Question 1

How do I create an account?

Accepted Answer

Start on the Sign Up page with your email and a password, then verify your email to activate the account. If you want to bid or sell, we may ask you to complete identity checks in Settings > Verification.

Question 2

Is there a fee to join?

Accepted Answer

No sign-up fee. Fees apply only when you win an auction or complete a sale. The latest rates are always in our Terms of Service.

Question 3

Who can use OnlyAuctions?

Accepted Answer

You must be at least 18 years old and able to enter binding contracts. Additional rules and eligibility details live in the Terms of Service.

Question 4

How do I verify my account?

Accepted Answer

Verify your email first, then head to Settings > Verification to upload your ID if prompted. Verification unlocks bidding and selling when required.

Question 5

Do I need a payment method to bid?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Add a valid card in Settings > Payment Methods before placing bids so you can pay the invoice if you win.

Question 6

How do notifications work?

Accepted Answer

We send email and in-app notifications for outbids, wins, disputes, and account updates. You can manage everything in Settings > Notifications.

Question 7

How do I place a bid?

Accepted Answer

Open the auction, enter a bid that meets the minimum increment, and submit. You will see an on-screen confirmation and your bid will appear in My Bids.

Question 8

Are bids binding?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Bids are commitments to buy if you win, and they cannot be retracted except for unauthorized account activity. Please review the Terms of Service.

Question 9

Can I cancel a bid?

Accepted Answer

No. Bids are binding except for unauthorized account activity. If you see an unauthorized bid, contact support immediately. Review the Terms of Service.

Question 10

What is the minimum bid increment?

Accepted Answer

Minimum increments depend on the current bid: under £100 = £2; £100-£249.99 = £5; £250-£999.99 = £10; £1,000-£2,499.99 = £25; £2,500-£4,999.99 = £50; £5,000-£9,999.99 = £100; £10,000-£24,999.99 = £250; £25,000-£49,999.99 = £500; £50,000-£99,999.99 = £1,000; £100,000+ = £2,500. The listing will always show the next valid bid amount.

Question 11

How do reserve prices work?

Accepted Answer

Some listings have a reserve price. If bidding does not reach it, the item will not sell and you will not be charged. The auction page will tell you if a reserve applies.

Question 12

What happens if I win an auction?

Accepted Answer

You will get a notification and see the item in Won Auctions. We issue an invoice after the auction ends and no payment is taken automatically. Pay the invoice from Won Auctions or Payments by the due date. Once paid, the seller ships and adds tracking. You have 2 days after delivery to open a dispute under our Refunds and Dispute Resolution Policy.

Question 13

When will I be charged?

Accepted Answer

We issue an invoice after the auction ends and no payment is taken automatically. Invoices are due within 5 business days. Pay the invoice from Won Auctions or Payments by the due date. Make sure your saved payment method is up to date in Settings > Payment Methods before paying.

Question 14

What happens if I don't pay after winning?

Accepted Answer

If payment is not received by the invoice due date, the purchase may be cancelled and the item can be relisted. We may issue an account warning, and repeated non-payment can lead to restrictions or a ban. See the Terms of Service.

Question 15

How does the watchlist work?

Accepted Answer

Click the watch icon on a listing to follow it and get reminders before it ends. You can review everything you saved in your Watchlist.

Question 16

What if I think an auction is suspicious?

Accepted Answer

Use the Report button on the listing to flag the auction, or contact support if you cannot access the listing. We review reports and may remove listings or take other action under our Terms of Service and Prohibited Items Policy.

Question 17

How do I list an item for auction?

Accepted Answer

Go to My Listings and click Create Listing. Add clear photos, a detailed description, pricing, duration, and shipping details. Make sure the item complies with our Prohibited Items Policy.

Question 18

Can I cancel a listing or end early?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Manage your listings from My Listings. Draft or scheduled listings can be removed, and active listings can be cancelled in limited cases, especially once bids exist. See the Terms of Service for bidding rules.

Question 19

What items are not allowed?

Accepted Answer

Illegal, stolen, counterfeit, and restricted goods are prohibited. Review the Prohibited Items Policy before listing.

Question 20

What happens if I list a prohibited item by mistake?

Accepted Answer

The listing may be removed and your account may receive a warning or restriction. Serious or repeated violations can lead to account suspension and, where required, reporting to law enforcement. Review the Prohibited Items Policy.

Question 21

Are listings reviewed?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Listings may be reviewed for policy compliance, and we may pause or remove listings missing required details or violating the rules.

Question 22

What fees do sellers pay?

Accepted Answer

The current seller fee is 5% of the winning bid (subject to change). Listing items is free. See the Terms of Service for the latest rates.

Question 23

When do sellers get paid?

Accepted Answer

Funds become available after delivery is confirmed and the 2-day dispute window closes. Payouts are sent via your payout provider and typically arrive within 3-5 business days, depending on your bank or provider. Track status in Payouts.

Question 24

What happens if I can't ship on time?

Accepted Answer

Let the buyer know and update tracking as soon as possible. Late shipping may lead to a dispute outcome such as cancellation and a refund under our Refunds and Dispute Resolution Policy and may result in account action under the Terms of Service.

Question 25

Can I offer pickup instead of shipping?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Enable Pickup in your listing's shipping section, then select a saved address or enter one manually. You must also provide at least one contact method so buyers can arrange collection. Buyers will see pickup availability on the listing and the address/contact details after payment.

Question 26

Do I need verification for payouts?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Sellers must complete identity checks and payout onboarding before withdrawing. Start in Settings > Verification and finish setup in Payouts.

Question 27

What payment methods do you accept?

Accepted Answer

We accept major debit and credit cards. Manage your saved cards in Settings > Payment Methods.

Question 28

What fees do buyers pay?

Accepted Answer

Buyers pay a 5% platform fee on top of the winning bid (subject to change). Example: a £100 winning bid becomes £105 total. See the Terms of Service for the latest rates.

Question 29

Do you store my card details?

Accepted Answer

No. We store only secure payment references through our processor. Details on data handling are in our Privacy Policy.

Question 30

What if my payment fails?

Accepted Answer

If your invoice payment is declined, update your saved payment method in Settings > Payment Methods and try again from Won Auctions or Payments. Unpaid wins may lead to account restrictions under the Terms of Service.

Question 31

How do refunds work?

Accepted Answer

Auction sales are final unless a dispute is approved. Approved refunds return to the original payment method and usually appear within 3-10 business days. See our Refunds and Dispute Resolution Policy.

Question 32

How does shipping work?

Accepted Answer

Sellers handle shipping and should provide tracking when available. Shipping costs and methods are listed on each auction page when provided.

Question 33

How does pickup (collection) work?

Accepted Answer

Some listings offer pickup instead of shipping. Select Pickup during payment to view the pickup address and the seller's contact details, then arrange collection. After you collect the item, confirm pickup from Won Auctions. We send reminders every 5 days, and pickup should be confirmed within 15 days unless a dispute is open.

Question 34

How do I track my shipment?

Accepted Answer

Tracking appears in Won Auctions once the seller marks the item as shipped.

Question 35

What if the seller ships without tracking?

Accepted Answer

Sellers should provide tracking when available. If no tracking is provided, ask the seller for updates and keep records. If the item does not arrive, you can open a dispute under our Refunds and Dispute Resolution Policy.

Question 36

What if I do not receive my item or it is not as described?

Accepted Answer

Open a dispute from Disputes and include evidence such as photos or tracking info. We will guide you through the steps in line with the Refunds and Dispute Resolution Policy.

Question 37

What counts as significantly not as described?

Accepted Answer

It means a material mismatch such as a different model or size than listed, missing essential parts, or undisclosed major damage. Minor cosmetic wear visible in photos usually does not qualify. See the Refunds and Dispute Resolution Policy.

Question 38

How long do I have to open a dispute?

Accepted Answer

Disputes must be opened within 2 days of delivery. After that window closes, the dispute option is no longer available for that order in most cases; see the Refunds and Dispute Resolution Policy for exceptions and timelines.

Question 39

How long do sellers have to respond to disputes?

Accepted Answer

Sellers are expected to respond within 72 hours. This timeline is outlined in the Refunds and Dispute Resolution Policy.

Question 40

Who pays return shipping if a dispute is approved?

Accepted Answer

When a return is required, the buyer is responsible for return shipping unless the dispute decision states otherwise. See the Refunds and Dispute Resolution Policy.

Question 41

Are auction sales final?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Change-of-mind refunds are not offered for auction wins. See the Refunds and Dispute Resolution Policy.

Question 42

How do I change my password?

Accepted Answer

Go to Settings > Security and choose Change Password.

Question 43

Do you offer two-factor authentication?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Enable 2FA in Settings > Security using an authenticator app.

Question 44

How do I update my profile or address?

Accepted Answer

Update profile details and shipping address in Settings > Profile.

Question 45

How do I delete my account?

Accepted Answer

Go to Settings > Account and select Delete Account. Account deletion is pending for 14 days or until outstanding obligations are cleared; outstanding obligations may still be charged under the Terms of Service.

Question 46

Is my personal information safe?

Accepted Answer

We use encryption and security controls, and we only process your data as described in our Privacy Policy.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Frequently Asked Questions

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