Info & Help

Everything you need to bid with confidence — how bidding works, increment tables, Max Bid strategy, payments, and more.

How Bidding Works

Northwood Bids uses a live online auction format. Items are listed with a starting bid, and the highest bid when time runs out wins.

1Find an item — Browse open auctions, click an item you want, and see the current bid.
2Add a card — You'll be prompted to add a payment card before your first bid. This card is only charged if you win.
3Place your bid — Enter an amount at or above the minimum and tap "Place Bid." You'll see a confirmation instantly.
4Watch for outbids — If someone tops your bid, you'll be notified. You can come back and bid again.
5Win & pay — When the auction ends, winners are charged automatically. You can also pay manually from your dashboard.

Tip: The item page updates in real time — you don't need to refresh to see new bids.

Max Bid (Proxy Bidding)

Max Bid lets the system bid for you automatically — up to a limit you set. You don't have to watch the auction constantly.

How it works:

→You set the most you're willing to pay — your Max Bid amount.
→The system automatically places the smallest bid needed to keep you in the lead.
→If someone outbids you, the system counter-bids instantly — up to your max.
→If someone's max is higher than yours, you'll be outbid. The system will notify you so you can decide whether to raise your max.
→You only pay what's needed to win — not necessarily your full max amount.

Example

Current bid is $50. You set a Max Bid of $200.

The system immediately bids $52 (the next valid increment) to put you in the lead. Another bidder comes in at $100 — the system auto-bids $105 for you. Another bidder sets their max at $250 — they beat your $200 limit and you're notified to decide if you want to raise your max.

If no one exceeds your max, you win at the lowest price needed to beat the competition.

Tip: Set your Max Bid to the true most you'd pay for the item. The system won't go over it, and you'll often pay less than that amount.

Note: Your Max Bid amount is private — other bidders can't see it. They only see the current displayed bid.

Bid Increment Table

Bid increments are the minimum amount each new bid must increase over the current bid. They scale with the item's value.

Current Bid	Min. Increment	Example
$0 – $11	$1	$5 → next min. $6
$12 – $99	$2	$20 → next min. $22
$100 – $499	$5	$250 → next min. $255
$500 – $999	$10	$600 → next min. $610
$1,000 – $4,999	$25	$1,500 → next min. $1,525
$5,000+	$50	$6,000 → next min. $6,050

Tip: When using Max Bid, the system always uses the minimum valid increment — so you never overbid by accident.

Winning an Item

When an auction closes, the highest bidder on each item wins. Here's what happens next:

→Automatic charge: Your saved card is charged for your winning amount automatically when the auction closes.
→Email notification: You'll receive an email confirming your win and the items you've won.
→My Bids dashboard: Head to your dashboard to see all your wins, payment status, and pickup details.
→Schedule your own pickup: Head to Pickup and choose the location where you'd like to collect — no waiting for a call. Anything you win at another location is transferred there for you automatically (usually about 5–6 days), and we'll text you the moment it arrives so you can pick a time.

Note: If your card payment fails, you'll receive a notification and can retry payment from your dashboard. Items may be released to the next bidder if payment isn't completed promptly.

Payment

Adding a card

Before your first bid, you'll be asked to add a payment card. This is required to participate. Your card is stored securely via Stripe and is only charged if you win.

Managing your cards

Go to Account → Payment Methods to see your saved cards. You can add a new card or update your card from there at any time.

When am I charged?

You are only charged when you win an item and the auction closes. Placing a bid does not charge your card. Losing a bid does not charge your card.

Tip: If a charge doesn't go through, your My Bids dashboard shows a “payment failed” note with a button to retry the card on file (or add a new card and try again).

Bid Bucks (Referrals)

Invite friends and earn $5 in Bid Bucks toward your own bill. Grab your personal invite link on the Bid Bucks page and share it.

How you earn

→A friend signs up through your link (they need to be new to Northwood Bids).
→They win an item and their payment goes through — that's when your $5 coupon unlocks. Signing up or just bidding doesn't count.
→You can earn from up to 5 friends — that's five $5 coupons ($25).

How it's used

Your $5 coupon comes off your next winning bill automatically — not the auction it was earned in. One coupon per bill, on bills of $5 or more. No codes to enter.

Note: Self-referrals don't qualify, and neither do accounts that share your phone number or payment card. Bid Bucks have no cash value.

Your Account

Update your profile

Visit Account to update your name, email address, and phone number. Keeping your phone number current ensures you receive text notifications about your bids.

Staying in the loop

When you register, you're automatically linked to Northwood Bids. This means you'll receive notifications when auctions go live or are ending soon.

Bid history

Your full bid history — active bids, past bids, wins, and payment status — is all available in your Dashboard.

Password Reset

If you've forgotten your password or need to change it:

1Go to the Sign In page.
2Click "Forgot password?" below the sign-in form.
3Enter your email address. You'll receive a reset link within a minute or two.
4Click the link in the email and choose a new password.

Note: Check your spam/junk folder if you don't see the reset email within a few minutes. The reset link expires after 1 hour.

To change your password while already signed in, use your account settings via the user menu in the top-right corner.

FAQ

Can I cancel or retract a bid?

No — bids are binding commitments. Once you place a bid, it cannot be cancelled. Make sure you're comfortable paying that amount before confirming.

What happens if there's a tie?

Ties don't happen in practice — bids must meet the minimum increment, so two bids can't land on exactly the same amount simultaneously. The system processes bids in order received.

Can I bid on multiple items in the same auction?

Yes. You can bid on as many items as you'd like across the same or different auctions. If you win multiple items, they may be bundled into a single payment.

Is my Max Bid visible to other bidders?

No. Your Max Bid amount is completely private. Other bidders only see the current displayed bid amount, not your maximum.

What if I'm outbid right before the auction ends?

Auctions close at a fixed time. If you're outbid in the final moments, you won't have time to rebid — which is why setting a Max Bid is a great strategy. The system will automatically defend your position up to your max, even in the final seconds.

Why do I need to add a card before bidding?

A card on file ensures that when you win, payment is instant and seamless — no chasing down winners after the fact. Your card is not charged unless you win.

How do I pick up an item I won?

You schedule it yourself. After payment is confirmed, go to the Pickup page, pick a location, and choose a date and time that works for you. Any items you win before that date are added to the same appointment automatically. If an item is stored at a different location, request a transfer to your pickup location first — transfers usually take about 5–6 days.

Can I bid without creating an account?

No — an account is required to bid. This protects all bidders by ensuring everyone is accountable for their bids and there's a verified way to contact winners.

Still have questions?

Reach out to the business running the auction you're participating in — they'll have the most specific answers about their event.

Browse Open Auctions