How to Register and Bid

Creating an Account: All InstruBid auctions are hosted online, primarily through the BidSpotter platform (the leading auction portal for industrial and scientific equipment). To participate, you’ll need to register for an auction via our website or BidSpotter. Simply click the “Register to Bid” link on the auction listing – this will prompt you to sign in or create a BidSpotter account if you don’t already have one. Registration is free. You’ll be asked for basic details (name, email, address) and may need to provide a credit/debit card for identity verification and security. (Don’t worry – standard BidSpotter practice is to verify card details to reduce fraud; charges are typically not made to the card without your authorization unless you fail to pay by other means.)

Auction Approval: After you register for a sale, the InstruBid team (as the auctioneer) will quickly review your registration. In some cases, if you are new to BidSpotter or bidding on high-value lots, we might contact you for a refundable deposit or additional verification before approving your bids. This is to ensure a safe auction for all. Once approved, you’ll receive a confirmation email and can start placing bids.

Browsing Catalogs: We publish a detailed online catalogue for each auction, accessible via our “Current Auctions” page or on our website and BidSpotter. You can browse all the lots, each with photos, descriptions, make/model info, and lot specifics. We strive to provide accurate and comprehensive information (and even engineers’ reports when available). However, as items are used, condition can vary – we encourage bidders to read descriptions carefully and contact us with any questions before bidding. Sometimes we hold preview viewings (noted in the auction info) where you can inspect items in person by appointment.

Placing Bids: Our auctions are timed online auctions, meaning there isn’t a live auctioneer calling bids; instead, each lot opens for bidding for a set period (often several days), and bidders place maximum bids at any time during that window. Here’s how it works:

When logged in, you can enter either the next increment or your maximum proxy bid for any lot. The system will automatically bid on your behalf up to your max if other bidders compete.

You’ll see the current highest bid and whether reserve prices (if any) have been met.

Auto-Extend: If a bid is placed in the final moments (typically last 10 minutes) of a lot’s countdown, the auction end time for that lot may extend by a small amount (e.g. an extra 5 minutes) to give others a fair chance – preventing sniping. So, keep watching until the lot is truly closed.

You can bid on multiple lots and create a watchlist for items of interest. BidSpotter also offers email notifications if you are outbid.

Bidding is exciting, but please bid only if you intend to honour your purchase. Every bid is a binding offer – if you win the lot, you are contractually obliged to pay for it. Remember, retracted bids are not allowed once placed. We recommend setting a budget beforehand. (Pro tip: Know the market value of the item – this helps you bid confidently. InstruBid provides fair estimates when possible, but some research on your end can be helpful too.)

Payment and Buyer’s Premium

If You Win: Congratulations – once the auction closes, any lots where you are the high bidder will be considered sold to you (pending any reserve conditions). You’ll receive an invoice via email from InstruBid (Techplant Ltd) shortly after the auction, typically the same day or next morning. This invoice will outline your winning lot(s), the hammer price, applicable taxes, and any fees (including buyer’s premium).

Buyer’s Premium: InstruBid, like most auctioneers, charges a buyer’s premium on each lot. This is a small percentage added to the final hammer price. It covers the cost of running the auction and our services. Our buyer’s premium is lower than industry-standard 15%, to give you a better deal – exact rate will be stated in each auction’s terms (often in the ~10–15% range). VAT is charged on the buyer’s premium as required by UK law (currently 20% VAT on fees).

Here’s an example: if you win a lot for £1,000 hammer price and the buyer’s premium is 10%, your invoice would be £1,000 + £100 buyer’s premium = £1,100 (plus VAT on the £100 premium, i.e. £20 VAT, totaling £1,120 if you’re UK-based). No VAT is charged on the hammer price for used goods sold at auction except in special cases (if we explicitly say a lot is “+VAT” in the catalog, then VAT would apply to that lot’s price – this is rare and usually only if the seller is required to charge VAT on the item sale).

Taxes (VAT) for International Buyers: By default we must charge UK VAT on applicable items and services. However, if you are purchasing from outside the UK, you may be eligible for a VAT refund or exemption on the goods when you export them. Typically, overseas buyers pay the VAT on the invoice initially, then provide proof of export (shipping documents) to get the VAT on the goods refunded. We will assist with this paperwork to ensure you’re not paying tax unnecessarily. (VAT on buyer’s premium, however, is not refundable since it’s a UK service.) EU buyers will need to supply a valid EU VAT number or proof of export. We follow standard HMRC rules on this.

Payment Methods: Our invoices will include payment instructions. Generally, we require payment within 3 working days of the invoice (and before collection). Accepted payment methods:

Bank Transfer (BACS/CHAPS/Wire): Preferred for larger amounts – our account details will be on the invoice. Please quote your invoice number in the reference.

Credit/Debit Card: We may enable online card payments for invoices (typically up to a certain limit). Note that card payments may incur a surcharge for corporate cards or non-UK cards – we’ll advise if so.

Cash: Not accepted above £9k (for security, we avoid cash for large sums).

Cheque: Not typically accepted unless by prior arrangement, as it can delay clearance.
We do not release goods until full payment is received and cleared. If you have any issues making the payment by the deadline, please contact us immediately – communication is key, and we may grant a short extension at our discretion. Failure to pay on time without notice could result in us canceling your purchase and possibly barring you from future auctions (see Terms & Conditions).

Once we receive your payment in full, we’ll send a receipt confirmation.

Collection, Shipping & Removal of Purchases

After payment, it’s time to collect your new equipment! Each auction’s details will specify the location of the items and the timeframe for removal. In many cases, our auctions feature items located at our Blackburn warehouse (Lancashire, UK) or at a client’s site. We will clearly indicate this in the lot description or auction info.

Collection by Appointment: We organise collection days or appointment slots to ensure everyone can pick up smoothly. If you’re collecting in person (or sending your own courier), you must schedule a pickup time with us. We’ll provide contact info and pickup address in the invoice/communications. Please bring a copy of your invoice and ID. If someone is collecting on your behalf, notify us in advance and ensure they have the invoice and your authorisation.

Our team will be on hand to help locate and hand over your items. We can assist with forklifting pallets or loading your vehicle if needed. Safety is paramount: on our premises or auction sites, please follow any site rules (hard hats or safety shoes might be required in industrial locations – we’ll let you know beforehand). We exclude liability for accidents on site so do take care, but we strive to maintain a safe pickup environment.

Packing & Shipping Services: Don’t have the ability to collect in person? No problem. InstruBid’s in-house Logistics Team can pack and ship worldwide at your request. We can provide you a shipping quote once you win (or even beforehand, if you email us for an estimate on a lot). We ship everything from small parcels to large freight:

Small lab instruments can be foam packed and sent via courier (DHL, FedEx, etc.).

Larger equipment can be palletised, shrink-wrapped, and sent via freight forwarders. We handle export documentation for international shipments routinely.

We are experienced in global shipping of technical equipment, so we’ll ensure proper packaging to protect your purchase. Shipping and handling costs will be billed separately based on actual cost + materials.

If you prefer to arrange your own shipping, that’s fine too. We can coordinate with your chosen carrier. Just ensure all transport is done within the specified removal window.

Removal Deadlines: We ask that all items be collected or shipped out by the deadline given (usually within one to two weeks of auction close). If you anticipate any difficulty meeting the timeframe, please contact us. We have limited storage space, and uncollected items may incur storage fees if we have to hold them longer (or in worst cases, may be considered abandoned after a certain period per our terms). Clear communication will prevent any issues here.

Condition of Items: All auction lots are sold “as is, where is.” While we do our best to describe items accurately and highlight any known issues, we cannot guarantee functionality or calibration of used equipment. No warranty is provided (unless explicitly stated for a specific lot). We encourage buyers to take advantage of preview opportunities and ask questions. By bidding, you acknowledge that you are satisfied with the item’s condition or accept the risk. After the sale, no returns or refunds can be given for buyer’s remorse or if you discover the item isn’t suitable for your needs – so please bid carefully. (If an item significantly doesn’t match our description in a factual way – e.g. we described a model wrong – we will, of course, work with you and the seller to make it right. Our integrity is important, and we want happy buyers. Minor discrepancies or normal wear-and-tear, however, are part of buying used equipment.)

Technical Support: All items are sold as seen, without post-sale technical support. If you have any questions about a lot — including specifications, condition, or compatibility — we’re happy to assist before the auction closes. Please contact us in advance and we’ll do our best to provide accurate information. Once the auction ends, we are not able to offer technical guidance or support for purchased items. We encourage all bidders to do their due diligence prior to bidding.

Buying through InstruBid is meant to be efficient, transparent, and rewarding. Many of our buyers score top-quality instruments at a fraction of new cost, and sellers get a fair return – it’s a win-win. We’re here to facilitate a smooth transaction, so please reach out to us at any stage if you have questions or need guidance.

Happy bidding!

(Note: By participating in our auctions, you agree to our Terms & Conditions for buyers. Key points are summarised above, but we encourage you to read the full T&Cs on our website or the auction page. If you have any questions about these terms, just ask – we’re here to help.)