I'm a buyer but I would like to become a seller. How do I do that?
How do I get support for Java Script?
Why can't I place bids? I just registered.
How to read or write feedback on a user
How to receive daily e-mail updates on new items listed on penbid
How to view closed auctions
Why do some bids in the bidding history show two users having the same final bid?
How do I get the sellers e-mail address?
Can I raise my bid even if I am high bidder?
I have won the auction what do I do now?
Can I cancel my bid?
Why does my bid not show up when I bid?
Why am I outbid when bidding?
What is a Reserve Auction?
How do I get my User ID and Password?

To become a seller you need to have a billing account. If you haven't got one please go to the sellers page http://www.penbid.com/Auction/XCAPGenBuyers.asp and choose "Open/Edit billing account" in the drop down menu. You need to fill out the entire form and hit "Save Account Information".
Then go back to the buyers page and choose "Update your information". Find the place that says "User type" and choose "Full (Seller and buyer)" and hit "registration"at the bottom of the page. You are now a seller and can use all the features on the seller page: Seller's Resources

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AOL users:
Click on Members, Click on Preferences, Click on WWW, Click Tab that says Security, look where it says "Javascript"Make sure it is checked.

Netscape: 3.*
Click on Options, then Network Preferences, then Languages, then find the box titled Java Script and enable itby checking the box (ie: click inside of it). Then, click OK.

Netscape Communicator: 4.*
Click on Edit, then Preferences, then Advanced (the word, not the plus or minus sign next to it), then find the box titled Java Script and enable itby checking the box (ie: click inside of it). Then, click OK.

Internet Explorer Versions Less Than 4.0
Click on View, then Options, then Security, Toggle on "Run ActiveX Scripts" in the Active Content section, then click "apply" and OK.

Internet Explorer Version 4.0
Go to the View menu, select Options, select security, select custom (for expert users), push the Settings... button, scroll down to Active scripting, and select Enable.

Internet Explorer Version 5.0
Click on Tools, Internet Options, Click Tab Advanced, scroll down to Java VM and check Java JIT compiler, click Apply and OK.

We apologize but we are not able to assist in support questions on this matter. We suggest you contact your system provider or ISP for further assistance on how to get Java Script support on your system.

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The registration process is first completed when you have received a registration mail containing a link to a confirmation page. If this process is not completed you will get the "Account Not Active" error message when you try to place a bid.

If you haven't completed the registration process you will have to contact penbid support in order to get your account activated. Please send your email to: support@penbid.com with your userID.

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After completing a transaction both buyer and seller should return to the auction to enter feedback relating to the transaction.
This builds a profile of feedback and allows future users to read information for both parties.

There are two methods for reading or entering feedback for a buyer or seller.

Method One

1. Go directly to the buyer’s area, (click on the buyers sign on the top of the penbid page)
2. Scroll down to where it say enter a users ID to see the feedback rating. Here you should enter the user id you want to leave feedback on.
3. A rating can be positive, negative or neutral, and always have to have a short comment.
4. The more positive feedback generated for you the more penbid medals you get beside your user id.

Method Two

1. When viewing an item both seller and bidders are shown by their user name followed by a rating number in parenthesis. Click on the rating number to view or enter feedback on this user.
2. You may only leave feedback if you are the seller or the winning bidder in the auction.

Based on the ratings received, sellers will receive the symbols in the form of penbid medals, placed on the item page next to the user ID and the rating number in parenthesis.

This rating number is calculated by subtracting the negative feedback from positive feedback received.

Postive feedback of 5-20 =
Positive feedback of 21-50 =
Positive feedback of 51-100 =
Positive feedback of 101-250 =
Positive feedback of more than 250 =

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The personal shopper allows all users to receive updates on all new items from categories of your choice e-mailed to you daily.

This daily email may be formatted to contain only partial or full descriptions of all new items.
This service ensures you can stay informed as to all the opportunities in pens being listed online every day.

Configure your Personal Shopper now:

1. Click on "buyers" on the penbid FrontPage or here to sign up: http://www.penbid.com/Auction/XcAPGenBuyers.asp

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Once an auction closes it will no longer be listed after 48 Hours.
You do however have several methods available to you for viewing the closed auction.

1. If you know the lot number, enter this in the field to search on lot number on the front page.
2. If you do not know the lot number, you can search for title or description, and choose to include closed auction. Click on the search bottom on the top of the page or use this link: http://www.penbid.com/Auction/XcAPSearch.asp

This is also a great way to see what was sold, and at what prices.
For example try to search for "Montblanc" and include closed auctions.

To see all the item you currently bidding on or have bid on click on the buyers sign on the front page and select the option for "View auctions you have participated in".
When you arrive at the next page click on the drop down menu to select the date and length of time you would like to search within.

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This is because we are using Proxy bidding in the system.

Read more about Proxy Bidding.

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You can click on the sellers user id on one of his auctions to get the sellers e-mail address.

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Yes, you can.
When you enter the new bid it will only increase your bid on the auction when another bidders bids this price up. This is called Proxy Bidding.

Read more about Proxy Bidding.

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You will receive an e-mail confirming that you have won the auction.
The e-mail will include the sellers e-mail address. Contact the seller to arrange payment and shipping.

If you do not receive an e-mail please notify us at support@penbid.com.

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This is not possible, so be sure to only bid on those items you are ready to purchase.

You may contact us at support@penbid.com with any questions.

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Go to the item page. Try to refresh your browser. Check again to see if the reserve is met. It will show a sign that say reserve not yet met if the reserve is not yet met.

You will need to meet the reserve price to become high bidder. You can always see the bidding history at the bottom of the page of the item you are bidding on.

If it is not a reserve auction then you will become high bidder as soon as you bid. You will remain high bidder until you are outbid by another user.

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This is most likely because the item you are bidding on is a reserve auction and you have not yet met the reserve price with your bid.

Check the item listed to see if it says "reserve not yet met". If you see this then it is a reserve auction and you will have to outbid the reserve price to become high bidder.

This situation will also happen in the event that you are outbid by another user. As an example: If there is another bidder who has bid $100 on an item which has a starting bid price of only $10, then this bidder will remain the high bidder until the $100 has been outbid.

Read more about Proxy Bidding.

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A reserve auction is where a seller puts a minimum price he is willing to accept to sell the item for. If there is a reserve of $75 on an items you can only win the item if you bid more than $75.

Read more about reserve and standard auctions.

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If you forget your ID and or password for penbid you can have a reminder sent to your e-mail address by going to the Forgot page.

When prompted, enter your e-mail address (phone number is not required) and an e-mail will be sent to you within a few minutes containing your user id and password

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