Register and create a V-Auction Account

• To join any V-Auction event, you must create a V-Auction account. During registration, you'll need to agree to our Auction Platform's Terms & Conditions. This step ensures we can verify your identity and that you understand and accept our policies.

Accept the Bidding Agreement

• Each auction has its own bidding agreement. To place bids and order samples, you must accept the specific agreement for the auction you wish to participate in.
• Please complete the application with as much information as possible to facilitate the review process.

Discover more auctions!

• Your V-Auction account grants you access using the same login and password to all coffee auctions hosted by V-Auction.
• Remember, you must apply to bid in each separate auction, even if you already have an account.

If you have any questions or need assistance, please reach out to our support team pachamama@v-auction.com. We're here to help!

This auction is run in partnership with V-Auction. When you register to participate, you'll create a V-Auction account. The great news is your V-Auction login details (that's your email address and password) will be valid across our entire marketplace and for all our different auctions throughout the year. This means you can use the same login for any auction from the various producers we work with at V-Auction!

Soon, you'll also be able to view all your auction activity in one convenient place, from the auctions you've applied to bid on right through to your invoices.

To join an auction and place a bid, you'll first need to Accept the bidding agreement of each auction you wish to participate.

It's very important: Before you apply or bid, you must read the Bidding Agreement. This document has all the key information for each auction, including important rules and conditions. When you apply to bid, you confirm that you've read and accepted this agreement.

Please note that the Bidding Agreement of each auction is reviewed annually to reflect any changes in the circumstances of the producers. Therefore, you must accept the current version of the Bidding Agreement on each auction you wish to bid. You will not be able to participate in an auction unless you have accepted the Bidding Agreement for the current year.

The review process can take up to 24 hours. You will receive an email once your application has been reviewed—either confirming your approval or requesting additional information. We recommend submitting your application well in advance of the auction to ensure there's enough time for review.

Here's an improved version of the answer, focusing on clarity, conciseness, and user-friendliness, especially for non-native speakers: Buying Samples on the Auction Platform

After you apply to bid in an auction, you'll see if individual samples or sample sets are available. If they are, you can order them directly through the auction site.

Please remember:

• Samples can only be purchased via the auction platform. You cannot buy them elsewhere.
• We sometimes limit the number of samples you can order. These samples are specifically for bidders who intend to participate in the auction.
• If you order samples but do not participate in the auction, your account may be subject to review, and we reserve the right to ban you from future auctions.
• If your intention is not to bid in the auction, and you want samples for other reasons, please do not order them here. Instead, you can contact the producers directly to purchase coffee for other purposes.

You can easily review your sample orders and manage your documents directly from your account page. Here, you'll be able to:

• View your sample order history.
• Download invoices for your orders.
• Access credit notes if a refund has been issued.

Please note: The invoice available on your account page is not a commercial invoice. A separate commercial sample invoice, required for customs purposes, will be included with your physical sample delivery.

This event features two distinct auction styles across two days, offering different ways to bid and win!

Day 1: Timed Auction

Our first day operates as a timed auction, running for a set 4-hour period (from 9 AM to 1 PM). During this time, all available lots are open for bidding simultaneously.

Here's how it works:

• You can place bids using the next suggested increment.
• Alternatively, you have the option to "Buy Now" and secure an item immediately at a set price.
• When 1 PM arrives, the auction concludes, and winning bidders will be notified.

Please note: Any lots that don't sell during the timed auction may or may not be carried over to the second day's reverse auction.

Day 2: Reverse Auction

Get ready for an exciting reverse auction on Day 2! This style is dynamic and fast-paced, as the prices for all lots will gradually decrease over time.

Here's how you can participate:

• All lots begin with an opening price that will continuously drop.
• The first person to place a bid wins the lot at its current, decreasing price. By bidding, you are accepting that price.
• Lots will drop out as soon as someone bids on them, so keep a close eye on the items you want and be quick to bid!

You can place a bid in two ways:

Bid at the next suggested increment:

• Click the "Bid" button.
• Confirm your bid by clicking "Confirm."

Enter a higher bid:

• Type your desired bid amount into the text box next to the "Bid" button. You must enter an amount that's at least the current bid plus the required minimum increment
• Confirm your bid by pressing "Confirm."

Remember:

• Each time you place the highest bid, your paddle number will appear in the row of that specific lot.
• Whenever any user places a bid, all participants will see a notification that says: " Heads up! Someone placed a bid!"
• Stay alert during the auction to make sure you don't lose the lot to another bidder.

No. Once a bid is placed and confirmed, it is binding and cannot be withdrawn or cancelled. By placing a bid, you agree to honor it if you win the lot.

As part of the process, you have signed the Bidding Agreement, which outlines your responsibility to follow through on any confirmed bids. Please review your bid carefully before confirming, as all participants are expected to act in good faith and uphold the terms of the auction.

An auto bid (also called a "Proxy Bid") allows you to set the maximum price you're willing to pay for a lot. The platform will then automatically place bids on your behalf—using the minimum increment (e.g., $0.10)—just enough to keep you in the lead, up to your specified maximum.

1. To place an Autobid: Your autobid must be higher than the current highest bid in order to be accepted.
2. Example: If you set an autobid at $30/lb, the system will automatically bid in $0.10 increments (or the minimum increment set for that auction) up to your $30/lb limit.
3. Once the bidding exceeds your maximum, your auto bid will stop, and you will need to place a new one if you wish to continue bidding.

Steps to set up an auto bid:

1. Click "Auto Bid."
2. Enter the maximum bid amount that you are willing to pay for a lot.
3. Click "Confirm" to activate your autobid.

You can remove or change your autobid at any time, as long as it hasn't been triggered by an active bid

• Your auto bid must be higher than the current highest bid.
• The platform will automatically place bids on your behalf, only increasing your bid when necessary by the minimum increment
• If another bidder has placed a lower auto bid, the system will outbid them automatically up to your maximum amount.
• If another bidder has placed a higher auto bid, the system will outbid you. To continue participating, you'll need to place a new autobid or bid manually.

You can adjust or remove your auto bid at any time:

To change your auto bid:

• Click "Autobid" button, and then enter a new amount, and confirm.

To remove your auto bid:

• Click "Remove Auto Bid" and confirm the removal.

Our event has two different auctions, one each day. Each auction has a different time.

Day 1: Timed Auction This auction is open for 4 hours. It starts at 9 AM and finishes at 1 PM. During this time, you can bid on all items at the same time.

Day 2: Reverse Auction

• Our second day features a dynamic Reverse Auction, running from 9 AM until 1 PM. This auction style is all about falling prices!
• Here's how it works:
  • Prices go down: The price for each item (lot) will gradually decrease over time.
  • First bid wins: The first person to place a bid on an item will win that item at its current, lower price. By bidding, you accept that price.
  • Lots close early: Items can finish (or "drop out") of the auction before the 1 PM end time. This happens because each lot has a specific number of price drops and its own unique timeframe.
    • This means some lots might be gone as early as 10 AM or 12 PM, while others could last until 1 PM.
    • Once a lot is gone, it's no longer available for bidding.
  • No "next drop": Some items won't have a "next drop" in price. If the price looks good to you, bid quickly to secure the item before someone else does!

To monitor your progress during the live auction, look for the blue bar—it shows your current winning lots and relevant details in real time.

To review your bidding history and overall auction activity, visit the "My Account" page on the auction platform. There, you can access your auction profile, view your auction applications, and check your bidding history in the corresponding tabs.

During the auction, the platform will display real-time status updates on each lot:

• You currently have the highest bid on this lot.
• Another bidder placed the highest bid and won the lot.
• Someone has outbid you, and you are no longer in the lead.
• Another bidder has entered a new bid on this lot.
• You placed the highest bid and secured the lot.
• Your bid was outbid, and someone else won.
• The auction for this lot is temporarily on hold.

After the auction ends, winners will be notified via email and on the auction platform. You can also check your bidding history to see if you have won.

• A. Payment for auction lots is due in FULL 15 days after the auction date. Please ensure you are familiar with the Terms & Conditions you agree to when you register for the auction.
• If the winning Bidder does not pay the due amount within this time, the lots will be offered to the bidder who placed the second-highest bid.
• After the auction has closed we will be in touch with you to arrange payments, contracts and shipping. Once all these are agreed upon, payment will be made by bank or wire transfer. Other options are available and we can discuss those as they arise.
• For destinations that are not served by our certified coffee importers, payment in full is required prior to the coffee leaving the country of origin.

FOB (Free On Board) means the seller's responsibility ends once the coffee is loaded onto the vessel at the port of origin — that is, the port in the country where the coffee is shipped from — at which point responsibility and risk transfer to the buyer. In this auction, the price you see includes all costs up to that point—processing, packaging (if applies), and transport to the port. However, it does not include ocean freight, insurance, or any costs beyond the port of origin. These additional costs will depend on your chosen shipping arrangements.

The identity of each Bidder will be anonymous and unknown to other Bidders prior to and during, the Online Auction. Bidders will be identified by a random 'Paddle Number'.

The identity of the highest bidder for each Lot will be made public when the winners are declared at the end of the auction. The winners' details will be passed on to the producers and used to form the contract for the sale of the coffee.

If you experience technical issues during the auction:

1. Refresh the auction page and try again.
2. Check your internet connection.
3. Try using a different browser or device.

If the problem continues:

• Contact customer support as soon as possible by our chat or by sending us an email at v-auction@vollers.com.
• If you receive a server error, please take a screenshot and email it to us to v-auction@vollers.com. along with the error code so we can investigate quickly.

For any questions about the auction or assistance, please contact our support team via:

• Email: v-auction@vollers.com and ana.beltran@v-auction.com
• Phone: +44 7783 971908
• Live Chat: Available on the auction platform during auction hours.