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Sportlots Buyer’s Guide

Buyer’s Guide — Page 3
Aligned to User Agreement Effective: December 18, 2025

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Overview

In addition to fixed-price stores, Sportlots offers a unique auction format designed to encourage fair bidding and eliminates last-second “sniping.”

Auctions on Sportlots are operated by independent sellers, who set item details, shipping rates, and handling times. Sportlots provides the platform for listing, bidding, and order creation.

Auction Format (1-2-3 SOLD)

Sportlots auctions do not end at a fixed date and time. Instead, they use a 1-2-3 SOLD format:

• Each auction advances through daily status updates
• If an auction goes three consecutive days without bidding activity, it moves to SOLD
• If a bid is placed that outbids the current high bidder, the count resets

Because status updates occur once per day, auctions may remain active slightly longer than three calendar days depending on bid timing.

Why this format is used

• Reduces last-second bidding
• Gives all bidders a fair opportunity to respond
• Encourages thoughtful bidding rather than timing strategies

Maximum Bids and Status Updates

If a bidder has an existing maximum bid and another bidder places a bid less than or equal to the existing maximum, the system will automatically increase the current bid on behalf of the original bidder. Since the high bidder does not change, this does not trigger a status update.

Paying for Auction Orders

Auction orders may remain unpaid for up to 17 days (21 days for Canadian buyers) to allow buyers to:

• Combine multiple auction wins
• Reduce overall shipping costs
• Allow time for check payments to arrive at Sportlots

If a buyer has multiple unpaid auction orders in the Pending Payment section, a Combine Orders option will be available. This allows buyers to combine eligible unpaid auction orders into a single order before payment to reduce overall shipping costs.

Auction orders that are not paid within the required timeframe will be canceled, and these auctions will be eligible to be relisted by the seller.