Most online auctions follow a similar process: register, review the terms, inspect the lot, bid, and arrange payment and pickup. You sign up with a credit card, read the terms and study or inspect the lot. You then submit a maximum bid, pay an invoice which will include the buyer's premium and 13% HST, and pick up your lot.
Collection takes place within posted window for pick up. A buyer's premium is the percentage that the auction house charges you on top of your hammer price. HST is applied to the hammer price and premium in Ontario.
This buyer guidance is for first time bidders, downsizing families, collectors, contractors and small businesses in Hamilton, Ontario, and the surrounding area. Whether it's a dining table belonging to a Hamilton estate or a skid steer from an equipment yard, the bidding process remains the same. Once new bidders understand the sequence of events they can bid with confidence.
Each auction house will have their own set of terms and it is your responsibility to read these before the first bid. Consider the terms page of each sale as part of the catalogue. The fee, payment and pickup regulations there determine the actual cost of your win.
Key Takeaways
- The buyer’s premium and applicable taxes are added to the hammer price.
- A maximum bid pays only the amount necessary to outbid the next highest bid, a single bidder pays the bid amount.
- Rapid-Sell will give a last minute bidding opportunity, and extend the lot by three minutes until bidding closes.
- A successful bid is a firm commitment and no cooling off period.
- Pickup takes place during a window that is posted, and if items are not picked up during a window, they may be considered abandoned.
- Be sure to read each house of sale's terms page before you make your first bid, as terms vary from house of sale to house of sale.
Video: An introduction to Rapid-Sell’s Ontario online auctions. Watch on YouTube
What Auctions in Hamilton Sell and Who Buys There
Commercial liquidation and downsizing sale on the Mountain can be part of a single week of Hamilton online auctions. It can be a City surplus office equipment sale the same week, and a Thursday morning vehicle sale. Each selling type appeals to a different individual.
Hamilton area online sales are frequently referred to as estate sale, downsizing, moving, reseller or commercial liquidation. The first hint of what you will find and how the lots were treated is in that label. Auctions in Hamilton feature not only online-only catalogue sales, but also vehicle sales in person.
Rapid-Sell registration instructions
Household, Estate and Downsizing Auctions
Estate auctions and downsizing sales are related to a house or storage unit, and contain the items of a household. Furniture, tools, kitchenware, collectibles and gardening equipment, many of which come in box lots. They are used for downsizing families and by collectors for character items and by contractors for hand tools and ladders.
When buying furniture at Internet auctions in Hamilton, Ontario, the first thing to look for in the description of the furniture is the dimension. Almost always, furniture at these sales will be pick up only and as-is, so measure your doorways and arrange a suitable vehicle before bidding. Generally, no delivery is available, so be sure to arrange a truck or a helper for pick-up day.
Vehicle, Equipment and Business Auctions
Hamilton cars are frequently found at salvage and insurance auctions and not at estate sales. IAA auctions are held Thursdays at 9 a.m. at 406 Lake Ave. North in Hamilton. But buyers there need to know what branded titles and registration status is before they raise a hand or click a bid.
When bidding and purchasing cars at online auctions in Hamilton, Ontario, allow for a safety inspection and towing. Before bidding on a vehicle, check its branding, buyer-eligibility rules, safety-certificate requirements and transport costs. Contractors considering used equipment should compare the winning bid, auction fees, transport and likely repair costs.
Video: Farm equipment auctions in Ontario with Rapid-Sell. Watch on YouTube
City of Hamilton Surplus Auctions
The City of Hamilton uses GovDeals to auction its surplus. Office furniture, computer equipment, printers, scanners, copiers, electronics and small appliances are listed. These listings are closely followed by small businesses as a pair of desks or a functioning copier can furnish an office.
Although the pictures may appear the same, a reseller sale is a different product than an estate sale. Reseller lots are returns and overstock, which means that an item may not be tested or may be missing items even if it appears to be new. A sealed box does not necessarily confirm that every component is present.
Be sure to align the type of sale with your objective. Estate Sales are appropriate for character pieces and tools, whilst Reseller Sales are appropriate for current products, at the risk of missing pieces. Only bid at equipment or vehicle auctions after having planned for transporting and inspecting the goods.
Where to Find Online Auctions in Hamilton, Ontario Near You
Before you even get to the first lot, the best way to determine if a Hamilton online auction is close is to locate the pickup address and the pickup window. A Hamilton sale can be picked up in Stoney Creek, Dundas or Ancaster. The best way to judge an online auction in Hamilton, Ontario near you is not according to the city in the title, but the pickup address.
Hamilton buyers buy lots in four types of places. Local auction houses publish sale catalogues, while estate-sale platforms list auctions at individual properties and the City posts surplus on its website. Rapid-Sell operates from Guelph and conducts auctions across Ontario.
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Rapid-Sell.ca is the online auction site for Ontario from David Moore & associates. Rapid-Sell operates from Guelph. Its parent company, David Moore & Associates, was established in 1984 and launched Rapid-Sell in 2012. Browse Rapid-Sell’s Current Auctions page and check each listing’s location, closing date and pickup arrangements.
Prior to signing up anywhere, perform five checks on the vendor:
- A verifiable physical address and phone number
- A full terms page that includes fee, payment and pickup.
- Having a shipping policy and return policy – even if the answer is no returns
- A privacy policy
- A means of asking a question about a lot prior to bidding.
Check who manages the sale, prepares the listings, answers questions and handles collection. Assess the photographs and descriptions carefully in every case.
Verify the auctioneer’s identity and confirm the pickup area, collection schedule and address-disclosure arrangements before bidding. Keep a copy of the terms page of every platform you sign-up for. Auction terms vary from one auction house to another, and the terms of this auction house govern your purchase.
Online Auctions in Hamilton, Ontario: How to Bid & Buy Step by Step
Complete the registration and approval steps before you plan to bid. A typical catalogue remains on the market for a few days to two weeks until lots start closing. That provides you the opportunity to do each step.
If you bid on several similar lots, you could win all of them. Decide how many you want and set a separate maximum for each.
Maximum bids and soft-close rules
Follow these six steps to bid and buy online:
- Sign up on the platform and make sure to read the terms of that particular sale, using a valid credit card.
- Look at each lot description and at all of the photos, make note of condition words, measurements.
- Visit the preview or ask your questions prior to bidding.
- Set a maximum bid within your budget, allowing for fees, applicable taxes and transport.
- Monitor the closing times and check your email for an invoice.
- Pay by the stated deadline and collect during the scheduled pickup window.
Video: Using the Rapid-Sell app for registration, bids and auction details. Watch on YouTube
Imagine a Hamilton resident who is looking for a workbench and a toolbox with a few hand tools at a downsizing sale. She registers on Tuesday and reads the terms, then she asks the auction house to confirm the workbench’s width on Wednesday. Most online auction houses in Ontario have a preview day and/or provide pictures and a question link in lieu of a preview day, and she receives her answer via e-mail.
On Thursday, she enters a maximum bid on each lot and lets the system bid on her behalf while she makes dinner. She pays by card on file within the time period in the terms after receiving the emailed invoice upon sale closure. She shows up at the sale address on Saturday with the invoice and a borrowed pick-up truck.
Check the sale terms for the buyer’s premium, applicable taxes and any additional charges before calculating your maximum bid. Before the closing period begins, determine your maximum price for a lot, and write it down. Put in as your top bid to avoid the last minute setting the budget for you.
Registering an Account and What It Costs to Join
Registration with Rapid-Sell is free. Other auction platforms may charge registration or membership fees, so check before signing up. There are no fees for non-winning bids.
Read both the sale terms and the lot description. Ask the auction house to clarify any conflict before bidding. When purchasing online, you enter into a contract, read the vendor's terms and retain a copy. What an auction house will refer to is the terms page, not a friendly e-mail correspondence.
Grasley Downsizing Auction – Hamilton (past auction)
Most platforms will need a legitimate credit card when signing up. Many put a little temporary authorization on it to verify that the card is live. On platforms that support automatic payment, purchases may be charged to the card registered with that platform.
Keep to one account per person. Follow the platform’s account rules. If several household members want to bid, ask the auction house how each person should register. If a contractor desires the invoice to be in the business name, they should register in that name initially.
There are sites that may need a unique registration or approval for every individual sale. One Hamilton buyer who had been approved for one sale may have to register again for the next sale, so please check for a register button on each catalogue. Make sure to save the confirmation email and a copy of the terms that you accepted as you will have both of these as proof of the contract if a question comes up later.
Reading Lot Descriptions and Inspecting Before You Bid
A picture of a shiny stand mixer doesn't indicate if the motor works. Hence the condition line and your own questions are more important than the lot title. Read the lot description carefully, confirm unclear details and save a copy before the auction closes.
What follows the brand name – "untested" or "for parts" – determines what you're purchasing. Use the listing as your condition report as many sales don't provide one. One of the most frequent mistakes in reseller sales is to use a brand name in the title instead of the condition line with power tools and electronics.
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As-Is, Where-Is in Plain Terms
As-is, where-is is the term used to describe a purchase where the item is sold in its condition at the time of sale, and at its current location. The auction house does not warrant, transport is at your own risk. The photographs and descriptions are provided as information only.
Be on the lookout for four phrases: "untested", "for parts", "appears to" and "sold as a lot". ‘Untested’ leaves operation unconfirmed; ‘for parts’ indicates repair or salvage use; ‘sold as a lot’ means the items are offered together. An untested cordless drill may be missing its battery or have an unknown operating condition.
Previews, Photos and Questions to the Auction House
In Ontario, preview days are typically held for a couple of hours on a single day prior to the closing of the lots and many sales do not have preview days. Bring a tape measure and ask staff which items may be tested. If no preview is available, review the photographs and submit specific questions before bidding.
Before bidding, make sure you do these 5 checks:
- Look for the back, underside and inside of the item and count the pictures.
- Check dimensions and compare to your space and vehicle.
- Look for the lot number in the terms for a lot specific note.
- Write down any questions you might have about anything not included in the pictures and ask the auction house.
- Take a snapshot of the listing page including the photos and description before the sale closes.
Video: A third-party tool-auction buying example. Follow the terms of the auction you enter. Watch on YouTube
Send questions well before closing. If an important detail remains unconfirmed, consider that uncertainty before deciding to bid. Take screenshots or save all the lots that you're bidding on while they're still live. Many platforms take the listing down after it's sold, and the description is all you'll have to show for the promise made.
Maximum Bids, Increments and Being the Only Bidder
The maximum bid of 80 does not mean that you will be charged $80. The system raises your bid as needed against competing bids, up to your maximum and according to the published increments. On Rapid-Sell, we only bid what we need to do in order to win the bid from the next highest bidder, up to your max and at the increments specified.
If there is only one bidder, that bidder wins at his or her first bid, not at his or her highest bid. The one exception is a lot with a reserve that was not met. Rapid-Sell’s maximum-bid system follows the auction’s preset bid increments.
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For illustration, with $5 increments, an $80 maximum could outbid a competing $45 bid at $50. The maximum remains your spending limit.
The auction house determines the bid increments, which increase as the price goes up. A $10 lot is going to move less than a $500 lot. If two bidders enter the same maximum, the platform’s tie-breaking rules determine which bid takes priority.
Reserve is the minimum price that the seller has set. Even if there is only one bidder, a lot may read "reserve not met. The seller can then decline to sell at the closing price.
It is a bad habit to keep increasing your bid up when you are the highest bidder. Review your maximum carefully before increasing it, and keep the full purchase cost within your budget. Set them at their limit once, early, at the price you would still be pleased with once the buyer's premium and HST have been added and forget about them.
The Soft Close and the Three-Minute Rule
A last minute bid extends the lot's life for three minutes on Rapid-Sell. Late bids on Rapid-Sell extend the lot by three minutes, with further extensions until bidding has ceased. The three minute rule is a soft close, which means that if a last minute bid is placed, it gets an additional 3 minutes.
Auction houses set the extension time, which can be two, five or more minutes. The soft close is in place to prevent last minute sniping and to ensure that all bidders get a fair response. For Rapid-Sell’s maximum-bid and soft-close rules, review the Buyers Info page.
We typically stagger our lots by 10 seconds, so that our lots close every 10 seconds. The 100th lot in an auction that ends at 9:00 p.m. will close at about 9:16 p.m. Those interested in bidding for lot 90 should expect to be at the screen about 9:15 p.m.
This 9:16 is under the assumption that there are no extensions (as an extended lot is on its own clock). If the soft close is on one lot, it does not slow down the other lots. A bidder may be watching two lots and forget to bid on one while the other continues to run.
A maximum bid lets the system bid on your behalf up to your limit. You may still want to monitor the auction. Please review the extension time in each sale's terms. The time to remain at the screen will be different depending on the auction house, with a two-minute extension at one Hamilton auction house and a three-minute extension at another.
Do You Have to Buy the Item If You Win the Bid?
Yes: if you are the high bidder when a lot closes then you have bought it. Treat a winning bid as a purchase commitment. Review the auction’s cancellation terms and contact the auctioneer immediately if you make an error. Winning bid is a contract with Auction House and the Seller.
A bid made online in an Ontario auction is an offer, which is effective upon closing of the lot you are bidding on with you as the high bidder. Fees, payment deadlines, pickup arrangements and shipping availability vary by sale. Read the terms for the auction you plan to enter. The terms of Rosehill Online are that once you place a winning bid, you cannot reduce the bid.
If you enter an incorrect bid, contact the auction house immediately. Any correction depends on the platform’s rules and the auctioneer’s approval. Some auction houses will fix it, if notified prior to the lot closing. Rosehill Online's terms provide that the auctioneer may permit a correction prior to the auction closing.
Standard Ontario cancellation terms do not apply to "I changed my mind" and "it looked bigger in the photo". Auction is NOT a retail sale with a cooling off period. Do not assume you can withdraw a bid. Check the platform’s bid-change and cancellation rules before participating.
Once a binding bid is placed, it cannot be reduced as an online shopping cart can be edited. Otherwise new bidders find out when they receive the invoice. If you ever mis-type a bid, be sure to notify the auction house in writing as soon as possible, as the opportunity to correct the bid is usually lost once the lot enters closing.
Shill Bidding and Fair Play in Canadian Online Auctions
All reputable Canadian auction houses have terms against shill bidding. May be considered deceptive practice under federal and provincial law, therefore if a seller desires a minimum price, a reserve, and not a second account, should be used. Shill Bidding is a practice of bidding (either directly or through another account) to boost the price without the intent of purchasing.
It may be subject to laws in Canada against false or misleading representations, such as the Competition Act. Report suspected manipulation to the auction house, which can investigate under its platform rules. If you are in a particular circumstance, get legal advice, don't just use a general rule.
Published bid increments and a clear bid history help bidders understand the sequence of bids and changes in the displayed price. Sellers have a valid way of self protecting – a disclosed reserve – not bids.
An automatic counterbid can be normal proxy bidding. If you have a specific concern, contact the auction house with the lot number and relevant screenshots.
Buyer's Premium, HST and Other Fees on a Hamilton Invoice
A winning bid of $100 at an online auction in Hamilton with a 16% buyer's premium and 13% HST results in an invoice price of $131.08. The premium is subject to tax. This one thing is what the new bidders don't factor in when they make their auction fee estimates.
When calculating 13% only on the hammer price, it under-estimates the bill since HST applies to the buyer's premium as well. The terms of sale page will specify the premium for each sale and may vary from one sale to another in the same house. Read it prior to each sale-not just the first.
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Buyer’s premiums vary by auction. Use the percentage stated in the terms for the sale you plan to enter. The HST on auctions is charged on the premium as well as the hammer price, the buyer's premium is a taxable amount. The $200 hammer price is $232 before taxes and the premium on a $500 lot is $80.
The same structure is used by a second online auction house in Ontario. The terms are Rosehill Online's apply 16% buyer's premium and 13% HST on items, and state that the premium is taxable. Fee structures differ between auctioneers, so compare the terms of the actual sales you are considering.
Fees at Equipment Auctions
Equipment auctions may add transaction, documentation and removal charges. Review the auctioneer’s current fee schedule before calculating your maximum bid.
Now a contractor looking at a skid steer at an equipment auction when he sees a used skid steer for sale from a dealer can see the whole cost. A $28,000 winning bid plus a $2,800 transaction fee totals $30,800 before taxes and any applicable documentation charges. This dealer's price should be placed next to the total, not the hammer price.
A Worked Example in CAD
Hammer price to start at $100. A 16% buyer's premium adds $16, which makes $116. HST of 13% on that whole amount adds $15.08, and the invoice is $131.08.
Before you place your max, do the same arithmetic on your max. The $500 limit plus the premium is $580, plus HST is $655.40, that's your true limit. For this example, multiply the winning bid by 1.16, then by 1.13. Use the actual premium and applicable tax treatment for your sale.
Payment Deadlines and Missed Payments
The card that you registered is charged the day after the auction closes on Rapid-Sell. Rapid-Sell processes credit-card purchases on the morning after an auction closes. Check the sale terms for any alternative payment instructions. How long after winning a bid you have to pay is in practice measured in hours, not days.
Card must have enough space for entire invoice the following morning after close or charge is rejected. If you win multiple lots in one night, the amount that needs to clear is increased. The starting place of payment trouble is a declined credit card charge.
When the Charge Goes Through
Credit card purchases are made the day following the close of an auction. The invoice is received by e-mail, and then the bill is charged. You will not have to pay for any auction separately.
If you win an item, Rosehill Online will automatically charge the winning bid to the credit card that you registered with. If unable to pay there, the buyer is given a seven day period to pay before the account can be closed. Access to future participation may be limited thereafter.
Consequences of a Missed Payment
If you win a bid but don't pay, your account may be closed and future bidding blocked. An unpaid invoice may lead to account restrictions under that platform’s non-payment policy. Some auctioneers charge interest on overdue balances. Check the payment terms and effective dates for the sale you are entering.
Unpaid invoice does not mean lot goes away. Unpaid lots may be resold and the auction house terms may make the defaulting bidder liable for any deficiency in the original hammer price. Closed account is the lesser consequence.
Playing close to your card limit the night you might win a few lots is a mistake that doesn't seem so bad until the next day. One "declined charge" can set the default clock running. Check the available limit for your card prior to the closing night and if a charge does not go through, please call the auction house on the day of the charge, not after a reminder.
Pickup Windows, Storage Fees and Shipping From Hamilton Sales
Winning a lot also creates payment and collection obligations under the sale terms. Arrange suitable transport before bidding. Pickup schedules and storage policies vary by sale. Confirm the exact collection date, time and location before bidding. Pickup plan should be included in your decision to bid.
On Rapid-Sell we expect the successful bidder to pick up the items within the time allocated for pickup and if they are not picked up they are considered abandoned. Items not collected will be charged for storage. Pickup schedules and storage policies vary by sale. Confirm the exact collection date, time and location before bidding.
Video: Rapid-Sell Pickup Day and scheduled collection. Watch on YouTube
Pickup Windows and Abandoned Items
Items not collected by the stated deadline may be treated as abandoned under the sale terms. Confirm any alternative arrangement in advance.
Imagine that on Thursday night, a buyer wins a workbench. She will have to be at an address in Hamilton on Saturday between the posted times with her invoice as well as a vehicle big enough for the lot. Many sales are going to involve bringing your own labour, and even before you bid on a sofa or a workbench, make sure there is labour help.
Storage Fees and Alternative Pickup Arrangements
Alternative pickup arrangements may require approval and additional fees. Ask before bidding and keep any written confirmation.
Equipment auctions are charged by the day, instead. After the removal date, the storage fee for Ritchie Bros. Canadian lots is CAD $25 a day plus taxes. At $25 per day, three weeks of storage would add $525 before tax.
Shipping and Pickup Options
There's some auction shipping at some Hamilton sales and there's limits. Shipping availability varies by auctioneer. Rapid-Sell does not provide shipping, so review the pickup requirements and arrange transport before bidding. Only some sales are indicated on Hamilton-area estate and downsizing listings as being available for shipping, and the majority are pickup only.
If shipping is available, the shipping cost, packing and insurance are at your own expense. When packing and shipping a fragile lamp, it can exceed the hammer price. Don't wait to ask for a shipping quote!
Prior to first bid, add the pickup date to your calendar and make sure you know who will be transporting the item. Ask about alternative pickup arrangements before placing a bid.
Auction Risks and How to Manage Them
The drawbacks of online auctions are that many auction purchases have restricted return options, there are fees that are tacked onto the price of the item that you bid on and the day to pick up the item is set. Read the sale’s policy before bidding. Also, if the person is a private party then there is limited legal recourse.
Online auctions have their drawbacks, and it is on the buyer's end that they take the brunt of the impact if they fail to read the terms page. The total cost of a lot is referred to as the hammer price and your premium, HST and any transport fees and your time at pickup. However, a named contact person, a transparent auction house, a clear terms and conditions and a bid history help minimize some of these risks, but not the as-is nature of the sale.
Consider these five risks before bidding: limited returns, added fees, fixed pickup times, potential disputes and the temptation to exceed your budget.
- No returns: Your protection is the description, your questions and your saved listing.
- Added costs: Hammer price plus Premium, Tax & Transport = your real price.
- Fixed pickup windows: confirm that you have suitable transport and can attend during the stated hours.
- Limited legal options in seller managed or private sales: consumer laws might not apply, and you can either seek recourse from the seller or small claims court.
- The emotional draw of a closing lot: a written maximum that you set in advance is your discipline.
The vast majority of consumer laws are not applicable to private transactions between consumers. The solution to a problem might be to deal directly with the seller or to sue. All dispute resolution begins with a written communication to the auction house and if the dispute is truly significant, legal counsel should be sought.
When a reseller sells a lot that is "untested" it could be parts only even if the lot is "new. An ‘untested’ listing leaves the operating condition uncertain. If the item differs materially from its description, document the discrepancy and contact the auction house promptly. Review the sale’s return and warranty terms before bidding, particularly for items described as untested or for parts.
Please bid on each lot as it is being offered "as-is" and is final. Reduce avoidable risks by reviewing the listing, calculating your full cost and planning collection before bidding.
Conclusion
There are two habits to bidding at Hamilton online auctions: read the terms before the lots and know your full price before going in with a max. Do make both a rule for all sales, not just the first. The terms determine the cost of a win and your maximum determines whether you can afford it.
Rapid-Sell is one transparent option for an Ontario online auction platform. Since 1984, David Moore & Associates has been providing appraisal and auction services in Ontario, and introduced Rapid-Sell in 2012 from Guelph. The soft close, scheduled pickup and payment rules are clearly explained on our Buyers Info page.
First read our Buyers Info page and check out the auctions currently on the Rapid-Sell. After that, sign up and see one sale go through before you make your first bid.
