Frequently Asked Questions
Please select a category that you have a queston about:
Technical Issues, including Software
The Ritchie Bros. online bidding software is already installed on my computer. Do I have to install the new version?
Yes, you do need to install the Feb. 2009 version of the software if you want to bid online. Installation is quick and easy, and the new interface has many enhanced features to make it even easier to bid online at Ritchie Bros. auctions worldwide.
Can I use the Ritchie Bros. online bidding software to bid at other auctions?
Our proprietary online bidding software was specially developed for our unique auction processes. It can be used to view and bid online only at Ritchie Bros. auctions.
I’ve bid online at other company’s auctions. Do I still need to install the Ritchie Bros. online bidding software?
Yes, if you want to watch or bid online at Ritchie Bros. auctions you need to install our proprietary online bidding software. It’s free and easy. Visit our Online Bidding Software page for more information.
What kind of computer system do I need to bid online at Ritchie Bros. auctions?
In general, you need a computer with a Windows operating system and internet connection (preferably high speed). You can find a full list of system requirements on our Technical Assistance page.
Can I still bid online if my computer is behind a firewall?
Yes, you can still use our online bidding software if you are behind a firewall, but your systems administrator may need to make some adjustments to the firewall first. See System Requirements for more information.
How do I download and install the online bidding software?
A security warning appeared when I started to download the online bidding software. Is the software safe to install?
Yes, the software is safe to install. Your browser might display an InstallShield security warning when you begin the download: this is just a safeguard against installing software from unknown sources. Our online bidding software is safe to install, so just click “yes” or “allow” to continue the download.
How long does it take to install the online bidding software?
The faster your internet connection, the faster the download speed. Even with a dial-up internet connection, the installation should take less than two minutes.
What should I do if an error occurs when I’m downloading the software?
If an error occurs or the system freezes during installation, you can retry the installation or follow the detailed instructions here. If that does not solve the problem, visit our Technical Assistance page and check that your computer has the necessary system requirements and settings. Need further help? Contact Ritchie Bros. customer service.
Do I have to download the software every time I want to view or bid in an auction online?
No, you don’t have to download the software every time you want to use it. However, we may release upgraded versions of the software in the future. If we do, you will be notified when you visit rbauction.com to register to bid online.
I registered on one computer but I’d like to use a different computer to bid on auction day. Is that OK?
Yes, you can register on one computer and bid online on a different computer – but you must install the online bidding software on the computer you want to use to bid on auction day. IMPORTANT: download the software before auction day to avoid any technical issues when it’s time to bid.
What should I do if I lose my internet connection during the auction?
First, re-establish your internet connection. Once your connection is live, the online bidding software will restart automatically. If it doesn’t, return to the rbauction.com home page and start a new online bidding session.
I’ve installed the online bidding software on my computer but I can’t find it in the programs menu. How do I launch or start the software?
On auction day, just go to rbauction.com and click BID or VIEW next to an active auction on the auction calendar. The software can only be launched if an auction is currently being broadcast on rbauction.com.
How can I improve the sound quality of the auction when I listen online?
The audio portion of the online auction broadcast is largely dependent on your internet connection speed and the amount of traffic on the internet at any given time. If your internet connection speed is at least 40Kbps, any audio dropouts or garbled sound issues should be temporary.
Why does the auction audio sound high pitched (too fast) or low pitched (too slow)?
The auction audio will pay too fast or slow if your computer’s soundcard is not 100 percent SB-16 compliant.
I can hear the auction audio but I can’t see the online bidding interface. What’s wrong?
The interface has probably been minimized. If so, you will see a button at the bottom of your computer screen saying “Ritchie Bros. Live Auction.” Click on that button to bring the online bidding interface back into view.
I can see the auction but I can’t hear the audio. What’s wrong?
Make sure your computer audio is not set to MUTE and that the volume is high enough, and that your computer speakers are turned on. If that does not resolve the issue, contact Ritchie Bros. customer service for assistance.
I’m watching an auction taking place in Europe. What is that odd symbol next to the money amounts? It is not the same as the euro symbol.
Our European auctions are conducted in euros. However, the euro symbol (€) does not display properly on computers with Windows 95 operating systems unless you install the patch available on the Microsoft web site.
The online bidding interface opens briefly then closes again when I try to view or bid in the auction online. What’s happening?
Your temporary internet files folder may be full. To rectify this problem if you’re using Internet Explorer, go to INTERNET OPTIONS under TOOLS in your browser menu and DELETE FILES. To rectify this problem if you’re using Netscape, go to PREFERENCES under EDIT in your browser menu and CLEAR CACHE.
Can I bid online in multiple auctions taking place on the same day at the same time?
Yes, you can bid online in multiple auctions simultaneously - in fact, it’s easier than ever before. Make sure you register for each auction separately. On auction day, click BID next to each auction you’ve registered for on the auction calendar at rbauciton.com. The different auctions will be launched in the same online bidding window. You will only be able to hear audio and place bids in one auction at a time, but you will be able to follow the bidding in the other auctions and auction rings in real time – so you know when the lots you are interested in are coming up for bid. You can then switch to a different auction and start bidding with a simple mouse click. See an overview of our online bidding interface for more information.
Payment, including Fees
Do I have to pay any additional fees to bid online?
As with every Ritchie Bros. auction, registration to bid is free. Depending on your bidding history with Ritchie Bros., you may be required to submit a refundable deposit equaling 25% of your bidding limit. You can choose your own bidding limit, which enables you to control the amount of your deposit (note: the minimum bidding limit is 10,000 in the currency of the auction).
If you purchase an item when you are bidding online, you may be required to pay the following fees:
- A internet purchase fee of two percent (2%), to a maximum of 500 in the currency of the auction (per lot) – this applies to every lot purchased online
- An additional administrative fee of 10 percent (10%) on lots selling for less than 2,500 in the currency of the auction
- An additional credit card transaction fee of three percent (3%) if you use your Visa or MasterCard to pay online using our Online Payment Service
See the Terms and Conditions of bidding online for more information.
How can I pay when I bid online?
You can pay by wire transfer or you can pay with your Visa or MasterCard using our Online Payment Service. You can also pay by cash or certified check at the auction site.
Registration
I registered to bid at the auction site. Can I bid online instead?
No. You must register online if you want to bid online. Find out how to register to bid online.
How long does it take to process my registration?
First-time online bidders should allow two or three days for their registration to be processed. Before bidding online for the first time, you need to sign up for an online bidding account. Signing up and receiving approval to bid online can take up to one business day. Once approved you can register to bid online in specific auctions. You may be required to place a deposit when you register. It may take another business day for your deposit to be confirmed and registration processed.
IMPORTANT: please download the online bidding software in advance of the auction to avoid any technical issues on auction day.
If you’ve bid online in the past, we recommend that you allow at least one business for your registration to be processed.
Can I cancel my registration? I registered to bid online at an upcoming auction, but I’ve changed my mind.
You don’t need to cancel your registration if you decide not to bid. An unused registration will not affect your account or your bidding limit, and there is no penalty for failing to bid. However, if you would like to cancel your registration anyway, just contact our Customer Service representatives.
Bidding
I can’t make it to the auction site on auction day. How else can I bid?
If you can’t make it to the auction site, we offer two other options at most of our auctions: you can bid online in real time, or you can place a proxy bid by phone. Find out more about bidding online or by proxy.
Do on-site bidders have an advantage over online bidders? Will the auctioneer receive my bids in time if I bid online?
Our proprietary online bidding software has been developed to make the experience of bidding online at close as possible to the experience of bidding in person. Placing a bid with your mouse is just as fast as raising your bid book, and our highly experienced online bid catchers can relay your bids to the auctioneer just as fast as our on-site bid catchers. We’ve sold billions of dollars of equipment to online bidders, and every year, thousands more people sign up to bid online at our auctions. That confirms what our customers tell us time and again: bidding online at a Ritchie Bros. auction is almost like being there in person.
I’m worried about bidding by accident when I’m bidding online. How can I be sure that I’m only bidding when I want to?
We’ve designed our online bidding interface to minimize the potential for “accidental” bids. When you bid online, you place bids by clicking your bid button using your mouse. You cannot place a bid unless your bid button is active. To activate your bid button, you must first select a lot in the lot selection area. If you are the current high bidder, your bid button will be deactivated so you don’t bid against yourself. If someone outbids you, your bid button will become active so you can bid again. (You can see these and other features of our online bidding interface here.)
Other
How do I change my bidding limit?
Just contact Ritchie Bros. customer service and ask about increasing your online bidding limit. NOTE: you cannot change your bidding limit during an auction. It may take up to one business day to process your request.
I’ve forgotten my MemberServices account password. How can I sign in to my account?
Don’t worry: we can email it to you immediately. Just go to the MemberServices Sign In page and look under “Forgot your password?”
I’ve forgotten my Express Bidder PIN. How can I sign in to my online bidding account?
Just Sign In to your MemberServices account and click on the rbauctionBid Info tab. You’ll see a link to RETRIEVE YOUR PIN on that page.
Why isn’t every item in the auction available to online bidders?
Most Ritchie Bros. auctions are broadcast live on our web site and most of the equipment, trucks and real estate in those auctions are available to on-site, proxy and online bidders. However, it is not practical to sell most of the small lots in our auctions
Can I watch an auction online without registering to bid?
Yes, but you still need to install our online bidding software. Once it’s installed on your computer, just click VIEW next to any active auction on the rbauction.com home page to watch the auction online. You can find the software installation instructions and system requirements here.
How far in advance can I place a proxy bid?
Proxy bids can be placed when the auction catalog is finalized (i.e., when every item is given a lot number). Auctions typically go to catalog between two and five days before an auction; you can then place your proxy bid by contacting the auction location by phone.
