
Telephone bidding may be permitted for select auctions and approved bidders. This option:
Regardless of the bidding method selected, all remote bidders must:
Yes. All bids are legally binding contracts. Once the auctioneer declares an item sold, the buyer is legally obligated to pay in full.
Failure to pay constitutes breach of contract and may result in forfeiture, loss of bidding privileges, collection efforts, or legal action.
Yes. Most auctions include a buyer’s premium, which is an additional percentage added to the final bid price. Each auction has its own buyer’s premium structure, and the percentage may vary between on-site bidding and online bidding, as all auctions are structured differently.
The applicable buyer’s premium for each auction—and for each bidding method—will be clearly disclosed in the auction listing and Terms & Conditions prior to bidding.
If you are comfortable spending a total of $100, and the buyer’s premium is 10%, you should bid no more than $90, as the 10% buyer’s premium ($10) will be added to your winning bid.
Buyers are responsible for understanding the buyer’s premium before placing bids, as it becomes part of the total purchase price once an item is sold.
Accepted payment methods may vary by auction and will be clearly outlined in each auction’s Terms & Conditions. Depending on the sale, accepted forms of payment may include:
By registering to bid and submitting payment, buyers acknowledge that chargebacks are not permitted. Any attempt to dispute or reverse charges may result in loss of bidding privileges, collections, or legal action as outlined in the auction Terms & Conditions.
Because payment requirements can differ by auction, buyers should always review the specific auction’s Terms & Conditions prior to bidding to confirm accepted payment methods and applicable fees.
A Buyer’s Premium Concession is a discount or adjustment to the Buyer’s Premium that may be offered at the seller’s or auctioneer’s discretion and announced by the auctioneer. This concession reduces the total amount a buyer pays in addition to the winning bid.
A Buyer’s Premium Concession may be:
Any changes to the Buyer’s Premium, including concessions or incentives, will be announced by the auctioneer prior or during the bidding. Once bidding begins, all bidders are bound by the Buyer’s Premium terms as announced.
Payment is typically due immediately at the conclusion of the auction or within the specific timeframe stated in the auction’s Terms & Conditions and displayed on the auction listing page.
Payment deadlines may vary by auction, item type, or bidding method. Buyers are responsible for reviewing and complying with the payment terms listed for each auction prior to bidding. Failure to submit payment within the required timeframe may result in forfeiture of the purchase, loss of bidding privileges, or additional fees as outlined in the auction terms.
When you are declared the winning bidder, a legally binding contract is formed under Texas law, including the Texas Business & Commerce Code § 2-328 (Auctions). Failure to complete payment within the required timeframe constitutes breach of contract.
Consequences may include:
All auctions conducted by Kiefer Auctioneers are governed by the laws of the State of Texas, including but not limited to the Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1802 (Auctioneers) and Texas Business & Commerce Code § 2-328. All remedies and enforcement actions are controlled by the auction’s Terms & Conditions, which bidders agree to at the time of registration.
Not always. The starting bid depends on the auction format and at the auctioneer’s discretion.
Bidding may begin in one of the following ways:
Some auctions begin at a clearly stated opening bid. This is the public starting price the auctioneer will accept to open bidding.
If the seller establishes a minimum bid, that amount will be announced before bidding begins, and bidding cannot start below that figure.
If no opening bid is specified, the auctioneer may begin bidding:
This approach is common in both live and online auctions.
For online auctions, the starting bid will be clearly displayed before bidding opens. Some auctions may open at a nominal amount (such as $100 or $1,000), while others may open at the minimum bid or with the first bid placed by a participant.
A starting bid is not the same as a reserve price.
If no reserve or minimum bid is stated, bidding simply begins at the auctioneer’s opening call or with the first bid received.
support@kieferauctions.com
Cory: (903) 821-8717