Terms and Conditions of Sale
Important legal terms governing your use of SecondBloom Auctions, a multi-industry marketplace for new and used commercial equipment, vehicles, industrial assets, and inventory. Please read carefully before using our platform.
Key Terms Summary
Binding Bids
All bids are binding once placed and cannot be retracted
48-Hour Payment
Winners must pay within 48 hours of auction end
FOB Listed Location
Buyer arranges pickup - title and risk pass at the listed location
15% Buyer Premium
Buyers pay 15% premium (14% for Premium members) — standard consignments list FREE
Acceptance of Terms
By accessing or using SecondBloom Auctions ('the Platform' or 'Marketplace'), you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions of Sale ('Terms'). If you do not agree to these Terms, do not use our services.
These Terms constitute a legally binding agreement between you ('Customer') and SecondBloom Auctions. We may update these Terms from time to time, and your continued use constitutes acceptance of any changes. It is your responsibility to regularly check for updates.
Platform Description
SecondBloom Auctions is a trade name of Lange Group Capital Inc. ('SecondBloom'), which operates this marketplace and is the party you contract with under these Terms. SecondBloom is based in Illinois and operates as a multi-industry commercial equipment marketplace for transactions between buyers and sellers of new and used equipment, vehicles, industrial assets, and inventory ('Products'). SecondBloom charges a buyer's premium for its services. SecondBloom is not responsible for the handling or shipping of the Products, and any issues related to the physical goods must be resolved between the buyer and seller.
Marketplace Disclaimer
The Marketplace is provided on an 'as is' basis, and SecondBloom makes no warranties or representations as to the accuracy or completeness of the information provided on the Marketplace. SecondBloom will not be liable for any damages resulting from the use of the Marketplace or any Products purchased or sold through the Marketplace.
Eligibility and Account Registration
Age and Legal Capacity
You must be at least 18 years old and have the legal capacity to enter into contracts. By using our services, you represent and warrant that you meet these requirements.
Account Requirements
- Provide accurate, current, and complete information during registration
- Maintain and update your account information as needed
- Keep your login credentials secure and confidential
- Notify us immediately of any unauthorized account access
- Complete identity verification for high-value transactions
Business Accounts
Business accounts must provide valid business registration documents and authorize representatives to act on behalf of the company.
Account Responsibility
Customer is solely responsible for the accuracy of any bid or offer submitted on the Marketplace, and for ensuring that the Products being sold or purchased comply with all applicable laws and regulations.
Platform Use and Conduct
Permitted Uses
You may use our platform to:
- List commercial equipment, vehicles, industrial assets, and inventory for sale
- Browse and bid on equipment auctions
- Communicate with other users through our messaging system
- Access your account information and transaction history
- Request help coordinating LTL freight quotes through our partner carriers
Prohibited Activities
You may not:
- Post false, misleading, or inaccurate information
- Attempt to circumvent our bidding or payment systems
- Contact sellers directly to arrange private deals outside our platform
- Share or request seller contact information during active auctions
- Use the platform for illegal activities or fraud
- Harass, threaten, or abuse other users
- Attempt to gain unauthorized access to our systems
- Use automated tools to manipulate auctions or bidding
- List stolen, counterfeit, or prohibited items
- Complete transactions outside our platform to avoid fees
Prohibition of Direct Transactions
Customers and vendors are strictly prohibited from engaging in direct transactions outside of the SecondBloom platform for any products or services that were initially discovered, discussed, or offered on the platform. Both parties must complete all transactions related to such products and services exclusively through the SecondBloom platform.
Global Availability & Local Compliance
The Marketplace currently serves buyers and sellers in the United States. Buyers and sellers are solely responsible for ensuring compliance with all local, state, national, and international laws, including export/import, tax, licensing, and safety regulations applicable to their jurisdictions.
Intellectual Property
Any intellectual property rights in the Marketplace or any content on the Marketplace are the property of SecondBloom or its licensors and are protected by copyright, trademark, and other laws. Customers may not use any content on the Marketplace without the express written consent of SecondBloom.
Auction Terms and Bidding
As‑Is, Where‑Is
Unless expressly stated otherwise in a specific listing, all items are sold strictly 'AS‑IS, WHERE‑IS' with all faults. No returns, refunds, or warranties are offered or implied by SecondBloom. Any manufacturer or seller warranty must be expressly stated by the seller in the listing and is between buyer and seller.
Auction Format
All auctions use a soft-close format. If a bid is placed in the final 5 minutes, the auction extends by 5 minutes. This continues until no bids are placed for 5 consecutive minutes.
Bidding Rules
- All bids are binding offers and cannot be retracted once placed, except an obvious entry error reported immediately to support, corrected at SecondBloom's discretion
- Automatic bidding is available up to your maximum bid amount
- Minimum bid increments are determined by current bid levels
- You must have a valid payment method to place bids over $1,000
- Identity verification required for bids over $10,000
Reserve Prices
Sellers may set reserve prices (minimum acceptable bids). If the reserve is not met, the seller is not obligated to sell. Auctions that don't meet reserve price may be automatically rescheduled with adjusted pricing.
Winning Bids
The highest bidder when an auction ends wins the item. When the reserve is met and the auction ends, the sale is binding on both buyer and seller — there is no seller-approval step.
Auction Rescheduling
If reserve price is not met, auctions may be automatically rescheduled for 7-day periods, typically ending around lunchtime ET for optimal B2B engagement.
Payments and Fees
Payment Obligations
Winning bidders pay SecondBloom at checkout and must complete payment in full within 48 hours of auction end. Failure to pay may result in account suspension and re-auction of the item. All prices are in U.S. Dollars unless specified otherwise.
Payment Methods
- Credit cards via Stripe (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover) for totals under $5,000 - instant processing
- Wire transfers for high-value transactions - buyers must use Order ID as payment reference
- Wire transfer (required for purchases of $5,000 or more; instructions provided at checkout)
Payment Processing
All payments are handled seamlessly through our platform via Stripe:
- Standard Payments (via Stripe): Instant card processing for totals under $5,000, paid to SecondBloom at checkout.
- Wire Transfer: Required for purchases of $5,000 or more. Wire instructions are provided at checkout and funds are verified by SecondBloom before fulfillment proceeds.
Platform Fees
- Buyers: 15% buyer's premium (14% for Premium members) added to winning bids and Buy Now purchases
- Sellers: standard consignments carry no commission and no listing fees
- Custom engagements: Court-ordered and large estate or trust liquidations are custom engagements; fee structures, including seller and buyer premiums, are set per contract.
- Payment processing: the fee our payment provider charges to accept your payment is added at checkout as a separate line and passed through at cost. It depends on how you pay — a card costs more than a bank payment, and the amount is shown before you commit
- Wire transfers: Any bank wire fees are the buyer's responsibility
Equipment Wanted Deals
- Posting a request and submitting quotes are free
- When a buyer accepts a vendor quote, the buyer's premium (15%, or 14% for Premium members) applies to the accepted price; vendors pay no fees
- Deals totaling under $5,000 are paid in full (price plus premium) through the platform; for deals of $5,000 or more the premium is invoiced by wire and the equipment settlement is coordinated by SecondBloom
- Contact details are exchanged only after the buyer's premium is received; accepting a quote and completing the introduction constitutes a platform transaction subject to the Prohibition of Direct Transactions above
- The buyer's premium on Equipment Wanted deals is non-refundable once contact details have been released
Vendor Payments
Sellers are paid after the buyer's payment clears — typically within 2-3 business days, and usually before item pickup or shipping is scheduled.
Affiliate Payments
Affiliates will be paid out once their account hits $50.00 USD. Payouts will be made on a quarterly basis, on the last day of the month following the end of the quarter (March 31st, June 30th, September 30th, December 31st). Cookies are set at a 6-month timeframe.
Price Adjustments
No post-sale price adjustments are made to merchandise. Only freight and logistics costs are settled after the sale, and only with the buyer's consent.
Refunds
All sales on the SecondBloom marketplace are final — as-is, where-is — and we do not offer refunds or returns. Buyers must rely on photos, descriptions, and pre-bid inspection where offered. Support reviews reported problems case-by-case, but no remedy is guaranteed.
Equipment Listings and Seller Obligations
Listing Requirements
- Accurate and complete item descriptions
- High-quality photos from multiple angles
- Honest assessment of equipment condition
- Clear pickup location and access requirements
- Disclosure of any known defects or issues
- Compliance with all applicable laws and regulations
Seller Responsibilities
- Respond to buyer questions within 24 hours
- Make equipment available for inspection if agreed
- Ensure equipment is ready for pickup on scheduled dates
- Provide clear access instructions and any required documentation
- Honor the sale if reserve price is met
- Ensure products are in good condition as described
Listing Modifications
Listings can be modified before the first bid is placed. After bidding begins, only clarifying information may be added.
Pickup, Delivery and Risk Transfer
Buyer Responsibility
All items sell FOB (Free on Board) their listed location. Buyers are responsible for arranging and paying for pickup and transportation. SecondBloom does not provide shipping or delivery, but can help coordinate LTL freight quotes through partner carriers on request.
Pickup Requirements
- Arrange pickup within the specified timeframe (typically 7-14 days)
- Coordinate with seller for access and scheduling
- Bring appropriate equipment and personnel for safe removal
- Inspect equipment condition at time of pickup
- Document any discrepancies within 3 days of receipt
- Note any damage on transport documentation immediately
Risk and Title Transfer
Items sell FOB their listed location. Title and risk of damage or loss pass to the buyer at the item's location when the item is released for pickup or transport after the buyer's payment has cleared.
Inspection and Acceptance
All Products delivered will be deemed accepted by Customer as conforming to the Agreement, and Customer will have no right to revoke any acceptance. Buyers must inspect products upon receipt and notify vendor of any damages or discrepancies within 3 days.
Logistics Partners
SecondBloom can help coordinate LTL freight quotes through partner carriers (ArcBest) on request, and parcel-size items may show a carrier-based shipping estimate at checkout; these are estimates, and final logistics are confirmed after the sale. Carrier contracts are directly between users and logistics providers, and SecondBloom is not responsible for shipping services. SecondBloom does not insure purchases or shipments — where a carrier is used, only that carrier's standard liability applies, and buyers should arrange cargo coverage for high-value transport.
Warranties and Product Use
Vendor Warranties
The vendors on SecondBloom are responsible for providing any warranty for their products and services. Warranty details and terms must be clearly stated by the vendor in the marketplace listing. It is the responsibility of the customer to verify any warranty details with the vendor before making a purchase.
Platform Disclaimer
SecondBloom makes no warranty or representation, express or implied, with respect to the Products or Services, including, but not limited to, any warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or any warranty of non-infringement of intellectual property rights.
Product Use
Customer shall use Products and Services only for their intended purposes and in accordance with all instructions provided by the vendors. Customer is responsible for compliance with all local, state, federal, and international laws and regulations.
Software and Updates
Any software included with products is subject to vendor's license agreement. SecondBloom does not provide warranty or support for software. Vendors are responsible for any updates or maintenance.
Disputes and Resolution
Dispute Process
Any disputes arising from transactions on the Marketplace must be resolved between the buyer and seller. SecondBloom will not be held liable for any disputes or issues arising from transactions on the Marketplace.
Inspection
All sales are final and equipment is sold as-is, where-is. Buyers are responsible for inspecting listings (including available inspection reports) before bidding. Reports of gross misdescription are reviewed by SecondBloom support on a case-by-case basis.
Support Review
SecondBloom support reviews reported problems on a case-by-case basis, but is not obligated to resolve disputes and no remedy is guaranteed.
Arbitration
Any dispute arising under or in connection with these Terms shall be resolved through binding arbitration in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association. The arbitration shall be conducted in Chicago, Illinois.
Governing Law
These Terms will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Illinois without giving effect to any principles of conflicts of law.
Indemnification and Liability
Customer Indemnification
By using the Marketplace, Customer agrees to indemnify and hold SecondBloom and its affiliates, officers, agents, and employees harmless from any claim or demand, including reasonable attorneys' fees, made by any third party due to or arising out of Customer's use of the Marketplace or violation of these Terms.
Intellectual Property Indemnity
Vendors are solely responsible for ensuring that their products do not infringe any third party intellectual property rights. Vendors shall fully indemnify SecondBloom against any award of damages for any such infringement.
Limitation of Liability
The liability of SecondBloom for all claims will be limited to a maximum of (i) twenty percent (20%) of the total price paid by the customer for the product or service to which such claims relate, or (ii) one million U.S. dollars ($1,000,000), whichever is lower.
Consequential Damages
SecondBloom will not under any circumstances be liable for any lost profits, lost savings, loss of data, loss of reputation, loss of goodwill, indirect, incidental, punitive, special or consequential damages.
Claims Timeline
Customers must notify SecondBloom of any claim within thirty (30) days of the date of the event giving rise to the claim, and any lawsuit must be filed within one (1) year of such notification.
Force Majeure
SecondBloom will not be liable for any breach resulting from a Force Majeure event. 'Force Majeure' means any circumstances beyond reasonable control, including acts of God, natural catastrophes, strikes, war, terrorism, civil unrest, industry-wide shortages, cyber-attacks, or non-performance by suppliers.
If a Force Majeure event extends for three (3) consecutive months, vendors may cancel all or any part of the transaction without liability.
Export/Import Controls and Compliance
Export Regulations
Transactions may be subject to export or import control laws that prohibit or restrict the export or transfer of certain items to certain countries, entities or individuals. These include regulations from the UN, EU, and US.
Customer Compliance
Customer shall be responsible for compliance with all local, state, federal, and international laws and regulations, including export and import laws, relating to the purchase and use of the Products and Services.
Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption
All vendors and customers must comply with all applicable laws related to anti-bribery and anti-corruption. SecondBloom operates out of Carol Stream, Illinois and transactions must adhere to Illinois and U.S. laws.
Privacy and Data Use
Data Protection
Each Party shall comply with all applicable data protection laws. SecondBloom processes data in accordance with our Privacy Notice available at https://www.secondbloomauctions.com/privacy.
Usage Data
SecondBloom may collect information and data generated from listed equipment, assets, and related services ('Usage Data'). We may use Usage Data to provide, maintain, and improve products and services, excluding Personal Data unless otherwise agreed.
Confidentiality
SecondBloom will ensure that all vendors and customers maintain confidentiality of any technical, commercial and financial information provided, including offers and pricing terms.
Account Termination
Voluntary Termination
You may close your account at any time, subject to completion of pending transactions and payment of outstanding fees.
Involuntary Termination
We may suspend or terminate accounts for violations of these Terms, fraudulent activity, or other legitimate business reasons.
Platform Protection Violations
Accounts may be immediately suspended for attempting to contact sellers directly during active auctions, sharing seller contact information, or arranging transactions outside our platform.
Vendor Breach
SecondBloom may suspend or terminate vendor accounts for breach of terms, financial position changes affecting ability to fulfill obligations, insolvency proceedings, or change in control/ownership.
Effect of Termination
Upon termination, access will cease but payment obligations and certain provisions survive. Outstanding payments become immediately due. Sales are final.
General Provisions
Entire Agreement
These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy and other referenced policies, constitute the entire agreement and supersede any prior promises, agreements, representations, or undertakings.
Modifications
We may modify these Terms at any time by posting updated terms. Material changes will be communicated via email or platform notification. No variation will be binding unless made in writing.
Severability
If any provision is found unenforceable, the remaining provisions continue in full force. SecondBloom's failure to enforce any right shall not constitute a waiver unless acknowledged in writing.
Assignment
Vendors may not assign transactions or rights without SecondBloom's consent. SecondBloom may assign its obligations and rights to affiliates or third parties.
Third-Party Rights
SecondBloom and its affiliates are third-party beneficiaries for all benefits under these Terms and may enforce provisions where applicable.
Contact Information
SecondBloom Auctions, a Lange Group Capital company, 780 West Army Trail Road Suite 159, Carol Stream IL 60188. Email: info@secondbloomauctions.com
Questions About These Terms?
Our legal and support teams are available to help clarify any questions about our Terms and Conditions of Sale.
Legal Questions
info@secondbloomauctions.com
Contract and compliance inquiries
General Support
info@secondbloomauctions.com
Platform questions and assistance
Corporate Address
SecondBloom Auctions
A Lange Group Capital Company
780 West Army Trail Road Suite 159
Carol Stream, IL 60188