Registering
Safety and Security
New Users
Bidding and Buying

REGISTERING

There is no charge to register, browse or bid. However, in very few auctions we may require a bid deposit that is fully refundable if you do not win the auction, or if you win it can be applied to the winning bid amount
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You only pay for your actual winning bids or purchases. PropertyRoom.com's customers are principally police and sheriff departments throughout the country. Their objective (by law in most cases) is to sell to the highest bidder at public auction. Our auctions are limited only to bidders who have provided valid payment methods, either via PayPal Express Checkout or credit card. As a result, when the auction closes, no further action is required from the bidder, the payment method is charged and the item is shipped within the next 2 business days. While other auction sites permit bidding without any financial obligation, we do not. There are two reasons for this. First, a greater integrity in the auction bidding because each bid is sincere and binding; all bidders know that the prices are not artificially inflated by bidders who don't ultimately follow through. Second, since we validate every payment method when you register, the law enforcement agencies we work with are assured that we know exactly who is bidding on the stolen property so that payment fraud is eliminated before any bidding starts.
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How do I Register?

To register with our auction site, please click on the "Register" link at the top of any page. Complete the form as instructed. Once you have completed registration, you will receive a confirmation email.
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Why do I need to Register?

If you wish to bid on an auction or purchase an item, however, you must fill out our registration form. By registering with PropertyRoom.com, you are letting other members know that you will participate in an honest and professional manner. You must provide us with valid payment and contact information so that we may contact you regarding your PropertyRoom.com purchases. Registration is not required in order to browse the website.
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I registered but I didn't get my confirmation email.

When you register, an email is sent to the address you specified to make sure we are able to communicate to you about your bidding and purchases. If you do not receive the confirmation email within a few minutes, your email settings or bulk mail filters may have prevented delivery. If you still cannot find the confirmation email, double check the address you entered by signing in on our website and going to the My Account section.
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Can I update my registration information?

Yes. Sign in at PropertyRoom.com with your user name and password, then go to the My Account section. You can edit any of your settings or information there. Please note that any changes to your payment method will be prospective in that they will only apply to future auctions and will not apply to any bids on auctions currently underway.
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What is your Privacy Policy?

PropertyRoom.com is fully committed to protecting the privacy of all of your information. We do not sell, rent or otherwise disclose any of your personal or financial data except as required to fulfill your purchases and auctions. For more detail, please read our Privacy Policy and contact us if you have any concerns or questions about privacy issues that may affect you.
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How do I enter a shipping address that ís different from my billing address?

Please enter your registration information as your billing info. Then add your shipping address to your address book in your user account. When placing a bid it will give you the option of which address to ship to.

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Please click on the "Forgot your password?" link on the Sign In page. Once you've entered your registered email address, click Submit. This will generate an email with a link allowing you to reset your password.
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Is my User Name or Password case sensitive?

The User Name is not case sensitive; however the password is case sensitive.
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How do I change my payment method information?

If you would like to update your payment method information, you can do so at any time by going to your "My Account" section and clicking on the "Payment Methods" link. Next, just follow the directions as prompted to edit/enter your payment information. Please note that once a bid has been placed, you are unable to change the payment method the auction is associated with. The new payment method will be available for future auctions.
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How do I change my Email Address?

To update your email address, please go to the "My Account" section and select "Registration Information". Highlight your existing email address and then enter your changes. After you hit submit, an email confirmation will be sent to your new email address with verification instructions.
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How do I change my User Name?

Once you have registered with our auction site, you cannot change your user name. If you made a mistake entering your user name during the registration process or would like a new user name, you do have the option to sign up for a new account. Note: Please keep in mind that if you already have an existing account with bidding or listing activity, this information cannot be transferred to your new account.
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How do I change my Password?

To update your password, please go to the "My Account" section and select "Change Password." Then follow the instructions provided.
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How do I unsubscribe?

Please email Marketing@PropertyRoom.com to remove your name from our mailing list.
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How can I cancel my account?

In order to properly process your request to close your account, please provide the following information to Customer Service:

Real Name:
User Name:
Email Address:
Street Address:
Last 4 digits of the payment method, type, and expiration date:

As soon as this information is verified, we will promptly close the account. Please Note: Closing you account does not cancel any active bids or orders
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Do you ship outside the US?

PropertyRoom.com does not ship items purchased from the auction site outside of the continental United States.
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SAFETY AND SECURITY

What police departments do you work with?

PropertyRoom.com has relationships with over 2,400 police departments and municipalities nationwide, including the NYPD, LAPD, City of Cincinnati, San Diego, Woodbury, Tulsa, City of Tukwila.
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Is there a subscription fee?

We do not charge any subscription fees of any kind.
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NEW USERS

How do I register?

Registration is free. Just click on the REGISTER button on the top right of the page and fill in your account information. Once you have registered you can start bidding on any item

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Changing your preferences is easy. Just click on the "my Account" button in the upper right and log in to change your information. 

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The "My Items" tracks all of the bids you have placed, won or lost. The "Watch list" just watches items for you, though you may or may not have already placed a bid.

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What are the different type of auctions on the website?

There are four different types of auction listings on PropertyRoom.com. More information about each can be found by clicking the links below:

Auction: The traditional auction format where the one highest bidder wins.

Reserve Price Auction: Like a traditional Auction, but has a Reserve Price. The Reserve Price is not disclosed, however when the Reserve Price has been met, the listing will continue like a traditional Auction. In a Reserve Price Auction, an item will not sell unless the Reserve Price has been met during the bidding process.

Fixed Price: Either one or many identical items are offered at a fixed price. You will see a "Buy Now" button in place of the "Bid Now" button for fixed price items.

Mega Auction: Multiple Item Auction in that bidders must specify a bid and a quantity and there may be multiple winners. All winners pay their individual bid amount for the quantity of items they won.
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What is a Reserve Price Auction?

In a Reserve Price Auction, the seller has set a Reserve Price, which is a price below which the listing will not sell. The amount of the Reserve Price is not disclosed (so don't ask!). The Reserve Price is higher than the Opening Bid. In a Reserve Price Auction you will see a "Reserve Price NOT Met" until the bid reaches the Reserve Price. Once the Reserve Price has been met or exceeded, the auction will continue as it normally would in a traditional Auction format.

* Reserve Price NOT Met - The current amount of the highest bid is below the reserve price and the item will not sell at auction close

Once the reserve price has been met or exceeded, this auction is the same as an Auction.
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What is a Mega Auction?

A Mega Auction is one method of auctioning multiple, identical items. A minimum price (the Opening Bid) is specified and the number of items available is also shown in the auction listing detail page. Bidders can then bid at or above the minimum price for the quantity of items they wish to purchase. Bidders must specify both the bid amount per item and the quantity of items they wish to buy. At the close of the auction, all winning bidders purchase the items at the bid amount that they placed.

Note that you may not win all of the quantity you specified if your bid was not high enough, so please use caution with multiple item formats like Mega Auctions. During the auction, you may notice that you are winning some but not all of the items you specified. You may place another bid at any time, but as long as you are winning at least one item, your new bid value may not be lower than your previous total bid value. For instance if you initially placed a bid for a quantity of 10 items at $5.00 each you total bid value is $50.00. If during the auction you notice that you are winning some but not all of the 10 items and you wish to place a new bid, your new bid must have a value of at least $50.00. Also, Proxy Bidding is not used with Mega Auctions. The full amount of your bid will become your active bid if it is accepted.
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What is a Fixed Price?

In the Fixed Price format the listing one or more items will be sold for a fixed amount and buyers simply choose how many they wish to buy at that price. You will see a "Buy Now" button in place of the "Bid Now" button for fixed price listings. Fixed Price listings will remain active until either all items have been sold, or the listing expires. The available quantity will be updated on the listing page each time an additional item is sold.

For each successful fixed price sale an email notification is automatically sent to the buyer.
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What is a Proxy Bid?

Proxy bidding is a convenient way to automatically bid on your items without having to continually return to your computer to check on your auctions. A Proxy Bid is a bid automatically placed by the auction system on your behalf based on the Maximum Bid Amount that you set for the particular listing. Each time you place a bid by entering your maximum bid amount (which is the most you're willing to pay for an item), you will be using our Proxy bidding system. If another bidder places a bid on your item Proxy bidding will then bid automatically, on your behalf and at the lowest possible bid increments, but not more than the maximum you specified.

The goal is to win an item at the lowest successful price. To do so, you must be the bidder who placed the highest maximum bid at auction close. You will be notified by email if another bidder has surpassed your maximum bid. In case of a tie for high bidder, earlier bids will take precedence.

Proxy bidding is only allowed with auctions and Reserve Price auctions. For more information on Proxy bidding, you can click on this link to view an instruction video on how the process works.

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What is the Maximum Bid Amount?

Your maximum bid amount is the highest price you are willing to pay for an item.

You should determine beforehand the most you are really willing to pay for an item and then enter a single bid at that amount in the Bid Amount field. Your maximum bid amount will not be shown to other bidders but will be used with our Proxy Bidding system to place bids automatically on your behalf.

Lowest Successful Price:
The goal when using Maximum Bid or Proxy Bidding is to win an item at the lowest successful price. To do so, you must be the bidder who placed the highest maximum bid at auction close. The lowest successful price may not necessarily be the maximum bid amount you submitted to win the auction, unless there was a tie. Typically, the lowest successful price is the next highest bidder's maximum bid amount plus the stated bid increment.

Bid increments are the lowest increment between bids allowable on individual auctions. Bid increments are listed on the product detail page where you place your bid and are typically $1, $3 or $5.
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Can I change my Maximum Bid amount?

Yes. You can raise your maximum bid amount and you can also lower it, but not below the current winning bid amount.

To increase your current bid amount, simply return to the listing and enter and submit a new maximum bid amount (this amount is the most you're willing to pay for the item).

Because the system will recognize your User Name when you place the additional bid, you won't be bidding against yourself when you want to increase your maximum bid amount even though you're the current high bidder. Maximum Bid will still work to win the item for you up to your maximum bid amount, at the lowest successful price, if you are the high bidder at auction close.
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What is a Buyer's Premium?

A Buyer's Premium, a non-refundable additional service fee, gets paid by the Winning Bidder. For example, an $800 winning bid with a 15% Buyer's Premium results in an additional $120 non-refundable charge to the Winning Bidder's payment method, for a subtotal of $920.

We use a Buyer's Premium to offsets costs associated with content research, listing and marketing. As such, we typically use a Buyer's Premium on capital assets such as cars, boats and planes.
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Why is the auction time extended?

PropertyRoom.com's Auto Bid Extend feature ensures that bidders will always have a chance to challenge bids placed in the last minute of an auction. It also prevents an unfair practice called "sniping" in which bidders use special software to place very small incremental bids in the last seconds trying to run down the clock. PropertyRoom.com auctions work just like live auctions. The auctions close when the bidding activity stops. If a bid is placed during the last minute of an auction, the auction will be extended automatically for an additional minute from the time of the latest bid. The auction will close once all bidding activity has stopped for a period of 1 minute.
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What is the Watch List?

You can use Watch List feature to keep track of current auction your interested in. You simply click on the "Add to Watch List" button from the auction listing page to put the item in your list. It is a convenient way to keep all of your items together to speed browsing and bidding. It is also a convenient way to see the results of closed auctions without having to be watching the website when the auction closes. Your watch list items will remain listed and be viewable for 30 days following the close of the auction.

You can review the full list of items you're watching at anytime by clicking the Watch List menu item at the top right corner of each page.
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When I place a bid it says I have been outbid?

When this happens, it means that an earlier bidder has placed a maximum bid amount or proxy bid, which is higher than the amount of your maximum bid.

When you placed your bid, the Proxy Bidding system automatically placed another bid on the earlier bidder's behalf, for an amount just high enough (i.e., plus the bid increment) to outbid your maximum bid amount, insuring his position as high bidder.
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Why was I outbid by an amount less than the Bid Increment?

This sometimes happens when a proxy bid is active. In some cases, it's possible that another bidder's standing maximum bid is greater than yours, but by less than the bid increment. In this case, the other bidder will be winning at exactly their maximum bid.

For example, consider an auction with an opening bid of $10 and a bid increment of $2.00.

The current winning bid shows as $18.00, but that bidder indicated a Maximum Bid Amount, or Proxy Bid, up to $25.01. This Maximum Bid Amount is not disclosed until another bidder places a bid that is more.

If you now place a bid for, say $25.00, your bid will be superseded by the other bidder's Proxy of $25.01. The other bidder will have won by only one penny even though the minimum bid increment is $2.00. The reason for this is that the minimum bid increment is measured at the time the bid is originally placed. At the time the other bidder placed the Proxy bid of $25.01, the current auction bid for the item was less than $18.00, so the bid increment was more than the minimum $2.00.
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How can I keep track of my bidding activity?

At the top right of every page is a link to "My Items" and "My Account" and the "Live Feed" where you will find a convenient summary of your activity. These sections include your current auctions that have not closed and also your last 30 days historical activity for both auctions you have won and auctions you have lost. In the case of the historical activity, you may also see similar auctions currently underway, if any, by clicking the "view similar" link at the end of each row.
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How do I select the shipping method?

During the bidding process, the available shipping methods, and the cost for each, will be displayed. You may select from among any of these shipping methods. If the total cost of the item plus shipping is more than you are willing to pay, you may stop the bidding process (click "Cancel Bid") and your bid will not be recorded. If, however, you select the shipping method you prefer, you may confirm your bid at this point. The shipping cost is an estimate that includes any applicable handling charges. Insurance will be added to this estimate for the items that closed with a wining bid of more than $100. Our shipping carrier's rules require that we send certain item via an Express shipping method so that they are properly insured and safely delivered to you. If the shipping method you selected is changed due to carrier regulations we will send the item via the least expensive method permitted by our carrier. You will be responsible for any additional shipping cost incurred.
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Can I pick up my items instead of having them shipped?

You will receive an email from us notifying you that you have won an item. Your payment method on file with us will be automatically charged for the winning bid amount, plus shipping, handling and sales tax, if applicable. If the item is to be s hipped to you, there is nothing further that you need to do. The item will be shipped to the address chosen at the time of bidding, usually on the next business day and depending on your location, will arrive within 3 to 5 business days. If you selected In Person Pick Up, your item will be available for pickup on the following business day after the payment has been processed.
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How do I pay for the auction that I won?

At the close of each auction, the winning bidder's payment method on file is automatically charged for the winning bid plus shipping, handling and sales tax, if applicable. An email confirming your winning bid will be automatically sent to you. There is nothing that you need to do and no check out process to follow. If you selected a shipping method, the item will be on its way to you within 1-2 business days of payment. If you selected "In Person Pick Up", your item will be available for pick up on the second business day following the close of the auction.
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Can I retract a confirmed bid?

No. Just like a live auction, bids are a contract to purchase the item. Please do not begin the bidding process unless you intend to be bound to purchase the item. If you have made a typographical error (for instance typing $10,000.00 instead of $100.00) while placing your bid, please immediately inform us by using the Expedited Customer Service Form.
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Can I use a Post Office Box for my address?

You can use a PO Box as part of a billing address. For delivery, it depends on which delivery service is being utilized. FedEx and UPS do not ship to PO Boxes, so items you won that are being shipped through those carriers will not be able to ship to your PO Box. USPS will ship to a PO Box, so any items you won that are being shipped through USPS can be shipped to your PO Box.
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Who is selling this item?

Items on PropertyRoom.com are either being sold by PropertyRoom.com on behalf of a police or sheriffs department, are items privately owned by PropertyRoom.com, or are being sold by one of our trusted merchants. In case of the merchant, each listing clearly states who is selling the item.
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In addition to items from Police and Sheriff's departments, we permit a small number of selected and trusted merchants to sell their items on PropertyRoom.com. The merchant will ship your items directly to you and if you have a question, you will also be able to ask them directly. Each item sold by a merchant is clearly identified on the listing page. If you wish to see only police items on the website, we have provided a "filter" to permit that. Simply check the box "Show Only PropertyRoom.com Items" on any of the gallery or category summary pages. The selection will remain valid for your entire session or until you remove it.
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What does $1NR mean?

$1NR means that the bidding starts at $1.00 with no reserve bid to close the auction. The highest bidder wins, no matter what the closing bid is. Reserve bids are amounts that the auction must close at (or above) in order for there to be a winner declared.
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We do not differentiate by police departments. All our items are auctioned off online at PropertyRoom.com. The items are picked up from the police departments and brought to one of our 4 centers for testing, cleaning, cataloging and imaging. They are then put up to auction and shipped from our FL, NY or CA centers.
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How can I see the cost of shipping an item?

In order to determine your estimated shipping cost you need to take the first steps in the bidding process. This does require you enter a valid payment method. Click on the bid now and then submit bid. Before you CONFIRM your bid the site will give you an estimated shipping fee based on your address. If at this point you do not want to continue, click "Cancel Bid"

This will become obsolete once we implement flat rate shipping.

Shipping is available to all 50 United States in most cases. Ground Shipping is not available to Alaska or Hawaii or APO/FPO addresses. Items shipped to Alaska and Hawaii may be subject to a surcharge if they weigh more than 10 pounds. International shipping is not available. Customers with APO/FPO addresses will have their items shipped USPS Priority mail and may be subject to the same surcharge as Alaska and Hawaii.
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I want to ship a large item that says it can not be shipped via FedEx?

Common Carrier arrangements are the responsibility of the winning bidder. All quotes and shipping cost must be gathered from the common carrier directly. Payment for shipping will be paid directly to them. Once you have scheduled a pick up date you must contact us via email 48 hours prior to the company arriving so that we may palletize your item for shipment. It is the responsibility of the customer to complete all paperwork needed for delivery. This includes a completed BOL with you as the shipper. Do not put PropertyRoom.com as the shipper or your BOL will be canceled. If there is damage to an item during shipment this must be taken up with the shipping company directly. Pick up hours are 10am-2pm Monday - Friday and are strictly enforced.

The addresses are:
Los Angeles Processing Center
City of Industry, CA 91746

New York Processing Center
Farmingdale, NY 11735

Orlando Processing Center
Orlando, FL 32822
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How do you measure the bikes?

Bikes are measured from the seat post to the center of the cranks. On our BMX bikes we measure from the center of the fork tube to the center of the seat tube. The mountain bikes are measured from the middle of the crank to the top of the seat tube.
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What is your return policy?

For our complete return policy please click here.

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Why was I charged sales tax?

We are required by law to collect sales tax for states we have presence (nexus) in. PropertyRoom.com has warehouse/cross dock/employees (nexus) in the following states – WA, CA, KY, TX, IL, FL, MD & NY.

We are mandated by law to collect and remit sales tax on the customer’s behalf. The tax rate is based on the county's sales tax where the product is picked up or delivered. For instance, if your county's sales tax is 7.5%, that is the rate that we are required by law to charge.
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What is your cancellation policy?

Because of the nature of auctions, and that on person "wins" against others you cannot cancel an auction once you have won.
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Where are your In Person Warehouse Pick Up centers located?

Los Angeles Processing Center
City of Industry, CA 91746

New York Processing Center
Farmingdale, NY 11735

Orlando Processing Center

Orlando, FL 32822

Warehouse pick up hours are from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm, Monday - Friday. You will be required to show proper identification for the item at time of pick up. Please note, per our shipping policy Buyer must pick-up In Person Pick Up. In Person Pick Up items within 10 business days of the auction close date. IN THE EVENT THAT BUYER FAILS TO PICK-UP AN ITEM WITHIN 14 CALENDAR DAYS OF THE PURCHASE DATE, BUYER ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES TO POSSIBLE FORFEITURE OF BOTH FEES AND GOODS.
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Will you combine my items to save shipping costs?

We try to combine your shipments when possible. Here are the rules we follow:
• ITEMS SOLD BY TRUSTED MERCHANTS ARE NOT COMBINED
• We only combine items that close on the same day and are shipping from the same warehouse.
• We only combine if the new shipping charges are less than the previous charges
• We will combine like items to limit potential damage (e.g. Glass items will not be combined with tools, jewelry is only combined with other jewelry)
• Items will be insured if their combined value is over $100
• The total price for shipping the items is broken down amongst the number of items shipped in the box. The handling fee still applies to each item.
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I see my name in the bid history. Why?

When you are logged in, the system will automatically display your name. Your name is only visible to you. All other viewers are seeing a secure bid ID. Your identity and name remains anonymous to all other bidders to help keep you safe from fraud. Once you log out of your account, you will not be able to see your name in the bid history.
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Does my Secure Bid ID change when I bid on different auctions?

No, the secure bid ID is associated to your user account, and will always remain the same.
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I would like to show my name to everyone. Is there a way to do this?

No. For your protection your name is not visible to the bidding world.
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How do I know my brand name item isn't counterfeit?

Unlike on other auction sites where you do not know the seller, PropertyRoom.com is a company who stands behind the products we sell on behalf of our clients. We have a rigorous process to identify and destroy all counterfeit items as they come in to our warehouses.

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What if I see an item I recognize as mine?

Through our PropertyRoom.com STEAL IT BACK policy any item you can prove ownership of, for an auction that has not yet closed, we will return to you. Just contact customer service and we will do the rest!
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