Rules for using the platform
Terms of Use
By accessing Hometown Bid, creating a listing, or placing a bid, you agree to these Terms of Use and the policies linked from this page.
Effective date: August 24, 2026
1. Eligibility and launch area
Users must be at least 18 years old and legally able to enter a binding agreement. Seller listings are currently limited to items located in Tennessee. Bidding may be available more broadly, subject to applicable law and listing terms.
2. Hometown Bid’s service
Hometown Bid provides auction-listing, sharing, and bid-recording software. Hometown Bid is not the seller, buyer, owner, auction-item payment processor, shipper, warehouse, escrow provider, appraiser, inspector, or guarantor of a transaction.
3. Seller responsibilities
Sellers must have legal authority to offer each item; provide accurate photos, condition, location, and material facts; disclose known defects; set lawful terms; respond honestly to questions; and complete the transaction with the winning bidder unless a lawful, clearly disclosed condition prevents it.
4. Bidder responsibilities
A submitted bid is an offer to purchase under the listing terms. Bidders must review the full listing, ask needed questions before bidding, provide accurate contact information, and be prepared to pay and arrange pickup if they win. Accidental or unauthorized bids must be reported immediately but are not automatically cancelled.
5. Closing and winner
The highest qualifying bid recorded by Hometown Bid at the stated closing time is ordinarily the winning bid, subject to any lawful reserve or listing condition disclosed before bidding. Technical failures, suspected fraud, duplicate submissions, illegal activity, or material listing errors may require a bid or auction to be reviewed, corrected, suspended, or cancelled.
6. Payment, taxes, and transfer
Buyer and seller arrange the auction-item payment and pickup directly. They are responsible for applicable taxes, receipts, title, registration, permits, background checks, shipping, insurance, and lawful ownership transfer. Hometown Bid collects only its own platform fees through its payment provider.
7. Prohibited activity and items
Users may not engage in false bidding, bid manipulation, fraud, harassment, account sharing, system interference, scraping that burdens the service, or unlawful conduct. Listings may not include stolen property, illegal drugs, counterfeit goods, unlawful weapons, hazardous materials, recalled goods, human remains, sexually exploitative material, or anything prohibited by law or platform policy.
8. Nonpayment and account restrictions
Failure to complete a winning transaction, repeated no-shows, false information, unsafe conduct, or rule violations may result in warnings, cancelled listings or bids, account restrictions, suspension, or permanent removal. Hometown Bid may preserve relevant records and cooperate with lawful investigations.
9. Platform fees and refunds
Current prices are disclosed on the Pricing page. Refund and cancellation rules appear in the Refund Policy. Auction-item refunds remain solely between buyer and seller.
10. Availability and disclaimers
The service is provided on an “as available” basis. To the fullest extent permitted by law, Hometown Bid disclaims warranties concerning uninterrupted operation, user conduct, item condition, ownership, authenticity, merchantability, fitness, safety, transaction completion, and recovery of money or property.
11. Limitation of liability
To the fullest extent permitted by law, Hometown Bid LLC and its owners, personnel, and service providers will not be liable for indirect, incidental, special, exemplary, punitive, or consequential damages; lost profits or data; personal injury or property damage caused by users or items; or losses arising from a buyer-seller transaction. Any liability that cannot lawfully be excluded will be limited to the platform fees the claimant paid to Hometown Bid during the twelve months preceding the event giving rise to the claim.
12. Indemnity
You agree to defend and indemnify Hometown Bid LLC from third-party claims and reasonable costs arising from your listings, bids, items, transactions, legal violations, misrepresentations, or breach of these Terms, to the extent permitted by law.
13. Governing law
These Terms are governed by Tennessee law, without regard to conflict-of-law principles. Any dispute not resolved informally will be brought in a court of competent jurisdiction serving Hamilton County, Tennessee, unless applicable law requires otherwise.
14. Changes and contact
We may update these Terms as the service changes. Continued use after an updated effective date constitutes acceptance where permitted by law. Questions may be sent to jeff@hometownbidauctions.com.