How It Works
We are Enthusiasts, we are Collectors, we “live” Motorbikes day in and day out! When it comes to finding, selling or acquiring a motorbike…Iconic Motorbikes is truly your best option! Still not convinced? Check out Why Choose Iconic for more information.
The Fundamentals:
I. Submit your Motorbike to Iconic Motorbikes Auctions to review. Anywhere in the world, any type of motorbike! We seek out rare, fine examples, provenance bikes, interesting bikes or perhaps motorbikes we feel our community will latch onto and support.
II. Once agreed upon, we will create an informed and, descriptive listing from the details and media you provide.
III. All Auctions run for one week and are open to comments from both Buyers/Sellers (or spectators) to make sure you have the most information possible before making the decision to purchase.
IV. Listing fee is only $75 USD (if you keep the bike yourself) and includes both VIN check and ad creation. If you want to leave your bike with us, the fees are:
$175 listing fee, this covers the cost of photography/videography, writing up the listing, and supervising the listing while it’s up.
$150 inspection fee – any bike sold out of our facility must have a 1 hour safety inspection, we include the condition report in the listing.
5% seller’s fee (if the winning bid is $10,000, you’ll net $9,500), this covers the cost of storage and insurance to have the bike at our facility.
V. To bid on a bike, you must register for an account and verify your payment information.
HOW TO BUY
I want to bid… What do I do?
To register to bid, please click here. You will have to verify your identity and follow a few simple steps. Once confirmed, you’re all set to go. Make sure you check your spam folder for your verification emails if they do not turn up immediately.
Why do I need to log in to bid?
We want to make sure that you can track which auctions you are bidding on and we can track who is bidding on our Iconic Motorbikes. This keeps everything above-board so we can ensure the best experience for all our buyers and sellers.
Why do I need to enter payment information into my account to bid?
In order to make every auction fair and functional, we ensure that every bid placed is both real and reliable. When you place your first bid on an auction, your entered payment information is used to place a hold on your account for 7% of your initial bid (minimum of $250). This both ensures that each bidder has the valid ability to back their bid and that they are committed to the bid. If the bidder loses the auction, the hold is canceled and no charge is made. If the bidder wins the auction, the hold is put towards the total of the buyer fee.
How does the bidding process work?
Enter the amount you would like to offer for the motorbike. The auction will automatically jump to your offer (not in small increments like other sites).
if your proxy bid meets or exceeds the reserve price, bidding will jump up to meet that price and you will see “Reserve price has been met” under the price.
As a reminder, Iconic Motorbikes uses as little of a bidder’s maximum/proxy bid as is required to make him or her the high bidder.
Let’s use an example: say the reserve is $10,000 and the high bid on a bike is $7,500.
If the next bid is $9,999, bidding will go up to $7,600 (the minimum required to make them the lead as we have a $100 minimum bid increment).
If the next bid is $10,000, bidding will go up to $10,000 to meet the reserve.
If the next bid is $15,000, bidding will go up to $10,000 to meet the reserve and will only increase if another bidder tries to beat that number.
The minimum increase is $100 over the prior bid amount. The amount you enter is the amount YOU WILL BE RESPONSIBLE TO PAY if you win the auction. Bear in mind, this amount does not include the Buyers Fee, shipping, registration or taxes in your state.
My bid is higher than the current bid. Why isn’t it enough?
The minimum increase is $100 over the prior bid amount. The amount you enter is the amount YOU WILL BE RESPONSIBLE TO PAY if you win the auction. Bear in mind, this amount does not include the Buyers Fee, shipping, registration or taxes in your state.
How will I know if someone outbid me?
You will receive notification by email if someone has outbid you. You can also check on the auctions you are bidding on in the Auctions tab of your account dashboard.
How will I know if I win an auction?
You will receive notification by email if someone has outbid you. If you have not received an email and you think that you won an auction, be sure to check your spam folder for the notification. You can also check on the auctions you bid on in the Auctions tab of your account dashboard.
I want to keep an eye on an auction. How can I receive updates?
Just click the “Add to watchlist!” button on any auction that you would like to see updates on. Click it again to remove it from your watchlist. You can then view your Watched auctions from the Auctions tab in your account.
If you bid on an auction, you will receive notification by email if someone has outbid you. If you have not received an email and you think that you won an auction, be sure to check your spam folder for the notification. You can also check on the auctions you bid on in the Auctions tab of your account dashboard.
I’m interested in an auction, but want more information.
We do our best to not only gather all the relevant information but sort through the details from the previous owner/s. We confirm that submitted information looks correct to the best of our knowledge but we further understand you may have other questions. If so, ask away in the comment section of the auction you are interested in and either one of our Moderators or the Seller will reply as time permits.
I won the auction…now what?
The Buyers premium of 7% ($250 minimum) will immediately be charged to the payment method provided in the winning bidder’s Iconic Account. You will then be sent the sellers information to work out payment and delivery / receiving. You will also receive a White Glove services request that will help simplify the process if you choose.
Can you store bikes?
Absolutely! We offer storage at our location in Santa Monica, California for $200/month. If you buy a bike from us, we’ll give you up to 15 days of free storage to give you plenty of time to pick up or arrange shipping.
Can Iconic arrange shipping?
Absolutely! We’ve partnered with Haul Bikes – they’ll ship anything bought through our auction platform in the continental US for $750 (transit time is typically 5-6 weeks). We can also source some private shippers who will get bikes delivered quicker for a higher cost.
Need to ship internationally? We strongly recommend Shippio for crating, shipping and help with drayage.
How is the Buyer Fee calculated?
The 7% fee is calculated from the final value of the auction. The minimum fee on any motorbike is $250.00.
Why are there holds or charges on my credit/debit card?
To verify the legitimacy of all our bidders, you will see a hold fee (7% of your initial bid – $250 minimum) on every motorbike you bid on. You can bid 20 times on one motorbike and still only see a one time hold, however, if you bid on 5 different motorbikes, you will see 5 separate holds. If you win the auction, that hold fee will go towards your Buyers Fee, if not, the hold will be released. Bear in mind, it takes the banks a few days to make the funds available again on your credit card.
Credit Card details
We accept all major credit cards but they must be yours! We encourage bidding from around the world but a credit card will always be required.
How do you protect against sniper bids or last second offers?
In the final stages of the auction, last minute bids will continue to extend the bidding for 2 minutes. That way everyone has a chance at making the right decision and not losing out on their dream bike! It further allows the Seller to lower the reserve in the last minutes of the auction.
How do I cancel my bid?
We do not allow cancellations for any reason, so please make 100% sure your offer is correct and you will not change your mind.
The motorbike didn’t make reserve, but I have to have it…now what?
If an auction does not meet the sellers ask (reserve), we will reach out to the highest bidder and see if they want to work out a deal with the seller. We will do our best to find a price and deal that helps the motorbike find a new home.
Can I avoid bidding and just Buy It Now?
Unless specified in a given listing, listings must run through the auction format. Sellers are not permitted to sell outside of our platform while the auction is running. If you would like to purchase the motorcycle, make sure you are the highest bidder.
Can I speak directly to the Seller?
Our goal is to promote open communication – as such we ask that you reach out to the seller in the comments of a given listing. If you need private communication for a specific reason, reach out to concierge@iconicmotorbikes.com and we’ll do our best to put you in touch.
May I inspect the motorbike before I bid?
In most cases, yes you can. Contact the Seller and set it up. If the motorcycle is too far away or you lack the time, feel free to utilize our White Glove Services page and we’ll get a set of eyes on it for you.
Can I contact the Seller after the auction ends?
Once an auction wraps up, we no longer communicate with the Seller except for help with the closing transaction.
HOW TO SELL
What does it cost to list a motorbike?
If you are listing a bike remotely (keeping the bike yourself until it is sold), it costs $75 for a registered Seller to list a bike for auction.
If you want to drop the bike off at our shop in Santa Monica, California for us to list from our facility, there are three things to consider:
1. It costs $175 for a registered Seller to list a bike for auction.
2. We require a one hour inspection (discounted to $150 from our usual $170/hr rate) to have a condition report of the bike.
3. We assess a 5% Seller’s Fee for motorcycles that are left with us.
For example: your motorcycle sells for $10,000. The buyer pays a 7% fee ($10,700 gross). If the seller keeps the bike themselves, the seller nets $10,000. If the seller left the bike with us, the seller nets $9,500.
How do I submit my motorbike for sale?
Click here for a submission request. We will respond to you within 72 hours. Once our Auction staff reviews your listing, we will confirm terms, draft your listing and send it to you for edits and final approval.
When will my auction start?
We look to post all auctions within a two-week time frame.
How do I get paid once the auction wraps up?
We will connect the Buyer and Seller to arrange payment. Once the auction is concluded, the High bidder and Seller will receive further instructions and suggestions for next steps. We will suggest the most secure options to minimize risk for both parties. Supplemental to that, we offer White Glove Services to both the buyer and the seller.
Why are some motorbikes accepted and not others?
It’s important motorbikes are priced according to value and typically inline with proceeding sales. We monitor sales all over the globe and as such, we know what reserve prices should be. There is no point in listing bikes that will not sell. Additionally, timing of the sale, condition, quality of the pictures, proof of ownership and ability to verify the motorbikes authenticity is all very important. We do this to ensure that we only deal with and offer the most Iconic Motorbikes.
What is a reserve auction?
A reserve is the lowest price you will accept. Since there are no fees to the Seller (other then the $75 submission cost) if you need to net $5,000, your reserve should be $5,000.
International Buying/Selling
We encourage Buyers & Sellers from around the globe. Please make sure you check your taxes, shipping costs, insurance or Import/Export restrictions prior to submitting an auction request or a bid to buy.
Can I edit my auction after it begins?
No. You can however post comments and answer questions while your auction is live without disclosing reserve.
Will you help me write my auction details?
Definitely! We will take your information, your details and anything you can offer us about the motorbike and turn it over to one of our writers to make sure the ad flows properly and follows our guidelines for required details. Follow our guide here to give us the best information for successful auctions.
What happens if it doesn’t sell?
We have a 12 month wait until a listing can be renewed (except under special circumstances). That way it motivates Sellers to put a “reachable” reserve and eliminates constant “list and renew” scenarios. It also keeps our content fresh!
If your auction doesn’t meet reserve, and you are looking to sell the bike ASAP, you also have the option to list the bike on our Classified section. It’s only a supplemental $30 for 3 months. We still include the auction fee of 7% in the sale however we will negotiate that down as needed to get the bike sold.
What about shipping?
White Glove Services CAN HELP or you’re welcome to use your own transport. There are many carriers to choose from and we will have some choices. If you’re in the area of one of our hubs or Iconic Ambassadors, we can make it that much easier for you!
Can I lower my reserve after the auction starts?
Absolutely! You can lower your reserve at any time – however you cannot lower your reserve to force an existing bid into meeting the reserve. Contact our White Glove Services department for further details.
How do I handle photos?
We will send you a instruction sheet on taking photos of your motorbike. What areas to focus on, what’s required, lighting suggestions and ideal angles. Needless to say, a clean motorbike and the more pictures you provide will likely help the results of your auction. If you need a photographer, please visit our White Glove services page or click here.
What can I do to improve my chances of a high final bid?
The three keys to a high final bid and a successful auction are a detailed, exciting listing, engagement and thoughtful responses in the comments section, and wide promotion of the auction. We do everything we can to facilitate this by helping you to create the most enticing listings, moderating and answering questions in the comments, and spreading the word about our auctions to our broad network of motorbike enthusiasts, collectors, and racing superstars.
You can help your chances by giving us the most and best information possible for your listing, monitoring and answering questions in the comments, and sharing the auction to your own network and followers.
How is the auction promoted?
Iconic Motorbikes is known and trusted throughout the motorbike community. We promote our auctions to and through our network of enthusiasts, collectors, racing stars, and fans. Our auctions are often promoted by our friends like Bike-urious.
MY ACCOUNT
How do I register for an account?
You can register for an account here. If you want to bid on auctions, you will need to also verify your identity and submit payment information.
Why do I need to enter payment information?
If you want to bid on auctions, you need to enter payment information. In order to make every auction fair and functional, we ensure that every bid placed is both real and reliable. When you place your first bid on an auction, your entered payment information is used to place a hold on your account for 7% of your bid ($250 minimum). This both ensures that each bidder has the valid ability to back their bid and that are committed to the bid. If the bidder loses the auction, the hold is canceled and no charge is made. If the bidder wins the auction, the hold is put towards the total of the buyer’s fee.
Why do I need an account?
You do not need an account, but completing the full registration process allows you to bid on auctions, save favorite auctions you want to follow, and monitor your submitted auctions.
Where are my favorites saved?
You can view your favorites in your account dashboard on the Favorites tab. Navigate there by clicking on Account and then Favorites.
Is my data safe?
Iconic Motorbikes takes the protection of your personal information seriously and takes commercially reasonable steps to ensure information we collect through the use of our site and service is stored and handled in a secure manner. Learn more about privacy and your options here.
How do I delete my account and account data?
You can either navigate to your account dashboard and select the Delete Account tab at the bottom of the account menu, or you can contact us here and we will delete your account and account data within 72 hours.
GENERAL QUESTIONS
How do I register for an account?
You can register for an account here. If you want to bid on auctions, you will need to also verify your identity and submit payment information.
How do I change or retrieve my password?
You can change your password from the profile page (click the gear icon) in your account.
To retrieve your lost password, click on the “Forgot your Password” link on the Login popup.
If you need further assistance, let us know at concierge@iconicmotorbikes.com
How do I sign up for Auction Updates/New Listings?
You can follow auction updates by clicking the Favorite star on the auction listing. These favorites can be viewed under your favorites tab in your Account.
Once you bid on an auction, you can track it’s progress in the Auctions tab of your account. You will also receive an email notification if you are outbid.
Upcoming Auction updates are coming soon.
What is an Iconic Motorbike Ambassador?
Iconic Motorbikes has developed a wide network of Ambassadors in locations where our team members are not available to help you buy or sell your Iconic Motorbike. When you need eyes on a motorbike, acceptance and confirmation of delivery, or help with any of our Iconic White Glove Services, our Ambassadors are available on location to help you.
I would like to be an Iconic Motorbikes Auction photographer.
That’s great! We are always looking for the best images and presentations for our auctions. Contact us at concierge@iconicmotorbikes.com and let us know a little bit about why you are interested.
How may I contact Iconic Motorbike Auctions with questions?
We are always happy to answer any questions that you have! You can send your questions to this contact form, call us at (424)228-4148, email our White Glove Services, or, if you are in southern California, come in and visit us.
I love Iconic Motorbike Auctions. How can I get involved?
That’s great! You reach out and let us know a bit more about how you would like to be involved with this contact form, call us at (424)228-4148, email our White Glove Services, or, if you are in southern California, come in and visit us.
