What is blotto?
blotto is an internet-based, sealed auction provider, which allows participants the opportunity to bid for a good or service. Each participant will be charged a minimal admin fee to lodge a bid, which is payable upon lodging the bid. The admin fee amount is predetermined by blotto and is clearly identifiable prior to lodging a bid.
How many bid credits do I get for my money?
Current Blotto Bid Packs
- $5 = 10 bid credits ($0.500 ea)
- $10 = 25 bid credits ($0.400 ea)
- $15 = 40 bid credits ($0.375 ea)
- $25 = 75 bid credits ($0.333 ea)
- $50 = 175 bid credits ($0.286 ea)
- $75 = 280 bid credits ($0.268 ea)
- $100 = 400 bid credits ($0.250 ea)
- $250 = 1100 bid credits ($0.227 ea)
What types of auctions are available through blotto?
blotto provides the following auction services:
- A lowest unique bid auction is closed when the predetermined required number of bids is received. A lowest unique bid means the lowest bid placed that is the only bid at that amount. There is only ever one successful bid in a lowest unique bid auction. In the case where there is no unique bid received, the opportunity to purchase will be offered to the lowest bid received with exactly two bids, with the member who submitted their bid first given the opportunity to purchase the item at that nominated bid amount.
How does a lowest unique bid auction work?
As the name suggests, to become the successful bidder in a lowest unique bid auction, your nominated bid amount must be the lowest unique bid, meaning that your bid is the lowest bid placed that is the only bid at that amount. For example;
|
User name |
Bid amount |
Bid status |
|
John |
$0.01 |
Not unique |
|
Sally |
$0.01 |
Not unique |
|
Peter |
$0.02 |
Lowest unique bid |
|
Mark |
$0.03 |
Unique, but not the lowest |
|
Jessica |
$0.04 |
Not unique |
|
Andrew |
$0.04 |
Not unique |
Can I view the bid amount of other bids received?
During an auction, all bids are private/silent and they are not disclosed to any participant during the life of that particular auction.
How do I become a member?
In order to lodge a bid with blotto, the participant must first become a blotto member. Memberships are free and easy. To become a member, click on the ‘Join Now’ button and follow the prompts. All members must be 18 years of age or older. To place funds into your blotto account, you must also become a Paypal account holder. This can be done at www.paypal.com.au or simply follow the prompts via your My blotto account. A Paypal account is free to set up.
I haven’t received an email from blotto, but I’ve lodged bids.
Before you register with blotto, please ensure your email address that you chose as your point of contact will allow outside emails to be received. Some companies have strict restrictions on the type of emails received from outside the organisation. If you have not received an email, please check your junk email folder as it may end up there.
If you ever need to change your email address, just go to ‘Edit My Profile’ in ‘my blotto’ and enter the new address.
How many items are available for a particular auction?
In a lowest unique bid auction, only one item/lot will be available for purchase.
Do I have to pay the bid amount that I nominated?
No. The only fee that is charged to participants is the admin fee, which is payable upon lodging a bid. The successful bidder who purchases the item is the only participant that is required to pay their nominated bid amount.
How do I know that I am the successful bidder?
Once the auction has closed, blotto will notify the successful bidder within 48 hours of the close of the auction that they have the opportunity to purchase the item at their nominated bid amount.
Can I find out the results of completed auctions?
Following the conclusion of each low bid auction, the results will be available to view, by clicking on the Results tab on the blotto home page.
Do I have to purchase the item if I am the successful bidder?
The successful bidder is not obligated to purchase the good/service, and if so, the item will be offered to the next lowest unique bidder, and so on, until the lot is purchased. The only bidder that is required to pay their nominated bid amount is the single participant wanting to purchase the item, notified by blotto that they have the opportunity to purchase.
What if I am on holidays or away from the computer and I am the successful bidder?
If you are declared the successful bidder in an auction, blotto shall notify you via the contact details you have provided (including email or telephone). Having been declared the successful bidder, you must clarify that you wish to purchase the item within 3 business days of being notified. Members must confirm or decline to purchase via their ‘My blotto’ link on the home page.
Is my admin fee refundable?
The admin fee is only refundable in the case of the relevant auction being cancelled.
How many bids can I make?
There is a limit to the number of bids you can place in a Lowest Unique Bid Auction this is clearly shown in each auction.
How do I pay for the item if I am the successful bidder?
Payment of the successful bid amount is done through your Paypal account or direct bank deposit. You will have this choice at the checkout stage.
Do I have to pay the delivery charge?
Unless otherwise stated, goods delivered within Australia and New Zealand are shipped free of charge and are insured by blotto for damage in transit. If a particular item does include a delivery fee, this amount will be clearly displayed in the auction lot details.
How do I know if my bid has been accepted?
Once a bid has been placed with blotto, you will be notified via email to acknowledge that your bid has been placed. This email will also advise as to whether your bid is unique, the current lowest unique bid or the same as another bid that has been lodged for that particular auction. You will also be automatically updated via email if the status of your bid changes (ie: becomes the lowest unique, no longer becomes lowest and/or unique bid etc). You can also track your bid status' through My blotto.
What if I wish to withdraw my bid?
If you wish to withdraw your bid, you must notify blotto by email. The admin fee is only refundable however, if the relevant auction is canceled by blotto.
Are all items brand new?
Yes, all items available for auction will be brand new, complete with manufacturers/suppliers warranties.
Why do I need to create a Paypal account?
blotto uses Paypal as its chosen account as it is a safe and secure way to transfer funds. Paypal is a registered company of ebay, and is used by millions of people around the world for electronic funds transfer. You will need a PayPal account in order to add funds into your blotto account. It is very simple to setup and can be done through the Purchase Credit link in My blotto. If you would like to find out more about PayPal go to www.paypal.com.au for more information.
What is a shared bid race?
A shared bid race occurs when there are no unique bids lodged in a lowest unique bid auction. The bidder who is winning the shared bid race will be notified by blotto of this, and also updated when/if they are no longer wining the shared bid race, or whether a unique bid has been lodged.
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