FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
From the time you click the bid button to the time that your bid is received by the online auction administrator is less than one tenth of a second. However, human reaction time comes to play as the administrator relays the bid to the auctioneer much as a ring man at the actual auction does. Given this fact, once your bid is received, it still must be relayed to the auctioneer. The possibility exists that your bid may be missed or retracted if the auctioneer receives an on site bid at the same time as your bid comes in. If you are contemplating bidding on a particular item, let the auction administrator know by placing bids early on the item. Don't wait until the lot is almost closed to try and enter a bid. If the auctioneer sees no bidding activity on the Internet, they will not hesitate to sell the lot to the highest on site bidder.
Q – What is the minimum computer system I need to bid live online?
A – You need at least a Pentium II (200Mhz), 64Mb RAM, Sound card & speakers, Windows 98SE or newer (Macs not supported), 800x600 screen resolution, Internet Explorer 4.5 or Netscape 4.7 or newer. (Netscape 6, 7 and AOL are NOT supported) you also will need Java installed on your computer and enabled in your browser and download the LGB browser plugins and control kit .
Q - I am having trouble downloading the LGB Control Kit.
A. Most problems encountered when downloading the LGB control kit are caused by aftermarket Internet Security programs. You may have to disable your Spam and pop up blockers to allow the necessary downloads.
Q – Do I need to register for online bidding for each auction?
A – No, You only need to register once. Once you have your letter of reference sent to us and your bid# and password have been activated to bid it becomes permanent and can be used to login and bid at all future Steffes Auctioneers Online Auctions.
Q – I registered and received a bid number and password but it won't let me bid.
A – The bid number and password you receive is not activated until we receive a letter of reference from your bank or lender. There are no exceptions as we receive hundreds of registrations and these bank letters are used to verify that you did register online.
Q – I've attended your auctions before…why do I need a letter of reference?
A – We use the bank reference letters to verify online registrations. This protects you as well as us by preventing someone registering using your name or under a false name and registration by minors.
Q – My bank charges for a letter of credit…do I need one to register and bid online?
A – No, merely a letter of reference on your bank or lender's letterhead stating you are a customer of theirs in good standing.
Q- I registered but did not receive a bid number and password.
A – 1 st - Are you absolutely sure you entered your email address correctly? 2 nd - The bid number/password system is automated. If you have a spam blocker on your email, check your spam mail folder. We suggest disabling your spam blocker prior to registering to prevent this.
Q – I forgot to register prior to the auction…can I register and/or have my bank send the reference letter the morning of an auction?
A – You can, but there is no guarantee that you will get approved in time to bid. To guarantee that your bid # and password are activated you must have your registration and reference letter to us a minimum of 24 hrs prior to an auction .
Q – I have forgotten my bid # and/or password. What can I do?
A – Go to the login page and click on the link that says “I have forgotten my bidder number or password”. Enter the email address you registered with. Your bid # and a new password will be sent to you within seconds.
Q – My bidder information has changed (email address, ph #, etc) Should I re-register?
A – No, Log in using your Bid # and password and click on “Edit Profile” at the top of the page. You can access and modify your information there as well as change your password if you wish.
Q – I am behind a firewall. What ports do I need to open?
A – LGB connects to a remote server on three Internet sockets during an auction. These are Tcp socket 6789 – bidding and administration; Tcp socket 8000 – audio; Tcp socket 9192 – video. Your firewall software MUST be configured to permit outbound connections to these sockets if you want to participate in our live online auctions.
Q- I don't see anything when I click on the auction link.
A – There may be several reasons for this. Make sure you have downloaded and installed the LGB browser plug-ins and that you have Java installed. Also make sure your computer meets the minimum requirements. Disable any pop-up blockers prior to logging in.
Q - My sound isn't working
A- Make sure your speakers are plugged in, turned on and the volume is turned up. Also make sure your computer has a sound card and the sound card on your computer is not muted or turned down. Have you downloaded and installed the LGB browser plug-ins?
Q – I can't see the entire bidding screen. It's too big!
A – The bidding interface is designed for a screen resolution of at least 800x600. Go to the control panel of your computer, select display or screen and change your resolution to at least 800x600
Q – My computer slows down or my screen seems to freeze. Why is this happening?
A – You may have other programs open or programs running in the background…e.g. anti-virus programs, etc. Close other programs before logging on and close any unnecessary web pages after logging on. Also click on the “Refresh” or “Reload” button at the top of your screen occasionally to keep your computer up to speed.
Q. – I am on a dial-up Internet connection. Can I participate in the live online auctions?
A – There are very few dial-up connections that will work satisfactorily with the live online auction. Several of our registered customers are bidding from computers other than their own that are hooked to high speed Internet such as a friend, public library, banker, insurance agent etc. We strongly recommend bidding from a computer connected to high speed Internet for the live bidding. However, all Internet connections including dial-up will work with our Online Absentee Bidding. If you are on dial-up, register and place your bids through the absentee bidding feature and let our producer computer bid for you.
Q. – I have a prior engagement that won't allow me to bid live online during your auction. Can I leave a bid on an item?
A.- Yes, all online registered bidders can use our Online Absentee Bid feature. Simply decide the maximum amount you would like to bid on an item and enter that bid online after the catalog is posted but prior to 8AM the day of an auction. The Live Global Bid system will store your bid and when that item comes up for auction our producer computer will bid for you.
Q – If I enter a bid through the Online Absentee Bid feature is that what the item will cost me?
A – No, not necessarily, Online Absentee bids are collected and stored by the Live Global Bid system. When the item you entered a bid on comes up for auction the producer computer will bid for you until you win that item or up to the maximum amount you entered.
Q – If I enter an Online Absentee Bid can I still bid live online if I decide to bid higher?
A – Yes, if your online absentee bid is used up you can bid more via the live screen if you are online when the item is selling. The Online Absentee Bid feature is good insurance in case of an Internet or computer failure on your end. The system will not allow you to bid live until your Online Absentee Bid is used up. In other words the system is designed to prevent you from bidding yourself up.
Q- How do I place an Online Absentee Bid?
A- You must register online the same as any online bidder. Once approved you simply click on the auction catalog link at the top of the “Online Auction Info” page. Once the catalog opens you click on the lot you are interested in placing a bid on and click on “Place Proxy Bid”. Then login with your bid number and password and enter the bid you wish to place. Our LGB system will now bid for you once we open that lot in the auction.
Q- Is there a way of knowing when an item is going to sell in the auction?
A – Yes, A printable online catalog is normally posted at least 1 day or more prior to the auction. This catalog is the auction order and has several pictures of the items. You access this catalog by clicking on the link at the top of the “Live Online Auctions” page.
Q – I decided to bid on an item at the last moment but it didn't accept my bid.
A- Never wait until the last moment to bid. The computer administrator may have closed the sale before your bid came in. Another possibility is the auctioneer got a floor bid at the same time as your bid or he received your bid just as he sold the item. Always bid early on an item so the auctioneer knows there is an interested online bidder.
Q – Can I just watch an auction without registering?
A – Registered online bidders have priority. Why not register? It costs nothing to register and the bid number and password is permanent once activated. You will then be ready in case you want to bid on an item in a future auction.
Q – Does the password I have for online bidding also work to access your auction results?
A - No, the auction results are a separate system. Click on the auction results link on our homepage for instructions.
Q – Is there transportation available for the equipment?
A – Yes, There are several independent trucking companies in the area. If you need assistance finding transportation we will provide the names of trucking companies that have left us their information.
Q – Is there a charge for buying online or absentee bids?
A – Yes, There is a 2% buyer convenience charge ($500 maximum per item) added to your purchase whether bidding on the Internet or by absentee bidding in any form. Absentee bidding in any form saves you the costly travel expense and your valuable time. The buyer convenience charge we have instituted helps cover part of the costs involved with offering you the convenience of bidding from your home or office via Internet or any other form.
