Closing soon Midwest Internet Only Auction
760 items currently listed
Registration and account
Where do I register to bid?
You can register to bid at live or Internet auction by clicking on the "register to bid" button at the top right of the web site. You can also register at any Purple Wave office. It’s important to note that you will have to check in at any live auction to receive a bid card and live bidder number.
I registered. What now?
Your five-digit customer number will be e-mailed to the address you provided. Check your e-mail for the confirmation e-mail with instructions on how to proceed. If you have not received the e-mail, check your "spam" box, or make sure that auction@purplewave.com is among your allowed senders.
If you are still not receiving the e-mail message, contact the Purple Wave technology department at support@purplewave.com.
I lost my customer number and/or password. How to I retrieve it?
Look for the "manage account" widget on the right side of the homepage. Click the "lost number" link. Provide your e-mail address and your customer number and password will be e-mailed to you.
How do I update my account information?
Look for the "manage account" widget on the right side of the homepage. Click the "update" link. If you run into issues with account management, please contact the Purple Wave technology department at support@purplewave.com with details about the problem.
Auctions
How does an Internet only auction work?
Items at Internet only auction are pictured and posted at www.purplewave.com. Bidding will be available until the stated auction time. At this time, the items will begin to close at the frequency detailed in the auction terms (for example, one item per minute) until all items have been sold.
Internet only auctions feature our automatic extension system. For each auction, an extension time is detailed in the internet bidding portion of the auction terms. If a bid is placed on an item within the detailed extension time, the available bid time is extended by the detailed extension time. For example, if the extension time is set to five minutes, then if a bid placed within the last five minutes of the sale, the available bid time is extended by five minutes.
For instance an Example Internet Only Auction has an extension time of one hour. The bidding is set to begin closing items at 10 a.m. CDT. Any bid placed on an item in this auction between 9 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. CDT will activate the bid extension. The item countdown will reference the 10 a.m. end of bidding close time. At 10 a.m. bidding on the item will extend to 11 a.m.
How does a live auction work?
Before a live auction begins, Purple Wave offers pre-auction, Internet bidding on all items via www.purplewave.com. Generally, Internet bidding closes one hour prior to the live sale. Live sales do not use the automatic time extension system. All items close at the same time. The items are then offered at live auction. Bidders must be registered on site and hold a three-digit bid card.
Internet bids are implemented by a single, on-site bid representative and placed against the live crowd. As the auctioneer calls for bids, bidders raise their hand or card, or get the attention of the ringmen to place bids and participate. The item sells when there is no one willing to bid a higher amount than the current bid.
Upon sale, the auctioneer calls out the amount and the bidder number to which the item sells. This information is recorded by Purple Wave staff, and marked on the item. Once in the system, the item can be paid for and removed from the premises.
When will Internet bidding close?
For Internet only auctions, Internet bidding will begin to close at the stated auction time.
For live auctions, Internet bidding typically closes one hour before the live sale. It is important to confirm the closing time by viewing the item details or contacting a Purple Wave office.
I bid on the Internet, but want to go to the live auction. What should I do?
Your Internet bids will stand at the live sale, even if you attend. Purple Wave recommends that you know the items on which you bid and the amounts you bid, specifically your maximum. The Purple Wave representative will place your Internet bids up to your maximum against the live crowd. Once he has reached your maximum, he will stop bidding. At this time, you may continue bidding against the live crowd.
Items and bidding
How do I place a bid?
Bids can be placed from the listing and item details pages. Enter your current bid and/or maximum bid for the item. Provide your customer number and password, then "submit." You will be asked to confirm that you have read the terms and confirm your bid.
Did I win the item at Internet auction?
After the close of an auction, e-mail notification will be sent to winning Internet bidders informing them of their purchase. Occasionally, e-mails are not received by the customer. It is always the customer’s responsibility to determine if an item was won. You may do this by checking the website or calling Purple Wave. If you do not receive an e-mail, you will still be responsible for the purchase.
Can this item be shipped?
The terms for each auction or item may vary. If shipping is provided for an item, it will be stated under the shipping terms on the item details page. If it is stated that shipping is not available, there will not be exceptions.
What is an acceptable bid?
Odd bids, such as $17.77, are impossible to work with during an auction situation. Purple Wave works to maintain a true, fair auction experience both live and on the Internet. To do so, it is necessary that all bids are similar to the bids for which the auctioneer cries. Bids are rounded down to conform to Purple Wave’s standardized bidding increments.
Why did a live bidder win at my maximum Internet bid?
This situation does not occur often, but can happen. It is important to know that Internet bids are treated as absentee bids and that no preference is given to them over the live crowd. Purple Wave’s representative will bid as if he is you and cannot exceed your maximum bid. If someone in the crowd has the bid at your maximum, it is not possible for the representative to place the same bid or outbid the live bidder, and so you do not win the item.
For example, imagine the representative is bidding for a buyer with a winning Internet bid of $150 and a maximum of $200 on an item. The auctioneer will initiate bidding at $150 – the current high bid at www.purplewave.com. If a live bidder places a bid, the bidding moves to the next increment. So, the live bidder would bid $160. The representative would bid $170. The live bidder would follow with $180, then the representative with $190. In turn, the live bidder bids $200 – coincidentally, the Internet bidder’s maximum. Since the next increment is $210 and would exceed the Internet bidder’s maximum, the representative ceases bidding and the live bidder wins the item.
Why is this item marked "dealers only"?
If an auction or item is marked "dealers only," then customers are unable to purchase the item without the necessary licenses. View the item details page for the specific licenses needed.
Purple Wave requires that a copy of the license be submitted with a Purple Wave customer number. The name on the customer account must match the name on the license.
What happens if an item does not sell?
The seller is bound in a contract and cannot get the item back unless Purple Wave feels that the item cannot be resold. If an item does not sell, Purple Wave typically makes an attempt to resell it.
In rare situations, as the contracted auctioneer for many state agencies, items may be removed from an auction due to legal complications. While Purple Wave takes every precaution to avoid such situations, these issues are usually out of our control. The removed items are typically offered at auction at a later date.
What is a condition score?
All items are assigned a condition score to assist buyers in inspecting merchandise via the Internet. The condition scores vary from 1+ to 5, offering a general overview of the item’s condition.
When can I pick up my item?
At a live auction, items are typically available for pick up immediately after their sale. For items sold at Internet auction, the pick up availability is listed on the item details page. A paid invoice must be presented at pick up before the item can be loaded or removed from the premises.
What is a choice lot?
Choice lots are a series of common items that have been grouped to sell, but do not sell together. The auctioneer will beginning calling for bids. When the bidding stops, the winning bidder chooses which item or items he or she would like to purchase. Each item chosen sells at the winning price. The auctioneer then counts down. The next person to bid gets a chance to pick from the remaining items. This pattern continues until there are no items available.
For example, the auctioneer accepts bids for a choice lot of 30 microwaves of multiple brands and colors. He begins calling for bids, and the winning bidder ends the bidding at $80. The bidder chooses two of the 30 microwaves. His total cost will be $160. The auctioneer counts down until another bid is placed. The next bidder places a bid of $70. He selects one microwave and will pay $70. This pattern continues until all microwaves are sold.
Selling "choice" is an effective way for an auctioneer to liquidate a large quantity of similar items quickly. It requires immediate competitive bidding to ensure that you are able to choose the exact item you wish to purchase.
Payment
How do I make a payment?
Payments can be made at any Purple Wave Auction office across the nation. You may visit an office to pay in person, or contact us via e-mail or phone to make other payment arrangements. Payments must be made to Purple Wave, never to individual consignors.
What forms of payment are accepted?
Purple Wave accepts payments in the forms of cash, credit up to $2,000, or personal check up to $10,000. For amount more than $10,000, a bank letter of guaranty is required. Bank wire transfer or e-mail authorization to charge the credit card on file is also accepted. Payments must be made to Purple Wave, never to individual consignors.
