How to participate in movable property sales

If you have identified an item or an auction of interest and want to participate, you will have to follow a number of essential steps. Below, you can find the instructions and information on everything you need to do and know for and before participating.

How to register

To participate in an online movable property auction here on SpazioAste, you need to be in possession of access credentials. If you do not have them, you will have to register: you can only do so if you are of legal age, by entering the registration section or by clicking on the “Join the auction” button in the “movable property sales” section. To finalise registration, you will be asked for certain documents, depending on whether you are acting as a natural or legal person (e.g. a company) or as an authorised professional:

• if you are a natural person, you will need a copy of a valid ID document;
• if you are acting on behalf of a company, you will have to upload an up-to-date company registration report and an ID document for the legal representative;
• if you register as the holder of a special proxy or power of attorney, you must attach a copy of the proxy or of your Bar Association membership card and a valid ID document.

Join in the sale

Once you have logged in with your credentials, you can participate in the online auction by following these simple steps:

• in the page for the sale you are interested in, click on “Place a bid”;
• next, follow the instructions, checking the sales conditions and conditions for participation;
• specify the nature of your participation (i.e. in a personal capacity, or on behalf of someone else, or for a person to be named);
• read and accept the conditions for payment of the bid bond (for those sales for which this is required).

Placing a bid and paying the bid bond

If you want to place a bid, remember that it cannot be lower than the base price, which you can find on the sale page along with more useful information.

For some sales, you may be required to pay a bid bond, which you can either pay by bank transfer (observing the time frame indicated on the page) or by using your credit card. In both cases, the payment must be received in order for you to participate: with the credit card it is received immediately, while the bank transfer may take a few days.

Remember that bids are binding and irrevocable, so once a bid has been accepted by the system, you are bound by it. For this reason, we advise you to read all the documentation available in the section in detail and, if you need further information, we suggest you request it from the contact person for the sale, whose contact details you will find on the page.

The bid becomes binding and irrevocable as soon as the bid bond has been accepted. If, on the other hand, no bid bond is required, then the bid becomes binding immediately.

If you have paid the bid bond by credit card, your bid will be visible immediately. If, on the other hand, you have opted for a bank transfer, the bid will only appear after confirmation of the credit transfer. In any case, the exact moment (exact date and time) when you submitted your bid will always be used for reference, not the time when the payment went through: therefore, even in the event of tied bids, the auction will go to the fastest bidder.

How to win the auction

When time runs out, the auction will be awarded to whoever has made the highest bid. If you win the auction, remember that the item is only yours on a provisional basis: you still have to pay the full price (the balance) to actually receive the item. If you do not pay the balance, your bid bond will be retained as a penalty.

How to pay the balance for the item awarded

To pay the full price of the item (i.e. the remainder after subtracting the bid bond you paid), you will have to make a bank transfer following the instructions on the sale page. Remember to include the transfer code or the Procedure and Court number (specifying the lot number) in the reason for payment.

Remember that:

• only the successful bidder can make the transfer;
• if you have been awarded an item and the sale is within the EU, before making transferring the balance of the total price you will have to send a certificate for a VAT (Value Added Tax) code in your country to garamobiliare@astalegale.net. When the item is then delivered to you, you may be asked for a deposit in the amount of the VAT charged, which will be returned to you after you have sent the CMR stamped by customs in the item’s country of destination.

Shipping and pick-up of the goods

The goods awarded must be picked up at the location indicated on the reference page. If you have been awarded a good, you are responsible for its transport: you may also appoint a courier or delegate another person to collect it.

Remember that:

• transport is at your risk and responsibility;
• if you delegate another person to collect the goods, that person must have his or her ID document, a written mandate from you and a copy of your ID document;
• no money shall be refunded to you in the event that the goods are lost or are damaged or deteriorate during transport, or in the event of non-delivery.

Return of the bid bonds

All unsuccessful bidders will have their bid bonds returned through the same payment method they used. Bank transfers will take an average of 72 hours after the end of the auction; while in the case of a card, the amount reserved as a bid bond will be released and made available again in line with your bank’s times.

Important conditions of sales to know and remember

• Goods are sold as they are: there are no guarantees regarding defects or lack of quality and the sale cannot be cancelled on these grounds. We advise you to look at all the pictures and films available for the goods before placing a bid.
• There is no warranty: no compensation, indemnity or refund shall be issued due to any defects or non-conformities in the goods.
• The right of withdrawal shall not apply. All costs following the awarding of the auction shall be borne by the successful bidder.
• Proceedings may be suspended or interrupted at any time: in the case of a judicial auction, judges may suspend or interrupt the receipt of bids at any time and at their discretion, without the bidders having any claim for damages.

There is much more we also do to ensure security

With the support of Astalegale, we offer various additional services and documents to ensure maximum transparency and security for every sale:

• We vet our customers: for each sale, we file an “Anti-Money Laundering Report” detailing the risk and the type of check carried out, in accordance with the law (ref. Art. 17, para. 3, Italian Legislative Decree 231/2007).
• We report on operations: at the end of each auction, a report is drawn up which includes the main data on the sale, the advertising carried out, the list of bids, the details of each sales attempt and information on who was awarded the good.
• We generate documents automatically: the platform creates various types of useful documents, including the assignment acceptance form, the request for issuance of the payment order and the request for payment of the fee.
• We handle different types of sale: through Astalegale, we can coordinate with the Judicial Sales Institute (JSI) to upload information and documents. Alternatively, we can offer training sessions to JSI staff on how to use the platform, with dedicated technical support also available by phone or in person. Advertising is concentrated on the Astalegale portal, while online sales take place on SpazioAste. The type of sale can also be customised in cooperation with the receiver/commissioner based on the value, location and perishability of the goods.