Stoke City FC Online Auction Terms & Conditions

These Auction Terms & Conditions (“Terms”) apply to any items sold by Stoke City Football Club Limited (the “Club”) via auction.

1.   Auction Format

1.1.  The Club shall host a series of online auctions from time to time on its official retail website, store.stokecityfc.com (the “Website”).

1.2.  Each item listed for auction on the Website will be treated as a separate auction. Each auction shall have its own specific start and end date and time.

1.3.  Details of the item being auctioned, together with the auction end date and time will be clearly displayed on the individual product page for that item.

1.4.  The Website's server time will be the official timekeeper for all auctions. Bids placed after the specified end date and time will not be valid. The Website’s server time shall be the absolute authority when determining auction start and end dates and times.

2.   Eligibility

2.1.  Auctions are open to bidders aged 18 years or over. By placing a bid on the Website, you confirm that you meet this requirement.

2.2.  Employees of the Club who have administrative access to the auction platform on the Website are excluded from being able to personally participate in auctions (i.e. place bids).

2.3.  Bidding on auction items is open to customers worldwide. However, please note that certain large or heavy items may be restricted to UK delivery only. Any such restrictions shall be clearly stated on the individual item's auction page.

2.4.  To place a bid on the Website, participants must have a registered My Stoke account. If you do not have a registered account, you can register for one here.

2.5.  Eligibility and continued eligibility is subject to compliance with these Terms and your good faith use of the auction platform.  The Club reserves the right to reject any bid placed by you if you are in breach of the Terms or take unfair advantage or otherwise inappropriately use the auction platform.

3.   Bidding Process 

3.1.  All bids must be placed via the official auction page on the Website for the relevant item.

3.2.  Bid increments will vary depending on the item being auctioned. The applicable increment for each item will be determined solely at the discretion of the Club.

3.3.  Some items may be subject to a reserve price. This is the minimum price that the item can be sold for. If the reserve price is not met by the end of the auction, the item will not be sold. If an item is subject to a reserve price, this will be clearly stated on the item page.

3.4.  The placement of a bid is a legally binding commitment to purchase the item at the price offered. If you bid for an item, and this is the highest bid at the conclusion of the auction, you will have won the auction and will be contractually obligated to make payment for the item (see Section 5 below). Please note that, once placed, bids cannot be retracted.

3.5.  The Club reserves the right to reject or remove any bids placed at its absolute discretion. The Club may reject or remove bids for a number of reasons, including where bids are considered fraudulent or disruptive to the auction process.

4.   Auction Items 

4.1.  Each item will be described on its individual auction page. All items are "sold as seen".

4.2.  Where the item being auctioned is match-worn or signed memorabilia, items are sold as authentic collectibles. This means that such items may show signs of wear and tear, or other markings consistent with their use, as well as faults and/or imperfections.

4.3.  The items available for auction (and any applicable reserve price) shall be determined at the Club’s absolute discretion, and the Club reserves the right to terminate its auction offering at any time.

5.   Winner Notification and Payment 

5.1.  The winner of the auction will be the individual who has placed the highest valid bid at the conclusion of the auction, provided that any applicable reserve price has been met. The winner will be notified by email (to the email address registered to their My Stoke account) within one (1) hour of the auction ending.

5.2.  The notification email sent to the winner will contain instructions on how the item should be claimed. This will involve the winner adding the won item to their shopping basket on the Website and completing the checkout process as normal.

5.3.  Winners will have two (2) days from the date of the notification email to complete the purchase of the auction item. Failure to complete payment within this timeframe will result in the bid being voided, and the Club reserves the right to offer the item to the next highest bidder, or re-list the item for auction, at the Club’s absolute discretion. Please note that failure to complete payment for auction items may affect your ability to place bids on future auctions.

5.4.  Please note that auction items cannot be purchased in conjunction with any other offer, voucher, promotion or discount.

6.   Delivery and Collection 

6.1.  The Club’s standard shipping rules and methods (available here) apply to auction items. This includes the option for Click & Collect from the Club’s store located at the bet365 Stadium, Stanley Matthews Way, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 4EG.

6.2.  Please note that some items may incur additional shipping charges due to their size, weight and/or value. Any such charges will be clearly stated on the item's auction page and applied at the checkout.

6.3.  Please note that the Club cannot guarantee delivery all countries and/or addresses.

7.   Returns and Exchanges

7.1.  Items sold via auction may be returned to the Club. If you wish to return your item, you must inform us of your intention to cancel the contract within 14 days of receiving the item. You must then return the item no later than 14 days after the date that you inform us of your cancellation. Please note that any extended returns period that may be offered by the Club from time to time will not apply to auction items.

7.2.  You will bear the costs of any return. It is recommended that items are returned via a recorded delivery service for your security, as the Club will not be liable for any lost items.

7.3.  Please address returns to: Stoke City Retail Returns, bet365 Stadium, Stanley Matthews May, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, ST4 4EG. Alternatively, returns can be processed in-store.

7.4.  Items must be sent back new and unused for new items or in the condition that you received them in the case of match-worn or signed memorabilia, including any authenticity materials. The Club reserves the right to refuse refunds where it considers that items as returned are not of a re-sellable condition.

7.5.  All items sold via the auction process are non-exchangeable and non-transferable.

8.   Charity Proceeds 

8.1.  The Club pledges to donate 20% of the net proceeds of all sales of auction items to the Stoke City Foundation.

8.2.  “Net proceeds” is defined as the final winning bid amount, less any applicable VAT, transaction fees, auction software solution fees and any other applicable fees.

8.3.  These donations will support the Stoke City Foundation's valuable work in the community. Further information on the Stoke City Foundation and its work is available here.

9.    General 

9.1.  The Club reserves the right to cancel, suspend or amend an auction at any time and to amend these Terms from time to time.

9.2.  The decision of the Club in all matters relating to an auction shall be final.

9.3.  Prior to bidding on any auction item, please review these Terms to ensure that you understand the terms that apply at that time. By bidding on an auction item, you acknowledge that you understand these Terms and agree to be bound by them.

9.4.  The Club reserves the right to refuse a sale in the event of non-compliance with these Terms. The Club’s General Terms and Conditions are also available here.

9.5.  Any personal data supplied during the course of auction sales will be processed in accordance with the Club's Privacy Policy, available here.

9.6.  These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales and any disputes or claims arising out of or in connection with these Terms or their subject matter or formation shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.