Terms and Conditions
Web Site
Items are offered for sale using the services and web site of Public Surplus (www.publicsurplus.com). Under no circumstance will the City of Friendswood be liable to any person or business entity for any direct, indirect, special, incidental, consequential, or other damages or losses based on or caused by any use of the web site or any other web site to which the site is linked, the content of such web sites, or any viruses or other harmful components derived from any such web sites, including, without limitation, any lost profits, revenue, or use, business interruption, or loss of computer programs or information, even if the City has been specifically advised of the possibility of such damages or losses.
Viewing Bid Items
Bidders must contact the Purchasing Office to arrange for a pre-bid inspection. Items will be available for viewing before the auction closing date between the hours of 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Monday through Thursdays only. Bidders will not be permitted access to view surplus for sale except on the days and times specified above. Please contact Jeff Spears at 281-996-3274 for an appointment. Appointments must be confirmed.
Award
Auction items will be awarded to the highest responsive, responsible bidder. Notification will be provided by Public Surplus via e-mail to the successful bidder.
Payment
Public Surplus collects all payments for the City of Friendswood. Payment for an awarded item must be received within 5 business days of close of auction. Payment shall be made online by credit card, or wire transfer. If you choose to pay with a credit card please follow the instructions below. The credit card limit per transaction is $4,000.00. For payments larger than this amount follow the instructions listed under Wire Transfers.
Payment by Credit Card
Login to the Public Surplus site. Click on "My Stuff" and then click on "Past Bids". Click on the description of the auction and then click on "Pay Online" link located on the right hand side of the screen. Follow the steps to complete the transaction. A receipt will be emailed to you once the payment has cleared.
Partial Payment
There will be NO partial payments of an auction allowed. All auctions must be paid in full per payment process used per auction. For Example: You WILL NOT be able to pay partially for an auction by Credit Card and pay the remainder by another payment method such as a wire transfer.
Wire Transfers
For payments over $4,000.00 a Wire Transfer is required. NO CASH, CHECKS, OR MONEY ORDERS WILL BE ACCEPTED. If you need to do a wire transfer please email support at buyersupport@publicsurplus.com asking for wire instructions or request the instructions via live chat. These instructions will be emailed to you. Please follow them exactly to allow for prompt payment.
Pick Up Procedures
1. Public Surplus will notify the Buyer upon receipt of payment. The Buyer may then contact the responsible party listed for that item and arrange for a mutually convenient pick up time. The Buyer must bring the "Paid Receipt" and personal identification such as a Driver's License or DMV ID to the pickup location. The person releasing the item will require the Buyer to show all documents. The Buyer must present these forms of identification at the scheduled pick up or the auction item(s) will not be released.
2. If you are picking up an item for someone else, you will need to bring the receipt, (photo copies are acceptable), plus a note from the designated "winning bidder" specifically naming you as their authorized representative, along with your own ID.
Bid Deposits
The City of Friendswood may require bid deposits in order to ensure fairness and equity to all buyers as a way to decrease default bidding. The deposit will be reversed if no default occurs or the bidder does not win the auction. Public Surplus will collect and retain the deposit if there is a default by the winning bidder.
Buyer Premium
A Buyer Premium of 10.5% will be added to the final sale price with a $1 minimum charge per auction to collect payment. The premium will be visible during the bidding process and will be included in the payment required.
State/Local Sales and/or Use Tax
City of Friendswood may collect sales tax of 8.25%, unless the Buyer has provided a valid tax-exempt certificate to City of Friendswood prior to payment. If applicable, the sales tax will be visible during the bidding process and will be included in the payment specified.
No Warranty
ALL ITEMS OFFERED FOR AUCTION ARE "AS-IS, WHERE-IS" AND NO WARRANTY OR GUARANTEE IS EXPRESSED NOR IMPLIED. Buyer assumes responsibility and/or liability for any incident related to sold property once it is out of the City of Friendswood's custody and/or control. Bids shall be submitted at the bidder's sole personal discretion.
Removal
All items must be picked up within 3 days of payment for item at the Friendswood City Hall, 910 S. Friendswood Drive, Friendswood, Texas, unless located at another location, as noted in the auction notice. Hours for the pickup of items are 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Monday through Thursdays only. Contact is Jeff Spears at 281-996-3274. Call to set pick up time and date. Successful bidder assumes all responsibility, expense, risk, and liability for the timely removal of all items purchased. Failure to pay and/or remove property within the designated period (5 days after payment) without contacting the City of Friendswood may result in forfeiture of all monies paid and/or property unclaimed and property will then be disposed of by the City. Successful bidder shall provide method of packaging and transportation at his/her own expense.
Liability
Successful bidder assumes all legal liability and/or responsibility once bidder has taken possession of purchased items, whether or not property has left the City location. Purchaser does hereby indemnify and hold harmless the seller from any and all damages, claims or liabilities from injuries to persons or property of any type whatsoever caused during the sale or by the removal of items purchased. It is the buyer's responsibility to secure all safety equipment to meet all applicable government safety standards in using or removing items purchased.
Lots
The City reserves the right to group one or more lots into one or more selling lots. Furthermore, The City reserves the right to withdraw any item before or after the bid closes.