Help, FAQ & Buyer Support.
Find answers about account access, bidding, invoices, payments, pickup, select shipping questions, item condition, and common buyer support topics for the official Estate Sales by Jesod online auction platform.
Need help with an auction?
Start here. This page explains the most common questions buyers ask before, during, and after an auction. If your issue is not answered below, please contact ESBJ before bidding, paying, arranging shipping, or arriving for pickup.
1. Quick Start
New to ESBJ auctions? Follow these basic steps before placing your first bid.
Register for an account or sign in before bidding. Use a valid email address you check regularly.
Read the auction details, pickup date, general pickup area, buyer’s premium, payment terms, and any winner-only pickup instructions.
Review photos, description, condition notes, measurements, and any visible wear before bidding.
Bid only if you are ready to pay and pick up the item locally within the posted pickup window, unless ESBJ has confirmed another arrangement in writing.
If you win, watch your email and account for invoice and payment instructions after the auction closes.
Bring help, tools, packing materials, and the correct vehicle for your items.
Important: Auction purchases are typically final and sold as-is, where-is. Please review the full Terms & Conditions before bidding.
Official ESBJ platform: This site is for buyers to browse, bid, win, and follow pickup instructions. Public users do not create auction events or list their own items here. Auctions are created and managed by the ESBJ team.
2. Account & Login Help
Most account problems can be solved by resetting your password, checking your email address, or updating your account details.
How can I recover a lost or forgotten password?
Send yourself a password reset email.
- Go to the sign-in page and select Forgot password? or use the password reset link below.
- Enter the email address associated with your account.
- Click the submit button.
- Check your email inbox, spam folder, and junk folder.
- Open the reset email and click the reset link.
- Choose a new password and save it.
How do I change my password?
- Sign in to your account.
- Go to My Account.
- Open the account or password settings area.
- Enter your current password.
- Enter your new password.
- Save your changes.
Use a strong password that you do not use on other websites.
How do I change the email address tied to my account?
Sign in, go to your My Account area, and edit your account details. Make sure your email address is typed correctly because invoices, outbid notices, reset links, pickup details, and support messages may be sent there.
Why does it say my username is invalid?
Usernames usually may only contain letters, numbers, underscores, and hyphens. Avoid spaces and special characters.
Incorrect: MY Username
Correct: MY-Username
Correct: MY_Username
Why does it say my username is already in use?
Usernames are unique. Two users cannot share the same username. If the username you selected is already in use, choose a different username.
Why does it say my email address is already in use?
This usually means you already created an account with that email address. Use the password reset page to recover access instead of creating a second account.
3. Emails & Notifications
ESBJ may send account emails, password reset messages, bid notifications, outbid notices, invoices, pickup instructions, and support messages. Email delivery can be affected by spam filters, inbox settings, and incorrect account information.
Why am I not receiving any emails?
If you are not receiving expected site emails, please check the following:
- Check your junk mail folder or spam folder.
- Verify your email address is entered correctly in your account settings.
- Check whether your inbox storage is full.
- Check your notification preferences in your account settings.
- Make sure your email client, such as Outlook, is not in offline mode.
- If you use POP3 email, verify the emails were not downloaded to a different device.
- Add [email protected] to your contacts or safe sender list.
If you still are not receiving emails, contact ESBJ support.
I won an item but did not receive an invoice. What should I do?
First, check your account dashboard, inbox, spam folder, and junk folder. If you still cannot find your invoice, contact ESBJ with your name, account email, auction name, and lot number.
Can I still be responsible for payment if I did not see an email?
Yes. Winning bidders are responsible for checking their account and auction results after an auction closes. Email notices are helpful, but failure to receive or notice an email does not automatically cancel a winning bid.
4. Bidding Help
Placing a bid is a commitment to buy if you win. Always review the lot, pickup requirements, and total cost before bidding.
You can browse lots and place bids directly through the auction platform while the auction is open.
The system may bid automatically on your behalf up to the maximum amount you enter.
Some lots may extend if bids are placed near closing time. This helps reduce last-second bid sniping.
Do not bid unless you are ready to pay and pick up the item according to the auction terms.
Can I cancel or retract a bid?
Bids are generally binding and cannot be canceled just because you changed your mind, entered the wrong amount, missed a detail, or cannot pick up the item. Contact ESBJ immediately if you believe there was a serious mistake.
Why was I outbid immediately?
Another bidder may have already placed a higher maximum bid. The system can automatically increase their bid according to the auction’s bid increments until their maximum is reached.
Why did the auction time extend?
Some auctions use a soft-close feature. If a bid is placed close to the scheduled ending time, the lot may extend to give other bidders a fair chance to respond.
5. Winning, Invoices & Next Steps
After an auction closes, winning bidders should review their invoice, payment instructions, pickup date, winner-only pickup address or location instructions, and any special removal requirements.
- Check your email and account after the auction closes.
- Review every lot on your invoice.
- Confirm the buyer’s premium, taxes, and any applicable fees.
- Pay within the required timeframe.
- Read pickup instructions carefully.
- Bring help, boxes, packing materials, tools, and the correct vehicle.
Tip: Before bidding on large furniture, appliances, tools, equipment, or heavy lots, make sure you can safely remove and transport them during the scheduled pickup window.
6. Payments
Payment terms may vary by auction. Always review the auction details and invoice. Winning bidders are responsible for the full purchase price, including the hammer price, buyer’s premium, applicable taxes, and any approved shipping, handling, storage, or other fees.
Important: Non-payment may result in canceled purchases, suspended bidding privileges, late fees, collection costs, or other remedies allowed by the auction terms.
When is payment due?
Payment is typically due shortly after the auction closes, according to the posted auction terms and invoice instructions. Review your invoice carefully and pay on time.
What is a buyer’s premium?
A buyer’s premium is an additional percentage added to the winning bid amount. It is part of the total purchase price and is paid by the winning bidder.
What should I do if I think there is a payment issue?
Contact ESBJ as soon as possible with your name, account email, invoice number, auction name, and a clear explanation of the issue. Please contact ESBJ before filing a payment dispute or chargeback.
7. Pickup & Removal
Most ESBJ auctions are local-pickup focused. Pickup details are part of the auction terms, and buyers must follow the posted schedule and instructions. For privacy and security, exact pickup addresses are shared only with winning bidders after the auction closes.
Pickup address privacy: To protect private homes, estates, and pickup locations, the exact pickup address is shared only with winning bidders after the auction closes.
Pickup may be at a private home, estate property, storage location, or other local site. Exact address details are provided only to winning bidders.
Bring boxes, packing materials, tools, dollies, straps, blankets, labor, and the correct vehicle.
Pickup windows are limited. Plan ahead so you can remove your items during the scheduled time.
For heavy or oversized lots, bring enough people and equipment to remove the item safely.
Can ESBJ help me load my items?
Unless clearly stated otherwise, buyers should assume they must bring their own labor, tools, and equipment. ESBJ staff may not be available to lift, carry, disassemble, pack, or load purchases.
What happens if I miss the pickup window?
Items not picked up during the posted pickup window may be considered abandoned unless ESBJ approves other arrangements in writing. Missed pickup may result in loss of the item without refund and may include additional storage, labor, or disposal fees.
Can someone else pick up for me?
ESBJ may allow authorized pickup by another person. That person should bring your invoice, pickup information, and any identification or authorization requested by ESBJ.
8. Shipping
Shipping is not guaranteed for every auction or every lot. ESBJ is primarily local pickup. Some select items may be eligible for shipping only when ESBJ confirms it in writing before bidding. Many estate items are large, fragile, heavy, irregular, valuable, or difficult to pack safely.
Before you bid: If you cannot pick up locally, contact ESBJ before bidding. Shipping should never be assumed unless ESBJ confirms it for that specific item.
Does ESBJ ship every item?
No. Shipping is only available when stated in the auction terms, lot description, or when ESBJ agrees in writing before bidding. If shipping is not available and you cannot pick up locally, do not bid.
Who pays for shipping?
The buyer is responsible for all shipping, packing, handling, insurance, carrier, and third-party shipper costs.
Can I use my own shipper?
In some cases, buyers may arrange a third-party shipper or authorized pickup person. Third-party shippers are independent businesses, and ESBJ is not responsible for their pricing, packing, damage, delay, loss, or performance.
9. Item Condition, Descriptions & Photos
Estate items are often used, vintage, antique, incomplete, untested, worn, repaired, dusty, or affected by age and storage conditions. Photos and descriptions are provided to help bidders, but they may not show every mark, defect, missing part, odor, or issue.
All bidders should assume items are sold as-is, where-is, with all faults unless the auction terms clearly state otherwise.
Are items guaranteed to work?
No, unless the listing clearly states otherwise. Even if an item is described as “tested” or “powers on,” that may only mean a limited function was observed at the time of listing.
What if I missed something in the photos?
Buyers are responsible for reviewing all photos, descriptions, terms, and pickup details before bidding. If something is visible in the photos or could reasonably be discovered by inspection, it may not be grounds for a refund or cancellation.
Can I ask questions before bidding?
Yes. If you are unsure about a lot, contact ESBJ before bidding. Include the auction name, lot number, and your question.
10. Troubleshooting
If something is not working correctly, try these steps before contacting support.
Reload the page and try again. On desktop, you can also try Ctrl + F5 to clear cached page data.
Make sure your internet connection is stable before placing bids near closing time.
Clear browser cache or try a private/incognito window if the page is not displaying correctly.
If your phone has an issue, try a computer or another browser before the auction closes.
The page is not loading correctly. What should I do?
- Refresh the page.
- Check your internet connection.
- Try another browser such as Chrome, Edge, Safari, or Firefox.
- Clear your browser cache.
- Try another device.
- Contact ESBJ if the issue continues.
My bid did not go through. What happened?
Bids can fail because of slow internet, page timeout, browser issues, account status, payment/account requirements, auction closing, or a higher competing bid. Place bids early enough to avoid last-second technical problems.
Who should I contact for urgent auction help?
Contact ESBJ with your full name, account email, auction name, lot number, invoice number if available, pickup date if relevant, and a clear explanation of the issue.
11. Estate Services
ESBJ is more than an online auction platform. Estate Sales by Jesod also supports families and estate clients with estate sales, ESBJ-managed online auctions, estate cleanouts, buyouts, and real estate-related transitions through ESBJ Realty.
Professionally organized in-home estate sales for families, downsizing, moving, and estate transitions.
Official ESBJ-managed online auctions for estate items, collections, household goods, furniture, tools, and more.
Help with remaining items after a sale or auction so families can move forward.
Real estate services are provided through ESBJ Realty when a property also needs guidance.
Need help with an estate? Contact ESBJ directly to discuss the property, timeline, location, and type of service needed. Public buyers cannot create auction events or list their own items on this platform; auction posting and listing management are handled by the ESBJ team.
12. Contact ESBJ
If your question is not answered here, please contact Estate Sales by Jesod. For faster help, include your name, account email, auction name, lot number, invoice number, pickup date, and a clear description of the issue.
Still need help?
We are here to help with account access, bidding questions, invoice support, pickup instructions, select shipping questions, and estate service inquiries.