REQUIREMENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN OUR AUCTION

Auctions are held every February, May, August & November

Our Guarantee: All lots in the auction have been inspected and graded by our appraisers. We will always strive to be painstakingly accurate and honest in the grading of all items to the best of our ability and within the guidelines of the grading scale below. Ward's Auctions’ entire business is based on integrity and honesty. 

1. All bidders must be assigned a bid number by Ward's Auctions to bid or consign items. You can sign up online, in the store, or you can call us, and we can sign you up.

• If you do not know your bid number, password, or are having trouble logging in, please call us.
• DO NOT CREATE MULTIPLE / DUPLICATE ACCOUNTS

2. Payment: Payment is due in full within 25 days of the auction ending. Bidders that have not paid their invoice within 25 days immediately following the auction will be notified and given a chance to send payment before we automatically charge the credit card on file. All bidders are required to have a credit card on file. Our web site is a SECURE SITE. There is an additional 3% fee if you pay with a credit card. This fee can be waived if paid by cash or check. Please contact Ward's Auctions for alternative payment options. By agreeing to the “RULES OF THE GAME” when you sign up, you are authorizing us to charge your credit card for the full balance and ship your winnings if your invoice is not paid within the 25-day time frame. A legal contract is made when you bid on and win an item. If a bidder refuses to pay his or her account for any reason, we will charge your credit card for the full amount, and you will be banned from bidding in future auctions.

3. Bidding: Bids can be submitted as soon as the auction is posted on the internet. Bids can be submitted online, by phone, or a mailed list. Bid numbers and lot numbers must be included in every communication with us. This helps eliminate any bidding errors. Bids received by phone are not the responsibility of Ward's Auctions. To ensure your bids are entered correctly, please send a legible hard copy to Ward's Auctions via e-mail or mailed list. Any mistakes made by incorrectly entering bids will be corrected after the auction closes. In some cases, this may result in the item being awarded to another bidder. Please understand that Ward's Auctions will always try to be fair. We thank you for understanding and cooperation in dealing with these matters.

• Bidding (cont.): You can bid online 24/7. Telephone bids can be placed Monday – Friday: 9:00am to 5:00pm PST. (When bidding by telephone, please have a list ready). On the last day of the auction, phone lines are open from 8:00 AM UNTIL THE AUCTION CLOSES!
• *End of Auction Timer: At 5:00pm PT (8 ET), a 30 second timer will start and reset each time we receive a bid on ANY lot. The auction will end when we do not get ANY bids on ANY lots for a full 30 seconds. All items will close at the same time. *
• Bid Increments: Bids are in increments of $1.00 or 5%, whichever is greater. (Our system will show you the next acceptable bid if you’re bidding online). Partial dollar amounts are always rounded up to the next whole dollar. The minimum bid for all lots will open at half the low estimate. If it’s an odd number, the system rounds up to the next whole dollar. (Example: Lot 20200 has an estimate of $25.00 to $50.00. The minimum opening bid is $12.50, rounded to $13.00.) Our system won’t recognize a bid that is less than half of the low estimate.

Reserves: Reserves can be placed ONLY on items that are valued at $1000 or more.

• All Reserve items that do not meet the reserve amount will be charged a $40.00 flat fee per item. If the item does meet the reserve amount the $40.00 is waived.
• Reserve items are designated by an asterisk " * " at the end of a description. Any lot with a reserve that does not sell at the conclusion of the auction can be held for re-run in a later auction or be returned to the seller.

NOTICE: If you choose to re-run an item that didn’t meet the reserve the first time, we will re-run the item, but it will be without a reserve the second time.

ALL RESERVES must be set or altered the day BEFORE the auction ends! We will not accept any changes to reserves on the last day of the auction. The only exception to the rule is if you remove the reserve on an item BEFORE 10:00am PST on the last day of the auction.

!!No changes can be made to ANY reserve after 10:00am PST on the last day of the auction!!

• Automatic Increase of Spread Bids: When you choose to enter a spread bid, you give us your opening minimum and maximum bid amount. If another bidder bids against your spread, the computer will automatically increase your bid by the minimum amount to beat a competing bidder; this will happen until someone beats your spread bid by 5%. At that point, you will receive an “Out-Bid” notification by email (Make sure this preference is checked in the “My Account” page). We will never raise your bid, only a competing bidder will raise it. Credibility is the most important part of this business.
• To make our clients feel more confident when placing spread bids, we offer to exchange the first name and telephone number of the second bidder at the winning bidder’s request for up to 3 items. You may request and immediately receive this information following any auction. When you agree to the “RULES OF THE GAME”, you agree to this concept and recognize that his or her first name and contact information may be given to a competing bidder.
• Note: Our system will not let you bid against yourself; you can only raise your spread on a bid if you are the current high bidder.
• Withdrawal of bids: No bid can be withdrawn unless it’s determined by Ward’s Auctions that it’s a clear & honest error. Otherwise, there are no exceptions for withdrawing a bid.

4. Invoices: If you wish to have your invoice e-mailed to you immediately following the auction, you must call or e-mail your request the day following the auction. (Please have contact info updated).  Invoices will be sent AFTER we have packed your items and figured the shipping costs.

• NOTICE: Please allow 10 business days after the auction ends for us to get through the orders.

5. Shipping: Winning bidders are responsible for all shipping and handling fees. All packing & shipping is done in-house. Bidders can request either USPS or UPS for shipment depending on their winnings. If no special request is made, we will use the least expensive carrier and method. By default, we will apply insurance for each package for its full value & require a signature unless instructed otherwise. We do not let any packages leave our warehouse until all items are accounted for. Normally, the first shipment of paid packages goes out 8-9 business days after the auction ends. When payment is received, shipment will go out the same or next day depending on the carrier’s scheduled pick-up time. There are rules set by shipping companies and rules we have placed ourselves; they are as follows:

• USPS: NO AMMO OR HAZARDOUS MATERIALS CAN BE SHIPPED VIA USPS (INCLUDES PRIMERS)
• UPS: FIREARMS & AMMUNITION CANNOT BE SHIPPED TOGETHER, REGARDLESS OF TYPE/CALIBER
• UPS: HANDGUNS MUST GO 2ND DAY AIR
• UPS: ALL GUNS REQUIRE SIGNATURE
• Firearms that require an FFL or C&R, we need a current copy immediately after the auction ends.
  • You will not be charged a transfer fee from us, but the accepting FFL may have a fee. Please check with your local FFL.
• All orders under $200 will be shipped without signature or insurance unless instructed otherwise.
• All orders over $200 will be shipped with signature & insurance unless instructed otherwise.
• Shipping preferences need to be submitted to us no more than 48 hours after the auction ends
  • There are no guarantees on shipping preferences if notified after the 48-hour time frame.
• Shipping costs are determined by a variety of factors including, but not limited to: Size, weight, Address (residential/commercial)
• We only charge the base cost of shipping (at our discounted rate), plus time & materials.
• USPS/UPS do not consider what an item is worth when determining ship costs.
  • Example: A $5 decoy is going to cost the same to ship as a $150 decoy.
• Shipping costs are non-refundable!

+ IMPORTANT SHIPPING NOTE: Please have contact information, addresses, payment method & licenses updated BEFORE the auction ends. If you make changes to any of that information AFTER the auction ends you need to call us and let us know! Our system does not give us automated updates when those are changed!!

+ DAMAGED SHIPPING BOXES: If you receive your box and it has been damaged in route, please keep the original shipping box as well as the packaging materials used. Shipping companies require that photos be taken when dealing with a “Damaged Goods” claim & you will need to submit evidence of the damaged box/goods.

• Special Shipping: Unusual, large, heavy, or fragile items will require special shipping arrangements resulting in additional costs. Bidders are responsible for any special arrangements or additional costs that are incurred in that process.
• International Sales: It is the bidders' responsibility to know the laws of their country and arrange customs clearance and any other special accommodation needed when purchasing firearms & ammunition.
• Domestic Sales: It is the bidders' responsibility to understand and know the laws of the state in which you reside when it comes to purchasing firearms & ammunition. Any special accommodation that is needed will need to be arranged by the bidder.
• Returns:  Wards has a 30-day return policy from the day the auction ends. This policy is on a per item basis. Returns will be issued in the original form of payment or auction credit, whichever the buyer prefers. Wards will be as understanding as possible in dealing with returns, but some situations do not constitute a return of an item. If the winner is dissatisfied with the grading of the item, you can call us to discuss the grading and possible return of an item. In the case of an authenticity error, we will honor the return of any item if you can provide us with proof that it contradicts our description. Notice: if you do not pay your invoice within the 30-day return period, you are not eligible to return any purchased items. NO RETURNS ON BARGAIN LOTS! By agreeing to the “RULES OF THE GAME”, you are agreeing to this policy.

6. Storage Fees: Ward’s Auctions allows our customers a reasonable amount of time to either pick up their auction items in person or pay to have them shipped. Normally, up to 22 days’ time is allotted for customers to pick up items, or 30 days to have items shipped. This timeline may change depending on unique circumstances, but it is up to the sole discretion of Ward’s Auctions to determine the total time allotted. After the 30-day period (22 days for will call), or extended period allowed, Ward’s Auctions may implement a “Storage Fee” for any items remaining in our facility. Fees and calculation rates will vary depending on type and size of items, number of items, previous issues with a buyers account, etc., all determined by Ward’s Auctions. Generally, storage fees will start at $10 per week per item. We will make reasonable attempts to reach out to customers to notify them of minimal time remaining and fees accumulating. If the fees accumulated have reached, or surpassed, the value of the item (the amount the customer paid at auction) Ward’s shall take ownership of the item as payment for the storage fees. Any item forfeit to cover storage fees has not waived the customer's requirement to pay for all items they have won at auction. Ward’s Auctions reserves the right to make storage fees, the accumulation of storage fees, and the time when storage fees begin more lenient if we deem necessary, depending on customer communications. Ultimately, we do not want to be left in the dark after an auction, so if you need time, please communicate with us. That will help us be more lenient and understanding. By bidding on any item in our auctions the customer has agreed to our rules. Failure to comply with these rules may result in disciplinary action up to being banned from all future auctions.

7. Sales Tax: Sales taxes are not charged to any bidder. It is the responsibility of each bidder to pay any sales tax due in their state.

8. Buyers and Sellers’ Premiums:  Premiums are applicable to all sales. Please see chart below for premiums for buyer and seller.

9. Issued Payments: Ward’s cuts ALL checks approximately 45 days after the auction ends. The allotted time gives us the opportunity to acquire all funds, deal with any returns and redistribute the funds back to our sellers. We appreciate your patience during this period.
Notice: Bidders who pay by check and return an item will get their refund at this time too.

IMPORTANT! We cut ONE check, regardless of the amount. If you wish to have your total amount broken up into smaller increments, there will be a $10 fee for every additional check we have to write. Please contact us after EACH auction if you want multiple checks!!

10. Grading: Ward's Auctions grades conservatively. Accurate and concise grading is taken very seriously, and we pride ourselves in obtaining a high accuracy level.

• AMMO NOTICE: Ammo boxes that come to us sealed are not opened and examined for correctness or number of rounds. We depend on the consignor’s integrity when consigning sealed boxes.
• *AMMUNITION UPDATE* 6/16/2025: Any existing consignments that are reloads or hand loads will be compiled and put into a bargain lot. If we do receive reloads, they will be put in the bargain category. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
• FIREARMS NOTICE: We are not licensed gunsmiths, and no firearm is test fired. Internal parts and mechanical operation are not guaranteed on any lot. If used, the term "mechanically sound" refers only to the imitated operation of an item and is only our opinion as to correctness & functionality. We therefore recommend that ALL firearms be inspected by a licensed gunsmith before operating.

11. Grading Scale:

1. Mint = 97% +: Item shows little to no wear or damage.

2. Excellent = 90% - 97%: Item shows very moderate wear or damage so as not to detract from overall appearance.

3. Very Good = 80% - 90%: Item shows some wear and moderate damage, with exceptions as noted.

4. Good = 70% - 80%: Item shows significant wear, damage, or soiling, with exceptions as noted.

5. Fair = 50% - 70%: Item shows significant wear, repair, damage, or soiling exceptions as noted.

6. Poor = 0% - 50%: Item shows damage, wear, repair or soiling to the point that appearance is no longer desirable.

• The use of +’s and -‘s to denote degrees of condition may refine the grade of an item.
  • Ex: VG++ means the item shows some minor problem but still is clean and approaching the higher end of the grading scale.
• Occasionally the description and the photo do not match. (Please inform us if you see this)
  • Always bid via the description and not the photo.

List of abbreviations we commonly use in descriptions:

NOS = NEW OLD STOCK
NIB = NEW IN BOX
RH Web = Roger Huegel Website
H/S = HEADSTAMP
FLT = FLAT
FN = FLAT NOSE                                                                                                            
FLT. HD = FLAT HEAD
R/R = RAISED RING (ON HEAD)
N/H = NO HEADSTAMP
PRI. = PRIMER
RINGED PRI. = PRIMER POCKET HAS RING WITH PRIMER INSIDE (USUALLY BRASS)
CS = CASE
CNN. = CANNELUR ON CASE
2-H = TWO HOLE (DUMMY)
W/R = WOOD ROD
SP = SOFT POINT
COP. = COPPER
CN. = CUPRONICKLE
GM = GILDING METAL
FP = FULL PATCH OR
FMJ = FULL METAL JACKET
PP = PAPER PATCH
LD = LEAD
KN = KNURL
H.P. = HOLLOW POINT
GRV. = GROOVE                      
PTD = POINTED
RN = ROUND NOSE                             
BN = BOTTLE NECK                             
NPE = NEW PRIMED EMPTY
GE = Glass Eyes
PE = Painted Eyes
CE = Carved Eyes
NE = No Eyes
TE = Tack Eyes