FAQ – ONLINE ONLY Auctions

Frequently asked questions about bidding via My VAN HAM in ONLINE ONLY Auctions

Before the Auction

What is an ONLINE ONLY auction?

ONLINE ONLY auctions are only accessible on the internet via My VAN HAM. The curated auctions have firmly established themselves at VAN HAM and form the ideal supplement to the traditional auction program.

Our ONLINE ONLY auctions are so-called Timed Auctions, i.e. pure online auctions that are not carried out by our auctioneers but by a computer system. At a set time the auction runs out in 1-Minute-Intervals. Usually the first lot runs out at 6pm. One minute later the next one starts, until finally all lots have expired. The exact expiration time can be found in the description of the individual lot in the online catalogue. The starting price is also the lowest bid at which a lot can be knocked down. The highest bidder wins the lot.

A special feature is the 3-Minute-Rule. If a bid is placed 3 minutes before the lot expires, this lot is automatically extended by 3 minutes. This only applies to the individual lot number and has no effect on subsequent lots. This process is repeated until no more bids have been submitted for 3 minutes. Only then will the lot be knocked down. Thus it may happen that lot numbers are knocked down of their numerical order. This 3-Minute-Rule is limited to 2 hours and is intended to prevent last-second bids so that all participants have a fair chance to submit a counter-bid.

What is the 3-Minute-Rule?

At a set time the auction runs out in 1-Minute-Intervals. Usually the first lot runs out at 6pm. One minute later the next one starts, until finally all lots have expired. The exact expiration time can be found in the description of the individual lot in the online catalogue. 

If a bid is placed 3 minutes before the lot expires, this lot is automatically extended by 3 minutes. This only applies to the individual lot number and has no effect on subsequent lots. This process is repeated until no more bids have been submitted for 3 minutes. Only then will the lot be knocked down. Thus it may happen that lot numbers are knocked down of their numerical order. This 3-Minute-Rule is limited to 2 hours and is intended to prevent last-second bids so that all participants have a fair chance to submit a counter-bid.

How do I register my personal client account on My VAN HAM?

Register using the gray „REGISTER“ button to create your personal client account on My VAN HAM.

Enter your personal information in the registration form. We need a copy of your valid identity card (front and back) with your current physical address stated on it. If your billing address differs from your physical address or if you only have a valid passport without a valid address, we would also have to ask you to provide proof of your billing address (e.g. in the form of an electricity or telephone bill). If you wish to bid on behalf of a company, please also provide us with a current and valid proof of organisation (e.g. your extract from the commercial register). Select your desired credit limit (that is your bid limit) that applies to all of your bids within an auction. If you wish a higher credit limit than 50,000 euros, we ask you to send 2 – 3 references in the form of paid auction invoices or a credit rating of your bank. Read and accept our GTC and privacy policy and submit the form using the button „Register now“.

After your registration you will receive a confirmation email and a code via mobile phone. Follow the link provided in the email and enter the code to activate your client account. Please also check your spam folder. If you have not received an email your client account cannot be activated neither. In this case please contact us via: online@van-ham.com

Please note that once you have registered your client account on My VAN HAM, you will need to enrol to bid for every individual auction up to 24 hours prior to the start of the relevant auction.

After you successfully activated the confirmation link you can log in to My VAN HAM with your access data.

How do I register to bidding via My VAN HAM?

Each auction requires you to register to bidding separately via your client account in order to receive a bidder number.

Log in to My VAN HAM with your access data. Go to „MY VAN HAM“ on the navigation bar and select „Online Catalogues“ (appears in a pop-up window). Select the auction you would like to register for. Move your mouse to this auction and enrol for it using the button „REGISTER TO BID“.

Alternatively you are also welcome to submit your bid directly via the online auction catalogue which transfers your registration to the auction to us as well.

After your registration you will be approved for the auction by us manually and only on working days. The registration to the auction can take place up to 24 hours prior to the end of the auction. We will do our best to confirm your registration also shortly before an auction, but we cannot guarantee this.

Why am I informed that I have not yet been approved?

Each auction requires you to register to bidding separately via your client account in order to receive a bidder number. After your registration you will be approved for the auction by us manually and only on working days. We usually do this within one working day. Until then you will be informed that you have not yet been approved for the auction or that your bid has not yet been confirmed.

In which languages can I view My VAN HAM?

You can choose between German and English. Move your mouse to German flag on the right side of the navigation bar and select German and English.

I have forgotten my password, how can I get a new one?

If you have forgotten your password you will receive a new one by clicking on the button „Forgot your password?“ while the process of logging in to My VAN HAM. Please consider upper and lower case letters.

If you continue to have problems send a short message to: online@van-ham.com

What is a bid limit and how can I increase it?

For bidding via My VAN HAM we have set up a fixed limit within which you can place your bids. The limit applies to the entire auction, not just a single lot. You can increase your bid limit via your account settings of your client account on My VAN HAM.

To increase your bid limit we must ask all of our bidders to send us a copy of their valid identity card (front and back) with the current physical address stated on it. If your billing address differs from your physical address or if you only have a valid passport without a valid address, we would also have to ask you to provide proof of your billing address (e.g. in the form of an electricity or telephone bill). If you wish to bid on behalf of a company, please also provide us with a current and valid proof of organisation (e.g. your extract from the commercial register). If you wish a higher credit limit (that is your bid limit) than 50,000 euros, we ask you to send 2 – 3 references in the form of paid auction invoices or a credit rating of your bank. As these limits require a longer set-up time, please arrange this in good time before the auction. 

Please send us all documents related to online bidding via: online@van-ham.com

You can also upload your documents by our securely encrypted website:  https://www.van-ham.com/en/proof-of-identity.html

Contact

Our experts are always available to answer any questions you may have about a particular object.

Anica Beil
a.beil@van-ham.com
+49 221 925 862-322

If you have any other question about online bidding please contact us via: 

Daria Pinkert
online@van-ham.com
+49 221 925 862-106


On the evening of the auction please only contact:
online@van-ham.com
 

Bidding (ONLINE ONLY)

How do I place a bid?

Please log in to My VAN HAM with your access data first. Go to the online catalogue of the auction for which you would like to submit a bid. There you can place your bid for the desired lot in the general overview of the auction lot numbers or in the detailed overview of the individual lot number (click on the corresponding lot). Enter the maximum amount for which you are willing to purchase a lot - your maximum price (without premium). Before the bid is finally submitted a window with the overall costs will open. If everything corresponds to your wishes submit the bid. The bidding system will automatically process your maximum price in bidding steps. VAN HAM only uses default bidding steps, which you can view via a drop-down box on the detailed overview of the individual lot number. Your maximum price (without premium) will only be used until the other bidders have been outbid. If there are two identical maximum bids, the bidder whose bid was received first will be given priority. If you have been outbid, you will be informed via email thus you have the opportunity to increase your bid. You can increase your bid via the link provided in this email.

End of the ONLINE ONLY auction

The lots of the ONLINE ONLY auction expire one after the other in 1-minute-intervals. If a bid is placed up to 3 minutes prior to the expiration time, the expiration time of the lot will be increased by another 3 minutes. This only applies to the individual lot number and has no impact on the following lots. Thus lot numbers may be knocked down out of their numerical order. Watch your lot or pay attention to your emails at this time thus you have the opportunity to increase your outbid maximum bid if necessary.

Can I bid by telephone?

No, our ONLINE Only auctions are automated auctions that run via a computer system without an auctioneer. It is therefore unfortunately not possible to place a telephone bid.

What are the bidding increments in which bids can be made?

VAN HAM only uses predefined bidding increments, which you can find in the detailed overview of the individual lot number as a drop-down field.

On which platforms can I bid online?

ONLINE ONLY auctions are only offered via My VAN HAM.

Are there any additional fees for ONLINE ONLY auctions?

There is no additional buyer's premium for an ONLINE ONLY auction.

What is a maximum bid or a maximum price?

You can submit a maximum bid (maximum price) via your client account on My VAN HAM. The bidding system will automatically process your maximum price in bidding steps. VAN HAM only uses predefined bidding steps, which you can find in the detailed overview of the individual lot number as a drop-down field. Your maximum price (without premium) will only be used until the other bidders have been outbid. If there are two identical maximum bids, the bidder whose bid was received first will be given priority. If you have been outbid, you will be informed via email thus you have the opportunity to increase your bid. You can increase your bid via the link provided in this email. Your maximum price is not visible for the other customers and you do not have to intervene at each step yourself.

Please log in to My VAN HAM with your access data first. Go to the online catalogue of the auction for which you would like to submit a bid. There you can place your bid for the desired lot in the general overview of the auction lot numbers or in the detailed overview of the individual lot number (click on the corresponding lot). Enter the maximum amount for which you are willing to purchase a lot - your maximum price (without premium). Before the bid is finally submitted a window with the overall costs will open. If everything corresponds to your wishes submit the written bid.

Can I place a bid below the starting price?

No. The starting price is the lowest amount that can be bid.

How do I know I have won the bid?

You will be informed via email that you have won a lot.

You can also check if you have won a bid via your client account on My VAN HAM. Log in to My VAN HAM with your access data. Go to „MY VAN HAM“ on the navigation bar and select „My Bids“ (appears in a pop-up window). „Bought Lots“ shows all your bought items. 

How do I know I have been outbid?

You will be informed immediately via email that you are no longer the highest bidder thus you have the opportunity to increase your bid. You can increase your bid via the link provided in this email.

You can always check the status of your bids via your client account on My VAN HAM. Log in to My VAN HAM with your access data. Go to „MY VAN HAM“ on the navigation bar and select „My Bids“ (appears in a pop-up window). „Confirmed Bids (ONLINE ONLY)“ shows the status of your bids during the auction.

After the auction „Outbid (ONLINE ONLY)“ shows your bids that were outbid by counterbidders.

How do I know my bid has been accepted?

Log in to My VAN HAM with your access data. Go to „MY VAN HAM“ on the navigation bar and select „My Bids“ (appears in a pop-up window).

„Bids on hold (ONLINE ONLY)“ shows the bids that are not confirmed yet, because you have not yet been activated for the auction. We usually do this within one working day. 

„Confirmed Bids (ONLINE ONLY)“ shows all your active bids.

If you can't find your bid under any of these tabs, there may have been an error in the transmission. In this case submit the bid again, please.

How do I increase my bid?

You will be informed immediately via email that you are no longer the highest bidder thus you have the opportunity to increase your bid. You can increase your bid via the link provided in this email.

You can always check the status of your bids or increase your bids via your client account on My VAN HAM. Log in to My VAN HAM with your access data. Go to „MY VAN HAM“ on the navigation bar and select „My Bids“ (appears in a pop-up window). Choose „Confirmed Bids (ONLINE ONLY)“ that shows the history of all your bids. Select the desired lot and „Bid now“. You will be forwarded to the bidding mask and can increase your maximum price.

How can I cancel my bid?

You can cancel your bid up to 2 hours prior to the end of the auction via your client account on My VAN HAM. Log in to My VAN HAM with your access data. Go to „MY VAN HAM“ on the navigation bar and select „My Bids“ (appears in a pop-up window). Choose „Confirmed Bids (ONLINE ONLY)“ that shows the history of all your bids. Select the desired lot and „cancel the bid“. 

If you still have questions, please send us a short message to: online@van-ham.com

You cannot cancel or delete a subsequent bid (after sale bid).

Can I bid against myself?

No, it's not possible to bid against yourself. If you increase your maximum price, there is no risk that your new bid will be driven up by your previous bid, as this will be deleted.

Why can I find my bid in the folder "Bids on hold (ONLINE ONLY)?

Each auction requires you to register to bidding separately via your client account in order to receive a bidder number. After your registration you will be approved for the auction by us manually and only on working days. We usually do this within one working day. Until then you will be informed that you have not yet been approved for the auction or that your bid has not yet been confirmed.

After Sale

What is an after sale bid and how can I sent it?

Approximately two to four weeks after the auction, unsold lots can be purchased directly at the lower estimate plus premium.

You can submit your after sale bid via your client account on My VAN HAM. Please log in to My VAN HAM with your access data first. Go to the online catalogue of the auction for which you would like to submit your after sale bid. There you can place your bid for the desired lot in the general overview of the auction lot numbers or in the detailed overview of the individual lot number (click on the corresponding lot). Enter the amount for which you would like to purchase the lot and click on „Bid“. Before the bid is finally submitted you will be informed again that you are making a binding purchase by placing the bid. If everything corresponds to your wishes submit the bid. We will review your bid and get in touch with you.

Can I place an after sale bid below the starting price?

No. We do not accept bids below the starting price (i.e. the minimum price) for the post-sale.

However, this minimum bid does not automatically equate to the consignor's limit. In rare cases, the minimum bid may be below the limit.

If you place a bid below the limit, we will contact you and give you the opportunity to increase your bid. If you do not do this, the lot can only be awarded conditionally. If this is the case, any bid at the limit can outbid yours and the lot will be sold to the other bidder.

Invoice & Payment

When will I receive my invoice?

You will receive an invoice by email within 48 hours after the auction, in which all instructions for payment and shipping are listed. Please note that there may be delays due to weekends and public holidays.

If you have not received an invoice, please contact our accounting department by email. Around the auctions we receive a lot of inquiries and would ask you not to call. We process all emails as soon as possible.

How can I pay?

The amount shall be made via Electronic Cash, by wire transfer or by bank certified cheques. Cheques shall only be accepted on account of performance. All taxes, costs and fees (including bank fees charged to VAN HAM) shall be borne by the customer.

Cash payments of 10,000 euros or more per calendar year will be registered according to legal requirements. Payments can only be made by the person named on the invoice. Verified and issued invoices cannot be altered.

In the event of a delay in payment, delay interest shall be charged at a rate of 1 % per month begun.

Can I pay with credit card?

No. We do not accept credit cards.

Is there a right of revocation?

You have the right to revoke your purchase within fourteen days without giving reasons. The revocation period is fourteen days from the day on which you or a third party named by you who is not the carrier has taken possession of the works. In order to exercise your right of revocation, you must send us the revocation form (e.g. by post, fax or e-mail). 

Contact

Our accounting department is always available to answer any questions you may have about your invoice.  

buchhaltung@van-ham.com 

 

Collection & Shipping

What are the shipping costs?

The shipping costs within Germany, the EU and worldwide can be found in the detailed view of the lot number in the online catalogue of the respective auction. They are listed at the very end.

If "Arrangement after the auction" is entered there, the object can not be shipped by DHL due to its size or fragility. A transport via a shipping company must then be arranged. We are happy to help you here with an overview of suitable providers with whom we work.

You can also find an overview of our general shipping costs for Germany and abroad on the left as a PDF.

Can I collect my purchases directly from you in Cologne?

There is the possibility to pick up your purchased item personally in Cologne or to have it sent to you by us. Please take into account our export conditions.

If you reserve a pick-up date, please take into account that the lots from our ONLINE ONLY auctions are located in our external warehouse in Wesseling and the pick-up can take up to 3 days for logistical reasons.

Please reserve a pick-up date in advance to avoid longer waiting times.

Can I authorize someone to collect my works for me by means of a collection authorization?

Yes, you are welcome to send us a power of attorney for collection prior to collection. Please send us an e-mail with the authorization to collect@van-ham.com.

Contact

Our logistics department is always available to answer your shipping questions.  

logistik@van-ham.com

 

We are there for you

Call us at +49 (221) 92 58 62-0or write to us. We will process your request promptly and get back to you as soon as possible. If you would like us to call you back, please specify a time slot within our business hours (Mon-Fri 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.).

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