Shipping Guide.
ESBJ is built around local pickup, but select small items may be eligible for shipping only when confirmed by our team before bidding.
Shipping is not automatic or guaranteed.
Most ESBJ auction purchases are local pickup only. If you cannot pick up locally, contact ESBJ before bidding to confirm whether a specific lot can be shipped or whether you need to arrange a third-party pickup or shipper.
1. The Most Important Rule
Shipping is not offered on every auction or every lot. You must contact ESBJ before bidding to confirm whether a specific item can be shipped. Shipping availability is never guaranteed unless ESBJ confirms it for that lot.
Please do not assume an item can be shipped just because it is small, valuable, or easy to bid on online. Size, weight, fragility, estate location, packaging needs, team availability, auction timing, and carrier restrictions all affect whether shipping is possible.
If you win an item assuming it can be shipped and ESBJ cannot ship it, you are still responsible for the purchase. You must arrange local pickup, authorize another person to pick up, or hire a third-party shipper. No refunds are issued for shipping assumptions.
2. How to Ask About Shipping Before You Bid
A quick message before bidding can prevent problems after the auction closes.
Identify the Specific Lot
Send the auction name, lot number, item title, and any details that help our team find the correct item quickly.
Contact ESBJ
Reach out by email, phone, or support text before bidding. Earlier is always better.
Wait for Written Confirmation
Do not bid until ESBJ confirms whether shipping is available for that specific lot.
Bid With Clear Expectations
Once shipping is confirmed, make sure you understand that all shipping costs, packing fees, and carrier risks are the buyer’s responsibility.
Pro tip: Ask at least 24–48 hours before the auction closes. The closer it gets to closing time, the harder it may be for ESBJ to evaluate and confirm shipping in time.
3. What Items May or May Not Be Shipped
This is a general guide only. Every item is evaluated individually, and ESBJ may decline shipping even if an item seems small or simple.
Items that may be shippable
Small valuables may be eligible when they can be packed securely and insured properly.
Coins, currency, small collectibles, and similar items may be considered case by case.
Books, documents, postcards, photographs, and paper goods may be eligible depending on size and condition.
Small prints or flat artwork may be considered when safe packaging is realistic.
Items ESBJ generally does not ship
Sofas, dressers, tables, chairs, large mirrors, appliances, and oversized items are generally local pickup only.
Vehicles, boats, trailers, motorcycles, fuel-powered tools, and equipment require buyer-arranged pickup or transport.
Weapons, ammunition, liquids, aerosols, chemicals, batteries, fuel, and hazardous materials are not shipped by ESBJ.
Extremely fragile, irreplaceable, oversized, or difficult-to-pack items may be declined due to breakage risk.
4. Shipping Costs and Fees
The winning bidder is responsible for all shipping costs and fees. ESBJ does not subsidize, discount, or absorb shipping charges.
When shipping is approved, your shipping total may include several separate costs.
The actual postage or shipping cost charged by USPS, UPS, FedEx, or another carrier based on weight, size, and destination.
Boxes, bubble wrap, packing paper, tape, padding, labels, and any materials needed for safer transport.
When applicable, a fee may cover time and labor to move the item from the estate location to a packing or shipping area.
Important: Shipping estimates are only estimates. Actual final costs may change based on real packaging dimensions, item weight, carrier rates, insurance, and any special handling needs.
5. How the Shipping Process Works
If ESBJ has confirmed that your item is eligible for shipping and you win the lot, the process generally follows these steps.
You Win the Auction
Your winner notification and invoice are sent after the auction closes.
ESBJ Reviews the Item
The team confirms packing needs, size, weight, destination, and shipping method.
You Receive a Quote
ESBJ sends the estimated shipping cost, including carrier, packing, handling, insurance, or other applicable fees.
You Approve the Cost
Shipping will not move forward until the cost is approved and payment arrangements are completed.
ESBJ Packs and Ships
Once approved and paid, ESBJ prepares the package and hands it to the carrier when ready.
Tracking Is Sent
When tracking is available, ESBJ sends the information so you can follow the package.
6. Shipping Timing
ESBJ is an estate liquidation company, not a shipping warehouse.
When shipping is approved, ESBJ works to process items carefully, but packing may take time. Fragile items, high-value items, custom packing, multiple auctions, weather, staffing, and carrier availability can affect timing.
Shipping may take several business days after payment and approval. Some items may take longer.
Safe packing is more important than rushing. Rushed packing increases the chance of damage.
Carrier delivery time starts after the package is handed to USPS, UPS, FedEx, or the selected carrier.
No guaranteed delivery date: ESBJ cannot guarantee a specific arrival date. If you need something by a deadline, contact ESBJ before bidding.
7. Risk, Damage, Loss and Insurance
Once an item is handed to the carrier, risk of damage, loss, delay, or carrier error transfers to the buyer. ESBJ is not responsible for issues caused by shipping carriers.
Shipping always carries risk, especially with estate items that may be vintage, fragile, used, or irreplaceable. Insurance is strongly recommended for valuable items.
Insurance is recommended for valuable, fragile, or difficult-to-replace items.
Carrier claims for shipping damage or loss may need to be filed directly with the carrier.
Secure delivery address is the buyer’s responsibility, especially for high-value packages.
Lost or stolen packages after marked delivered are the buyer’s responsibility.
8. Address Accuracy
Buyers are responsible for providing a complete, accurate, and current shipping address.
Before an auction closes, confirm that your account information and shipping address are correct. ESBJ is not responsible for packages shipped to incorrect, incomplete, outdated, or undeliverable addresses provided by the buyer.
Confirm street, unit number, city, state, ZIP code, phone number, and delivery instructions.
Returned or re-shipped packages due to address errors may require additional payment from the buyer.
9. All Items Are Still Sold As-Is
Shipping availability does not change ESBJ’s auction terms. Estate items are sold as-is, where-is, with all faults unless the listing or written terms state otherwise.
No refunds for buyer’s remorse after delivery.
No refunds for color, size, scale, fit, style, or preference issues.
Review photos and descriptions carefully before bidding.
Ask questions before bidding if anything is unclear.
Good-faith review: If you believe an item was materially misdescribed, contact ESBJ promptly with photos and details. ESBJ will review concerns in good faith according to the auction terms.
10. If ESBJ Cannot Ship It
If ESBJ cannot ship an item, you may still have options. These arrangements are the buyer’s responsibility and should be planned before bidding whenever possible.
A friend, family member, mover, or representative may pick up for you if ESBJ is notified in advance.
You may hire a local mover, freight company, packing service, or third-party shipper to pick up and transport the item.
Your pickup person should bring ID, invoice copy, and written authorization from you.
All third-party pickup, moving, packing, shipping, insurance, and delivery costs are paid by the buyer.
Important: ESBJ can coordinate with a buyer-approved pickup person or third-party shipper when possible, but the buyer remains responsible for making those arrangements and paying those costs.
11. Important Reminders Before You Bid
Always confirm shipping before bidding on any item you cannot pick up locally.
Read the lot description carefully because some items may clearly state local pickup only.
Budget for shipping costs in addition to your maximum bid and buyer fees.
Keep your account information current including shipping address and contact details.
Consider insurance for valuable or fragile shipped items.
Review ESBJ’s full Terms & Conditions because they control if any conflict exists.
12. Questions? Contact ESBJ
If you are unsure whether an item can be shipped, contact ESBJ before bidding. It is much easier to confirm expectations before an auction closes than to solve a problem afterward.
Bid with clear expectations.
ESBJ’s auction platform is designed for trusted local pickup. Shipping may be possible only on select confirmed items, so always ask before bidding if you cannot pick up locally.