E Komo Mai! - Welcome to Malama Auctions!
Aloha and mahalo so much for joining us. Whether this is your first time bidding or you’re a returning buyer, we’re excited to have you here. I’d like to take a few minutes to walk you through how our auctions work, what you can expect, and how to make your experience as smooth and successful as possible.
Terms & Conditions
Please read the terms and conditions for each auction. it only takes a few minutes. Each auction is different. Many of our auctions will have identical terms and conditions, but not always. so please take the time to make sure you know the requirements and limitations of each auctions and expectations for both the bidders and the host of each auction. Below you will see a summary and explanation the most common aspects of our auctions.
How Our Auctions Work
All our auctions are held online and close using what's called a staggered, soft close. That means a few lots close every minute. If someone bids during the final 2 minutes of an item’s countdown, the timer resets for another 2 minutes. This gives everyone a fair chance to place their final bids—it’s just like a real-life auctioneer giving “fair warning!”
There is a 23% buyer’s premium added to your winning bid. That covers some of the services we provide like invoicing, cataloging, appointment scheduling, and communication.
Bidding Basics
You must register with a valid credit/debit card before bidding. Don’t worry—there’s no charge to register. It’s simply a $50 authorization check to make sure your card is real. Some banks have this how up as "pending" on your statement, but it will fall off, normally in 24-48 hours.
You can place bids manually, or use what's called a “maximum bid" or "specific bid."
Here’s how a maximum bid works:
Let’s say the current bid is $10 and you’re willing to pay up to $30. You can enter $30 as your maximum. The system will automatically bid for you, just enough to keep you in the lead—up to your max. So if someone else bids $12, the system will jump you to $13, and so on until your limit is reached. This way, you don’t have to keep checking back and rebidding. If the bidding stops at $13, you are only obligated to pay the $13, even though you placed a maximum bid of $30.
Here’s how a specific bid works:
If you place a specific bid, the system will raise the current bid price to that amount, regardless of any other bids. if the current bid is $5 and you place a specific bid for $20, the new high bid will be at $20 and you will obligated to pay $20, even if there are no other bids.
What Does "Times the Money" Mean?
Sometimes you’ll see items listed as "Times the Money." This is important! If a lot says “4 chairs – times the money,” and you bid $20, your total cost will be $20 times 4—so $80. Be sure to check the lot title and description closely so you know what you're bidding on and how it's being sold. Additionally, if you place a maximum bid, or specific bid, it will always be applied times the money as well. If you want to pay a maximum bid of $80 total, than, given this of the 4 chairs, you would bid $20 max bid, because it will be multiplied by 4.
After You Win
In most most auctions, soon after the auction is completed, the credit/debit card you have used to create your account and register for the auction, will be charged for the total of your invoice. in other auctions there may be different terms for payment. for instance in our recuring auctions of equipment, vehicles, prefab buildings and such have different requirements. If your total invoice is under $3000, we’ll charge the card you registered with. If your invoice is over $3000, payment must be made by cash, cashier’s check, or wire transfer—no exceptions.
on the morning of our first pick up day of the auction, you’ll get an email and text with a link to schedule your pick-up appointment. Pick-up is by appointment only—this helps us serve you faster and more efficiently. The location and times will always be provided to winning bidders.
Bring everything you need to load your items—boxes, bags, rope, straps, and help. For fully managed auctions, our team is there to help locate your items, but loading assistance is first come, first served and not guaranteed. If it's a collaborated auction, there may be no staff on-site to assist, so plan accordingly.
If you do not pick up your items at the scheduled time and don’t communicate with us, your items will be forfeited and resold. We're happy to work with you—just keep us in the loop!
Shipping Info
Shipping is available only for certain auctions and only if the item fits in a USPS flat-rate box. In those cases, the cost includes the USPS rate, insurance, and a $5 handling fee per box. If it’s a collaborated or seller-managed auction, shipping is not available—you must pick up in person. Other options may be possible, but only if arrangements are made prior to the close of the auction.
Important Policies
All items are sold “As Is, Where Is.” We do our best to show the condition clearly in the photos and descriptions.
Returns are rare, but we will consider them if there’s a major discrepancy or if something doesn’t work as described. Requests must be made in writing within 7 days.
We do not accept returns for buyer’s remorse, so please bid carefully. Malama Auctions staff may also bid in our auctions. That’s standard practice and helps ensure transparency and fair market value.
