Frequently asked questions about buying, selling ,voting, and other aspects of Bido.com domain name auctions

FAQ

Q.	I would like to bid. What is the process to get started?
A.	In order to bid you will need to sign up for a free account. Once you’ve registered for your account you will be required to authorize your account prior to bidding. Once your credit card or PayPal account has been confirmed, you will be able to place bids on live auctions as well as pre-bids on unstarted auctions.

Q.	Are my credit card or PayPal details stored or held in any way on Bido?
A.	No. Your credit card or PayPal details are not stored on Bido, however, prior to the first time you bid, we'll issue a pre-authorization on your card or PayPal account for security reasons. This pre-authorization includes an extremely small micro payment to your account. After a few days, those funds will be released and issued back to the credit card.

Q.	How long does an auction last?
A.	Auctions on Bido are Events, and have 2 parts. The first part is the preview window, where bidders may preview the auction and place a pre-bid should they desire. Sellers select the duration of the preview window. Auctions that are up for preview are found in the Upcoming tab from the Bido homepage. The second part of an auction is the Live portion. Once the Live portion of the auction starts, it will last 1 hour (barring extensions). Bids placed in the last 5 minutes of a Live Auction will reset the clock to 5 minutes remaining. Live auctions are found in the Ending Soon tab from the Bido homepage.

Q.	Once I win an auction, how long do I have to remit payment?
A.	Buyers must remit payment within 10 business days. If you delay your payment longer than this amount of time, sellers are given the option to cancel the transaction with you, and you may be treated as a non-paying bidder as per our Terms Of Service. Your seller may be willing to work with you on a case-by-case basis to allow more time, if a reason is stated and agreed upon. Please contact support for more information or assistance if needed.

Q.	Once I win an auction, how do I pay?
A.	We do not store your credit card or PayPal information. Since we do not store your payment details on our servers, you must initiate your payments manually and enter your credit card or PayPal information each time you win an auction. To pay - please log in and visit http://www.bido.com/AuctionsHistory. Look for this icon next to each auction you need to pay for: Click that icon and from there you will enter your payment details and complete your payment. We'll get a notice, approve your payment, and proceed to process your transaction.

Q.	What is the "initial bid"?
A.	The "initial bid" is the amount that the auction will start at (or has started). All auctions on Bido start at either $28 or (if it is different) the item's BidoPrice (the Seller decides the starting price).

Q.	What is a "current bid"?
A.	A "current bid" is the current high bid on the auction.

Q.	What is "your max bid"?
A.	"Your max bid" is the highest bid you want placed via the Bido system. Bids placed during a Live Auction go in as a max bid, and Bido will automatically bid on your behalf up to "your max bid." If "your max bid" is outbid by another bidder, then the system is no longer able to place bids for you on your behalf, unless of course you raise your max bid. Bids placed during Prebidding (prior to the auction start) are Absolute Bids (see How are Pre-Bids treated differently than bids during a Live auction?).

Q.	How can I change my member "nickname"?
A.	Bido does not typically endorse nickname changes, but if you would like a "nickname" change, please place a request for support. In your request, mention your desired nickname, as well as your old nickname, and the reason for the change.

Q.	How do I submit some domains for inclusion into Bido's auctions?
A.	If you have some domains that you are interested in selling via the Bido platform, please follow this link: http://www.bido.com/SubmitDomains. Items for sale typically go up for voting by the Bido community to be selected for auction, as part of our Vote For Profits program. Sellers may skip voting by using Auction Acceleration. To get started, click here: http://www.bido.com/SubmitDomains

Q.	I’m interested in becoming an expert commentator. Where do I apply?
A.	If you would like to apply to become an expert, please follow this link and fill out the application: http://www.bido.com/BecomeExpert. Please be sure to provide a complete and full biography about your experience in the industry for your application to get proper review and consideration.

Q.	What are the benefits of becoming an expert?
A.	Expert reviews on Bido are viewed by thousands of people everyday providing increased recognition for yourself and your company. Being featured on one of the most popular domain name auction websites in the world will increase your credibility and standing in the domain community. Bido keeps a history of every auction so you can refer to your comments for years to come. Search engines will also index your comments and links to your website, further strengthening your web presence (SEO). Your profile will give users the ability to communicate with you directly and allow you to highlight your personal and professional interests. In exchange for contributing your time and domain knowledge, Bido will help you connect with new clients and build your own business. Learn more here.

Q.	I would like to view the upcoming auctions. Where do I find them?
A.	Upcoming auctions can be found by following this link: http://www.bido.com/Auctions

Q.	I forgot my password, how may I retrieve it?
A.	If you have forgotten your password, you may initiate forgotten password assistance from the login form itself. First, enter your email address, then click continue. The next step will offer you a "forgot password" link. If you recognize your personalized security image, you may then continue on to click the link to initiate an email with further instructions.

Q.	I want to adjust my email preferences, where do I find these settings?
A.	If you would like to adjust at what time your auction start notification email goes out, or if you wish to turn the notification emails off, please log into your account and visit your My Bido -> Settings page.

Q.	I want to change my password, where do I start?
A.	If you would like to change your password, please log in and visit your My Bido -> Settings page. It is there where you will be offered a secure link to click and initiate the quick and simple process.

Q.	I'm an Expert but I'm not listed on the List of Experts page. Why?
A.	In order to be listed in the carousel with the other Experts, you must have the following completed: 1) Upload a picture, 2) Full bio filled, 3) Contact info filled, 4) At least one of the Bebo, Myspace, Facebook, Linkedin, or Twitter profile links filled. Please take a moment and upload a photo, fill in your bio & contact info, as well as at least one link to a social network profile of yours, and you will automatically get added to the page with the other experts. Please, only upload an actual picture of yourself, not a logo or a caricature.

Q.	I want to subscribe to your RSS feeds, what is the URL?
A.	If you would like to subscribe to our RSS feed with your RSS reader, or integrate it into your website, please use this URL: http://www.bido.com/AuctionRss

Q.	How are people placing proxy bids?
A.	A proxy is a bid placed after an auction starts. During an auction, increase your maximum bid amount over the suggested bid amount and that becomes your maximum bid, which is essentially a proxy. Only then will the site will bid on your behalf as people try to outbid you, till your max is reached and your proxy is supersceded. Bids placed prior to auction start are considered Pre-Bids and are Absolute Bids (see How are Pre-Bids treated differently than bids during a Live auction?).

Q.	I already sent in a check or a wire. I want to stop the unpaid auction notices, how may I do that?
A.	Please visit this URL and follow the steps to mark as Wire or Check sent: http://www.bido.com/AuctionsHistory.

Q.	I placed the tag in whois and got my domain verified for ownership. May I change it back now and remove the tag?
A.	Please do not remove the tag. The new owner may remove it after they receive the domain.

Q.	I'm selling a domain on Bido, and I would like to change the date or time. How can I do that?
A.	Please fill a request for support, and an agent will assist you just as soon as possible. We will reply to your registered address before making any changes to your account, so allow sufficient time for this verification process.

Q.	I'm selling a domain on Bido, and I would like to cancel the auction listing because I've change my mind about selling. How can I do that?
A.	We do not cancel auctions after they are setup, so be sure you are ready, willing, and able to sell the domain prior to listing it with Bido. If you have any questions about this process, you may fill in a request for support. However, if your auction was not setup yet, you may visit your User Domains page and click the red x next to any domain you wish to cancel.

Q.	How are bids on a Reserve Price auction treated?
A.	All bids under the Reserve Amount are treated as absolute bids. An absolute bid is placed when the reserve is not yet met. Absolute bids do not follow scales, they are placed at the maximum the bidder is willing to bid. Absolute bids are placed until the reserve is met. During a Live Auction, once the reserve is met, the bidding follows scales. In addition, bids placed during Pre-Bidding (before an auction start) are always treated as Absolute Bids (see How are Pre-Bids treated differently than bids during a Live auction?).

Q.	I would like to sell a pair or a package of domains together. Is this possible?
A.	Yes, when you setup your auction details, you may add other domains to your listing or other items such as a logo or vanity telephone number, etc. To create a package, just add in the Notes section of your listing page the details, and we'll set up your auction accordingly. The page we refer to is the page where you pick your auction date and time, fill the description, etc. This listing step is offered after your domain makes it past voting, or if voting was skipped due to a Reserve format or an Auction Acceleration. For No Reserve auctions, you must first have at least one of the domains in the package approved by the voters to go to auction.

Q.	How long does it take, on average, to complete a transaction post auction close?
A.	After an auction closes, the winning bidder will remit their payment. The seller then transfers the domain name. Once the buyer has received the domain, proceeds are disbursed. This process may happen as fast as 24 hours or may take days. It all depends on the responsiveness of the parties involved. Bido does its best to ensure a timely and smooth transaction for all who are involved. Buyers have a management panel here, and Sellers have a management panel here.

Q.	Do all domain sales require a transfer of the domain, rather than an internal push?
A.	No, there is no strict requirement regarding the types of transfers. Buyer and Seller communicate after the auction close to determine the best method of ownership transfer. Bido is there every step of the way to make it a smooth process for all who are involved. Buyers have a management panel here, and Sellers have a management panel here.

Q.	How long do buyers have to indicate they received a domain that was transferred to them?
A.	At this particular step of the transfer process, sellers have a link to click to indicate they have transferred the domain to the buyer, and that the transfer has finalized. A timestamp will appear when the seller clicks the link to confirm that they have transferred the domain. The buyer will then be asked to confirm receipt of the domain, by clicking a link that they have. When the buyer confirms receipt, the seller will be eligible for payout of their sale proceeds. If the buyer does not respond within 10 days, the seller will become eligible for payout of their proceeds by default. If you have any questions about this process, or need further assistance, you may fill in a request for support and we'll be glad to take a look and expedite the process for everyone. We're here to help every step of the way.

Q.	Do you have a payment hold period before disbursing funds to a seller?
A.	No, there is no hold period. As soon as funds are eligible to be paid out, they are issued. Bido offices are closed over the weekends. To avoid delays, please ensure that your payment preferences are current and accurate.

Q.	Which payment method are you most likely to use when paying the seller’s funds out?
A.	Bido prefers to pay proceeds out via PayPal. These payments are sent as a special type of payment, it's called "Personal, Payment owed". PayPal accounts from the US typically have no fee to receive this type of payment (it's free for US accounts to receive the funds, and you do not pay PayPal any fee to receive them). PayPal accounts outside the US may have an international fee applied to the payment. In addition, PayPal has decided that certain countries are currently not able to receive this "Personal" type of payment (such as India), and in such cases, Bido will send the payment as a regular payment for goods, or via PayPal masspay (at Bido's sole discretion). We understand that fees are a concern of sellers and we do our best to help you avoid large fees wherever possible. In addition to PayPal, Checks, ACH (domestic US accounts), and Wire (domestic US or international)are available (at Bido's sole discretion). Other payment options (such as ePassporte, Payoneer, or a digital GoDaddy gift card) may be offered as needed on a case by case basis. Please specify your payment details and keep them up to date in your Selling Preferences page. If you do not have your selling preferences filled, we do not know where to send the funds, and in such cases the funds will be added to your Bido balance and you may request payout later or use the funds to make purchases on Bido. Please use all of this information as a guide only and it's all subject to change at any time and without notice. For more information about any payment related questions, please contact support for the most current and accurate information. Bido aims to make receiving your funds as quick and easy as possible.

Q.	How are Pre-Bids treated differently than bids during a Live auction?
A.	Pre-Bids are placed as absolute bids. This means they are placed at the full amount and do not follow scales. Pre-Bids of $100 or more are also entitled to a 2% Cashback Bonus should the very Pre-Bid win the auction. Once an auction starts, bidding then follows Scales and proxy bids (max bids) may be placed.

Q.	What happens to my listing fee on a Reserve auction?
A.	The listing fee is returned if the domain sells. The listing fee is not returned if the domain does not sell. If the auction ends and the reserve is not met, and the seller decides to select the high bid in lieu of the reserve (sellers have 24 hours to decide), the listing fee is returned in that case as well.

Q.	What happens if the high bidder fails to pay for the auction?
A.	In the rare event of a high bidder failing to pay for the auction they won, Bido will work with the seller to determine the best route - the seller may do any of the following: 1) Continue to wait for the buyer's payment, 2) Seek another bidder's bid (if applicable, and if the other bidder agrees), or 3) Schedule and run a re-auction. In addition, non-paying bidders risk loosing their Bido account privileges. More information is in our Terms Of Service. Please contact support if you need further assistance.

Q.	What happens if the seller fails to transfer the item I won?
A.	In the rare event of a seller failing to deliver registration rights or ownership of an auction you won, Bido will either refund your payment or credit your account, depending on the circumstance. In addition, non-delivering sellers risk loosing their Bido account privileges. More information is in our Terms Of Service. Please contact support if you need further assistance.

Q.	What are the rules of the chatroom?
A.	The chatroom rules are simple. Please respect your peers and refrain from offensive or objectionable posts. Please do not attempt to sell domains in the chatroom. Please do not ask for votes on domains in the chatroom. Cross promotions must be pre-approved by Bido beforehand. All we ask for is professionalism. In addition, users may disagree with the decisions or actions of the chatroom moderators and/or administrators, however, disagreements, criticism and the like are not to be aired anywhere within the public website. Please submit a support ticket rather than post in public.

Q.	What are the bidding scales?
A.	During the Live portion of an auction, Bido uses a scale system. If the current bid of an auction is between $28 and $99, the next suggested minimum bid will be 10% of the current high bid (rounded up to the nearest whole dollar). From $100 - $999, the next suggested minimum bid is 8% of the current high bid. From $1000 - $9999, it's 6%, and from $10,000 on up it's 4%. Bidders may bid more than the suggested amount, these are just minimum suggested bid amounts.

Q.	If I'm selling a domain on Bido, may I have it listed in other domain name marketplaces?
A.	Please remove the domains you're selling on Bido from all other marketplaces. Additionally, you may forward the domain to your Bido auction URL so when people visit your domain, they're taken to your auction. Often the best prospects are those that are visiting your domain name.

Q.	I'm selling a domain and would like to know the status of the transaction, where should I check?
A.	Sellers have a management panel here. This is the selling overview page listing all your transactions. On this page, you can see if the buyer has paid, view transfer statuses, communicate with the buyer, read and respond to transfer instructions, as well as see the amount of your auction proceeds. You also may of course search for transaction history as well as escalate any transaction to Bido support. Each transaction also has an additional dedicated page with enhanced views and additional data.

Q.	I'm buying a domain and would like to know the status of the transaction, where should I check?
A.	Buyers have a management panel here. This is the buying overview page listing all your transactions. On this page, you may carry out a number of operations as a self serve process, for example: make your payments, view transfer statuses, communicate with the seller, send transfer instructions, indicate you have received ownership of the domain, and more. You may also search for transaction history as well as escalate any transaction to Bido support for intervention. Each transaction also has an additional dedicated page with enhanced views and additional data.

Q.	I would like my balance paid out to an international bank (non-US). Is there a fee deducted if I require a wire sent to my bank?
A.	The fee for Bido to send an international wire is $20. This fee is charged by our sending bank, Bido does not keep any of it. This amount will be deducted from your proceeds if you require an international (non-US) wire. Your bank may hold additional fees, and you should check with them first before providing your wiring instructions. This amount may change at any time.

Q.	I would like my balance paid out to my ePassporte account. Is there a delay or a fee deducted if I require my payment via ePassporte?
A.	The fee for ePassporte payments is typically $3.30 USD. This amount (subject to change) will be deducted from your proceeds. In addition, there is typically a minimum 12 day wait while ePassporte loads and floats the funds from Bido to prepare them for transfer to you. These are all fees and delays on the side of ePassporte. If you are eligible for a payment and require an ePassporte payment, please contact support. The amounts stated and timeframe may change at any time.

Q.	I do not have "autolist" enabled, why did my item go to auction?
A.	Any submitted item that gets a preliminary bid is automatically listed for auction. The date of the auction will be first open timeslot in 7 days after 1PM Eastern (skip forward over weekend, holidays) of when the preliminary bid was placed. If the seller has autolist already enabled, the date of auction will use the seller's preference.

Q.	I would like to discuss possible partnership opportunities. Who should I contact?
A.	If you have a product or service that you think may fit within the Bido brand, please let us know.

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