The Auction Process
How are Peek-a-Deal Auctions different from other auction types?
Peek-a-Deal Auctions are a totally separate category. Prices start at or near the list price of the item and go down by 20 cents with each click of every player who participates in the auction. After every click the current price is revealed and players have the option to purchase the product for the current price or wait and hope that the price drops down further. However, every participant has the option to purchase the product at any time, so waiting will not always be the best option!
The rules described in other parts of the FAQ section (like those related to AutoBid, winning limits, or the auction clock) do not apply to Peek-a-Deal Auctions.
How does the auction clock work?
All auctions have a time listed next to the product image. The clock shows the time left until the auction starts. For example, when the clock says 04:52:05, it means there are four hours, fifty two minutes and five seconds left until this auction starts.
When the auction clock reaches 00:00:00, the active bidding begins. Each time a bid is placed in an auction, time is added to the clock to allow other bidders an opportunity to place bids. The timer counts down and initially gives bidders up to 30 seconds to outbid, then 15, 10 and finally 6 seconds to outbid the previous bidder. If no more bids are placed within the time limit allowed, the auction ends and the last person to place a bid wins the right to purchase the item for the final price.
How long will an auction last?
Our auctions are completely interest-driven; some may go on for hours while others will end after only a few bids. It depends on the website traffic and the popularity of the item up for auction.
What does the round clock with 30 sec., 15 sec., 10 sec. and 6 sec. in the bottom right corner of an auction window mean?
Each time a bid is placed in an auction, time is added to the clock (30, 15, 10 or 6 seconds) to allow other bidders an opportunity to place their bids. These increments are visible on the clock icon located on every main auction card. If the red area on the clock is between 10 o’clock and 12 o’clock, it means there are 10 seconds to make a bid. If the red area is between 9 o’clock and 12 o’clock, it means there are 15 seconds left to make a bid and so on. Each auction has its own individual time for outbidding and this time will change as the auction progresses. The higher the price, the lower the outbid time limit. As the auction progresses, this time interval will go down to 15, 10 and then 6 seconds.
When will I get the bids I purchased using my credit card?
Sometimes your transaction is initially approved by your financial institution (credit card company/bank), but ultimately it does not clear subsequent security filters that protect our customers from unauthorized use of their credit cards. Possible reasons include errors made while inputting the data or logging off too soon from the payment screen after receiving the transaction confirmation notice (the system could not fully complete verification). The funds are initially just reserved for the transaction by your financial institution, but not transferred to our account. The hold on funds is typically released by your financial institution within 3-4 days.
To avoid incomplete transactions:- Make sure the billing information in your for10cents.com account and credit card billing address match exactly;
- Remain logged on until you receive the transaction confirmation notice.
What are auctions labeled Soon?
Soon auctions occur if there is enough interest. To participate, you just need to place one bid in auctions labeled Soon to show your interest in the item. The more bidders who show their interest in an item, the sooner the auction will begin. If there is not enough interest the auction is removed and the bids are refunded.
How will I know when an auction labeled Soon starts?
All bidders who placed a bid in an auction labeled Soon will be notified by email 24 hours before the auction starts. In addition, bidders have the option to be notified by text message. The text message costs 5 silver bids.
Bidding
What is AutoBid?
- AutoBid is a useful tool designed to automatically bid for you if you are away from your computer or not logged in but don't want to miss an auction. This feature also allows you to keep focused on a specific auction while letting AutoBid takes care of the other auctions you are bidding on.
- AutoBid allows you to set up the number of bids which will be automatically placed during the auction.
- The minimum number of bids that you have to set to use AutoBid is 45. If you would like to use fewer bids than that, you will have to bid manually.
- When you set your AutoBid in an auction, bids are instantly "reserved" for that auction (regardless of when the auction actually begins). This applies to all AutoBids you set up. This prevents the situation where you set up an AutoBid for a future auction but in the meantime you use up the bids on other auctions and as a result you do not have enough bids in AutoBid.
- Consequently, you may have bids in your account, but if they are reserved for automatic bidding in an auction, you will not be able to use them in other auctions.
- You can’t cancel AutoBid once you set it, but you may be able to change the amount of bids (the minimum is 45).
- Any remaining bids in the "AutoBid Reserve" will be automatically credited back into your bid account.
- When setting up AutoBid, you will be alerted automatically if you do not have enough bids in your account.
- The system automatically turns AutoBid off when you run out of bids.
- If you run out of bids and you still want to participate in an auction, you need to add bids to your Bid Account and set AutoBid again.
- AutoBid places bids in the order in which they were set or changed.
- In auctions where more than one bidder is using AutoBid, the current price is increased by the total number of bids of all bidders who are using AutoBid.
What is the minimum number of AutoBids?
The minimum number of bids that you have to set to use AutoBid is 45. If you would like to use fewer bids than that, you will have to bid manually.
Why didn’t I win with AutoBid?
AutoBid doesn’t ensure that you will win the auction. Other bidders can still outbid you if you do not have enough bids in your AutoBid account.
Can I change or cancel AutoBid?
You can’t cancel AutoBid once you set it, but you may be able to change the amount of bids (the minimum is 45).
Why is there the same highest bidder throughout an auction?
You can bid manually or using AutoBid. If you see the same highest bidder for a few consecutive bids, that means that there were no manual bids and there are only AutoBids bidding during that time. AutoBids bid in the order they were set/modified (first, the one that was set/modified before everyone else, and last, the one that was set/modified after everyone else). If there are no changes, you will continue to see the username of the person who set/modified AutoBid last as the highest bidder.
I won - what do I do now?
- Relax and enjoy. You will receive an e-mail from us confirming that you are the winner of the auction.
- We will verify the auction to ensure that the Terms & Conditions were followed and that the rights of all users are protected.
- Once the auction is verified, you will receive an e-mail with payment instructions and a link to payment options. We accept Visa, MasterCard and American Express (via ClickandBuy). You will have 10 days from the day of auction verification to make the payment. You can also make the payment by logging in to your account and selecting Profile > Won Auctions > Pay.
- After the payment has been made, you’ll receive a confirmation e-mail.
- When the item is shipped by our supplier, you will receive the shipment tracking information.
- If the item you won at an auction is a BidPack, bids will be added to your account immediately after you make the payment.
Can I cancel an auction I clicked on accidentally and won?
- First of all, make sure that the auction has not been suspended for technical reasons and that it has actually ended.
- If you see the "Sold" sign in the auction window and you received an email confirming that you won the auction, then you are the true winner.
- Unfortunately, we cannot cancel any bids that have been placed, because that would constitute an intervention in the bidding process.
What happens to the bids I placed in an auction if I don’t win?
Bids that have been placed in an auction are considered "used" and are deducted from your account. Such bids are non-refundable, regardless of whether or not you have won the auction.
When I win an auction, what do I pay for?
After you win an auction, you pay for the item you won plus the shipping cost, if applicable.
What forms of payment are accepted?
We accept Visa, MasterCard and American Express (via ClickandBuy).
Why won’t the system allow me to pay?
To protect all of our users’ rights, For10cents.com uses several monitoring and verification procedures to screen for suspicious activities. We examine all auctions for any illegal manipulations to ensure that the Terms & Conditions are followed. Verification typically takes 24 business hours; auctions that occur over the weekend will take longer. Once verification is complete, you'll be able to pay for the product.
Are there any other costs besides the bids that I used during the auction?
After you win an auction, you’ll have to pay the item’s price, which is the amount at which the auction ended, plus any shipping costs.
How much time do I have to pay for the item I won?
You have 10 days from receipt of an e-mail that the auction has been verified to make the payment. If you do not make the payment within the specified time, you will lose the right to pay for and receive the item. The bids were of course spent at the time they were placed and have been used whether or not you elect to pay for the item.
How much do I have to pay for the item I won?
The amount you pay is the final auction price plus the shipping costs specified in the auction window. There are no additional fees.
I live outside of the United States. Can I bid in an auction?
No. If you would like to take part in an auction, you have to have a US address.
Why can’t I bid I if still have bids in my account?
If you are logged in, still have bids in your account, and cannot take part in any auctions either manually or with AutoBid, you may have reached your won auction limit. Please see Are there any winning limitations in this FAQ for more information.
Your current wins are listed on the top menu bar.
Are there any winning limitations?
The general limits are:- 16 auction wins for all 3 auction types in any 28 day period
- Maximum 2 wins per day
- Platinum Auctions: maximum 3 wins per 28 days
- Gold Auctions: maximum 15 wins per 28 days
- Silver Auctions: maximum 5 wins per 28 days
- BidPacks - 12
- Cameras / Camcorders - 3
- Computers - 3
- Games - 3
- Gift Cards under $200 - 6
- Gift Cards over $200 - 3
- Electronics - 6
- TVs / Home Theater Systems - 3
Can I see the finished auction I bid on?
Finished auctions can be viewed for 9 days under the "See Finished" tab.
Shipping & Returns
When will I receive the item I purchased?
Delivery times vary for each item. Most items are shipped directly from our suppliers. After making a payment for the item, you will receive an email confirming that your product has been ordered. Once the item is sent by the supplier, we will send you another confirmation email with the shipment tracking information. Although we do not guarantee a shipping date for items purchased, most items should arrive within 14 to 28 days. Please check your email for any notifications.
If you haven’t received your product within 30 days from the date of purchase, please contact us to resolve this situation. Occasionally, an item may be out of stock, which causes a delay in shipment.
How much is the shipping cost?
The shipping cost is listed right beneath the current auction price of the item, in the auction window.
Where do the items sold in auctions come from?
The items sold by us are brand new and come with the full manufacturer’s warranties, if applicable. Most of the items are shipped directly from the suppliers to the bidder that won the auction.
Do you ship internationally?
No. Shipments are made only in the United States.
Can I personally pick up an item?
No. Items are shipped from suppliers from different locations around the United States.
I won several items. Can I have them shipped together as one package?
No. Different items ship from different suppliers from around the United States.
Can I withdraw from paying for a product I won?
Yes, you have 10 days from receiving an e-mail that the auction has been verified to make the payment. If you want to cancel, just don’t complete the payment. Remember, you will forfeit all bids used to purchase it.
After I make a payment, can I cancel or return the purchased merchandise?
You may cancel the purchase of an item you won by notifying us in writing (by email) within 10 days of the date you made the payment.
If the item has not been shipped yet, you will be entitled to a refund of the auction sale price and the shipping cost, but not the bids placed in the auction.
If the item has already been shipped, you will be entitled solely to a refund of the auction sale price, but not the shipping cost or the bids placed in the auction.
Once you have received the item, you may return it within 7 days of delivery, subject to the fees listed below, provided that (i) you have first contacted us in writing (by email), (ii) the item is still in its original packaging, and (iii) it has not been damaged or used.
Items such as computer software, books, and audio or video recordings that have been unwrapped are not eligible for cancellation or refund.
If the return is not due to our error (i.e. you ordered it and later decided that you don't want it), then you accept full responsibility for all shipping costs plus a 10% re-stocking fee, which will be deducted from the refund. When shipping back an item, please use a traceable shipping method.
How do I exchange a damaged or wrong item?
Please do not send the item back to us or to the supplier without contacting us first. This may delay the replacement of the item.
In the event that the wrong or defective merchandise was shipped, you must immediately notify us (support@for10cents.com) in order to obtain a refund or item replacement.
Obvious damage to the item or to packaging due to transport should be reported to us immediately upon accepting the delivery.
If the wrong item or defective item is received, we will accept responsibility for all shipping costs related to the return. The new/correct item will also be re-shipped free of charge.
When shipping back the wrong/defective item to us, please use a traceable shipping method. If the package is too large or very valuable, please feel free to contact us so that we can arrange the return.
Wrong/defective items need to be shipped back to us within 10 days of delivery.
Do you ever substitute items?
We never substitute product without your prior written permission. Occasionally, an item will be unavailable; if you agree, we will send you a comparable product of equal or greater value.
My Account
How do I change my password?
Go to Profile > About Me > Change Password and follow the on-screen instructions.
I forgot my user name. How can I recover it?
Go to Profile > Recover User Name and follow the on-screen instructions.
I forgot my password. How can I recover it?
Go to Profile > Reset Password and follow on-screen instructions.
How do I change my address?
To change your billing address, go to Profile > About Me > Change Billing Address.
To change your shipping address, go to Profile > About Me > Change Shipping Address.
Important: to protect our customers, all items are shipped to their billing address. Please contact our customer service for exceptions.
How do I change my e-mail address?
Go to Profile > About Me > Change E-Mail Address, fill out the required information and follow the link sent to your new e-mail address.
Is it ok to have three different accounts for three different people on my computer?
No. There can be only one login per any given computer IP address. Having more than one account on the same IP address is a violation of our Terms & Conditions and could result in account termination and of the loss of all bids and all products.
Can I bid for someone else?
This is not recommended and could be a violation of the Terms and Conditions. A better solution is for you to bid from your own account for those items. If the login account is the only one used on that specific computer and registered with that specific mailing address, and if you yourself don’t have a login on our server, then it is acceptable. Otherwise it will be a violation which means that we would have to block both accounts.
Can I recharge an account for another person?
- No. It is against our regulations to recharge another person’s account.
- Payments to an account can be made only by the owner of the account, using his/her correct and accurate personal information. Personal information always has to be the same and cannot repeat itself in a different bidder account. Therefore each account has to have:
- A unique email address
- A unique mailing address
- A unique phone number
How do I close my account?
We are sorry to hear that you are considering closing your account. If this is the result of a concern you may have with our service, please give us a chance to address it. We will do our best to resolve it to your full satisfaction. If you still wish to close your account, please follow these steps:
- Before you can close your account, you need to take care of your outstanding balances and you cannot have any bids in your account.
- To close the account, log in, go to Profile > About Me > Close User Account and follow the on-screen directions.
Miscellaneous
Does it cost anything to use this website?
No. The registration and use of this website are completely free; the auctions themselves, however, require that you first purchase bids in order to participate.
What are Reward Points?
They are a reward for playing - those bidders who did not win the auction will receive Reward Points. Reward Points are calculated as 10% of the bids spent on an auction. Reward Points are tallied and displayed in the "Reward Summary" column of the user account.
How do I redeem Reward Points?
Reward Points can be redeemed for free bids by purchasing promotional BidPacks with special Reward Point conversion offers. Please see our "Bid Prices" section for more details.
How do I ask for a specific product?
We are constantly looking for new products to make our auctions attractive and we always welcome feedback from our bidders - if you have any suggestions regarding items you would like to see on our website, please send us an email and we’ll be happy to consider it.
