How Does Bidding work?

1. When you place a bid, you enter the maximum amount you're willing to pay for the item. Other bidders won't know your maximum bid amount.
2. Our system places bids on your behalf starting with the next bid increment for the auction. We'll bid as much as necessary to make sure that you remain the high bidder and we'll keep bidding for you until bidding reaches your maximum amount.
3. If another bidder has placed the same bid before you or a higher maximum bid, we'll let you know that you've been outbid so that you can place another bid. However, if no other bidder has a higher maximum bid at the end of the auction, you win the item even if your bid doesn't go as high as your maximum bid. You could pay significantly less than your maximum price. This means you don't have to keep coming back to re-bid every time another bid is placed.

Here's an example:

There is this great Knoll Mid-Century couch which started its bidding at $50 and now the current bid for the couch is displayed as $100.00. iloveHW is the high bidder. (iloveHW has placed a maximum bid of $150.00 on this item, but his maximum bid is kept secret, shhh!)

BornToShop views this item and decides to place a maximum bid of $200.00. BornToShop becomes the high bidder because her bid is greater than iloveHW's bid.

A bid increment of $5.00 (10% of the starting ) is added to iloveHW’s maximum bid of $150.00. That means that BornToShop’s current bid is now $155.00. iloveHW is sent an email that he has been outbid.

What are the bidding increments?

The bidding increment is 10% of the item’s opening bid. Please note that not all increments will be displayed in ‘bid history’. Bid history will skip display of some bids as a result of maximum bidding. Max bids of the same amount will not be recorded. Whoever placed the bid first will show in ‘bid history’.

Example:

1. You place a max bid of $65. on an item with an opening bid of $50. Bid history shows that you are currently the highest bidder at $50.
2. Another bid comes in at $55.
3. The system increases your bid to $60.
4. A fourth bidder places a max bid of $70.
5. Your $65 bid will not be displayed. The next bid displayed will be $70 even though that is not a 10% increment.

How do I retract my bid?

When you are the winning bidder, you are obligated to pay the high-bid price for the item. As a rule, retracting bids is not allowed on Shop Housing Works.

Should I use dollar signs and commas when placing a bid?

No. Bids with $ and , will be rejected. Use only decimal points.

Why does it look like I’m bidding against myself in the bid history?

When you see your name twice in a row on the bid history that indicates that other bidders have attempted to place bids that were rejected because yours is higher. When a bid is rejected it is not recorded in bid history. The other bidder is made aware that they’ve automatically been out bid and are asked to try again.

How do I know if I’ve won the items I placed bids on?

Automatic notification emails are sent out to highest bidders. Reception of automatic emails is not guaranteed. All bidders are strongly urged to check the site after auction closing to find out if they were the highest bidder. It is the winner’s responsibility to pay for and, where applicable, pick up items within 48 hours of auction closings regardless of email confirmation not being received. When time permits courtesy calls are made to high bidders. Courtesy calls are not guaranteed.

How do I pay for my items?

Auction items can be paid for in person at the location listed on the item page or online after the auction closed. Items you've won will show up under 'Awaiting payment' in your account. Follow the on screen instructions to add the items to your shopping cart.

Buy it now items can be added to your shopping cart right away.

Once you have all the items you want in your shopping cart, click on the Google Checkout logo

All online payments must be made through Google Checkout and only Google Checkout. No Paypal, no checks, no credit cards over the phone.

Auction items must be paid for within 48 hours of the end of auction.

After 48 hours we reserve the right to offer the item to someone else.

How do I get my items?

As you make your way through the payment process you will get the option of picking up the item in the store, or having it delivered to you.

Smaller items can be shipped nationwide through FedEx while larger items are deliverable through a NYC only moving company.

Items must be picked up within 48 hours of the end of auction.

After 48 hours we reserve the right to sell the item to someone else without a refund.

Where is the stuff I had in my shopping cart?

Placing items in your cart does not remove the items from the site. Items are available for purchase by anyone until they are processed through Google checkout. Items placed in your cart may have been sold to another customer who checked out before you did. This refers to Buy It Now items only and excludes auction items you have won which are available only to you until you checkout.

Do you combine shipping costs for multiple orders placed on the same day?

Yes. On the business day following placement of your order all but one shipping charge will be refunded through Google Checkout.

How much does shipping cost?

Shipping starts at about $7.50. Before committing to purchase of your order you will be able to view the calculated cost of shipping on Google Checkout.

Why do some items have an “auction” sign across the picture and some don’t?

Items with “auction” banners are on display at the store locations under which they are posted and require bidding to purchase*. Items without “auction” banners are “Buy It Now” items and available for immediate purchase. Buy It Now items are not on display at any store location and can be purchased through the internet only.

*Items featured in “Specialty Auctions” may not be on display at any store location.

Why am I getting an error message when I try to create an account?

If you have typed in an apostrophe anywhere on the ‘create new account’ page delete it and try again. If you continue to receive an error message please contact customer service.

Where can i get help with Google Checkout?

Google has a help site devoted to Google Checkout. Always check there first for your Google Checkout related questions.

What is the return policy?

Unless otherwise stated, all items are used. We have tried to provide the maximum amount of information regarding physical condition to the best of our knowledge. Please take the time to carefully read the description before purchasing.

Everything on the site has been inspected for flaws and damage. There will be no unmentioned flaws. Common or minute signs of gentle use may not be included in the descriptions. Items are not officially appraised, certified or authenticated. Our 'vintage' and authenticity commentary is accurate to the best of our knowledge but we cannot guarantee that it is 100% factual. All measurements are approximate.

All internet sales, with the exception of clothing and shoes, are final unless an item has been grossly misrepresented. If you feel an item you have purchased or would like to purchase has been grossly misrepresented please contact us by email or call us at 646-714-2428.

Clothing and shoes that have not been misrepresented are returnable for refund under the following conditions:

• Buyer assumes all return shipping costs.
• Original shipping costs will not be refunded.
• Return has been approved by Customer Service prior to return shipping. To request approval please email us.
• Approval for returns must be requested within 3 days of receipt of your order.
• Items are returned in the exact condition in which they were received.
• Return is by courier only and all packages must be addressed to the shophousingworks.com office. Returns will not be accepted at any Housing Works Thrift Shop location either in person or by courier under any circumstances.
• Buyer assumes responsibility for loss or damage during return shipping. We recommend using a service that provides package tracking and insurance.

This policy does not include clothing and shoes purchased through auction. It pertains only to non-auction items.

This return policy applies only to clothing and shoes purchased from shophousingworks.com. All in store purchases are final. All sales of clearance items are final. No returns, no refunds.

Where does all this stuff come from?

Items on our website, just like the items in our stores, come from people just like you. We depend on your donations to keep us going. Learn more about donating to Housing Works Thrift Shops

Where does all the $$ go?

All of the proceeds from our online sales goes to help us provide housing, health care, and supportive services to homeless New Yorkers living with HIV/AIDS. Learn more about Housing Works on its website.