The Backup Bidder (or BUB) feature can be initiated and managed by your facility staff without contacting ST Customer Support. Once initiated, the backup bidders will be notified automatically through the system and the first bidder that accepts an offer will be invoiced. All BUB cases will be held under the same Terms of Sale.
How to Start a Backup Bidder Case
How It Works
You can start a BUB case to offer a unit to backup bidders if a bidder fails to complete the sale. Once a case is started, the original winner is automatically suspended. Then, emails and text messages are automatically generated to the BUBs, starting with the first BUB (with the highest bid) on the first day. If the first BUB does not accept or respond to the offer, then the second BUB is offered the unit on day two. On day three, all remaining BUBs are sent offers. The BUB that accepts the offer first will be awarded the unit. The facility and BUB will be sent an invoice to complete the sale.
IMPORTANT: Prior to requesting a backup bidder, it is critical that you have attempted to reach the original bidder by phone and email. Their contact information is found on the invoice.
Ineligible Units
Cherry picked units are not eligible for BUB sales. The units must be untouched, with the tamper tag intact and attached to the unit.
When to Start a BUB
A backup bidder case can be started when a Winning Bidder:
- has an Unpaid Invoice (credit card declined) and 24 hours has expired since the auction ended
- has a Paid Invoice but fails to show up to complete the sale (No Show) within the required cleanout time
- was previously banned from your property
- refuses cleanout (bidder is out-of-state, in an accident, photos don’t match, etc.)
Credit Card Decline
After 24 hours has expired from when the auction ended, you can start a BUB case if the buyer’s credit card is still showing as Declined in your Invoices tab.
No Show
If the bidder has a Paid Invoice but is not responding to your calls or emails, then you must wait until the cleanout time has expired before requesting a BUB. The cleanout time is stated on the invoice.
Override (special circumstance)
You can request that a backup bidder case be started immediately if one of these (or similar) reasons apply:
Bidder previously banned from property
Photos do not match the auction photos
Bidder lives in another state
Bidder was in an accident, family emergency, sick, etc.
Bidder claims he/she didn’t bid on the auction
To request an override, you must contact ST Customer Support and explain the reason for the override. Please utilize our Help Center to submit a request. The option to submit a request can be accessed from the top right corner of our website by navigating to Help Center > Submit a Request. Additionally, our support team is available for immediate assistance via LiveChat.
How to Request a BUB
- From My Account, click ‘Invoicing’ and select ‘Invoices’.
- From ‘Invoices’, locate the correct Invoice and Unit number.
- Click ‘Actions’ and choose ‘Request Backup’ in the drop-down menu.
Next, you will be provided with the auction information, as well as the high bid amount, bidder information and number of BUBs that will be offered the unit.
Reason for Request
Click the ‘Reason’ pull-down and select one of the applicable options:
Winning bidder no showed
Bidder previously banned from property
Winning bidder refused cleanout
Other (explain)
In the “Notes” box, explain your attempts to reach the original buyer, conversation you had with the buyer or other pertinent details. Include the Auction ID number at the beginning of your note
Click ‘Yes, request backup’ button