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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Reserve??

The Reserve is the lowest price an lot can be sold for. This amount is usually higher than the allowable starting bid and is determined before a lot is put up for auction. This reserve amount is kept private by the seller. To become a successful bidder at an auction with a reserve, your bid must be greater than or equal to the reserve.


How do I find out what the reserve is on an item?

By placing bids until the reserve is met. If you are the highest bidder and your bid meets or exceeds the reserve amount when the sale closes, you are the contracted buyer.


How will I know if an auction has a reserve?

Every lot available for online bidding has a "Bid Status" field.

If there isn't a reserve on a particular lot, the text "No Reserve" will appear. Please remember, even though there isn't a reserve placed by the seller, you will still only be able to bid the increments displayed (or higher). If there is no reserve, the lot will be sold for the first "Allowable Starting Bid", unless it is exceeded by other bids.

If the seller has placed a reserve, the "Bid Status" field will display "Reserve Met" or "Reserve Not Yet Met".


How does the "Maximum Bid " feature work with reserve auctions?

If the reserve has been met, the Maximum Bid feature will bid incrementally on your behalf, so that your bid will remain one increment above any other bid, up to your maximum bid.

Example: You are the successful current high bidder at $800 (with your maximum bid of $1500). Another bidder places a bid at $850, the system will place your bid at the next allowable bid of $900. This system will continue to bid incrementally on your behalf if there are any other bidders.


Why don't you list the sale item with it's minimum selling price?

Then it wouldn't be an auction.


What time is the auction clock set to?

The auction closing time is (East Standard Time, EST)


Why does the auction clock change near the end of the auction?

As a courtesy to all bidders, the closing time will increase by five minutes if any bidder places a bid within five minutes prior to the closing time. This five minute extension will continue until all bidding activity has stopped. At its sole discretion, Industrial Recovery Services Inc. may close any auction, at any time without warning.


Why can't I bid lower than the displayed increment?

The bidding increments are designed to best simulate a live auction. Without these mandatory increments the auction may never end.


Why are the increments so far apart?

Increments are determined by our bidding software to best simulate a live onsite auction. Increments will start farther apart early in an auction and then move closer together as the auction progresses.


How do I cancel my bid?

Once your bid is submitted, it is not retractable. Your bid is a contract: Place a bid only if you're serious about buying the item. If you are the high bidder, you will enter into a legally binding contract with Industrial Recovery Services.

Fraudulent bidders / Unpaid invoices: Industrial Recovery Services reserves the right, and you acknowledge and agree to its exercise of this right, to notify third parties, including law enforcement authorities, credit bureaus, other auction companies and industry regulators and authorities, about bidder's involved with or connected to fraudulent bidding or the failure to fully pay invoices in accordance with our terms and conditions.


Why can't I lower my bid?

This is a real auction. It is not possible to lower your bid. If you are not serious about buying, don't bid.


How do I pay?

All successful On-Line Bidders agree to make full payment to Industrial Recovery Services within 48 hours of the Online Closing Date. Only Bank Wire Transfer,  Bank Check or Cashier’s Check payable to Industrial Recovery Services Inc. will be accepted.


What is the Bid Status?

The purpose of this field, is to keep you advised regarding a reserve placed by the seller, if any. See the below definitions:


"Reserve Not Yet Met" When this is displayed, the current high bid has not met the seller's minimum selling price.

"Reserve Met" When this is displayed, the current high bid meets or exceeds the seller's minimum selling price and will be sold to the highest bidder in accordance with our terms and conditions.

"No Reserve" When this is displayed, the lot will be sold for the first  "Allowable Starting Bid", unless it is exceeded by other bids. Please remember, even though there isn't a reserve placed by the seller, you will still only be able to bid the increments displayed.


What is the "Closing Time"?

The auction Closing Time is the time set by the seller for the auction to end. As a courtesy to all bidders, the closing time will increase by five minutes if any bidder places a bid within five minutes of the closing time. This five minute extension will continue until all bidding activity has stopped.

At its sole discretion, Industrial Recovery Services, Inc. may close any auction, at any time without warning or without reason.

The auction closing time is always synchronized with (East Standard Time, EST)


What is the "Current High Bid"?

The current high bid is always the amount of the leading bidder. If you are the current high bidder at the close of the auction, and a reserve is met, if any, you will have the winning bid.


What is the "Allowable Starting Bid"?

This is the amount of the first bid required to start the bidding. It is not possible to bid less than the displayed increment.

Why can't I bid lower than the displayed increment?

See the explanation above about bid increments.


What is the "Next Allowable Bid"?

This is the amount of the next bid required to be the leading bidder.


What is the "Place Your Bid Here" field?

You may use this field to bid the next allowable bid displayed (which is already inserted for you).

You may also use this same field to bid higher than the next allowable bid by typing in your higher bid.

i.e. Let's say the next allowable bid is $225. but you would like to bid $600. to psych out other bidders; by placing $600. in this same "Place Your Bid" field and clicking the bid button, your bid will be automatically advanced to $600, instead of the $225.

* This field is not for placing maximum or proxy bids.


What is the "Place Your Maximum Bid Here" field?

You may use this field to place your maximum bid and have our system bid incrementally against other bidders (if any) up to your maximum bid.


Why is my bid exceeded immediately?

The current high bidder has placed a maximum bid that exceeded your incremental and/or maximum bid.


Why does the current high bid jump increments immediately after I place my maximum bid?

The previous high bidder also had a maximum bid. The Maximum Bid feature always bids incrementally on your behalf against other bidders immediately. This instantaneous functionality makes it possible to always bid for you incrementally without having to worry about the time clock running out.


How soon may I pick up my machine? When must a machine be removed?

In most cases two - five business days, but be sure to check the Details page for each auction.


How do I participate without internet access?

Please contact our auction office at 717-854-0316 to speak to one of our online auction representatives.


How do I sell my equipment by Online Auction?

Please contact our auction office at 717-854-0316 to speak to one of our online auction representatives, or complete this form with a detailed description of the machine(s). We will contact you the next business day.


Will Industrial Recovery Services divulge my private information including email address to anyone?

No. Your email addresses as well as other personal information are kept private. Please see our privacy statement on the home page for details.


Web browsers should I use to navigate and operate your website?

The following browsers have been found to be compatible with our site (new versions are typically tested within several weeks of their release):

  • Internet Explorer 11.x
  • Microsoft Edge Version 100.x+
  • Mozilla Firefox 99.x+
  • Apple Safari 15.x (MacOS)
  • Google Chrome 99.x+

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  • Our site has been validated and is secure for online transactions



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