1. Who we are and what this policy covers
BidThis operates from Germiston, Gauteng and runs online auctions of used machinery and business assets for clients across South Africa, including Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban, Cape Town and Bloemfontein. This policy applies to personal information we handle when we provide asset appraisals, seller onboarding, lot cataloguing, auction photography, reserve price guidance, timed online auctions, viewing management, buyer support, payment clearance, collection coordination and related services.
By using our services or sending information through our enquiry form, you acknowledge that we may process your personal information as set out below. We only collect information that is needed for auction administration, compliance and service delivery.
2. Information we collect from sellers, buyers and visitors
We collect personal and business information that is supplied directly by you, or generated through your use of our services. This may include identification details, company registration information, asset ownership records, contact details, delivery instructions, banking details for payment clearance and any supporting documents needed for verification or collection.
- Information submitted on enquiry forms and onboarding documents
- Lot registration details, asset descriptions and photographs
- Viewing attendance records and buyer registration details
- Payment and collection related information
- Technical data such as browser type, device information and site usage logs
We may also collect information from third parties where required for a lawful purpose, for example to confirm ownership, reduce fraud risk or manage settlement of sold assets.
3. Why we use your information
We use personal information to manage auctions, communicate with users and complete transactions. This includes creating and publishing lot listings, arranging viewings at our Germiston Viewing Yard and other viewing points, confirming bids, processing payments, coordinating collections and keeping proper records for accounting and compliance.
- To provide auction and asset disposal services
- To assess, catalogue and market assets for sale
- To verify identity and authority to sell or buy
- To manage bidding, invoicing and payment clearance
- To support dispute handling, fraud prevention and record keeping
We may also use information to send operational notices about auctions, payment deadlines or collection arrangements. We do not use your personal information for unrelated purposes without a lawful basis.
4. Sharing information with trusted third parties
We may share personal information with service providers who help us operate the platform and complete auction services, including payment processors, IT support providers, photographers, logistics partners and professional advisers. These parties may only use the information to perform the work we have asked them to do.
We may also disclose information when required by law, court order, regulation or lawful request from a public authority. If a buyer or seller breaches auction rules, we may share relevant information to protect our rights, recover amounts due or support lawful proceedings.
Where information is transferred outside South Africa, we take reasonable steps to ensure that the recipient protects it to a standard that is at least comparable to POPIA requirements.
5. How we protect personal information
We use reasonable technical and administrative safeguards to protect personal information against loss, unauthorised access, misuse, alteration or disclosure. Access to information is limited to staff and contractors who need it for their work, including auction operations, buyer support, seller onboarding and asset valuation.
- Access controls and password protected systems
- Role-based permissions for staff and contractors
- Controlled handling of documents and records
- Monitoring for suspicious account activity
- Retention and deletion practices aligned to business and legal needs
No online system is completely secure, so users must also keep their account details and supporting documents safe. If you suspect unauthorised access, you should notify us through our contact form as soon as possible.
6. Your rights under POPIA
You have rights in relation to the personal information we hold about you. Subject to applicable law, you may ask us to confirm whether we hold your information, request access to it, correct inaccurate details or object to certain processing in limited circumstances.
- Request access to personal information
- Ask for correction of incomplete or inaccurate details
- You may withdraw consent where we relied on consent to process your information
- Object to direct marketing where applicable
- If necessary, you can lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator
We may need to keep certain records for legal, tax, audit or transaction purposes even where you ask for deletion. In those cases we will retain only what is required.
7. Retention, cookies and policy updates
We keep personal information only for as long as necessary to carry out the purpose for which it was collected, to meet legal obligations or to resolve disputes. Auction, payment and collection records may need to be retained for longer periods because of accounting and compliance requirements.
Our website may use cookies or similar tools to support basic functionality, measure site use and improve the user experience. You can usually adjust your browser settings to manage cookies, although some features may not work properly if they are disabled. We may update this policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or in the law, and the updated version will apply once published.
For privacy queries, correction requests or objections, please use the enquiry form on our contact page.