- Bid, Win, & Sell Confidently®
- 5823 Ward Court, Virginia Beach, VA
Below, you’ll find answers to some of the most common questions we receive from our customers. If you can’t find the information you’re looking for, feel free to contact us. We want well informed buyers & sellers.
To participate in an auction, you must first register on our bidding platform. Visit Bid.BlueBoxAuction.com and click on the ‘Register to Bid’ link. Fill out the required information, and you’ll receive a confirmation email once your registration is complete.
We offer a variety of auctions, including estate auctions, jewelry auctions, fine art auctions, real estate, collectibles, and more. Each auction is unique, featuring different categories of items.
Yes, we offer and encourage preview of any auction items. Preview days where you can inspect the items in person. The dates and times for previews are listed on the auction details page. In person previews are the best way to learn about an item. If you’re out of town, and require more information, you may request a condition report from out staff.
Depending on the auction, bidding can be done online, in-person, or via absentee bidding. For online bidding, log into your account, find the auction you’re interested in, and place your bid on the desired item. For in-person and absentee bidding, please contact our office for more details.
Yes, each item has a starting bid or minimum bid amount. This information is displayed next to the item description in the auction catalog.
A buyer’s premium is an additional fee added to the final bid price of an item. Using the Blue Box Auction Gallery App or website typically carries a buyer’s premium is 20%. This fee helps cover the costs of conducting the auction. Occasionally, these fees may adjust up or down.
After the auction ends, you will receive an email notification and invoice if you have won an item. The email will include instructions on payment and item pickup or shipping. When using the Blue Box Auction App for iOS or Android, if you click “My Items” the items you have won will appear in green.
We accept various payment methods, including credit cards, debit cards, bank transfers, and cash payments. Details will be provided in your winning bidder email. Terms and conditions may vary auction to auction, so be sure to read them carefully.
Local pickups are available on specified dates following the auction. Please refer to the auction details page or your winning bidder email for pickup dates and times. In-house shipping is also available; shipping costs will be invoiced separately. We ship any item, anywhere in the world.
As is common in the auction industry, all sales are final. We make every effort to represent items accurately in the listings. We strongly encourage all bidders to thoroughly inspect items during the preview period and read the item descriptions carefully. If you have any questions or need additional information about an item, please contact us before placing your bid.
Although rare, if you experience any technical difficulties while bidding online, please contact our support team immediately and call our office for assistance. We are here to help.
You can reach our customer support team using the contact us page or by calling our office at (757) 550-0285. Our team is available to assist you with any questions or concerns you may have.
We recommend you bring a second person with you to remove your property if you need assistance loading your items. Fees may be incurred if our team is utilized.
Items that don’t sell are returned to the original owner or disposed of either through resale, donation, or recycling.
By placing your maximum bid, the system will automatically place bid increments for you in predetermined amounts (as explained in the auction terms). This will increase your bid if your original bid is topped by another bidder. The maximum bid feature speeds up the auction process and assists you with your bidding. If another bidder bids higher than your maximum bid, the system will stop increasing your bids and you will have to increase your maximum bid amount in order to continue bidding.
There are no fees for registering to bid in our auctions. However, please note the buyer’s premium and any applicable taxes or shipping fees that may apply to your purchases. In rare occasions, a fee may be assessed but will be clearly disclosed, in advance.
We offer competitive rates with our in-house, worldwide shipping for purchased items. Shipping costs will be calculated based on the item’s size, weight, service method and destination. You will receive a shipping quote after the auction ends, and items will be shipped once payment is confirmed.
In the event of a dispute regarding an item, please contact our customer support team immediately. We will review the situation and work with you to resolve the issue according to our auction policies, terms and conditions.
Yes, international bidders are welcome to participate in our auctions. Please ensure you are aware of any import/export restrictions or additional shipping costs that may apply to your country. We do ship any item, anywhere in the world.
To stay informed about upcoming auctions, sign up for our newsletter at the bottom of our website, follow us on social media, or regularly check our auction calendar online.
We use secure encryption and other security measures to protect your personal and financial information during online bidding. Always ensure you are on our official website and avoid sharing your login details with others.
Our auction items come from a variety of sources, including private collectors, estates, and consignors. If you’d like to sell all of part of your collection, use our website to submit your information. Our team will follow up promptly.
Yes, we accept consignments for our auctions. If you have items you wish to sell, please contact us for a consultation. Our team will guide you through the process of consigning your items for auction.
To consign items for auction, please start by using our Consignment Submission Form. After we have reviewed your form, we will reach out to you to schedule a consultation. During the consultation, we will evaluate your items and discuss the auction process.
We accept a wide range of items, including fine art, jewelry, coins, collectibles, furniture, real estate, and more. If you are unsure whether your items are suitable for auction, please contact us for an evaluation.
The consignment process involves an initial consultation, item evaluation, agreement on terms, and preparation of items for auction. We handle cataloging, photographing, and marketing your items to ensure they receive maximum exposure.
Consignment fees vary depending on the type and value of the items. These fees typically cover the costs of cataloging, marketing, and selling your items. Specific terms will be discussed during the consignment consultation.
Our team of experts evaluates each item based on its condition, market demand, and recent auction results for similar items. We provide a fair market estimate to help set realistic expectations for the auction. Keep in mind, regardless of any one opinion, your object is worth what someone is willing to pay for it. That may be higher or lower than what could be found online. The auction process discovers the true market value.
The timeline for auctioning your items depends on the auction schedule and the preparation required. Typically, items are auctioned within 4-8 weeks of consignment. We will provide a more precise timeline during the consignment process. It primarily depends on how to achieve the best results for you and your consignments.
If an item does not sell, it may be re-offered in a future auction or returned to you. We will discuss the best course of action based on the item’s performance and your preferences.
After the auction, you will receive a settlement statement detailing the final sale prices and any applicable fees. Payments are typically issued within 30 days of the auction closing.
Yes, you can set a reserve price on certain items. A reserve is the minimum amount you are willing to accept for an item. If the bidding does not reach the reserve price, the item will not be sold. Reserve prices must be agreed upon before the auction and may include a “no-sale” fee if the reserve is not met.
We use a multi-channel marketing approach to promote our auctions, including email newsletters, social media, online advertising, and print media. Additionally, our website and auction platforms reach a global audience of potential buyers.
As a seller, your responsibilities include providing accurate information about your items, agreeing to the consignment terms, and delivering the items to our gallery for preparation and auction. We handle the rest, including cataloging, marketing, and conducting the auction.
Yes, you are welcome to follow the auction online in real-time to see how your items are performing.
We take the security of your items very seriously. Our facility is equipped with advanced security systems, and items are stored securely until the auction. We are licensed, bonded, and insured.
Selling through an auction provides several advantages, including reaching a large and diverse global audience, competitive bidding that can drive up prices, and a transparent selling process. Auctions can also provide quick turnaround times compared to private sales.
Our team is here to help you through every step of the consignment and auction process. If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact using our online form or call our office at (757) 550-0285.
To bid on a property, you must first register on the auction listing page for either in-person or online bidding. Click on the button corresponding to your bidding preference and complete the registration form. You may also need to provide a refundable deposit to participate. Further details are clearly outlined in each auction listing. Please be sure to read them thoroughly and ask any questions.
Yes, we offer open house dates where you can inspect the property in person. The dates and times for these inspections will be listed on the property’s auction page. If you need a private showing, please contact our office, or your realtor, to arrange an appointment.
Bidding can be done online, in-person, or via phone. For online bidding, log into your account, navigate to the property’s auction page, and place your bid. For phone bidding, please contact our office for instructions.
The starting bid will be listed on the property’s auction page. The reserve price is the minimum amount the seller is willing to accept for the property and is not be shared to protect the owner’s interests.
A buyer’s premium is an additional fee added to the final bid price. This fee helps cover the costs of conducting the auction. The specific percentage will be listed on the auction page.
You will receive real-time updates during the auction if you are the highest bidder. After the auction, you will receive an email confirmation if you have won the property, and your earnest money deposit (EMD) will be signed over and placed into escrow to go towards closing.
The winning bidder is typically required to provide a non-refundable deposit immediately after the auction. The balance is due at closing, which usually occurs within 30-45 days.
Yes, you can finance your purchase and about 75% of our real estate auctions do so. However, you must arrange your financing in advance and be prepared to close within the specified timeframe. It is the bidders responsibility to know your budget and limitations.
If you cannot complete the purchase, you may forfeit your deposit, and the property may be offered to the next highest bidder or re-auctioned. Please review the terms and conditions for specific details.
In addition to the final bid price and buyer’s premium, you may be responsible for closing costs, property taxes, and any other fees associated with the transfer of ownership. These details will be outlined in the auction terms and conditions.
To sell your property through an auction, contact us to schedule a consultation. We will evaluate your property and discuss the auction process. To learn more about selling your property by auction, visit SellWithZero.com, reach us using the contact us form. You may also call our office at (757) 550-0285.
We auction various types of properties, including residential, commercial, land, and investment properties. Contact us to discuss if your property is suitable for auction.
Auctioning your property can result in confidence in the sale date, competitive bidding on your property, and a transparent process you can trust. Auctions attract serious buyers and can often achieve market value or higher due to the competitive nature and be completed on your terms. Benefits of real estate program, SellWithZero, includes zero seller commission, zero repairs necessary, and zero contingencies. Visit SellWithZero.com to learn more.
The starting bid or reserve price is determined based on the property’s market value, condition, and seller’s preferences. We will work with you to set a competitive and realistic starting bid or reserve price. This is part of our strategy. Remember, it’s less important where the bidding starts, and more important where it finishes.
We use a multi-channel marketing approach, including online listings, email campaigns, social media, print advertising, and listing to the MLS. Our goal is to reach a wide audience of potential buyers to generate interest and competitive bidding. We frequently get bids out of the immediate market area and one of the reasons why our online auctions are so successful.
If your property does not sell, we will discuss alternative options, such as re-auctioning the property or exploring private sale opportunities. We will work with you to find the best solution. Our auction house is a fiduciary to our clients. We will help achieve your goals as we are mutually aligned and work diligently to do within your desired time frame, for the true market value.
The real estate closing or settlement process is much the same as a traditional listing. After the auction, the winning bidder will provide a non-refundable deposit. The balance is paid at closing, which usually occurs within 30-45 days. You will receive the proceeds from the sale, minus any fees, after the closing is complete.
Shipping costs vary based on the size, weight, shipping method and destination of your item. You can contact us for a detailed estimate for oversized or international orders.
Yes, we ship both domestically and internationally. Shipping times and costs may vary depending on your location. Please note that international orders may be subject to customs duties and taxes which is the buyers expense. We ship any item anywhere worldwide.
We partner with reliable common carriers such as FedEx, UPS, and USPS, to ensure your items are handled with care. The choice of carrier depends on the size, cost of shipping, and destination of your order. Additionally, we offer white glove service for a personalized experience and unusual size items.
Yes, we can remove the frame before shipping upon request. Please note that removing the frame may affect the structural integrity of the artwork, and re-framing services will be needed at the destination.
Shipping times depend on the destination and shipping method chosen. Transit time for domestic orders typically take 1-7 business days, while international orders can take 10-14 business days. Custom crating or “White Glove” shipping may require additional time. Please allow up to 14 days for processing, dependent on shipping queue, before your item is shipped, according to the position in the queue.
If your item is lost or arrives damaged, please contact us immediately. We will work with the carrier to resolve the issue and ensure a repair or refund is arranged, depending on the situation.
Yes, we handle packing and shipping in-house for many of our items to ensure they are prepared and secured properly. For larger or more delicate pieces, we may partner with experienced shipping specialists.
Shipping is arranged automatically for bidders outside the state of Virginia. If you need specialized shipping or have specific requests, please reach out to our customer service team.
Shipping costs are invoiced separately from your auction winnings. Keep an eye out for an email or text message with you shipping invoice which can be paid online.
Yes, once your item has shipped, you will receive a tracking number via email and/or text message. You can use this to monitor the progress of your shipment and estimated delivery date.
“White Glove” shipping is a premium service for fragile, oversize, or high-value items. It includes specialized packing, careful handling, and home delivery. This service is ideal for large or delicate pieces that require extra care.
Jim Weigl
- President & Auctioneer