Terms

General Online Bidding Platform Terms & Conditions

Effective Date: June 1, 2026

PLEASE READ THESE TERMS CAREFULLY. BY CREATING AN ACCOUNT, REGISTERING TO BID, ACCESSING THE PLATFORM, OR PLACING A BID THROUGH THE PLATFORM, YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU HAVE READ, UNDERSTAND, AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THESE TERMS & CONDITIONS.

These General Online Bidding Platform Terms & Conditions (“Terms”) govern access to and use of the online bidding platform operated by SHERIDANS (“Auction Company,” “Company,” “we,” “our,” or “us”).

These Terms apply to all users of the platform, including bidders, buyers, sellers, consignors, and visitors. Additional auction-specific terms may apply to particular auctions, properties, or events. In the event of any conflict between these Terms and auction-specific terms, the auction-specific terms shall control.

1. ELIGIBILITY & ACCOUNT REGISTRATION

1.1: Users must be at least eighteen (18) years of age and legally capable of entering into binding contracts in order to create an account or participate in bidding activities.

1.2: By registering an account, the user represents and warrants that all information provided is true, accurate, current, and complete.

1.3: Users agree to maintain and promptly update account information as necessary, including contact information, payment information, and billing address.

1.4: SHERIDANS reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to approve, deny, suspend, or terminate any account registration for any reason deemed appropriate, including but not limited to suspected fraud, misrepresentation, nonpayment history, chargebacks, abusive conduct, or violation of these Terms.

1.5: Users are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of their login credentials and for all activity occurring under their account.

1.6: Users may not transfer, assign, or allow another individual to use their account without the express written consent of SHERIDANS.

2. IDENTITY VERIFICATION & PAYMENT AUTHORIZATION

2.1: Users may be required to provide valid government-issued identification, credit card information, banking information, birth-date, or other verification materials in connection with account registration or bidding approval.

2.2: SHERIDANS and/or its third-party bidding providers and payment processors may verify payment methods by placing temporary authorization holds on credit or debit cards.

2.3: By registering an account and participating in bidding activities, the user authorizes SHERIDANS to charge the payment method on file for amounts due in accordance with applicable auction-specific terms and conditions.

2.4: Users acknowledge that additional bidder approval procedures may apply to certain auctions, including but not limited to high-value purchases, firearms, vehicles, real estate, or regulated assets.

3. ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS & ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES

3.1: By creating an account, users consent to receive communications electronically from SHERIDANS, including auction notices, invoices, bidder notifications, account notices, disclosures, and legally required communications.

3.2: Users agree that electronic communications, records, and signatures shall have the same force and effect as originals executed in writing.

3.3: Users are responsible for maintaining a valid email address and monitoring communications related to bidding activity and account status.

4. PLATFORM USE & CONDUCT

4.1: Users agree to use the platform only for lawful purposes and in accordance with these Terms.

4.2: Users shall not:

(a) interfere with platform operations;
(b) use automated bidding software, bots, or scraping tools without authorization;
(c) manipulate bidding activity;
(d) submit false bids;
(e) impersonate another person or entity;
(f) attempt unauthorized access to accounts, systems, or data; or
(g) engage in any fraudulent, abusive, or unlawful conduct.

4.3: SHERIDANS reserves the right to restrict or revoke platform access at any time without notice if improper conduct is suspected.

5. BIDDING RESPONSIBILITY

5.1: Users are solely responsible for monitoring auctions, reviewing auction-specific terms, conducting due diligence, and tracking bidding activity.

5.2: Placing a bid constitutes a legally binding offer to purchase pursuant to the applicable auction terms.

5.3: Users acknowledge that bids placed through the platform may compete against in-person bidders, absentee bidders, telephone bidders, and/or other online bidders depending upon the auction format.

5.4: Users are responsible for understanding the auction format, bidding increments, automatic extension features, reserve provisions, buyer premiums, payment deadlines, and all auction-specific requirements prior to placing bids.

6. AUCTION INFORMATION & DISCLAIMERS

6.1: All property, assets, and information provided through the platform are subject to errors, omissions, corrections, withdrawal, cancellation, prior sale, or changes without notice.

6.2: Information, descriptions, photographs, maps, measurements, lot counts, acreage estimates, and other materials are provided for informational purposes only and are not guaranteed.

6.3: Unless otherwise specifically stated in writing, all property and assets offered through the platform are sold “AS IS, WHERE IS,” with all faults and without warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied.

6.4: Users are solely responsible for conducting their own inspections, investigations, and due diligence prior to bidding.

7. TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES & PLATFORM AVAILABILITY

7.1: SHERIDANS does not guarantee uninterrupted access to the platform and shall not be responsible for system failures, internet outages, software malfunctions, device incompatibility, or other technical issues.

7.2: SHERIDANS reserves the right to postpone, extend, suspend, continue, or cancel bidding activity or platform operations in the event of technical difficulties or other circumstances deemed necessary.

7.3: SHERIDANS shall not be held liable for missed bids, delayed bids, failed transmissions, loss of connectivity, or platform interruptions for any reason.

8. ACCOUNT SUSPENSION & TERMINATION

8.1: SHERIDANS reserves the right to suspend or permanently terminate any account at its sole discretion.

8.2: Grounds for suspension or termination may include, but are not limited to:

(a) nonpayment;
(b) fraudulent activity;
(c) chargebacks or payment disputes;
(d) violation of auction terms;
(e) abusive conduct toward staff or other users; or
(f) suspected unlawful activity.

8.3: Termination of an account does not relieve the user of any obligations or liabilities arising prior to termination.

9. PRIVACY & DATA USE

9.1: Users acknowledge that SHERIDANS may collect, store, and use account information, bidding activity, transaction records, photographs, recordings, and related data in connection with platform operations, marketing, legal compliance, fraud prevention, and business purposes.

9.2: By creating an account, users consent to receive marketing communications regarding future auctions, listings, and events hosted by SHERIDANS. Users may opt out of marketing communications at any time.

9.3: SHERIDANS does not sell personal information to unrelated third parties; however, information may be shared with service providers, payment processors, governmental authorities, or other parties as reasonably necessary for business operations or legal compliance.

10. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

10.1: To the fullest extent permitted by law, SHERIDANS shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, punitive, or special damages arising from or related to:

(a) use of the platform;
(b) inability to access the platform;
(c) bidding activity;
(d) technical failures;
(e) auction cancellations;
(f) inaccurate information; or
(g) disputes between parties.

10.2: Users expressly acknowledge that participation in online bidding involves inherent risks, including technology failures and competing bid activity.

11. INDEMNIFICATION

11.1: Users agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless SHERIDANS, its affiliates, employees, agents, representatives, sellers, and service providers from and against any claims, damages, liabilities, losses, costs, or expenses arising out of:

(a) violation of these Terms;
(b) bidding activity;
(c) nonpayment;
(d) misuse of the platform; or
(e) violation of applicable law.

12. GOVERNING LAW & VENUE

12.1: These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Ohio.

12.2: Any legal action or proceeding arising from these Terms or use of the platform shall be brought exclusively in a court of competent jurisdiction located in Greene County, Ohio, unless otherwise required by law.

13. MODIFICATIONS TO TERMS

13.1: SHERIDANS reserves the right to amend, modify, or update these Terms at any time without prior notice.

13.2: Continued use of the platform after any modifications constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.

14. SEVERABILITY

14.1: If any provision of these Terms is determined to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

15. ENTIRE AGREEMENT

15.1: These Terms, together with any auction-specific terms and policies incorporated herein, constitute the entire agreement between the user and SHERIDANS regarding use of the platform.