In the words of Homer Simpson, “Everyone makes mistakes. Yours is just public and expensive.” Sometimes bidders at an auto auction make the mistake of bidding on a vehicle, which can be expensive.
Big Valley Auto Auction has been around since 2008 and we’ve had instances where bidders accidentally bid on a vehicle or bid on the wrong vehicle and didn’t know what to do next. It’s not a fun position to find yourself in.
If you’re afraid of accidentally bidding, fear not! We’ll explain how you can avoid this situation and, if you do end up in this situation, how to get yourself out of it.
What Should I Do if I Accidentally Bid on a Vehicle?
Whether you’re bidding online or in-lane, accidental bids can happen in any situation.
If you're bidding online and accidentally hit the button to bid, you should stop what you’re doing immediately and notify the auction by messaging the block clerk, or call the auction or your sales representative. If possible, you should make a trip to the auto auction house to clear things up in person.
If you’re going to bid online, it’s best to go to a designated working area where you can focus. Make sure other people who may bid for you won’t be around. We’ve had people claim that the cleaning lady was cleaning and accidentally clicked on the computer mouse, so separate yourself from anybody who may get a hold of your device.
It’s also best to log in to the auction website before the sale begins, to avoid logging in and accidentally clicking on the “bid” option.
Below is a photo of Big Valley’s online auction screen, which highlights the 4 lanes vehicles run under, the chat box where you can message the block clerk, the area where you can place your bid, and the vehicle’s condition report.
If you accidentally bid in-lane and the auctioneer acknowledges it as a bid, you need to approach the block and speak to the block clerk or auctioneer. You’ll know you bid if the auctioneer points at you, and if you win, they will ask for your bidder number. Another option to clear up the situation is to go to the front counter and explain your situation.
If you're attending an auction in person and aren’t bidding on the vehicle that’s running, remove yourself from the bidders' area without making any hand gestures or eye contact with the auctioneer. We can’t speak for other auto auctions, but here at Big Valley Auto Auction we have an outdoor seating area, away from the auctioneers, where you can sit, eat, and watch until it’s your turn to bid.
How Do I Report an Accidental Bid at an Auto Auction?
The best way to communicate your accidental bid is to let the block clerk, auctioneer, or front counter know right away. Waiting for the sale to end just postpones fixing the problem.
The auctioneers and block clerks can be found on the platform next to the wall, below the screens.
Are There Any Consequences for Accidentally Bidding at an Auto Auction?
Any consequences or penalties are at the auto auction’s discretion. It all depends on an auction’s rules or guidelines. While we can’t speak for all auto auctions, there are 3 main consequences that come with accidentally bidding at Big Valley Auto Auction.
Consequence 1: You Cannot Retract Your Bid
Whether you’re bidding online or in-lane, buyers can not retract their bid. Every bid is official unless the buyer gets outbid or if the buyer clears up the situation with the block clerk or auctioneer.
Consequence 2: You Cannot “Prove” Your Bid Was Accidental
There is no tangible proof buyers can present to confirm that the bid was accidental. All the auction can do is take the buyer’s word for it. However, if the auction sees that someone has bid multiple times on a vehicle and they try to claim it was accidental after the fact, the auction can review their video and make a decision based on what they see. It will be viewed as someone who was trying to win, kept getting outbid, and is now trying to back out of paying the amount.
Consequence 3: Bid Movements Are Final
If you are attending an auction for the first time, or if you’re just there to browse, you should be aware that common physical movements will be considered as placing a bid.
In the heat of the moment, auctioneers are looking for a bid, and if they see someone making movements such as hand gestures, winking your eye, flashing your bidders badge, or even making eye contact, could be mistaken for a bid. If you make any of these movements and get called out for a bid, immediately approach the block.
Am I Ready to Bid at an Auto Auction?
Everybody makes mistakes. That’s why pencils have erasers. However, the result of accidentally bidding on a vehicle could be worse than just a simple mark. It could potentially cost you a lot of money you didn’t plan on spending.
Whether you're preparing to bid at your first auto auction or you recently bid on the wrong vehicle at your previous auction, you can use this article as a guide to help you navigate through this situation.
Now that you know what situation to avoid when bidding, learn the 10 tips that can lead to a positive auto auction experience.
