MEARS Auction Rules and Policies
Registration
Anybody planning on placing bids with MEARS Auctions must be a registered bidder. You may register for the auction up until its close at 9 p.m. CST, simply by clicking on the “register” link at MEARSOnlineAuctions.com. At that time, a credit number will be used to authorize the potential auction participant. For those who would like to register over the phone, please call 414 828 9990.
In the event that you forget your password, please email info@mearsonlineauctions.com or call 414 828 9990.
Buyer’s Premium
A buyer’s premium of 15 percent will be added to the final bid of each item. For example, if you win a lot at $1000 dollars, the total invoice will be $1150, plus shipping (includes labor, materials, insurance etc.) and tax (if applicable). Wisconsin sales tax will be charged to any order collected, delivered in or shipped to the state unless the purchaser has provided MEARS Auctions with a proper sales tax exemption certificate issued by the State of Wisconsin.
Bidding
Bidding can be executed at MEARSOnlineAuctions.com. All bids are raised in increments of at least 10 percent.
Bids can not be retracted. Once a bid is placed, the customer is legally obligated to purchase the item if their bid, is indeed the successful high amount.
“Max Bids” (“Ceiling bids”)
Bidders may place a “max bid” on any item, meaning the designated item will be bid on that person’s behalf, automatically raising it to the next increment when needed.
15-Minute Rule
The auctions close date and time is announced on MEARSOnlineAuctions.com's home page. The 15-minute rule will be utilized in all MEARS Auctions sales, which means the auction will continue after the designated close time of 9:00 CST until there is a 15-minute period of time when no bidding on any particular lot occurs. When 15-minutes of bidding on any particular lot ceased, it will be announced on MEARSOnlineAuctions.com that the auction is closed.
Payment
An invoice email will automatically be emailed to all winning bidders to their email address on file. In the event the winning bidder does not receive the email invoice, you may log in and then go to "my account" to view your own invoice. Payments are due within 14 days of invoice notification and can be made by personal check, money order/cashier’s check, credit card (Master Card / Visa) or cash/wire transfer. After 14 days, MEARS Auctions may automatically bill your credit card on file for total amount due.
Non-Payment
In the event that a buyer’s purchase is not paid in full by 30 days from the invoice date, MEARS Auctions reserves the right sell any/all of the items privately or resold via MEARS Auctions, at a future sale. The original buyer is responsible for any difference between the price when the item was resold versus the original invoice price. In the instance that MEARS Auctions is forced to consult a collections agency, the buyer will be responsible for all MEARS Auctions legal fees that may be a result in MEARS Auctions’ collections attempt. Non-Payment will also result in the suspension of the account for a period of no less than 24 months.
Shipping of lots won
The timeframe for the shipment of items will be approximately 5-7 business days after payment is received (if paid by check, items will be shipped after check clears). Customers interested in picking up winning bids, please email info@mearsonlineauctions.com or call 414 828 9990 (if picking up, winning bidder will be responsible for paying Wisconsin sales tax). Some items in MEARSonlineauctions are framed. Although we do our best to protect framed items, MEARS is not responsible for the condition of the frame once shipped. Delivery confirmation: MEARSonlineauctions does not include delivery confirmation with your order. In the event delivery confirmation is requested, written consent and prior approval must be obtained. MEARSonlineauctions is not responsibile for items left unattended.
Preview
Items will be available for preview at the MEARS Research Center and Auction Showroom, which is located at 1234 Manitoba Ave., South Milwaukee, Wis., by appointment only. However, we will be more than happy to assist all potential bidders with questions via phone and also will provide additional requested scans, faxes and if needed, will send additional information via USPS mail (time permitting).
Errors
MEARS Auctions reserves the right to remove an item from our auction at any time. Any error in a MEARS Auctions listing or lot description, whether typographical, photographic or technical, will be dealt with at our discretion. Additionally, MEARS Auctions also reserves the right to amend lot descriptions. In the case of amendments being added to a lot or item description, those comments will appear in a separate font and color. In addition, bidders on the lot in question will be informed of the change and offered the opportunity to rescind those bids placed before the amendment.
Refunds
MEARS Auctions prides itself on accuracy in all lot descriptions with respect to authenticity and condition. The MEARS Buyer’s Protection Program will continue to apply to all game-used items evaluated by MEARS and offered through MEARS Auctions. For items outside of the category of equipment and game used memorabilia, no refunds will be made unless the item is shown to have been improperly described. As such, bidders are highly encouraged to ask questions about items and their lot descriptions before bidding. Disputes in this area will be adjudicated by the MEARS Policy Director.
Shill Bidding
Shill bidding is strictly prohibited. MEARS Auctions defines Shill Bidding as bids placed by a person such as the consigner in order to drive up the final price paid and realized. Although many employees at MEARS are also collectors, MEARS employees and their family members are prohibited from participating in MEARS Auctions as bidders.
Reserves
There are no hidden reserves on any item in a MEARS Auction. In the case where a reserve is sought, the following language will appear within the actual lot description: NOTE: There is a reserve on this lot. The estimate for this lot is between a listed price range. The reserve is below that estimate.
Disclosure
In the case of a lot being consigned either in part or in total by a MEARS employee, that relationship will be disclosed within the lot description.