Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why should I use AuctionCare when I can auction things on my own?

There are millions of people who list items for auction on eBay^SM and enjoy doing it. But it is not for everyone. Successful auctions require time and effort from beginning to end: research, photography, writing, submitting to eBay^SM, answering bidder emails, contacting the winner, collecting payment, shipping the item, etc. AuctionCare exists for people who don't have the time, desire, or knowledge to manage their own auctions.

2. If I send you just a photo and all the information about my item, will you create and manage an auction for me?

No. AuctionCare will not create nor list any auctions unless we have the item in our possession and have been able to analyze its condition first-hand. By only creating auctions for items we have, AuctionCare can offer better all-around service to bidders and faster shipping to auction winners.

3. Why do you only list items on eBay^SM? Aren't there other auction sites?

There are other auction sites, but eBay^SM is the biggest and most popular and you should want your items to be seen by the largest amount of potential bidders. (As of April, 2004, eBay reported having moe than 100 million registered users.) We use eBay^SM exclusively because they're the best at what they do. We've listed personal items on other auction sites before, but we've never had the success we've had with eBay^SM auctions.

4. Do I need to have the item boxed / packed when you pick it up?

No. We'll need to photograph the item so boxing the item is unnecessary. If you do have a box that fits the item, preferably the original packing box from when you bought it, we would be happy to use it for shipping to the winner if you don't need the box for other purposes. But if you don't have a box, we'll use one of ours and do a professional, secure wrapping and packing job before shipping it.

5. What is your pickup area?

AuctionCare is based in Tri-Cities, Washington, and will pick-up items from customers within these boundaries:

• Prosser to the west
• Connell to the north
• Plymouth to the south
• Touchet to the east

Anything beyond these boundaries is considered out of our pickup area.

6. What happens if I mail you my item and it gets damaged?

That possibility is why we prefer to pick up items rather than have you send items to us. Please read about our policy on receiving damaged items. If shipping is the only option (if you live outside our pickup area), please follow these recommendations:

• if possible, take a photograph of the item before packing it and send it to us in the package; this will help us compare the item's condition before and after you ship it to us, and identify any possible blemishes
• wrap and pack the item as tightly and gently as possible
• pay the extra couple dollars for additional insurance when you ship it; purchase enough insurance to cover what you think the item is worth

7. What do you do with my item(s) after you have them?

All items we are listing for clients on eBay^SM are treated with great care. We store items in a secure, locked, non-smoking and dry environment. Items are kept out of direct sunlight and other harsh lighting so as to not compromise the condition of the item(s) before they're shipped to winning bidders. If your item requires special handling and / or storage, please let us know.

8. How long will it typically take from the time you pick up my item until the time I get my money?

Your auction will be open for seven days, and on most items we allow another 15 days to receive returns, so you can typically expect the process to take about a month. (However, if you use our Premiere Listing service with a "Buy It Now" price, your auction might end much sooner than seven days.)

Here's a sample overview of the dates and milestones you can expect when AuctionCare takes care of your auction from start to finish:

Day 1: AuctionCare picks up or receives your item

Day 3: after preparing the auction, AuctionCare posts the item on eBay^SM

Day 10: the auction ends; AuctionCare contacts the winning bidder to collect payment

Day 20: the deadline for AuctionCare to receive payment (experience indicates most bidders will pay much sooner, often within 1-2 days after the auction ends)

Day 25: the deadline for AuctionCare to receive the item if returned by the winning bidder

Day 26: AuctionCare processes your payment and mails a check

Day 30: you receive your check (local residents won't have to wait 4 days for mail to arrive)

Have a question for AuctionCare? Contact us.

Have something to sell? Call AuctionCare at (509) 430-8033 to make a pick-up appointment! Call anytime - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We'll gladly return your call.

Questions? Please contact us.

AuctionCare.com, PO Box 4441, West Richland, WA, 99353

AuctionCare is not affiliated with or related to eBay^SM or any other online auction service. We are an independent service provider.