FAQs
Have questions? We've got answers. Our FAQ covers both fixed-price purchases on sterlingauctions.ca and live auction purchases on HiBid.com — please read the section that applies to you. Our team is also available every day from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
1. General
Sterling Auctions is a Canadian resale marketplace based in London, Ontario. We sell brand-new, overstock, returned, and undelivered merchandise through two channels: live auctions on HiBid.com and fixed-price listings directly on sterlingauctions.ca. These are two separate purchasing relationships with different rules and policies — please read accordingly.
Our inventory includes brand-new, overstock, undelivered, and returned items. Item condition is clearly described and shown in photos for every listing. If there is any discrepancy between the written description and the photos, the photos take precedence. Please review all photos and descriptions carefully before bidding or purchasing.
Our team is available every day from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. You can reach us at support@sterlingauctions.ca or through the Contact page on sterlingauctions.ca.
We carry electronics, computers, laptops, mobile phones, wearables, home appliances, clothing, accessories, home decor, furniture, tools, automotive accessories, toys, outdoor gear, pet accessories, and general merchandise. New inventory is added regularly.
No. Sterling Auctions is not an authorized reseller of goods. As a result, manufacturer warranties do not apply to any items we sell, unless explicitly stated in the listing. For website purchases, we offer our own 14-day warranty on electronics and small appliances. For auction purchases, items are sold as is with no warranty coverage beyond our 7-day return eligibility. See the Returns & Warranty section below for full details.
2. Sterling Points — Rewards Program
Sterling Points is our loyalty rewards program. Every dollar you spend with Sterling Auctions earns you 1 point — whether you are winning auctions on HiBid.com or purchasing fixed-price items on our website.
Yes. Sterling Points expire if your account has been inactive — meaning no points earned or redeemed — for 12 consecutive months. Points will not expire solely due to the passage of time as long as your account remains active. Expired points are forfeited and cannot be reinstated.
Yes. You earn 1 Sterling Point for every $1 (CAD) spent on fixed-price purchases on sterlingauctions.ca. Points are credited to your account after your order is confirmed and shipped. Points cannot be applied to shipping fees or taxes.
You can view your current points balance and redemption history in your account dashboard at sterlingauctions.ca.
Redemption starts at 1,000 points = $10 store credit, redeemable toward any future fixed-price purchase on sterlingauctions.ca. Simply log into your account at sterlingauctions.ca and apply your points at checkout. Points credit cannot be used for auction purchases on HiBid.com and has no cash value.
Yes — but two steps must be completed for your auction points to be credited:
Submit your shipping request through sterlingauctions.ca using your invoice details after each auction win. This links your purchase to your Sterling Auctions account.
Save your HiBid bidder number in your Sterling Auctions account profile at sterlingauctions.ca. This is how we link your auction activity and calculate your points.
Points will not be credited without both steps being completed. Please note that fees such as buyer's premium, HST, and handling fees may not be included in point calculations. Contact support@sterlingauctions.ca if you need help linking your bidder number.
Points credit can be applied toward any fixed-price purchase on sterlingauctions.ca. Points credit cannot be used for auction purchases on HiBid.com and has no cash value.
3. Website Purchases — sterlingauctions.ca
Browse our listings on sterlingauctions.ca, add items to your cart, and complete checkout. You must be at least 18 years of age and a Canadian resident to place an order. Your order is formally accepted only when we send you a shipping confirmation email — an order confirmation email alone does not constitute acceptance.
Inventory is limited and subject to availability. If we cannot fulfil your order due to a stock issue or pricing error, we will notify you by email and issue a full refund promptly. We reserve the right to cancel any order, including paid orders, placed based on an erroneous listing.
If you are unavailable at the time of delivery, the item may be left at your front door, porch, or another location as specified in your delivery instructions. Once the item is delivered to your address — whether or not you were present — delivery is considered complete and risk passes to you at that point. Sterling Auctions is not liable for loss, theft, or damage that occurs after delivery is completed. Please ensure your delivery address and any special instructions are accurate.
We accept the following payment methods for fixed-price purchases on our website: Credit Card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express) , Debit Card , PayPal , Apple Pay , Google Pay , and Interac e-Transfer. A 2% credit card processing fee applies to all credit and debit card transactions. Interac e-Transfer payments must be received and confirmed before your order is processed. We do not accept payment by phone under any circumstances.
All deliveries are handled directly by Sterling Auctions. Free delivery is available within the London, Ontario area for a limited time. For locations outside London, shipping costs are calculated based on distance and shown at checkout. Delivery dates are estimates — we do not guarantee specific delivery times.
4. Website Returns & Warranty
Fixed-price purchases on sterlingauctions.ca are eligible for a 14-day return policy, starting from the date of delivery. To be eligible, the product must be in the same condition as when purchased, including all accessories, manuals, and original packaging (if applicable). Your return request must be submitted within 14 days of delivery. Functional issues that were not described in the listing or shown in photos are eligible for return. Returns will not be accepted if the product has been used, damaged, or altered after delivery; if accessories or packaging are missing; if the request is submitted after 14 days; or if the issue involves cosmetic imperfections that do not affect functionality.
Yes. Sterling Auctions offers a 14-day warranty on all electronics and small appliances purchased on sterlingauctions.ca, starting from the date of delivery. The warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship only. It does not cover damage caused by misuse, accidents, drops, liquid damage, unauthorized modifications, normal wear and tear, cosmetic imperfections, or any issues that were disclosed in the listing or visible in photos at the time of purchase. Self-initiated repairs without our prior written consent void the warranty entirely.
Yes. Sterling Auctions records the serial numbers of all applicable items at the time of listing. Any attempt to return an item with a different serial number than the one recorded at purchase will be refused and may be reported to the appropriate authorities.
Customers are responsible for all return shipping costs. Sterling Auctions does not cover the cost of returning items.
If a covered defect is identified within the warranty period, we will offer a refund at our discretion. To initiate a return or warranty claim, email support@sterlingauctions.ca with your order number and a description of the issue. We respond within 2 business days. Approved refunds are issued to the original payment method within 5–10 business days.
5. Auctions on HiBid.com
Our auctions are hosted on HiBid.com. Create a free account at HiBid.com, search for Sterling Auctions, and register to bid. Once registered, you can browse our listings and place bids in real time. Note: your purchase relationship is with Sterling Auctions — our Auction Terms & Conditions govern your purchase, not HiBid's platform terms.
Payment is processed automatically to the credit card on file after the auction closes. If payment is not received by the deadline, you authorize Sterling Auctions to charge the card on file for the full invoice amount plus the 2% processing fee. We do not accept payment by phone under any circumstances.
Sterling Auctions uses a soft close system to ensure fair bidding. Any bid placed within the final 60 seconds of an auction will extend the closing time by 2 minutes. This process repeats until no further bids are placed in the final 60-second window.
No. All bidders must register using their own valid credit card. Accounts created using another person's card will be deactivated immediately. You are solely responsible for all activity on your account, including purchases made by family members, employees, or anyone else using your login. No exceptions.
All successful auction bids are subject to the following non-negotiable fees: 16% Buyer's Premium (applied to the hammer price) , Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) , $1.50 handling fee per item , and a 2% credit card processing fee. All fees will be itemized on your invoice. By registering and bidding, you acknowledge and accept these charges.
Yes. All bids are final and binding. Bids cannot be canceled or withdrawn once placed. By placing a bid, you are entering into a binding obligation to purchase at that price if you win. Please review all photos and descriptions carefully before bidding
When bidding on lots with a quantity greater than one, multiples apply automatically. For example, a $10 bid on a lot of 4 items results in a total purchase of $40, plus all applicable fees and taxes. Always check the lot quantity carefully before placing your bid.
6. Auction Shipping & Delivery
All shipping is handled exclusively through Sterling Auctions — not through HiBid.com directly. Even if you selected 'Request Shipping' during HiBid registration, you must submit your shipping request through sterlingauctions.ca using the invoice details from your invoice email. Shipping requests must be submitted within 3 calendar days of the auction closing date.
Yes — for a limited time, Sterling Auctions offers free delivery within the London, Ontario area. For locations outside London, shipping costs are calculated based on distance and charged automatically to the card on file, including the 2% processing fee.
Delivery dates are estimates only. Sterling Auctions does not guarantee specific delivery dates or times. Items will not be released until full payment has been received.
Items not submitted for a shipping request within 3 days of the auction closing will be considered abandoned. No refund or credit will be issued. You authorize Sterling Auctions to charge the card on file for the full purchase amount, including the applicable service charge.
Currently, in-person pickup is not available. All orders must be fulfilled through our delivery service.
7. Auction Returns
Auction items are sold "As Is, Where Is" with no warranties or guarantees unless explicitly stated in the listing. A 7-day return window applies from the delivery date, but only in cases where Sterling Auctions has made a clear error in the listing — meaning the item is materially different from what was described and shown. Refunds will not be issued for items where the condition or defects were visible in the photos or stated in the description at the time of bidding.
Yes. Sterling Auctions records the serial numbers of all applicable items. Any attempt to return an item with a different serial number than the one recorded at purchase will be refused and may be reported to the appropriate authorities.
To be eligible for a return on an auction purchase, the item must be unused and in the same condition as received, and the return request must be submitted within 7 days of delivery. Returns will not be accepted if the item has been used, altered, or damaged after delivery, or if the return request is submitted after 7 days.
Email support@sterlingauctions.ca with your invoice number and a clear description of the issue. We respond within 2 business days.
8. Payments & Account Security
Any fraudulent credit card chargebacks will result in immediate account suspension. The full outstanding balance will be referred to a collections agency, which may negatively impact your credit score.
Yes. All transactions are processed through encrypted, secure payment systems. We do not store full credit card numbers. Please keep your account password confidential and do not share it with anyone.
Yes. Sterling Auctions may require photo ID and credit card verification at the time of delivery to prevent fraud and protect our customers.