Frequently Asked Questions

 1.      How Do I Register to Bid? Click on UPCOMING AUCTIONS. When you find something you’re interested in, click REGISTER TO BID. This will take you to our national bidding platform, HiBid.com. If you don’t already have a HiBid account, you’ll need to create one. Once you have an account, you’ll be able to register and bid in any of our auctions, and also any auction, with any company on that platform, across the entire country. You’ll also be able to perform detailed proximity searches for hard-to-find equipment, nearby or far away. It’s a powerful acquisition tool for any restaurant or business. Just search, bid, and repeat. Good luck and happy bidding, we’re sure you’ll find some fantastic deals.

2.      What If I Win an Item? Shortly after the auction ends, winning bidders will be notified via email, at the email address used to register for the auction. The email will also include an invoice for your records. This invoice will explain how to pay for your items, as will also be described in the Terms and Conditions of that particular auction.

 3.      Do You Offer Shipping? We can offer shipping for most of our auctions, but not necessarily on all items. Please refer to the details of that item, and that auction. Most smaller items can be shipped via FedEx, UPS, USPS, Freight, or other options, as deemed appropriate. Large items can be shipped via freight, but some items are not suitable for shipping. If you wish to have an item shipped, you must verify in the auction description that shipping is available on that item, then contact us immediately after the auction closes to make arrangements. We do not accept credit cards for items that require shipping. If you wish to have an item shipped, your invoice and shipping costs must be paid via wire transfer.

 4.     I’m Nearby, Do You Offer Delivery? We know you’re busy running a restaurant or other business… which is why we usually offer curbside delivery options (for a fee) to our local buyers, up to 20 miles from the auction location (see Terms and Conditions, and minimum purchase requirements, if offered). Local delivery options (if offered) must be scheduled with us prior to the final scheduled pickup time. Local delivery options are considered “curbside” only, meaning we will bring it, loaded on our truck or trailer, to your building, parking lot or driveway; however, you must supply the labor to move your items inside. Full payment for all invoices must be received before delivery services can be offered.

 5.      Can I Preview the Auction Items? We offer scheduled preview days/times on most auctions. Simply go to the address listed in the auction, on the day/time-window listed, and a representative will be there to escort you through the auction and answer any questions you may have. If the auction location is at a government facility, previews may or may not be authorized, depending on facility protocols, security, and mission requirements. Please refer to the specific auction listing for more information.

 6.      What If I Miss the Scheduled Pick Up? We realize that emergencies may come up, but not all auction locations are acceptable for storage. Please refer to the Terms and Conditions of that specific auction for more details. We can usually accommodate alternate dates/times, for a daily storage fee, but you must contact us prior to the end of the regularly scheduled pick up day and make arrangements. This may not be possible if the auction is held at a facility other than ours. If we do not hear from you by the end of auction pick up, we will consider those items abandoned, and monies paid will be forfeit. You may also be charged a disposal fee. Though in many cases, for a fee, BidTender Auctions can remove the equipment for you, and transport it to our facility for shipping or hold for you to pick up. Daily storage, and transport fees apply.

 7.      How Do I Pick Up My Items? Will There Be Help? As a courtesy, most of our auctions will include complimentary assistance with loading your equipment. However, the level of assistance will depend on the specific auction, and location. We will try to have forklifts, dollies, and other equipment on site, but this may not always be possible, and thus is not guaranteed. Please refer to the specific Terms and Conditions of each auction for more details. For legal, and liability reasons, we are unable to assist you with tying down, strapping, or securing your items for transport.

 8.      Can I Send Another Party to Pick Up Items on My Behalf? Yes, but this must be arranged beforehand. You must notify us in writing, authorizing, and identifying the party responsible for removing your items. When picking up your items, the 3rd party must present an approved Bill-of-Lading before any items can be removed.

  9.      Is There a Guarantee on Equipment? We are an auction company first, and foremost. This means all equipment is sold “as-is, where-is.” We’re quite good at what we do, but we’re not equipment technicians. As a courtesy, we do our best to give an honest assessment and description of the equipment, which may include testing of basic function, if possible. However, we strongly advise exercising due diligence before bidding, including attending preview and inspecting any items before bidding. If you are dissatisfied for any reason, you must inform us prior removing your item from the premises.

 10.  Are All of Your Auctions Online? We conduct our auctions online, live/on-site, or simulcast (both). This will depend on the specific auction location, and the seller’s needs. However, most auctions will be online-only so that you may bid from the comfort and convenience of your home or office.

 11.     Is There a Reserve? Most of our auctions will be sold without a reserve, with all bids starting at just $1. However, occasionally a reserve may be necessary (real estate, certain government surplus, etc.), as required by the seller. If there is a reserve, it will be determined by the seller, and clearly stated in the item description.

 12.   Can an Auction Be Sniped? No. If any bids are placed within the last few minutes of an auction lot closing, the closing of that lot will be extended for a couple minutes to allow all bidders to catch up and assess their next bid. This prevents “bid-sniping” and provides a better experience for everyone.

13. Where Are You Located? The main office for BidTender Auctions in Chantilly, Virginia is conveniently located in the heart of the Dulles Technology Corridor. We’re near the intersection of Rt 28 and Rt 50 (14620C Flint Lee Rd, Chantilly VA 20151). We hold most of our auctions in Chantilly; but our capabilities often bring us across the entire state of both Virginia and Maryland. Additionally, we have non-public, satellite facilities across the region, including MRB Regional Airport/Shepherd Field Air National Guard Base. These satellite facilities are used exclusively for receiving and processing prior to transport to the final auction locations.

14. What is Government Surplus? Our government is the largest purchaser of assets and commodities in the entire world, purchasing everything imaginable. If you consider what’s needed to operate and support military bases, school systems, universities, highway and transportation, and utilities (just to name a few)… the spectrum of assets is staggering. These assets are eventually retired and made available to the public via auction.

Government surplus equipment can be retired for a variety of reasons, such as being awarded a new contract, fleet replacement, closing of a school or base, changes in mission protocol, or simply replacing fully-functional equipment so they meet their spending budget so that budget won’t be cut next year (use-it-or-lose-it government economics). This means you can find top-end, serviceable and professionally maintained equipment for a fraction of the cost.

Whether you’re looking for restaurant equipment, vehicles, heavy equipment, industrial supplies, or just about anything else (even real estate); chances are the government has sent it to auction.

15. What If I’m New to Auctions… How Do I Get Familiar With the Process: There are many ways to familiarize yourself with auctions, and it’s definitely a good idea to do so. We’re here to help in any way we can, so feel free to call, or email us with any questions you may have. For your convenience, we have added a couple pages here on our website which can also be helpful.