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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: I am new to Duke University Auctions. How do I start?
A: You may search or browse through our online auctions. If you find an item you would like to bid on you must register for a free online account. Upon registering you will be asked to supply basic demographic information, as well as a valid credit card to secure your bid. Back To Top
Q: What is your Privacy Policy?
A: SIDEARM Sports has more than 700 collegiate athletic websites, including Duke University. You can view our most recent privacy policy here -- Privacy Policy Back To Top
Q: Why do I need a credit card to bid?
A: In fairness to all users, you are asked to enter a credit card before placing a bid. This helps reduce fraudulent bids. Your credit card will only be charged if you are the winning bidder on an auction and the final price exceeds a certain dollar determined by the seller By providing your valid credit card information, you authorize Duke University Auctions to authorize your credit card account, to verify that the credit card information you provide is valid. Note, your card will not be charged any amount, it is just an authorization to confirm that your credit card is valid. You can update your credit card information at any time after logging into the auction site. Back To Top
Q: Can I update my personal information?
A: All users are required to keep their information updated and accurate. This ensures we can notify you during the auction process, and/or successfully ship you any items you may win. You can update your contact information at any time after logging into the auction site. Back To Top
Q: How do I bid on an item I am interested in?
A: When you have located an item you are interested in, click on the item to see the full listing. On each item listing page you will see the current bid as well as a field for you to enter a bid of your choice. You must login in order to place a bid.

When bidding you should enter the maximum bid you feel comfortable paying. The auction will only display the next possible bid increment. For example if a current bid is at $100 and the bid increment is $20, and you enter $200 as your bid, the current bid will then go to $120. The exception to this is if the previous high bidder had already entered a higher maximum bid, in which case the auction system will automatically increase the current bid up to the previous users maximum bid, or your next possible incremental bid (whichever is lower).

An example of this is if an auction is placed with a starting bid of $20 and an incremental bid of $10. User A enters a bid of $160. The current bid will then show $20 (from User A). User B enters a bid of $200. The auction will then increase to $170 and User B will be the current high bidder. If two users entered the same maximum bid, the first one entered (User A) will be awarded as the highest bidder. You will be notified by e-mail if another bidder has surpassed your maximum bid.

When reviewing an item's Bid History after having placed a bid, you should reload, or refresh, your browser so that it displays the most current bid status information. This is especially important during the final minutes of an auction when you should refresh your browser frequently (every 3 - 5 secs). Note, within the last 3 minutes of an auction, the bids are refreshed automatically every 15 seconds. Back To Top
Q: What is an Open Auction?
A: In an Open Auction, buyers bid until the auction ends. The item is then sold to the highest bidder at the end of the auction period. Bidding can start as low as the starting price (determined by the seller). Back To Top
Q: What is a Reserve Price Auction?
A: A Reserve Price auction occurs when seller sets a minimum price for a particular auction. Any bids which occur below the reserve price will not count as winning bids. If the seller has set a Reserve Price you will see either a "Reserve Price has not been met" or "Reserve Price has been met" message on the listing page depending on whether the current bid is below, or at or above, the reserve price. If the highest bid at auction close does not meet the Reserve Price, Duke University Auctions is not required to sell the item. In this case, Duke University Auctions may choose to contact the highest bidder whose offer was below the reserve price to offer the auction at the final bid price. Bidders who are contacted under these circumstances, however, are under no obligation to purchase the item. Back To Top
Q: What is a Buy It Now Auction?
A: In a Buy It Now Auction, buyers will have the option to skip the bidding process and buy the product for a price set by the seller. If all inventory for that product is sold before the listing’s closing date, the auction will end. If there is still inventory left at the end of the auction, the highest bidder will receive that item, assuming it is higher than the reserve price (if set). Back To Top
Q: What is a Fixed Price Auction?
A: Fixed Price listings have a fixed price set by the seller and buyers can choose to buy the item at that price. Fixed Price items will remain active until either all items have been sold, the listing duration has expired, or the seller removes the listing. The available quantity will be updated on the listing page each time an additional item is sold. Back To Top
Q: Can I increase my maximum bid after I've placed a bid?
A: Yes. You can increase your maximum bid at anytime, regardless of whether or not your maximum bid amount has been outbid. To increase your current bid amount, simply return to the listing and enter and submit a new, higher maximum bid amount. Back To Top
Q: Can I manage the notifications I receive?
A: Yes. In your account settings, you can choose which email notifications you'd like to receive. However, there are some notifications you cannot opt-out of. For example, you will always receive a notification when you've won an auction. Back To Top
Q: Every time I bid on an item, it says I have been outbid. Why?
A: When this happens, it means that an earlier bidder has placed a maximum bid amount which is greater than or equal to the amount of your maximum bid. Back To Top
Q: What do I do if I win an auction?
A: If you are the winning bidder when the auction closes, you will automatically be notified via e-mail that you have won that auction item. Duke University Auctions will attempt to charge your credit card at that time if the final amount is greater than or equal to the price set by Duke University. If successful, your account will have a charge from "SIDEARM Sports". If the ending price is not higher than the auto charge threshold price, the item will be added to your shopping cart for you to check out. If there are problems charging your credit card, Customer Service will contact you directly to attempt to rectify the problem or to acquire new credit card information from you. If your credit card charge goes through, you will be contacted by Duke University Auctions regarding fulfillment of your auction. If we are unable to contact you, we reserve the right to contact other bidders to offer them the auction item, or to re-list the item all together. Back To Top
Q: When will I get my auction item if I win?
A: You will receive an email immediately following the end of the auction if you are the winning bidder. The seller will then ship the item to you when possible. Back To Top