Q. How does the auction work?

A. The most important part of any auction is the bidding. In a traditional auction, the lots are auctioned one lot at a time. Bids are placed, the bidding price increases until eventually the highest bid is placed, and no more bids are placed. The bidder with the highest bid wins the lot.

Specialty coffee auctions are different; they work as a ‘Helmsman’ style auction also known as ‘ multi-unit. It works like this:

• Open bidding starts and continues on all lots simultaneously until each and every lot has received an initial bid.
• As soon as each lot has received a bid, the auction clock for each lot, starts ticking down from 3 minutes towards zero.
• Every time a bid is placed, the clock resets to 3 minutes remaining.
• Once the clock reaches zero, the auction is over and the winners are declared.

Q. How do I place a bid and what is an auto-bid?

A. Bids can be made in one of three ways:

• Bid by the next suggested increment: You can bid at the next increment by pressing the “Bid” button and then pressing “Confirm” to confirm you wish to place a bid at the corresponding amount.
• Bid at a higher amount than the current increment: You can bid at a higher amount than the current increment and enter your own bid amount (as long as it is greater than or equal to the current bid plus the minimum increment) into the text box by the “Bid” button. Once you place the amount you want to bid press “Bid” and then confirm your bid by pressing “Confirm”. Your bid will then be placed in the system and all bidders will see the change in the current bid on the webpage.
• Auto Bidding: You may choose to place an “auto-bid” (also known as a ‘Proxy Bid’) which sets the maximum amount you wish to spend. Autobids are placed by the platform in your behalf up to the maximum bid you set when you placed the autobid. It is important to understand that for your auto-bid to be placed, it must be higher than the current highest bid. For example, if you set your auto-bid to a maximum of $30/lb, the platform will bid on your behalf up to a maximum of $30/lb. Once the bidding in the auction exceeds $30/lb your autobid will no longer place any bids on your behalf. Once your autobid has been exceeded, you will need to place another autobid for the platform to continue to bid on your behalf.

Q. What is pre-bidding?

A. Pre-bidding is a phase where participants can place bids on the lots at any time prior to the start of the live auction. Placing a bid during the pre-bidding stage can give you an advantage over other bidders. Your pre-bid could be the winning bid if no other bidder submits a higher bid during the live auction. Participants will have until the live auction starts to place a pre-bid and then the auction will start as usual.

You can also place autobids during this phase. Autobids will bid on your behalf throughout the auction up to the maximum bid set when you placed it.

Remember! The pre-bids that you place when the auction is open for pre-bidding will be used when the live auction starts.

Q. Do I have to register?

A. Yes, to bid in our auction you have to first register with us. This means we know who you are and that you understand and accept our Terms & Conditions. Once your registration has been accepted you can begin bidding.

Q. Will my name be public during the auction?

A. The identity of each Bidder will be anonymous and unknown to other Bidders prior to and during, the Internet Auction. Bidders will be identified by a random ‘Paddle Number’.

The identity of the highest bidder for each Lot will be made public when the winners are declared at the end of the auction. The winners' details will be passed on to the producers and used to form the contract for the sale of the coffee. finalize shipping arrangements.

Q. How long does the auction last?

A. The usual time allowed for the initial period (before all lots have received a bid) is an hour but will be determined by the number of lots and participating buyers. Once the clock starts ticking, it all depends on the level of demand. Do not be mistaken into thinking that this style of auction is over very quickly - expect several hours for specialty coffee auctions.

Q. How can I keep track of the auction in progress?

A. Real-time updates are essential in a coffee auction where the auction clock is counting down quickly between bids, and it is what makes online systems perfect for this type of auction. We recommend that you have a fast stable internet connection for your auction participation.

Q. Once I win a lot, how do I proceed to do the payment?

A. Payment for auction lots is due in FULL 15 days after the auction date. Please ensure you are familiar with the Terms & Conditions you agree to when you register for the auction.

If the winning Bidder does not pay the due amount within this time, the lots will be offered to the bidder who placed the second-highest bid.

After the auction has closed we will be in touch with you to arrange payments, contracts and shipping. Once all these are agreed upon, payment will be made by bank or wire transfer. Other options are available and we can discuss those as they arise.

For destinations that are not served by our certified coffee importers, payment in full is required prior to the coffee leaving the country of origin.