Terms of Service

1. About Relic Bid

Relic Bid (referred to as “Relic Bid,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) is an online-only auction marketplace operating as a forming Massachusetts LLC. Relic Bid facilitates the auction of donated, legally sourced antiques, artifacts, and collectibles (“Items”) on behalf of donors (“Consignors”) and in accordance with these Terms.

Relic Bid is not a traditional auction house but rather an auction marketplace and fulfillment operator: we accept items from approved donors, authenticate and store them at our secure intake facility (53 Lyons Street, Worcester, MA), list them for public auction, collect payment from winning bidders, and ship lots directly to buyers with tracking and insurance.

By accessing this website or placing a bid, you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service (“Terms”). If you do not agree, do not use the site or place bids.

2. Accounts & User Conduct

2.1 Registration

To place bids you must create a Relic Bid account. You agree to provide accurate, current, and complete information at registration and to keep it updated. You are solely responsible for all activity under your account.

2.2 Eligibility

You must be at least 18 years of age and legally capable of entering a binding contract under applicable law to register or bid. By using the site you represent that you meet this requirement.

2.3 Prohibited Conduct

You agree not to:

• Place bids without genuine intent to purchase (shill bidding, bid manipulation);
• Retract bids except as expressly permitted;
• Attempt to circumvent payment obligations once a bid is accepted;
• Provide false provenance or identity information;
• Use automated tools, bots, or scripts to place bids or scrape data;
• Interfere with the integrity or proper functioning of any auction;
• Engage in fraud, misrepresentation, or illegal activity of any kind;
• Harass or threaten other users or Relic Bid personnel.

Relic Bid reserves the right to suspend or permanently ban any account that violates these provisions, cancel associated bids, and pursue applicable legal remedies.

3. How Auctions Work

3.1 Listing

Items are listed after authentication and intake at our secure facility. Each listing displays available provenance documentation, condition notes, photographs, and an estimated lot description. Relic Bid reserves the right to withdraw, amend, or re-schedule any lot prior to auction close.

3.2 Bidding

Each lot has a stated opening bid. Registered users may place bids at any time during the live auction window. Bids are binding offers to purchase at the stated amount plus applicable shipping and insurance (see Section 5). Relic Bid may set reserve prices at its discretion; a lot that does not meet the reserve will not be sold.

3.3 Winning

When an auction closes, the highest qualifying bidder at or above the reserve price (“Winning Bidder”) is notified by email. The hammer price is the final accepted bid amount. Relic Bid processes payment through Stripe (see Section 4) and initiates fulfillment after payment clears.

3.4 No Guarantee of Winning

Submitting a bid does not guarantee a win. Auctions may extend, be cancelled for cause, or close without a sale if the reserve is not met. Relic Bid is not liable for any such outcome.

4. Buyer Obligations & Payment

4.1 Total Amount Due

Upon winning a lot, the Winning Bidder owes the hammer price plus:

• Shipping charge — calculated per-item based on weight, dimensions, declared value, and delivery speed (see Section 5);
• Insurance fee — 1.75% of declared value (minimum $5.00 USD) per shipment (see Section 5);
• Any applicable sales tax as required by law.

4.2 Payment Processing

Payments are processed exclusively via Stripe, a PCI-DSS-compliant third-party payment processor. By completing checkout, you accept Stripe's terms of service. Relic Bid does not store full payment card numbers.

4.3 Payment Deadline

Full payment is due within 72 hoursof receiving the winning notification. If payment is not received by the deadline, Relic Bid may cancel the sale, re-offer the lot, and suspend the Winning Bidder's account.

4.4 Delivery Speed Options

Buyers may select from available delivery speeds at checkout. Typical options (subject to change based on carrier availability and item size):

• Standard Ground — lowest cost, 5–10 business days;
• Priority — 2–3 business days;
• Express/Overnight — next business day where available.

Fragile, oversized, or high-value items may require expedited or specialty freight service regardless of buyer preference.

4.5 International Orders

Relic Bid ships internationally where carrier service is available. The buyer is solely responsible for all import duties, taxes, customs fees, and any applicable country-specific import restrictions. Relic Bid is not responsible for delays caused by customs inspection.

5. Shipping & Insurance

5.1 Fulfillment by Relic Bid

All lots are shipped directly from Relic Bid's secure intake/storage facility. Relic Bid packs and ships every item — buyers do not arrange their own pickup or freight unless expressly agreed in writing.

5.2 Shipping Charge Calculation

Shipping charges are calculated per-item and displayed at checkout. Factors include actual weight, dimensional (volumetric) weight, declared/insured value, selected delivery speed, destination zone, and carrier surcharges. The shipping rate displayed at checkout is the final shipping charge unless a manifest error is discovered, in which case Relic Bid will notify the buyer before processing payment.

5.3 Full-Value Insurance

Every lot is shipped with full-value insurance coverage at 1.75% of the declared insured value, with a minimum premium of $5.00 USD. The declared value is the hammer price unless the buyer requests a higher declared value (additional premium applies). Insurance is not optional — it is included in every outbound shipment as a condition of sale.

5.4 Security Tiers

High-value or fragile items may be assigned a higher shipping security tier, which may include:

• Double-box custom crating;
• Climate-controlled or white-glove freight service;
• Signature-required delivery;
• Photographic documentation of packing and handoff.

Security tier assignment is at Relic Bid's sole discretion based on item characteristics and declared value.

5.5 Risk of Loss in Transit

Risk of loss transfers to the buyer upon carrier pickup from Relic Bid's facility, unless otherwise agreed in writing. In the event of loss or damage in transit, Relic Bid will assist the buyer in filing an insurance claim. Insurance proceeds (net of deductible, if any) constitute the buyer's exclusive remedy for loss or damage in transit.

6. Authentication & Provenance

6.1 Vetting Process

Relic Bid conducts a good-faith, best-effort provenance and authentication review of every item before listing. This may include:

• Review of donor-submitted documentation (receipts, estate records, customs paperwork, prior appraisals);
• Physical inspection upon intake;
• Cross-reference against known cultural property and stolen-art databases;
• Consultation with subject-matter specialists where warranted;
• Verification of donor ownership attestation.

6.2 Disclaimer — Not a Guarantee

Authentication and provenance vetting is performed to the best of Relic Bid's ability with the information available at the time of listing. Relic Bid does not warrant the authenticity, attribution, period, origin, or provenance of any item, and no lot description constitutes a guarantee. Buyers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own due diligence before bidding.

Errors in description (e.g., incorrect century, misattribution of maker) that do not materially affect the item's identity or value are not grounds for return or refund absent a formal authenticity challenge under Section 8.

6.3 Condition Reports

Condition reports represent Relic Bid's honest assessment at time of cataloguing and are for informational purposes only. All lots are sold in their existing condition (“as-is”) unless otherwise expressly stated.

7. Acceptable Items Policy

Relic Bid only lists items that have passed our provenance review. A detailed description of the categories of items we accept and the categories we will not list is available on our website:

In summary, Relic Bid does not list stolen property, illegally exported cultural objects, items subject to active ownership disputes, items obtained through coercion or duress, weapons subject to federal or state licensing restrictions, or any item the authenticity of which cannot be reasonably established. This list is not exhaustive; Relic Bid retains sole discretion to decline any item.

8. Returns, Disputes & Authenticity Challenges

8.1 All Sales Final

All sales are final. Relic Bid does not accept returns or provide refunds except as set out in Sections 8.2 and 8.3 below. Buyers are responsible for carefully reviewing lot descriptions and condition reports before bidding.

8.2 Shipping Damage Claims

If an item arrives damaged in transit, the buyer must: (a) photograph all damage and packing materials immediately upon receipt; (b) notify Relic Bid by email at relicbid@nanocorp.app within 48 hoursof delivery; and (c) retain all packing materials pending carrier inspection. Relic Bid will initiate an insurance claim on the buyer's behalf. The item must not be moved or altered pending resolution.

8.3 Authenticity Challenge

If a buyer has good-faith reason to believe a purchased lot is materially misidentified (e.g., a confirmed forgery), the buyer may submit a formal authenticity challenge within 30 days of delivery by emailing relicbid@nanocorp.appwith the subject line “Authenticity Challenge — Lot [#].” The challenge must include:

• A detailed written statement of the basis for the challenge;
• Supporting documentation (independent appraisal, laboratory analysis, expert opinion);
• The item returned in its original delivered condition, insured to full value.

Relic Bid will review the challenge and respond within 21 days. If the challenge is upheld, the buyer receives a refund of the hammer price only. Shipping and insurance charges are non-refundable. Relic Bid's determination of an authenticity challenge is final for purposes of the refund process, though it does not preclude other legal remedies.

8.4 General Disputes

Any other dispute or complaint must first be submitted to Relic Bid in writing at relicbid@nanocorp.app. Relic Bid will acknowledge within 5 business days and make good-faith efforts to resolve the matter. If informal resolution fails, disputes proceed per Section 10.

9. Limitation of Liability

TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW:

• RELIC BID AND ITS OFFICERS, MEMBERS, EMPLOYEES, AND AGENTS ARE NOT LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, INCLUDING LOSS OF PROFITS, GOODWILL, OR DATA, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THESE TERMS OR USE OF THE SITE;
• RELIC BID'S TOTAL LIABILITY FOR ANY CLAIM ARISING OUT OF A SPECIFIC LOT SHALL NOT EXCEED THE HAMMER PRICE PAID FOR THAT LOT;
• RELIC BID MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, REGARDING THE SITE, ITS CONTENT, OR ANY LOT, INCLUDING WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.

Some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion or limitation of certain warranties or liabilities, so some of the above limitations may not apply to you.

10. Governing Law & Dispute Resolution

10.1 Governing Law

These Terms and any dispute arising out of or relating to them or the use of the site shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, without regard to its conflict-of-laws rules.

10.2 Informal Resolution

Before initiating formal proceedings, the parties agree to attempt good-faith informal resolution for at least 30 days after written notice of a dispute is delivered.

10.3 Venue

If informal resolution fails, each party consents to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in Worcester County, Massachusetts. Each party waives any objection to such venue on the basis of inconvenience or otherwise.

10.4 Class Action Waiver

To the fullest extent permitted by law, all claims must be brought in a party's individual capacity and not as a plaintiff or class member in any purported class or representative proceeding.

11. Changes to These Terms

Relic Bid reserves the right to update these Terms at any time. Material changes will be announced on the website at least 14 days before taking effect. Continued use of the site after the effective date constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.

12. Contact

Questions about these Terms may be directed to Relic Bid at: relicbid@nanocorp.app.