Billy Auction Rules & Conditions

Welcome to Billy Auction, your chance to bid on selected Billy Mate products, premium glassware, limited releases, special pieces, clearance products and auction-only items. Billy Auction is designed to be simple, competitive and fair.

Before placing any bid, please read these Billy Auction Rules & Conditions carefully. By placing a bid, you confirm that you have read, understood and accepted these rules.

How Billy Auction Works

Instead of purchasing an auction product at a fixed price, customers compete by placing bids. Each Billy Auction listing will display information such as:

• Starting bid
• Current highest bid
• Minimum next bid
• Maximum Bid option, where available
• Product description
• Product photographs
• Recommended Retail Price (RRP), where applicable
• Postage information
• Auction status
• Auction countdown

Unless otherwise stated on an individual auction listing, the following rules apply to all Billy Auctions.

1. The Auction Starts With the First Bid

The 7-day auction countdown does not begin until the first valid bid is placed. Once the first valid bid is successfully submitted, the auction becomes active and the 7-day countdown begins.

Example. If the first valid bid is placed at 7:30pm on Monday, the auction will run for approximately seven days from that time.

No Bid, No Countdown. If nobody has placed a bid, the auction remains available but the countdown has not started. The first valid bid activates the auction.

2. Auction Duration

Unless otherwise stated on the individual auction listing, Billy Auction runs for 7 days from the first valid bid. The auction closes when the countdown displayed by the Billy Auction system reaches its conclusion. The bidder holding the highest valid bid recorded by the system when the auction closes will be the winning bidder.

3. Minimum Bid Increase

Unless otherwise stated on an individual auction, the minimum bid increase is $5.00. Each new bid must meet or exceed the minimum next bid displayed by the Billy Auction system.

Example. Current bid: $25.00. Minimum next bid: $30.00. If another customer places a higher bid, you may continue bidding or allow your Maximum Bid to automatically bid on your behalf if you have set one.

4. Maximum Bid

Billy Auction may allow you to enter a Maximum Bid. Your Maximum Bid is the highest amount you are prepared to pay for the auction product.

Your Maximum Bid is not what you automatically pay. If you enter a Maximum Bid of $70.00, you are not automatically bidding or paying $70.00. Your Maximum Bid simply tells the system it can automatically bid for you, up to $70.00 if necessary. The system will only increase your bid when required to keep you in the lead, subject to the applicable bid increment.

5. Maximum Bid Example

Current bid: $25.00. Minimum bid increase: $5.00. Your Maximum Bid: $70.00. Another customer bids $30.00. Your Maximum Bid lets the system respond on your behalf when required, up to your $70.00 limit. If the auction finishes with your winning bid at $30.00, you pay $30.00 plus postage. You do not pay $70.00. You only pay the final winning auction price, not your Maximum Bid.

6. How Automatic Bidding Works

When you place a Maximum Bid, Billy Auction can automatically bid on your behalf when another customer places a competing bid. Automatic bidding continues only as required and only up to the Maximum Bid you have entered.

Example. You enter a Maximum Bid of $70.00. The current bid is $30.00. Another customer bids $35.00. The system may automatically place the next permitted bid on your behalf at $40.00, and you remain the highest bidder. If nobody bids again and the auction closes at $40.00, you pay $40.00 plus postage. You do not pay $70.00.

7. Your Maximum Bid Is Your Limit

Your Maximum Bid represents the highest amount you are authorising Billy Auction to bid on your behalf. You should therefore only enter a Maximum Bid that you are genuinely willing and able to pay. If competitive bidding causes your winning price to reach your Maximum Bid, you must be prepared to purchase the product for that amount plus applicable postage.

8. Your Maximum Bid Is Private

Your Maximum Bid is not displayed to other bidders. Other bidders see the current auction bid, not the maximum amount you have entered. Your Maximum Bid is used by the system to automatically bid on your behalf when required.

9. Maximum Bids Are Final

A Maximum Bid should be treated with the same care as any other bid. Once submitted, a Maximum Bid cannot normally be cancelled, reduced or withdrawn. Before entering a Maximum Bid, make sure:

• You have entered the correct amount
• You understand that the system may automatically bid up to that amount
• You are willing to purchase the product if bidding reaches that amount
• You have checked postage
• You have read the product description
• You have reviewed the product photographs

Do not enter $100 as your Maximum Bid unless you are genuinely prepared to pay up to $100 if required.

10. A Bid Is a Commitment to Buy

Please only bid if you genuinely intend to purchase the product. When you place a bid or Maximum Bid, you are agreeing that if you become the winning bidder, you will complete the purchase at the final winning bid amount plus applicable postage. Do not place bids as a joke, a test, a placeholder, an attempt to manipulate the auction, or a bid you have no intention of paying.

11. Bids Are Final

Once a valid bid has been submitted, it is considered final. Bids cannot normally be cancelled, withdrawn or reduced after submission. Before placing a bid, make sure you are bidding on the correct product, have read the complete description, understand the condition, have reviewed the photographs, know what accessories are included, have checked postage, and are happy with your bid amount and Maximum Bid where applicable.

12. Credit Card Required to Bid

A valid credit card or supported payment card is required to participate in Billy Auction. This requirement helps protect the auction system against fake bidding, fraudulent accounts, unpaid auction wins, unauthorised activity and deliberate auction interference. Your payment method must remain valid if you become the winning bidder.

13. Credit Card Payment Verification

To help protect Billy Mate, Billy Auction, our customers and legitimate cardholders against unauthorised or fraudulent transactions, Billy Mate reserves the right to carry out additional payment verification before an auction product is dispatched. Payment verification may occur after the auction payment has been processed.

After the winning payment has been charged to the card, Billy Mate may contact the customer and ask them to check the card account or statement used for the transaction, and to tell us the exact amount charged by Billy Mate as it appears on that account or statement. If the amount matches our transaction record and any other required checks are satisfied, the order can proceed towards dispatch. This helps us verify that the person dealing with us has legitimate access to information relating to the payment account used.

14. What We Will Not Ask You For

For this payment verification method, Billy Mate does not require your full credit card information. We will not ask you to provide:

• Your full credit card number
• Your CVV or card security code
• Your card PIN
• Your online banking password
• Your internet banking login details
• A one-time banking security code
• A photograph of the front or back of your credit card

We may simply ask you to confirm the exact Billy Mate transaction amount appearing on your card account or statement. Never send Billy Mate your full card number, CVV, PIN, banking password or banking security code.

15. Auction Orders May Be Held for Verification

If an auction transaction is selected for additional payment verification, the order may be temporarily placed on hold and the product may not be dispatched until verification has been successfully completed. Customers should respond to verification requests as soon as reasonably possible to avoid unnecessary dispatch delays.

16. If Payment Cannot Be Verified

If Billy Mate cannot reasonably verify a payment, or we have reasonable concerns regarding the legitimacy or authorisation of a transaction, we may take appropriate action. Depending on the circumstances, this may include:

• Placing the order on hold
• Requesting further reasonable verification
• Delaying dispatch while verification is completed
• Cancelling the transaction
• Refunding the payment to the original payment method
• Restricting the customer's Billy Auction account where fraudulent or improper activity is reasonably suspected

Being selected for payment verification does not automatically mean that we believe you have done anything wrong. Payment verification may simply form part of our fraud-prevention and payment-security procedures.

17. Check Postage Before Bidding

Always check postage before placing your bid. Postage is not included in the winning bid amount unless the individual auction specifically states otherwise. Where available, use the postage calculator on the auction page before submitting your bid. By placing a bid, you acknowledge that the applicable postage amount will be payable in addition to your winning bid. Example: winning bid $50.00 plus postage $14.95 equals $64.95.

18. Auction Postage Cannot Be Combined

Billy Auction purchases are processed and shipped separately from other purchases. We do not combine postage with another auction win, another active or completed auction, a normal Billy Mate website order, or other products purchased separately. If you win multiple auctions, each auction purchase will have its own postage charge.

19. No Pickup for Auction Products

Pickup is not available for Billy Auction products. All auction products must be shipped using the available delivery methods. This applies even if pickup may be available for other Billy Mate purchases.

20. Winning an Auction

When the countdown finishes, the bidder holding the highest valid bid recorded by the system wins the auction and is responsible for completing the purchase. The total amount payable will generally include the final winning bid plus applicable postage. Please make sure your email address, contact details, delivery address and payment card are correct and valid.

21. Winning Bidders Must Pay

Winning a Billy Auction means you have committed to purchasing the product. If you win an auction and fail to complete the required payment, your ability to participate in future Billy Auctions may be restricted. Non-paying bidders may have their account restricted from bidding, suspended, or permanently banned from future Billy Auctions. Repeated non-payment, fake bidding or deliberate misuse may result in a permanent auction ban. Billy Auction is for genuine bidders who intend to purchase the products they bid on.

22. No Change-of-Mind Returns or Exchanges

Please choose carefully before bidding. Billy Auction does not offer change-of-mind returns or exchanges on auction purchases, including where you change your mind, no longer want the product, find it cheaper elsewhere, prefer another item, colour or design, bid more than you later wanted to spend, entered a Maximum Bid higher than intended, did not check postage, or did not read the description or review the photographs.

Australian Consumer Law. Nothing in these rules is intended to exclude, restrict or modify any rights or remedies that cannot legally be excluded under the Australian Consumer Law. Where the Australian Consumer Law provides you with rights or remedies, those rights continue to apply.

23. Read the Product Listing Before Bidding

Auction products can vary considerably. Before submitting a bid, carefully review the individual auction listing for details including product name, dimensions, materials, glass thickness, colour, artwork, accessories, condition, packaging, photographs, starting bid, current bid, minimum next bid, RRP where displayed, postage, and any special auction conditions. The individual listing forms part of the information provided about the product.

24. Product Photographs

Product photographs are provided to represent the auction product as accurately as reasonably possible. Where appropriate, individual listings may specify whether the photographs show the exact auction product or a representative example. Please read the description together with the photographs before bidding.

25. Recommended Retail Price

Some listings may display an RRP (Recommended Retail Price). RRP is provided as product information and is separate from the starting bid, current bid, Maximum Bid, minimum next bid and final winning bid. The product may ultimately sell for less or more than the RRP depending on bidding activity. The final selling price is determined by the auction.

26. Starting Bid

Billy Mate may set different starting bids for different products. The starting bid simply determines where bidding begins. A low starting bid does not guarantee the product will sell for that amount. Once bidding begins, participating bidders determine the final price.

27. Fair Bidding Policy

Billy Auction is intended to provide a fair experience for genuine customers. The following behaviour may result in account restrictions, suspension or removal from Billy Auction:

• Fake bidding or bidding without intending to pay
• Creating multiple accounts to manipulate an auction
• Using false account information or unauthorised payment details
• Attempting to artificially increase or manipulate bidding
• Attempting to interfere with another customer's bidding
• Repeatedly winning auctions without paying
• Attempting to exploit the website or auction system
• Fraudulent activity

Billy Mate reserves the right to investigate suspicious auction activity.

28. Invalid or Fraudulent Bids

Billy Mate may cancel, reject or disregard a bid where there are reasonable grounds to believe the bid resulted from fraud, unauthorised account access, unauthorised payment activity, fake accounts, deliberate bidding manipulation, technical manipulation, or a clear website or auction system error. Accounts involved in fraudulent or deliberately improper activity may also be restricted or permanently excluded from Billy Auction.

29. Technical Problems

Billy Auction operates online and technical problems may occasionally occur. If a significant technical problem affects the proper or fair operation of an auction, Billy Mate may take reasonable action, which may include pausing an auction, removing an invalid bid, correcting an obvious system error, extending an auction, restarting an affected auction, or cancelling an auction where it cannot reasonably continue. Any action taken will be aimed at maintaining a fair auction process.

30. Billy Mate May Cancel an Auction

In unusual circumstances, Billy Mate may withdraw, suspend or cancel an auction. This may occur where the product is discovered to be damaged before dispatch, a significant listing error is discovered, a technical issue prevents the auction operating properly, fraudulent bidding materially affects the auction, the product cannot legally be supplied, an inventory error occurs, or another exceptional circumstance prevents us from completing the auction. Where reasonably appropriate, affected bidders will be notified.

31. Auction Product Availability

Many Billy Auction listings may be for one individual product only. Winning an auction gives the successful bidder the opportunity to purchase that auction product in accordance with these rules and the individual listing. Stock quantities displayed elsewhere on the website do not necessarily apply to Billy Auction products.

32. Delivery Address

The winning bidder is responsible for providing a complete and accurate delivery address. Before placing your first bid, please check your full name, street address, suburb, state or territory, postcode and contact details. Additional delivery costs caused by incorrect or incomplete customer information may be payable by the customer where permitted by law.

33. Eligibility to Bid

Customers must be legally eligible to purchase the product being auctioned. By participating in Billy Auction, you confirm that you satisfy any applicable legal requirements relating to the purchase of the particular product in your location. Billy Mate may refuse or cancel a transaction where completing it would breach applicable law.

Billy Auction Quick Rules

• Auction length: 7 days
• Auction starts: When the first valid bid is placed
• No first bid: Countdown has not started
• Standard bid increase: $5.00 unless otherwise stated
• Maximum Bid: The highest amount you authorise the system to bid up to
• Do you pay your Maximum Bid? No, you only pay the final winning bid
• Example: Maximum Bid $70, auction finishes at $30, you pay $30 plus postage
• Automatic bidding: The system can bid on your behalf up to your Maximum Bid
• Maximum Bid privacy: Other bidders cannot see your Maximum Bid
• Credit card: Required to bid
• Payment verification: We may verify your card payment before dispatch
• Full card details: We never ask for your full number, CVV, PIN or banking password
• Postage: Check before placing your bid, not included unless stated
• Combined postage: Not available (each auction ships separately)
• Pickup: Not available for auction products
• Bids: Final once submitted
• Non-payment: May result in suspension or permanent removal
• Change of mind: No change-of-mind returns or exchanges
• Consumer rights: Applicable Australian Consumer Law rights remain protected

Before You Bid

1. Check the product. Read the full description and look carefully at the photographs.
2. Check the postage. Know your delivery cost before bidding.
3. Check your bid. Make sure you are happy with the amount before confirming.
4. Check your Maximum Bid. It is the highest amount you are prepared to pay. A Max Bid of $70 does not mean you pay $70. If the auction finishes at $30, you pay $30 plus postage.
5. Be ready to buy. If you are the highest bidder at close, you complete the purchase.
6. Be ready for payment verification. We may verify your payment before dispatch and ask you to confirm the exact Billy Mate transaction amount on your card account. We never ask for your full card number, CVV, PIN or banking password.

Need help?

If you have a question about an auction product, Maximum Bid, automatic bidding, postage, payment verification or how Billy Auction works, please contact Billy Mate before placing your bid at info@billymate.com.au. Once you place a valid bid, you are participating in Billy Auction under these Rules & Conditions. Bid smart. Bid fair. Good luck.