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New here? Sign up and get 15% discount!
New here? Sign up and get 15% discount!
New here? Sign up and get 15% discount!
New here? Sign up and get 15% discount!

Placing you bid

1- Bidding basics

I would like to make an offer, but the shipping costs seem too high.

Sellers determine the shipping costs for their items. These charges often reflect the charges listed on the websites of the major shipping companies. Differences in shipping costs may also result from the different shipping methods available (registered, insured, parcel post, etc.). The seller may add a surcharge to these fees to cover packaging costs.

Why is the auction time for some items extended at times?

We want to make sure that every bidder has a chance to make that special item theirs, so we have set up a system for last minute bids.
If a bid is placed in the last 60 seconds of an auction, an additional 90 seconds will be added to the end time of that auction. This creates a "buffer" to prevent multiple bids from being placed in the last few seconds of an auction.

For example: if a bid is placed within 37 seconds before the end time of the auction, the deadline is extended by 90 seconds. In this case, the auction ends in 2 minutes and 7 seconds.

How is the next minimum bid calculated?

Our system calculates the next minimum bid based on the current highest bid. This table gives the exact figures:

Current bid Next minimum bid
$1-$10 +$2
$11-$100 +$5
$101-$200 +$10
$201-$500 +$20
$501-$1,000 +$50
$1,001-$2,000 +$100
$2,001-$5,000 +$200
$5,001-$10,000 +$500
$10,001-$20,000 +$1,000
$20,001-$50,000 +$2,000
$50,001-$100,000 +$5,000
$100,001-$200,000 +$10,000
$200,001-$500,000 +$20,000
> $500,000 +$50,000

The reason we do this is to make sure that only bidders who are serious about taking the item home will bid. This prevents people from driving up the price by placing numerous small bids in the later stages of the auction.

2- Reserve Price

I'd like to place a bid on an item with a reserve price (RP) and would like to know what the minimum is.

Because the reserve price (RP) is a hidden minimum, we are not able to communicate the RP until after the auction. If you place a bid on an item with a RP and your bid is lower than the RP, you will be notified immediately. Your bid will be displayed in the auction history.

Why do some items start bidding from an amount higher than $1?

For items that have an estimated value of $200 or more, sellers can choose for the bidding to start from the reserve price instead of $1. This reserve price is set in consultation with an expert before the item is approved for auction. We support both options as some sellers prefer not to reveal the reserve price to bidders.

I would like to bid on an item with a reserve price. What does this mean?

Some items have been set with a reserve price. This is a hidden minimum price at which the seller is willing to sell the item, set in consultation with the appraiser. Reserve prices can only be set for items with an expected income of at least $200. If a reserve price has not been reached by the end of the auction, the item in question will not be sold at auction.

3- Bidding issues

Why has my account been blocked for bidding?

If your account has been blocked from bidding, it is possible that you have outstanding payments.

This can happen if you've not paid for an item you've won within the designated timeframe. As all bids are binding on Windup Closet, you are required to purchase any item you win. When you win an item, we will send you multiple payment reminders and if you do not submit your payment in time, your account will be blocked from bidding and buying.

Please have a look on your ‘My won items’ page under the ‘Unpaid’ tab. Here you will be able to see any outstanding unpaid orders you have. In the instance that your order has been cancelled, you are still required to pay the auction fee (6% of the winning bid).

As soon as your payment for any outstanding invoices has been processed, you can bid in our auctions again. If you choose to pay by bank transfer, please be aware that it may take up to two working days to process your payment and restore your bidding rights. We therefore recommend using one of the direct payment options available on our online payment page.

If your account has been blocked and you would like more information, please contact us.

I wish to withdraw or cancel an earlier bid

It is not possible to cancel or withdraw your bid. Every bid placed on Windup Closet is binding and will remain so unless it is outbid. If the item in question has been set with a reserve price, that lot will not be auctioned until the reserve price has been reached.

If you are the highest bidder and win the item, you are required to pay for it. You can make this payment on your "My Won Items" page, under the "Unpaid" tab. If you do not make this payment, you will not be able to bid on Windup Closet.

Why can't I place a bid?

First, it is important to ensure that your account has been activated. Please verify that you have confirmed your registration using the link in the confirmation email.

In addition, your account must have been authorized to bid. Make sure you have entered the verification code that was sent to you by phone or text message. You must also be logged in to bid. You can check the top right corner of your screen to see if you are logged in; the page should display your username there.

Finally, your bid will not be accepted if it is not valid. Invalid Bid" messages may appear when the amount entered is not high enough, when the amount entered includes a symbol other than a number (such as a letter, comma or hyphen), or when the auction is already closed.