How to use the auction terms before you bid
BidThis runs timed online auctions for used machinery and business assets across South Africa, including Germiston, Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban, Cape Town and Bloemfontein. When you place a bid, you are entering a binding offer to buy, so it is your responsibility to understand the lot details, condition notes and any special instructions before the auction closes.
Please read the listing, inspect the photographs and review all notes on the asset. If a machine is marked as used, untested, incomplete or subject to viewings, that status forms part of the sale. Buyers should not rely on assumptions about age, working order or service history. If you are unsure about an item, ask before you bid. Once the hammer falls online, the winning bid stands and there is no cooling off period.
Registering, bidding and winning a lot
To bid, you must register on the platform, provide accurate contact and company details, and accept the auction conditions linked to the sale. If your details change, update them immediately so invoices, release notes and collection instructions can be sent without delay. BidThis may request proof of identity, business registration details or other supporting documents where needed.
- Place bids only if you have authority to buy on behalf of your business.
- Check the bid increment, reserve status and closing time for each lot.
- Know that bids may extend the auction if activity continues near closing.
- Keep watching until the lot closes, as last minute bidding can change the result.
- If you win, you are responsible for payment and collection, even if you bid by mistake.
Winning bidders will receive the invoice and next steps after the auction closes. Please review these promptly so there is no hold up with payment or release.
Payment terms, buyer fees and clearance
All purchases must be paid in full by the deadline shown on the invoice. Payment is usually required by EFT and funds must clear before any collection can be arranged. Do not send a vehicle or transporter until payment clearance has been confirmed. If payment is late, BidThis may cancel the sale, charge storage or relist the asset.
Buyer fees, VAT where applicable, and any other charges will be shown on the invoice or in the auction details. Make sure you understand the full landed cost, including loading, transport, rigging and any reconnection work needed on site. In many cases, used equipment is sold as is, where is, and buyers must plan for removal, lifting gear and the correct labour.
- Pay the full invoice amount before collection.
- Allow time for bank clearance over weekends and public holidays.
- Bring your own transport, straps, chains or forklifts if required.
- Check whether municipal permits or site access rules apply at collection.
Viewing rules and item condition at Germiston and other points
Where viewings are available at Germiston Viewing Yard, Johannesburg East Viewings, Pretoria Viewing Point, Durban Viewing Point, Cape Town Viewings, Bloemfontein Viewings, Isando Viewing Point or Alberton Viewing Point, buyers should book or follow the viewing instructions published for that lot. Viewings are there to help you make a practical decision, especially for machinery that may have cosmetic wear, missing parts or signs of normal industrial use.
Our team works to present the lot as accurately as possible, but buyers still need to do their own checks. Surface rust, battery issues, dust, flat tyres, oil residue or weathering can occur, especially on equipment stored outdoors or in coastal humidity. Load-shedding and site shutdowns can also affect testing, so if a machine has not been fully run, that will be stated. Buyers accept that photos and descriptions are guides, not warranties.
Seller conditions for asset disposals and surplus stock
Sellers using BidThis must provide honest asset details, ownership confirmation and access to the goods for cataloguing, photography and viewing management. If an item is encumbered, hired, leased or subject to a third party claim, that must be disclosed before listing. Sellers are responsible for making sure the assets offered are available for sale and can be removed once sold.
For multi-site dispersals, surplus stock sales and large clearances, the seller must identify what stays on site and what must be removed. Reserve price guidance may be given, but the final reserve remains the seller’s choice unless agreed otherwise. If a lot is withdrawn after publication, the seller may be liable for costs already incurred, including photography, listing and labour. Please note, any inaccurate information can affect buyer trust and auction results, so accuracy is non-negotiable.
- Provide correct serial numbers, asset lists and location details.
- Allow access for appraisals, photographs and scheduled viewings.
- Disclose faults, missing parts and any safety issues.
- Remove unsold items promptly if the site must be cleared by a fixed date.
Collection, disputes and what happens if a bid is missed
Once payment has cleared, collection must happen within the time window shown for the auction. Buyers are responsible for organising safe loading, transport and insurance from the point of release. If an item requires dismantling, lifting or specialist removal, that remains the buyer’s responsibility unless the lot terms say otherwise. Please check site rules, because some industrial yards have strict access times, PPE requirements and vehicle limits.
If there is a dispute, BidThis will review the sale record, lot notes and communication trail. The platform’s decision process is based on the published terms and the information available at the time of sale. Buyers should raise concerns quickly, not after the equipment has left site. If a bid is entered in error, it still counts. That is why careful bidding matters and why a quick review before the auction closes can save problems later.
These terms are there to keep auctions clear for everyone, from first time buyers to regular trade customers. If you need help understanding a lot condition or collection step, contact us through the enquiry form on our contact page before you bid.
