Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about bidding, payments, shipping, FFL transfers, and more. If you don’t see your question below, feel free to reach out to our team at info@goldeneagleauctions.com.
Bidding & Registration
The easiest way is to sign up online through Golden Eagle Live before the auction. It only takes a few minutes. If you’re coming in person, you can also register at the door on auction day. Planning to bid by phone or absentee bid (we bid on your behalf, based on what you’re willing to pay up to)? Just make sure your forms are submitted before the auction starts so we can get everything set up for you.
We give you four ways to get in on the action. You can bid in person at our live events in Sanford, FL for the full auction experience. Prefer to bid from home? Jump on Golden Eagle Live and watch, listen, and bid in real time from your computer or phone. If you can’t be there live, submit an absentee bid with your max amount and we’ll bid on your behalf, and you’ll only pay what’s needed to win. For those must-have lots, you can also reserve a phone line and bid live through one of our team members. A 15% buyer’s premium applies no matter which method you choose.
Pre-bidding lets you place bids on lots before auction day through Golden Eagle Live. Think of it as getting your bid in early. Your pre-bid sets the starting point for that lot when the live auction kicks off. Once we go live, bidding continues in real time from there.
There are a few reasons you might want to pre-bid. It can set a strong opening bid that discourages other bidders from competing. It’s also a great option if you know you won’t be available during the live auction but still want a shot at winning. Or maybe you just want to throw your hat in the ring on a few lots and see what happens.
Yes, all sales are final. When you place a winning bid, that’s a binding contract. No refunds or exchanges. Everything is sold AS IS, WHERE IS. We do our best to provide accurate and detailed descriptions in our catalog, but they are not guarantees. That’s why we always recommend looking over items before you bid, and don’t hesitate to reach out to us at info@goldeneagleauctions.com if you have questions about a specific lot.
Payment
After the auction closes, you’ll receive an invoice by email from info@goldeneagleauctions.com within 72 hours. From there, you have 48 hours to complete payment. If you need a little more time, just reach out to us before the auction starts and we can work something out. Picking up in person? You can pay when you come get your items.
We accept Cash, Check, Cashier’s Check, Wire Transfer ($25 fee), Visa, MasterCard, and Discover. Just keep in mind there’s a 3% surcharge on all credit card payments. If you’d prefer to pay by check for shipped items, shoot us an email at info@goldeneagleauctions.com right after the auction and we’ll send you mailing instructions.
The buyer’s premium is an additional 15% that gets added on top of your winning bid (the hammer price). It applies to every lot, regardless of the final price or how you bid. So if you win a lot at $500, your subtotal before tax and shipping would be $575.
If you’re picking up in person or having items shipped to a Florida address, a 7% Florida sales tax will be added to your invoice. Buying from out of state? You won’t be charged Florida sales tax, but you are responsible for reporting and paying any tax required by your state. If you’re a Florida dealer, you can register your state tax exemption form along with your FFL before the sale to have the tax waived.
We do not accept chargebacks under any circumstances. This covers everything from buyer’s remorse to disputes about item condition or finding out your state won’t allow a transfer. If a chargeback is initiated, we will pursue collection of all outstanding amounts, including any fees and legal costs that come with it. That’s why we strongly encourage you to inspect items and know your state’s laws before you bid.
Shipping & FFL
We keep it simple with flat-rate shipping: $30 per handgun and $40 per long gun. If you’re out of state, these are added to your invoice automatically. If you’re in Florida and need items shipped rather than picking up, just let us know so we can add it to your invoice.
An FFL is a Federal Firearms License. It’s what authorizes a dealer to legally receive and transfer firearms. Under federal law, any firearm shipped across state lines has to go through a licensed FFL dealer. So when you win an item that needs to be shipped, you’ll need to tell us which FFL dealer near you should receive it and either you or your dealer will need to provide us with a copy of their license. You’ll then complete your transfer paperwork and background check at that dealer’s location.
Just email a copy of the receiving FFL to FFL@goldeneagleauctions.com. Be sure to include your full name and the lot number(s) you won so we can match everything up. You have 30 days from the auction’s conclusion to get that to us. We won’t ship anything until we’ve received both your full payment and valid FFL information, so the sooner you send it, the sooner your items are on their way.
If we haven’t received your FFL within 30 days, we’ll send you a courtesy reminder. From that point, you have another 30 days to either submit your FFL or let us know you’re unable to receive the item. If it’s the latter, we can set up a consignment agreement where we relist the item for you. Once it sells, you’ll receive the proceeds minus a 20% commission and any applicable fees (as long as your original invoice is paid). If we don’t hear from you within 60 days of the auction, the item is considered abandoned.
That depends on your state’s laws. Some states have restrictions on certain types of firearms, magazines, or ammunition, and it’s your responsibility to know those rules before you bid. We can’t ship items that your state doesn’t allow you to receive, and that won’t qualify you for a refund. If you’re not sure whether something can legally come to your state, we recommend reaching out to a licensed dealer in your area about the specific item(s) before placing your bid.
Pickup & Transfers
All pickups happen at our location in Sanford, FL and are BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. When you receive your invoice email, it will include a link to schedule your pickup time. You can pay ahead of time or at the time of pickup. If you have a valid Florida concealed carry permit, you can take your firearm home once your background check is complete. If you don’t have a concealed carry permit, there is a 3 day waiting period that begins from the time of payment and does not include weekends or holidays.
Yes. Florida requires a 3 day waiting period that begins from the time of payment and does not include weekends or holidays. The waiting period is waived with a valid Florida concealed carry permit. Black powder firearms and pre-1898 antiques are also exempt.
Yes, there’s a $5.00 background check fee for all in-person firearm transfers. The only exceptions are black powder firearms and pre-1898 antiques, which don’t require a background check.
You have 60 days from the auction’s conclusion to get your items picked up or shipped. If you need more time, reach out to us so we can arrange storage or shipping, though the costs for that are on you. After 60 days with no pickup, shipping, or communication, items are considered abandoned. Abandoned items are resold at our discretion, and no proceeds are returned to the original buyer. So please don’t let it get to that point. Just talk to us.
General
We’re located in Sanford, FL. That’s where all of our live auction events, in-person pickups, and firearm transfers take place. When it’s time to pick up, you’ll schedule your appointment through the link in your invoice email.
Our full auction catalog is available online with high-resolution photos and detailed descriptions for every lot. We always recommend taking a close look at anything you’re interested in before you bid. For our live auction events, items are brought out and displayed for in-person preview and inspection, typically starting 2 hours before the auction begins. Have a question about a specific item? Just email us at info@goldeneagleauctions.com before the auction and we’ll be happy to help.
It means every item is sold in its current condition, exactly as it sits, with no warranties or guarantees from us. The descriptions and condition notes in our catalog are our honest opinions meant to help you make informed decisions, but they’re not promises. That’s why we encourage everyone to review items closely or ask us questions before bidding.
A reserve is a confidential minimum price set by the consignor. If bidding doesn’t reach that amount, the lot won’t sell. Unless a lot is specifically noted as “no reserve” or “absolute,” you can assume a reserve may be in place. During the auction, our auctioneer may place bids on behalf of the consignor to help reach the reserve. Consignors themselves are not allowed to bid on their own lots.
We’re easy to reach. For general questions, invoice inquiries, or anything auction-related, email us at info@goldeneagleauctions.com. If you need to submit an FFL, send that to FFL@goldeneagleauctions.com and be sure to include your full name and lot number(s). Whether you have a question about a specific lot, need help getting started, or just want to know how things work, don’t hesitate to reach out.
Still Have Questions?
Our team is here to help. Contact us before the auction if you have any questions about specific lots, bidding procedures, or how to get started.
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