Auction Participation Terms & Conditions

Roadhouse Group (Australia) Pty Ltd
Trading as Roadhouse Collectable Auctions (RCA)
ABN: 96687663127
Email: office@roadhouseauctions.com.au | Phone: 0414 152 377

Roadhouse Group (Australia) Pty Ltd
Trading as Roadhouse Collectable Auctions (hereafter referred to as “RCA”)

These Terms and Conditions apply to all participants engaging with RCA in any capacity, including but not limited to registering for, bidding in, or purchasing from, any auction conducted by RCA.

For the purposes of this document, “RCA” refers to Roadhouse Group (Australia) Pty Ltd, trading as Roadhouse Collectable Auctions.

1. Introduction and Applicability

Welcome to Roadhouse Collectable Auctions (RCA). These Terms and Conditions govern your use of our services, bidding platform and participation in our online and live auctions, including:

When you create an account with RCA for the purpose of bidding;
When you place a bid on an item listed in any RCA auction;
If you are the successful bidder and purchaser of an item;
If you purchase an item by private treaty facilitated by RCA after an auction event;
When you access our website or platform for information relating to upcoming auctions, auction results, or item details.
When finalizing your purchases
When organizing items to be sent to you by mail or courier or collected.

By accessing the RCA platform and participating in any auction, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to be bound by these Terms and Conditions, as well as any special terms that may apply to specific auctions or individual items.

These Terms form a binding agreement between you and RCA. You must not participate in any auction or use our services unless you agree to be legally bound by them.

2. Bidder Registration and Account Responsibilities

2.1 Registration Requirements

To participate in any RCA online auction, all bidders must first create an online bidding account and register for each individual auction event. Registration is free of charge.

You must be at least 18 years of age and legally capable of entering into binding contracts under Australian law. By registering, you confirm that all details you provide are true, complete, and current.

2.2 Personal Information

During registration, you must provide the following:

Full legal name
Residential or business address
Valid contact number
Email address
Your RCA account is associated with your chosen username and password. You are solely responsible for maintaining the security and confidentiality of your login credentials. Any action taken under your account will be deemed to have been made by you unless proven otherwise.
Important: Credit Card Information and Third-Party Payment Processing
RCA collects and processes credit card details exclusively through a secure, PCI DSS-compliant third-party payment gateway. This service provider is responsible for encrypting and storing payment information in accordance with industry standards to ensure data security and regulatory compliance.
RCA does not store or have direct access to full credit card numbers or CVV codes. By registering with RCA and providing your credit card details, you authorise the third-party provider to verify your identity, pre-authorise transactions where required, and process payments on RCA’s behalf. All payment data is handled in accordance with the provider’s terms of service and privacy policy.

2.3 Principal Acknowledgment

Unless RCA is notified in writing before the auction begins, you will be treated as acting on your own behalf (as principal). If you are bidding on behalf of another party, you must provide their full contact details and written authority acceptable to RCA prior to bidding.

2.4 Credit Card Pre-Authorisation

RCA requires that valid credit card details be provided at registration. These details are processed securely through an authorised third-party payment gateway. By registering, you authorise RCA to:

Verify the card with a nominal pre-authorisation – standard procedure when using online bidding platforms.
Deduct payment for any, and all lots you win at auction.
Pre-authorisations are typically released by your bank within 5–7 business days.
It is your responsibility to ensure your card details remain current and have sufficient funds. If your card expires or becomes invalid, your account status may be suspended and bidding privileges paused until updated information is provided.
RCA reserves the right to accept or reject any registration application at its sole discretion.
In the event that your registered credit card does not have sufficient funds to complete your purchase, you agree to promptly resolve the outstanding balance using an alternative payment method. It is your responsibility to ensure that payment is made in full and without delay.

2.5 Communication Consent

By registering, you consent to RCA contacting you regarding auctions, updates, promotions, and other administrative matters. You may request removal from our contact list in writing, but RCA may retain necessary information to comply with record-keeping, security, taxation and legal obligations.

2.6 Suspension or Termination

RCA may suspend or cancel your registration if:

False or misleading information is provided;
Payments are not made as required;
There is unauthorised use of the platform;
You breach these Terms;
Or at RCA’s sole discretion, for any reason deemed necessary.

You may also request to close your account in writing, but any outstanding payments or obligations must first be resolved.

3. Bidding Process and Auction Participation

3.1 Inspection of Items

Before placing a bid, it is your responsibility to review the item description, photographs, condition notes, and any other information provided in the online listing. While RCA offers digital representations of each item, we strongly encourage potential bidders to inspect items in person by prior appointment, where available.

All items sold by RCA — including vintage signs, petrol memorabilia, automotive collectibles, and other items we auction — are offered “as is, where is”, and may show signs of wear, aging, or patina consistent with their nature and history.

3.2 Auction Timing and Estimates

Each auction will have a published start time. It is your responsibility to track the progress of the auction(s) you are participating in.

RCA may publish a low-to-high auction estimate range for certain lots. These are indicative only and not guarantees of value. Estimates are based on comparable sales, condition, rarity, and current market trends. RCA does not warrant that the final sale price will fall within the estimate range.

RCA sets a minimum starting bid for each lot. Subsequent bids must follow defined increment rules. All online auctions are subject to a Buyer’s Premium (see Section 4).

3.3 Placing a Bid

When you place a bid on any item via the RCA platform:
You are making a binding, irrevocable offer to purchase the item;
You cannot withdraw, reduce, or cancel your bid once submitted;
Bidding may be competitive, and other participants may outbid you.
If two or more bidders place the same bid, priority will be given to the one placed earliest.

3.4 Maximum Bid Option

Our system supports automatic (maximum) bidding, which allows you to enter the highest amount you’re willing to pay. The system will then incrementally increase your bid on your behalf — only as needed — to maintain your lead, up to your stated maximum.

Please note:

Your maximum bid excludes the Buyer’s Premium and any applicable charges;

If another bidder places the same maximum, the earlier entry will take precedence;

Once submitted, maximum bids cannot be lowered or removed.

3.5 Reserve Price

Certain lots may carry a confidential Reserve Price, which represents the minimum sale value agreed with the consignor. If bidding does not meet or exceed this amount, the item may be passed in and not sold.

RCA may bid on behalf of the vendor up to the reserve. This is standard industry practice and may be done with or without disclosure.

3.6 Bidding Extensions in Timed Auctions

To ensure fairness and discourage “sniping,” if a bid is placed within the final 5 minutes of a lot’s scheduled close time, bidding for that lot will be automatically extended by an additional 5 minutes. This relates to any timed auctions that we are running. This may repeat until no further bids are received.

3.7 RCA’s Rights During Auction

RCA reserves the right to:

Refuse any bid at its discretion;
Withdraw any item from auction for any reason;
Alter auction timing or extend bidding;
Suspend or restrict bidding access to any party;
Reopen an auction in the event of technical issues.
RCA may notify you via email if you are outbid or if you are the winning bidder. However, RCA is not responsible for delays, non-delivery of notices, or system errors.

4. Winning Bidders, Buyer’s Premium & Payment Terms

4.1 Successful Bids

If you are the highest bidder on a lot at the close of auction and the reserve (if any) has been met, you are deemed to be the Buyer, and a binding contract of sale is immediately formed between you and RCA (or the item’s owner, if RCA is acting as their agent).

RCA will notify you of your winning bid by email, along with an invoice detailing all amounts payable.

4.2 Total Purchase Price

As the Buyer, you agree to pay the Total Purchase Price, which includes:

The Hammer Price (the final bid amount);
A Buyer’s Premium of the percentage advised on each individual auction information page, plus GST if applicable;
Surcharge for payments made by Credit Card (Up to 2.2%)
Any applicable shipping costs, insurance, customs duties, or other charges.
All figures are listed and processed in Australian Dollars (AUD).

4.3 Payment Method

Full payment is due after 3 days following the conclusion of the auction, unless alternate arrangements are approved in writing by RCA.

Accepted payment methods include:

Eftpos
Visa, MasterCard (Surcharge up to 2.2% applicable)
Bank transfer (EFT)
Cheques can be accepted; however, all items are held until clear funds have been received. This is not negotiable.
Other payment methods – must be approved by RCA before the commencement of any auction you wish to participate in

By registering and bidding, you authorise RCA to retain your registered credit card details on file as a security measure against non-payment. While RCA reserves the right to charge your card for the full amount owing (or an approved deposit, if applicable), your card will not be automatically debited upon the conclusion of an auction.

Following the auction, RCA will issue a detailed invoice outlining the total amount payable. You may then choose your preferred method of payment, including direct bank transfer, cash on pickup etc.

However, if payment is not received within the required timeframe, RCA reserves the right to charge your registered card to recover the outstanding balance.

RCA reserves the right to make multiple attempts to process the payment if the initial charge fails due to card limits, authorisation issues, or insufficient funds.

4.4 Title and Ownership

Ownership of all items remains with RCA (or the vendor) until full payment is received in cleared funds. Risk however, passes to the Buyer once the item is purchased, is being delivered to or collected by the purchaser (see Section 5).

Until full payment is received:

RCA will withhold delivery
RCA may cancel the sale after the advertised due date of payment has passed
RCA reserves all rights to resell the item and pursue damages for losses or costs incurred.

4.5 Overdue Payments

If payment is not completed within 7 days from auction close, RCA may:

Charge interest at 1.5% per month on the outstanding balance of each item;
Cancel the sale and forfeit any paid deposit;
Resell the item at the instruction of the vendor;
Recover any shortfall, resale costs, lost premiums, legal fees, and administrative charges as a liquidated debt;
Suspend your account or bidding privileges for future auctions.
RCA also reserves the right to allocate partial payments toward any outstanding invoices or apply funds toward any item(s) at its discretion.

5.1 Shipping, Delivery & Risk of Loss

5.1 Collection and Dispatch

Once your payment has been received in full and cleared, RCA will assist with your method of delivery or make the item available for pickup:

Collection is by prior appointment only and available during RCA’s standard business hours (Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays).

Collection will be available on the day of the auction for live auctions where the buyer is on site and has paid for the item in full

Shipping is offered both nationally and internationally, depending on the item and we work with the purchaser to assist in which way they prefer to receive their item.

Delivery timelines may vary, but RCA generally dispatches items within five (5) business days of receiving full payment and buyers’ instructions.

5.2 Address Confirmation

Items will be sent to the shipping address on your RCA account, unless otherwise confirmed by the purchaser in writing or by phone. Before dispatch. RCA will send a tax invoice to your registered email, including delivery confirmation details.

Please note:

RCA will not dispatch goods until delivery details are confirmed, and the item has been paid in full.
An invoice with a zero amount owing is to be provided upon pickup by the buyer or courier before any items can be released.
The buyer has paid for their delivery where required (Courier for example)
Where RCA has assisted in arranging or locating a suitable courier for delivery, buyers are not permitted to redirect shipments directly through the courier’s system.

This restriction is in place to maintain a clear chain of custody and to protect the security and integrity of the item during transit.
Any changes to delivery arrangements must be requested through RCA prior to dispatch.

RCA reserves the right to delay shipping until payment is confirmed, and a method of delivery or pickup is confirmed.

5.3 Insurance and Tracking

All parcels are shipped using tracked and secure courier services where possible. RCA provides the buyers with assistance to pick up or post items.

Insurance on the items is the buyers responsibility once the item has been won and this also relates to the item during transit.

Once the item is purchased all risk transfers to the Buyer. RCA strongly encourages Buyers to arrange their own insurance coverage after winning any items.

If a delivery attempt fails and the item is returned or remains undelivered, RCA will contact the buyer to arrange an alternative method of delivery, the associated costs will pass to the buyer.

5.4 International Shipments

Buyers located outside Australia are responsible for:

All customs duties and import taxes;
Clearance fees or local government charges imposed by your country.
All other fees that would be applicable in the course of receiving your item into your country.
RCA cannot be held liable for delays caused by shipping/freight companies, customs or local authorities.

5.5 Damaged or Lost Goods

Risk and title in all auction items pass to the winning Buyer immediately following the conclusion of the auction. RCA is not responsible for any damage, theft, or loss of the item that occurs after this point, including during handling, packing, shipping, postal service, pickup by the buyer or courier delivery.

RCA does not pay for or provide insurance for purchased items and accepts no liability for any loss, damage, or theft once an item has been successfully won at auction. All risk transfers to the Buyer at that point, and it is the Buyer’s responsibility to obtain appropriate insurance coverage and to have the item removed in a timely manner.

Until delivery or collection arrangements are confirmed, all items are stored at RCA’s secure facility. The premises are equipped with alarm systems and security cameras, security gates, security doors and valuable items (where practical) are housed in locked cabinets in our secured storage area within our facility to ensure their safekeeping, prior to release.

RCA does not offer repairs, refunds, or replacements for items that are damaged or lost in transit or delivery. It is the Buyer’s responsibility to manage risk through appropriate insurance and delivery arrangements.

6. Item Authenticity, Descriptions & Limited Warranties

6.1 Item Representation

All items offered for auction by RCA — including but not limited to vintage signs, petrol & oil items, automobilia, and collectable memorabilia — are described to the best of our knowledge and belief. Descriptions, condition reports, and images are provided to assist you in evaluating the item.

However, unless explicitly stated otherwise:

All items are sold “as is”;

RCA does not warrant that the colours, textures, or patina of any item as viewed online will exactly match the item’s physical appearance. Variations may occur due to differences in lighting, photography conditions, and individual screen settings.

However, RCA will make reasonable efforts to accurately describe each singular lot being auctioned and provide high-quality photographs that clearly display any visible imperfections, wear, or notable characteristics to assist buyers in making an informed decision.

6.2 Items and ownership

RCA warrants that:

The item is legally owned by RCA or is consigned to RCA by the lawful owner; and
Ownership of the item will pass to the Buyer upon full payment being received in cleared funds.
Until then, the item remains the property of RCA or its consignor.

6.3 Misdescription Claims

If you believe the item materially differs from its description, you must:

Notify RCA in writing within 7 days of receipt; and
Provide a written opinion from a qualified independent expert supporting your claim.
If RCA agrees that the item was materially misdescribed, we may, at our sole discretion:
Issue a full refund; or
Undertake reasonable reparations or refunds (if applicable).
All claims are conditional on the item being returned to RCA in the same condition as it was received, including any documentation provided.

6.4 No Other Warranties

Except as expressly stated above, RCA provides no warranties, express or implied, including but not limited to:
Fitness for purpose;
Availability of parts or restoration services;
Compliance with any original manufacturer warranty;
Investment potential or resale value.

6.5 Limitation of Liability

In any and all cases, RCA’s liability is capped at the Total Purchase Price paid by the Buyer. We are not liable for indirect, incidental, or consequential damages, including loss of resale value, loss of opportunity, or reputational loss.

These protections apply solely to the original Buyer named on the RCA invoice.

7. RCA’s Rights and Buyer Conduct

7.1 Right to Withdraw or Refuse Sale

RCA reserves the right to:

Withdraw any item from sale at any time before or during an auction;

Suspend, cancel, or postpone an auction for any reason, including technical issues or listing errors;

Refuse to accept any bid or bidder registration at its sole discretion;

Correct typographical or descriptive errors in a listing without liability.

RCA will endeavour to make it clear why an auction or item has been withdrawn or cancelled if necessary on the understanding that RCA is not legally required to provide a reason for these actions.

7.2 False or Misleading Bidding

Bidders must not engage in:

False bidding to manipulate the outcome of an auction.
Bidding on behalf of another party without proper written authority.
Shill bidding (bidding on your own item to artificially inflate bidding activity).
Suspected misuse may result in:
Immediate suspension of bidding privileges;
Cancellation of the sale;
Legal action;
Reporting to authorities if fraud is suspected.

Please see the full explanation regarding “shill bidding” in our FAQ section.

7.3 Private Treaty Sales

If an item remains unsold during an auction (e.g. due to an unmet reserve), RCA may offer it via private negotiation after the auction concludes. These post-auction sales are conducted under the same auction terms and conditions, including payment terms, Buyer’s Premium, and risk assumptions.

7.4 Account Suspension

RCA may suspend or permanently deactivate your account if you:

Fail to pay on time;
Breach any of these terms;
Provide false information;
Engage in abusive, illegal, or disruptive conduct.

Suspension may occur with or without prior notice and will apply across all RCA auctions.

7.5 Dispute Resolution

In the event of a dispute over bidding or sale of a lot, RCA’s decision is final and binding. RCA reserves the right to:

Reopen bidding;
Cancel a sale;
Re-offer the item;
Determine a winning bidder if a tie or error occurs.

You agree that RCA will act as the sole arbiter of such disputes.

8. Refunds, Damage & Collectable-Specific Conditions

8.1 Refunds or Exchanges

All sales made through RCA auctions are final. Unless otherwise required by Australian consumer law or specifically covered under our misdescription clause (see Section 6), RCA does not offer refunds, returns, or exchanges.

It is the Buyer’s responsibility to review item descriptions, images, and any available condition reports prior to placing a bid.

8.2 Damage to an item

If a purchased item is damaged between the time the item was photographed for a catalogue and before packing of the item for shipping:

RCA may, at its discretion, offer a repair or a full refund to the buyer or vendor if we feel that we are at fault regarding damage to a purchased item;

RCA will not be liable for loss or damage once the item has left our premises after an auction.

RCA’s maximum liability in all cases is limited to the Total Purchase Price paid.

8.3 Authenticity and Age Disclaimer

The nature of collectables — including vintage signage, petroliana, automotive relics, and any items that RCA sells at auction — means that:

Items may show signs of aging, prior restoration, rust, or wear;

Manufacturing imperfections may be present;

RCA does not warrant originality of any item being auctioned. Any age claims or references to a specific decade or era are provided in good faith, based on RCA’s expertise and available information, but are not guaranteed.

8.4 Restoration or Modification Services

RCA does not offer restoration, resizing, modification, or customisation services for any item. All items are sold strictly as displayed and described at the time of listing.

Buyers who wish to undertake restoration or alterations must arrange such services independently and do so at their own risk. RCA and the consignor accept no further responsibility for the item once the item has been sold, and no warranties are provided regarding the outcome or impact of any post-sale modifications.

9. Credit Notes, Buyer Default & Payment Failures

9.1 RCA Credit Notes

In the event of a requested refund for any reason, RCA may, at its sole discretion, issue a credit note to a Buyer in lieu of a refund or in settlement of a particular matter.

Important conditions:

Credit notes are not redeemable for cash;
They are valid for 12 months from the date of issue;
Any unused balance after expiry will be forfeited;
Credit notes may only be applied to future purchases with RCA;
If a purchase exceeds the credit note value, the Buyer must pay the difference;
If the purchase is less, the balance will remain available until expiry.
It is the recipient’s responsibility to store the credit note securely and use it within the valid period.

9.2 Buyer Defaults

If you fail to pay in full for a winning lot within 7 days of auction close, RCA may, without further notice:

Cancel the sale and retain any amount already paid;
Resell the item through a future auction or private treaty;
Pursue you for the difference between your winning bid and any lower resale price;
Claim recovery of:
Buyer’s premium lost
Auction and resale costs
Interest expenses
Legal and enforcement fees
Suspend or cancel your bidding privileges;
Enforce the debt as a liquidated claim through legal channels.

You remain liable for any loss RCA incurs as a result of your default — even if the item is successfully resold to another party.

9.3 Allocation of Payments

RCA may apply any payments received from you:

Toward any outstanding invoices;
Across multiple lots or items as it deems appropriate.

We may treat multiple purchases from the same Buyer as interrelated. A default on one item may be treated as a breach of the entire agreement across other items.

10. Privacy, Communication & Website Use

10.1 Privacy and Personal Information

RCA respects your privacy and handles all personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and our internal Privacy Policy, available on our website.

By creating an account or bidding with RCA, you consent to us collecting, using, and storing your personal information for purposes including:

Auction registration and participation;
Order processing, invoicing, and delivery;
Customer service and dispute resolution;
Marketing of future auctions and services;
Compliance with legal obligations.

You may opt out of receiving marketing communications at any time by contacting RCA in writing. However, we will continue to send essential notices related to transactions and your account.

10.2 Electronic Communications

RCA communicates electronically via email and through our auction platform. This includes:

Invoices;
Delivery confirmations;
Bidding notifications;
Credit note records;
Updates to terms and auction details.

Electronic communication is not encrypted. By participating in RCA auctions, you acknowledge that such communication may be intercepted or accessed by third parties and release RCA from any liability associated with:

Delay or failure of delivery;
Loss of data;
Interception or misuse of transmitted information.

10.3 Use of RCA Website

All content on the RCA website — including images, descriptions, branding, layout, and functionality — is protected by copyright and intellectual property laws.

You are granted a limited, non-exclusive license to use the site for personal, non-commercial bidding and browsing purposes only. You must not:

Reproduce, scrape, or republish auction content;
Collect bidder data, prices, or contact information;
Create derivative works or mirror the site;
Use RCA branding or content without express written consent.

Unauthorised use or misuse, copying of RCA’s website and associated social media accounts information, may result in account suspension and legal action.

11. Limitation of Liability, Force Majeure & Legal Notices

11.1 Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, RCA shall not be liable for:

Any indirect, incidental, or consequential loss or damage;
Loss of opportunity, revenue, goodwill, or resale value;
Errors or interruptions in access to our website or the bidding platform;
Failure to complete a transaction due to technical faults or communication delays.
Where liability cannot be excluded, RCA’s total liability to any Buyer is strictly limited to the Total Purchase Price paid for the relevant item.

11.2 Force Majeure (events outside of our control)

RCA is not liable for failure or delay in performance due to events beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to:

Natural disasters, pandemics, or public health emergencies;
Acts of war, terrorism, or government restrictions;
System outages, cyberattacks, or service provider failures.

If such an event occurs, RCA may suspend or cancel affected auctions without penalty.

Platform Outage & Auction Disruption

In the event that the RCA online auction platform experiences technical difficulties, system errors, or an unexpected service outage during a live or timed auction, RCA reserves the right to:

Pause, extend, or restart the auction;
Void or re-offer any bids placed during the affected period;
Cancel the auction and reschedule it at a later time;
Reopen individual lots at RCA’s sole discretion.

Buyers and Bidders acknowledge that bidding during an online auction is dependent on third-party systems (including internet and hosting services) and that RCA is not liable for:

Missed bids due to loss of internet connectivity;
Platform delays or errors;
Partial or incomplete transactions caused by a system failure.

RCA will act in good faith to preserve the integrity of the auction process but reserves full discretion to determine the appropriate course of action in such situations. RCA will provide information to bidders at its earliest convenience if any of the above were to apply.

11.3 Notices

Any legal notice or communication under these Terms must be:

In writing and in English;

Sent by email, post, or hand-delivery to the party’s last known contact details.

Notices are deemed received:

Immediately, if hand-delivered;

Within 5 business days if posted domestically;

On the day of sending if delivered via email, unless undelivered.

11.4 Governing Law

These Terms & Conditions are governed by the laws of New South Wales, Australia. You agree to submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of New South Wales for the resolution of any dispute.

Miscellaneous

Variation: RCA may vary these Terms at any time. Changes take effect once published on our website. Continued use of the RCA platform constitutes acceptance.

Waiver: A delay or failure by RCA to enforce any provision is not a waiver of that provision.

Severability: If any clause of these Terms is deemed unenforceable, it shall be severed without affecting the validity of the remainder.

Non-Merger: Obligations intended to survive (e.g. payment, dispute resolution, and warranties) do so even after the conclusion of the auction or transaction.

Multiple Parties: If a Buyer comprises more than one person or entity, obligations are joint and several.

12.1 In Closing

By accessing the RCA platform, registering an account, placing a bid, or purchasing an item, you agree to be legally bound by these Terms and Conditions, as amended from time to time and published on the RCA website.

Dispute Resolution Form

Download the Dispute Resolution Form