CDW Liquidation Auctions FAQ
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- Applying & Logging In
- Bidding
- Payment & Shipping
- Other Questions & Troubleshooting
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How do I apply on CDW Liquidation Auctions? Is there any cost to me?
Click here to create an account. Fill in the required fields, attach a valid reseller's certificate and click the submit button. We will notify you within one business day if your account is approved. There is no fee for applying or for being an approved buyer on CDW Liquidation Auctions.
Can I apply if I am located outside of the United States?
CDW Liquidation Auctions is a US Buyers only site. International buyers are unable to register at this time.
I am an exporter located in the United States. Can I apply?
A reseller's certificate is required for approval of any buyer located in the United States, not including states that do not charge sales tax.
What is a reseller's certificate and why do I need it? Do all states require a reseller's certificate?
A reseller's certificate exempts buyers from paying sales tax on their purchases. We never collect sales tax on behalf of our sellers, and only sell to buyers who have state issued reseller's certificates. Users in any state that has a sales tax must submit a reseller's certificate to be approved on CDW Liquidation Auctions. This may also be called a Seller's Permit, Sales Tax License, Sales and Use Tax Permit, Certificate of Authority or a similar name for your state. For instructions on how to obtain a reseller's certificate, example of images or a blank form for your state, please visit our reseller certificate instructions page. If you live in Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire or Oregon, this is not required as part of your application.
Can I submit my EIN (Employer Identification Number)?
No. An EIN is a federal identification number, but a state issued certificate is required for approval on CDW Liquidation Auctions.
How do I get a reseller's certificate?
For instructions on how to obtain a reseller's certificate for your state, please visit our reseller certificate instructions page.
How do I submit my reseller's certificate?
Click here to submit your resale certificate.
Why hasn't my account been approved yet?
Please allow one full business day for your application to be approved. If you have not been approved, it is likely because we have not received the proper reseller form from you. For instructions on how to obtain a reseller's certificate, example of images or a blank form for your state, please visit our reseller certificate instructions page.
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How do I bid?
Once you are an approved buyer on CDW Liquidation Auctions, you can go to any auction page and enter the highest amount that you are willing to pay. Enter the amount in the white box to the right of "My Maximum Bid". Below, you will see the minimum allowable bid amount. Once the amount has been entered, click the "Bid Now" button. Please note the message near the top of the page, which indicates if your bid is high enough to become the current high bid. If not, you may wish to increase your bid. For each bid you enter, you will receive an email confirmation that your bid was successfully placed.
How large are the lots being sold?
Please refer to each auction title and description for detailed information.
What condition is the merchandise in? Is it all new?
Please see our Conditions page for the conditions used on CDW Liquidation Auctions. Refer to each auction title and description for detailed information.
Why do auctions extend at the end?
If a bid is placed in the last 5 minutes of an auction, the auction end time will extend for an additional 3 minutes. This is called "Popcorn Bidding" and gives all bidders an equal chance of winning an auction by extending the end time of the auction if a last minute bid is placed. Popcorn Bidding is used to simulate a live auction and prevents other bidders from "sniping" an auction at the last second.
How can I enter my maximum bid without it appearing to other bidders?
All bids placed on CDW Liquidation Auctions act as "proxy" bids. You can bid the highest amount you are willing to bid and allow the system to manage the bidding for you. The Current Bid displayed on each auction is equivalent to the second highest bidder's bid, plus one bid increment ($25 on CDW Liquidation Auctions). If the high bidder has placed a higher bid, it will not display. This allows bidders to know that if they place a proxy bid, they could still win the auction for any amount below or at their maximum bid. Please note that bid increments will increase at higher bid amounts.
Example: If you find an item that you are interested in that is currently at $1,000 without any bids and choose to bid $5,000, you will be winning the auction at $1,000. If another bidder places a bid for $1,100, you will be winning the auction at $1,125, one increment higher. The system will continue to automatically outbid other bidders on your behalf, but will never exceed your proxy bid of $5,000.
Can I buy merchandise without bidding on it?
All merchandise sold on CDW Liquidation Auctions is in auction format only. If you only want to place one bid, you can always place a proxy bid.
Can I cancel my bid?
Please remember that every bid on B-Stock operated marketplaces is a binding contract. You are agreeing to buy the lot at the price you indicate should you ultimately be the high bidder. Bids may not be cancelled once submitted. If you accidentally enter a wrong bid amount (for example, you entered $1000 instead of $100) you can click on the Cancel link within the bid confirmation pop-up window to change your bid amount prior to submission. Changing your mind does not qualify as accidentally entering a wrong bid amount.
Your bids affect how other users bid within the auction and the auction's final selling price. We provide ample opportunity for you to check and double check your bid before submitting, so requests to cancel bids will most likely result in the suspension of your account.
A record of all bids is kept on file. If a current winning bid is disqualified in an auction for any reason, B-Stock will restore the next highest non-winning bid to winning status. This decision is made at the sole discretion of B-Stock Solutions.Are the images on the site actual images of the merchandise?
Merchandise may be displayed in its current condition, or with a stock image. If it is unclear in any way, contact us prior to bidding
Can I inspect the merchandise before bidding?
Merchandise cannot be inspected prior to bidding. All available information is detailed on the auction page.
Why did I lose the auction if I bid the same amount as another bidder?
In order to win an auction, you need to bid a higher amount than the current high bidder. If both you and another buyer placed maximum bids of $10,000, but the other bidder placed their bid before yours, they will win the auction.
How do I know if I win?
At the close of the auction, the winning bidder is notified by email. This will also show up as an order on the "Orders" page under the "Account" dropdown.
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How do I pay? How long do I have to pay?
All auctions must be paid by wire transfer, within 2 business days of auction close. Wire instructions will be included in your "Bid Won" email and on your Orders page after winning each auction. If you are unfamiliar with sending a wire, you can do it easily from your bank (usually for a small fee that varies by bank). Many banks allow you to send wires via their website. Ask your bank for details. Wire transfer confirmation may take up to 24 hours.
Please contact [email protected] or fill out the "Ask Us" form with any questions regarding payment.
What forms of payment do you accept? Do you accept credit cards?
Wire payment is the only form of payment accepted, as it is both instant and secure. This is the standard practice in the sale of liquidation lots. We do not accept credit cards, personal checks or Western Union for payments.
Can I combine multiple payments together?
You may always combine multiple payments into one wire for auctions won within 2 days of each other, if you are complying with the payment policy. Please be sure to put all order numbers in the memo section of the wire.
What do I do after I have paid?
You should receive an email from CDW Liquidation Auctions confirming your payment within 2 business days and the status of your order will be changed to "Paid" on your account. A CDW Liquidation Auctions representative will contact you via email or phone within 2 business days of this confirmation with full instructions to arrange delivery of your merchandise. Please be ready to arrange your shipment with a carrier of your choice to pick up the shipment from CDW Liquidation Auctions delivery truck, when it arrives, and buyers must be prepared to accept an incoming shipment as soon as an order has been paid. If you do not hear from CDW Liquidation Auctions for 3 full business days after confirmation of your payment, please contact us.
How does shipping work?
The buyer is responsible for shipping costs and arranging the pick up from CDW. After you win an auction, you will have the option to use a carrier of your choice to pick up the shipment from CDW.
After you win an auction you will have the option of arranging your shipping using quotes provided by FreightQuote.com. For your convenience, most auctions display a shipping estimate from Freight Quote so you can calculate in the cost of shipping as you bid.
You must pick up the merchandise from CDW within 3 business days from the time you pay for your auction. If you fail to pick up your merchandise within 3 business days, CDW reserves the right to resell your merchandise and withhold 10% of the purchase price as a restock fee. In addition, CDW will charge $10 per pallet for each day it remains in the warehouse beyond the 3 business days. Pick up hours are from 5AM-11:30AM CST, no exceptions. The carrier is required to have the CDW order number with them, otherwise the merchandise will not be released.
If using FedEx or UPS for Pickup, Buyers must instruct the carrier to send a truck specifically for your order. Not doing so will result in shipping delays.
Recommended Shipping Carriers:
- Roadrunner
- Holland
- American Service Group
- PJ Transport
- CW Worldwide
Can I pick up the merchandise myself? Can I just pay when I pick it up?
CDW Liquidation Auctions will work with the buyer to arrange the pick up of their merchandise. Buyers must pay prior to arranging the pickup of their items.
Do I pay you for shipping?
You are responsible for paying for shipping, which is displayed as "Shipping Cost" on the auction page, and included in your Bid Won notification.
What should I know about receiving my shipment?
Please refer to the Receiving Procedures page for best practices to receive, review, inspect, and document your incoming shipment.
I am no longer interested in the auction I won. Do I still have to pay?
All bids placed on CDW Liquidation Auctions are binding. In the event that you do not pay for your order, you may be given the chance to pay a reinstatement fee, in order to prevent the deactivation of your account. The fee amounts are as follows, within any 12-month period:
1st Offense: $0-$10,000 Purchase Price: $100 Fee
1st Offense: $10,000+ Purchase Price: $500 Fee
2nd Offense: $0-$10,000 Purchase Price: $500 Fee
2nd Offense: $10,000+ Purchase Price: $1,000 Fee
3rd Offense: $1,000 Fee
What if there is a problem with my order?
All merchandise on CDW Liquidation Auctions is sold "as is", and all sales are final. Keep this in mind when bidding on auctions, as merchandise cannot be returned. You shall have ten (10) days from the date of removal of Inventory Products from CDW's Premises in accordance with Section 5.1 and 5.2 of the Terms of Purchase to inspect the shipment for any discrepancies in the stated quantity and report such discrepancy to CDW in writing. CDW reserves the right to conduct an additional inspection at its own expense. If CDW agrees that an under-delivery has occurred above and beyond the stated potential 5 percent (5%) shortage, CDW will reimburse you for any acknowledged under-delivery above and beyond the stated expected 5 percent (5%) shortage. Such reimbursement may be in the form of an offset against any payments you may owe to CDW, at CDW's discretion. Following such ten (10) day inspection period, you shall no longer have the right to claim any reimbursement for under-delivery. Please also refer to the Receiving Procedures page for how to properly receive, inspect, and document your shipment.
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Am I buying this merchandise directly from CDW Liquidation Auctions?
Yes! All merchandise on CDW Liquidation Auctions is coming directly from CDW Liquidation Auctions. All orders are shipped from their location(s).
Where is the auction merchandise located?
The auctions on CDW Liquidation Auctions are located throughout the United States. Please refer to each auction title and description for detailed information.How often are there new auctions?
New auctions can be posted at any time during normal business hours. Buyers that are subscribed to the CDW Liquidation Auctions newsletter will receive an email when auctions are opening and closing each day.
How can I update my personal information / change my password?
As an approved buyer, if you are logged into CDW Liquidation Auctions and select "Account Information" from the "My Account" drop down. You can update all contact information or change the password on your account. You can also click the green "I forgot" text on the login page if you cannot remember your password.
How do I report a technical problem?
Contact us to report your issue. Please be as specific as possible and be sure to include any information that would help us determine the cause of your problem, including: which web browser you are using (Internet Explorer, Chrome, etc.), the web page you are on, steps to replicate the issue you are having, and other details and screenshots for our review.
I am approved and having trouble logging in. What can I do?
Sometimes your browser can cause login problems. Please try the following fixes:
- Clear your browser's cache, then close it and reopen it and try logging in again.
- Try logging in with a different browser. We recommend using the latest version of Firefox, Chrome or Safari.
When I try to log in, I see the message "Invalid login or password." Why?
If you receive this notification, then you either have not yet applied on CDW Liquidation Auctions, or you are entering an incorrect password. You can reset your password by clicking the "I forgot" link below your password entry and entering your email address. If you have not applied, then you can click the Create An Account button to begin your application.
When I try to log in, I see the message "Your application is still pending." What do I do?
If you receive this notification, then we have either not yet reviewed your application or you have not submitted us the proper reseller's certificate. If it has been more than 1 business day since you applied, then we are still waiting on the proper documentation from you. You can email us your resellers certificate or fax it to (650) 241-3328.
Still have questions?
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