Frequently Asked Questions

How do I register for online bidding?

To register for online bidding, you must create or login to a HiBid account which you can do by clicking on the “Login/New Bidder” menu item, which is next to the Current Auctions and Past Auctions tabs. In order to begin bidding, you must also register to the specific auction you wish to participate in. Please note, you will need to register separately for every auction. To register, you may choose the “register to bid” menu item or click on the bid button of any lot within that auction. A new window will prompt you to enter the payment method you will be using for the auction. Please note, you will need to authorize a credit card to register in our auctions. It is important that the billing address you provide matches EXACTLY with the one on file with your credit union/bank. This is also the address your items will be shipped to by default. If you want to have them shipped elsewhere or to pick them up yourself, you can use the registration window to notify us of these changes. After a successful registration, you are ready to bid.

What are the bidding increments?

Bid increments are the amounts by which each bid will increase based on the current bid price. The higher value the item, the higher the bid increments.​ Bidding typically advances in the following bid increments:

$1 – $4 ($1 increments)

$5 – $95 ($5)

$100 – $975 ($25)

$1,000 – $9,750 ($250)

$10,000 – $97,500 ($2,500)

$100,000 + ($10,000)

How do I place a bid?

 Before you bid, confirm that you are signed in to your HiBid account. To place a bid, simply click the bid button on the desired lot. Once a bid has been submitted, it cannot be undone. Please note: It is possible that someone else can bid the same amount seconds before your bid is submitted. In this rare event, you will be notified that your bid was not accepted and you will have to start the bidding process again.​

What does reserve or no reserve auction mean?

​A reserve price is the minimum price at which an auctioneer is willing to sell a lot. If an item or auction is unreserved then it will not have this restriction.​

What is a Maximum Bid?

​You may automate the bidding process by providing us with a Maximum Bid. A maximum bid is the highest amount you are willing to pay for an item, but also ensures that you will only pay the lowest amount possible to win the item. Any time after the bidding opens you can register and enter your own personal max bid, or simply enter the next amount in line. If you enter a max bid way above the current bid, you may only see the next increment appear on the screen. Your max is kept secret, but the moment someone raises a competing bid, Hibid will increase your amount to the next increment. For example, if you place a bid for $50 and place a maximum bid of $100, you are guaranteed to win the item for any amount between $50 to $100 unless someone bids higher than $100. However, you will pay only as much that is required to be the highest bidder. 

What is a staggered Soft Close?

​In the event that a bid is placed on an item in the final minutes of an auction sale, the auction will automatically be extended for an additional 2 minutes to prevent 'auction sniping'. The extension will continue until all the bids have stopped.

Each lot has its own closing time shown in days, hours, and minutes from the time you are viewing. The closing times are staggered 10 seconds apart. If soft close begins at 6PM, then only the first lot in the auction is scheduled to close at 6. Each lot has its own close time, scheduled 10 seconds one after the other. ​

What does buyer’s premium mean?

​Buyer’s premium is an additional charge paid by buyer to auctioneer after winning the lot. We charge 20% buyer’s premium or a minimum of $10 is applied to each invoice as buyer's premium.

I am the highest bidder - what happens next?

Congratulations! As long as any reserve has been met, the item is now yours. Right after the auction closes, you will receive a notification confirming whether you have won or lost the bid. If you have won, soon after the auction ends you will be sent an email, and an electronic invoice with the total cost (and a shipping form in certain cases) will be attached. After we have received the payment, the items will be ready for pickup, unless you have requested shipping, in which case the items will be shipped to the billing address provided at the time of registration (unless noted otherwise). If you wish to make changes in the information you provided or need additional services, please notify us within 24 hours of the auction closing. A receipt will be emailed to you once we have received payment for your lot.

​How do I pay for my purchases?

​HiBiD supports payment via credit card only. However, in certain cases we accept payment via debit card, credit card, bank transfer and other payment services. All Certified Cheques, Bank Drafts and Personal or Corporate Cheques must be verified and cleared by Storia’s bank prior to all purchases being released. Credit Card payments are subject to our acceptance and approval. Please get in touch within 24 hours and place a request to change default payment methods.

When will I receive an invoice for payment?

​You will receive a soft copy of your invoice within 48 hours, and a printed copy will be attached to your item upon pickup, or sent along with your shipment.

​Can I ship my purchase?

Please see our Shipping & Handling information.

​Can I visit your business in person?

Yes! Storia operates by appointment only - please contact us to schedule an appointment. However, our sister store Turner Chapel Antiques is a fully functioning antiques shop and you may visit us there at any time.