Frequently Asked Questions - Buyers

Buyer Auction and Sale FAQs

Are your auctions free?

Our auctions are free for sellers. We can facilitate this because we rely on sellers to promote their own auctions on their social media or on other marketplaces.

For buyers, we process a holding 5% (minimum $1) fee which we donate to a great cause in the community after the deal has been completed.

What are the holding fees on Curb-Side?

Buyers pay a 5% (minimum $1) holding fee to Curb-Side in addition to the final purchase price which they will pay to the seller when they pick up their item.

How do I register to buy/bid?

Once you find something you wish to buy, click "Buy Now" or “Place Bid” depending on whether it is an auction or marketplace item. You’ll be prompted to register an account before you can buy, including entering your credit card information. 

How do I buy/place a bid?

We make buying and bidding easy! Just click the “Place Bid” or "Buy Now" button on a item’s listing. For auctions, enter a bid amount higher than the previous bid. In the final minutes Curb-Side's auctions extend by two minutes with each new bid. When possible, we recommend bidding prior to the 30 second countdown to ensure your bid is processed correctly. After you’ve submitted your bid, we place a hold on your credit card for 5% of your bid amount for the duration of the auction. If you end up as the winning bidder your card will be charged only this holding fee and you will pay for the item when you pick it up.

What currency does Curb-Side use?

Curb-Side is Canadian. All bids on Curb-Side are proudly presented in Canadian Dollars (CAD).

Can I buy/bid if I live outside of Canada?

Of course you can. We welcome bidders and buyers from all over the world, but please be prepared to bid in Canadian Dollars and to arrange the pick-up and payment of your purchase with the seller in a timely fashion. We recommend no longer than 5 days. Failure to do so will result in your ban from Curb-Side.

Can I inspect a stuff in person?

Generally, in-person showings are not possible, but you are welcome to message the seller. Use the "Questions & Comments" below each listing description to see if there is a convenient time to inspect the item.

How do I contact a seller privately?

To contact a seller privately, simply select the "Private" setting in the "Questions and Comments" below the listing description. You’ll be able to send the seller a private message that won’t appear on the item or auction itself.

Does Curb-Side provide proxy bidding?

No. All bidding requires bidders to actively input each individual bid. We feel this creates a more spirited auction for our community.

Why do you place a hold on my credit card when I bid?

Curb-Side places a hold on your credit card so that should you end up the winning bidder we can process the holding fee seamlessly. The hold is for 5% of your bid amount. If you are outbid, the hold is released from your credit card at the conclusion of the auction.

Can I find out the reserve price of the stuff I want to buy?

Reserve prices are not made public and we politely ask that buyers do not ask our sellers about reserve pricing during the auction. 

What if the reserve isn’t met?

If the reserve is not met you can message the seller to see if perhaps you can work out a deal. Use the private messaging feature in the commenting field below the auction.

Once I have purchase an item, how do I complete the sale?

Congrats! Check your email! Curb-Side provides the buyer and seller with each other’s contact information – phone and email. The two parties can complete the transaction at their convenience – including payment.

How do I pay for an item that I won?

We leave that to the discretion of buyer and seller. We do discourage any payments prior to meeting.

What will Curb-Side's seller fee look like on my credit card statement?

Pre-authorization: GOOGLE *TEMPORARY HOLD G.CO/HELPPAY# NS

Payment: CURB-SIDE +17785491699 BC

I’m in a different Province or part of the world. How do I get the item?

All items offered on Curb-Side are being sold in their current location. Transportation, shipping, and logistics are the sole responsibility of the buyer should the seller agree to ship. This should be arranged prior to purchase.

What if I decide not to purchase an item that I won?

All purchases and bids on Curb-Side are binding. When you buy or place a bid for any item, you are agreeing to purchase the item as-is and where-is. Do your research prior to bidding. This should include any desired inspections and arranging personal finances to accommodate purchase. We do not accommodate post-auction pre-purchase inspections to decide if you want the item. Failure to follow through with the purchase is cause to be permanently banned from Curb-Side, and your buyer’s fee will NOT be refunded. 

Are there rules to follow in the questions and comments section?

Curb-Side is intended to be a friendly, enjoyable and useful experience. If you spot a comment that you feel is violating the general terms and conditions of Curb-Side please let us know by contacting us and we may moderate accordingly. A partial list of things that are violate our policies include: Foul language; personal attacks; spamming; asking the seller about their reserve; plugging your personal business, website, social media handles, etc.; sidetracking the conversation about other items or topics unrelated to the item being offered; linking to inappropriate videos/webpages/content/item for sale ads.