Frequently asked questions
Discover current, upcoming and past auctions.
Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know about Koi Auction House, registration, bidding, payment and delivery.
Section 1: About Koiauctionhouse
What is Koiauctionhouse?
Koiauctionhouse is an online auction platform for Nishikigoi, where enthusiasts can directly meet carefully selected koi from renowned Japanese breeders.
The koi are selected from Japan for quality, development and potential, after which they are made available to enthusiasts in Europe via Koiauctionhouse.
How does Koiauctionhouse work?
Through Koiauctionhouse you have the opportunity to become directly acquainted with a carefully selected range of Japanese koi. Our auctions bring together quality koi from renowned Japanese breeders on one clear platform.
After your registration, you will be linked to an affiliated dealer who will guide you throughout the entire process. You choose the koi that suits you and decide how much you want to offer.
If you have placed the winning bid, the assigned dealer will take care of the further handling, from payment and invoicing to transport and delivery.
In this way, Koiauctionhouse combines the excitement of an auction with the certainty of personal guidance and reliable handling.
Section 2: Registration and Representatives
Do I need an account to bid?
Yes. To participate in an auction, simply create a personal account. After registration you will be linked to an affiliated dealer, who will review and approve your account.
Once your account is activated, you can participate in the auctions and bid on the koi of your choice.
How to register?
If you visit the website directly, you can select your preferred dealer from a clear list of options during registration.
What happens after I register?
To ensure the quality, reliability and security of the auction platform, Koiauctionhouse reserves the right to approve, temporarily suspend or terminate registrations when there is reason to do so.
How long does dealer approval take?
After you have completed your registration, the relevant dealer will check your details and check whether all information has been entered correctly and completely.
Am I responsible for the activities on my account?
Yes. You are responsible for keeping your login details safe and confidential. You are also responsible for all activities that occur through your account.
Therefore, never share your password or other login details with others and if you suspect unauthorized use, contact Koiauctionhouse or your dealer as soon as possible.
Section 3: Bidding & Auctions
How do I know when the next auction will take place?
The date of the next auction can always be found clearly on the homepage and on the page with upcoming auctions.
As a registered user, we will also automatically keep you informed via e-mail notifications. This way you won't miss a single new auction and you can prepare for the offer in time.
Can I bid below the starting price?
No. During the auction, the system will not accept bids lower than the indicated starting bid. This starting bid is the minimum amount with which you can participate in the bidding.
If a koi has not been sold after the auction, in some cases a bid or purchase option can still be offered. The conditions for this may differ per auction.
Can I cancel or change a bid after I have placed it?
No. A bid submitted is final and legally binding. Once you confirm your bid, it cannot be withdrawn, canceled or changed.
Therefore, always check your bid and the amount carefully before confirming it. This way you avoid mistakes and you know exactly what you are committing to.
How is the winner determined?
The koi will be allocated to the participant who has placed the highest valid bid at the time the auction closes.
After the auction closes, the winner will be automatically registered and will receive confirmation of the winning bid.
How long does a bid remain active?
A bid remains active until the end of the relevant auction. The exact start and end time of each auction will be clearly stated on the upcoming auctions page.
Once the auction closes, the highest valid bid is automatically registered as the winning bid.
How does Koiauctionhouse prevent last-minute bidding?
To give every participant an equal opportunity to respond to a new bid, Koiauctionhouse works with an extension system.
At the end of the auction, the koi are closed one by one, in numerical order. There is an interval of 3 minutes between closing each koi.
A separate 3-minute timer runs for each koi. If a new bid is made within those last 3 minutes, the timer for that koi will be reset to 3 minutes. This gives every other participant the opportunity to respond to the new offer.
This process is repeated each time as new bids are submitted. The koi is finally sold once 3 minutes have passed without a new bid being placed.
Every koi has its own timer. An extension for one koi therefore has no influence on the remaining time of other koi.
There is no maximum on the number of extensions. As long as new bids are made, the koi in question will remain in the auction.
What if a technical problem occurs during an auction?
Koiauctionhouse does everything it can to ensure that the auctions run reliably and without interruptions. However, technical problems, such as malfunctions, server problems, connection problems, delays in processing bids or errors in the auction timer, can never be completely ruled out.
Koiauctionhouse is not liable for damage, loss or other consequences caused directly or indirectly by technical malfunctions, interruptions, delays, errors in the auction platform or the temporary unavailability of the website.
If a technical problem affects the normal operation of an auction, Koiauctionhouse reserves the right to correct, modify, restart, cancel or otherwise terminate the auction.
In such situations, Koiauctionhouse determines which bids are valid and what measures are required to handle the auction correctly. Koiauctionhouse's decision on this matter is final and binding.
Can an auction be canceled or changed after it has been posted?
Yes. Although Koiauctionhouse strives to conduct each auction correctly and according to the published conditions, circumstances may arise that require an adjustment.
Koiauctionhouse reserves the right to change, extend, temporarily suspend or cancel an auction. Koiauctionhouse may also refuse or remove bids and correct any errors in the auction information.
This may be necessary, for example, in the event of technical problems, incorrect information, unforeseen circumstances or when the correct operation of the auction requires this.
When an auction is adjusted or canceled, this will be clearly communicated to the participants involved if possible.
What happens after I win a bid?
You will be put in touch with your representative who will contact you to arrange payment and delivery.
Who can I contact with questions about a specific koi or a bid?
If you have a general question about Koiauctionhouse or the operation of the auctions, you can contact us via our contact page.
If your question relates to a specific koi on which you have bid, or to a won auction, it is best to contact your affiliated dealer. Your dealer will guide you through the further processing and can inform you about payment, invoicing, transport and delivery.
Section 4: Understanding Koi Offerings
What do terms like
These are Japanese terms for the age of a koi:
- Tosai = 1 year old
- Nisai = 2 years old
- Sansai = 3 years old
- Yonsai = 4 years old
- Gosai = 5 years old
Section 5: Payment
Do I pay directly to Koi Auction House?
After winning an auction, the dealer in question will send an invoice. Payment for the won koi is arranged directly with this dealer.
How much time do I have to pay?
The payment term is agreed with your dealer and is usually 7 days after the auction closes. Your dealer will inform you about the exact payment term and payment details.
If you have special payment requirements, you must discuss this with the relevant dealer before participating.
What happens if I don't pay on time?
Failure to make a payment on time may affect your account and future participation in the auctions. Koiauctionhouse and the relevant dealer reserve the right to temporarily suspend your bidding rights or block your account.
Therefore, the following applies: If the buyer does not fulfill his payment obligation on time, further legal action can be taken to collect the outstanding debt. All resulting legally recoverable costs, as well as all demonstrable damage suffered, will be borne by the buyer.
Which payment methods are accepted?
Interkoi Ameide and Grendel-Koi accept payment in euros by bank transfer using the payment details on the invoice. If a seller also offers another payment method, this will be explicitly stated at the auction or on the invoice.
Section 6: Collection and Delivery
When should I pick up my koi?
After purchase, you must collect your won koi directly from the assigned dealer within the specified period.
Please contact your dealer for this. He will inform you about the time when the koi can be collected and will make the necessary arrangements with you.
Section 7: Health, Appearance and Warranties
Will my koi look exactly like the photo or video?
The photos and videos of the koi provide the most accurate possible picture of the animal at the time of recording. However, koi are living animals and their color, pattern and appearance may vary slightly in reality. However, Koiauctionhouse is committed to ensuring that the photos and videos are always taken recently.
Does Koiauctionhouse guarantee the future growth, color or show quality of the koi?
No. Koiauctionhouse and its affiliated dealers do everything they can to offer healthy koi and to display the available information and images as correctly as possible.
However, the further development of a koi remains dependent on various factors. Growth, skin quality, color development, pattern change and any future show quality cannot therefore be guaranteed.
Is the gender of the koi guaranteed?
The gender of the koi is only guaranteed if this is explicitly stated for the koi in question.
If the gender is not explicitly indicated as guaranteed, Koiauctionhouse or the affiliated dealer cannot provide any guarantee for this.
Section 8: Death on Arrival (DOA)
What happens if my koi dies during transport or at the dealer?
In certain cases, the seller may offer a voucher as a gesture of goodwill. The credit amount is determined on an individual basis and does not necessarily correspond to the original purchase price. Shipping and handling costs already incurred will not be reimbursed.
With this voucher you can then select and purchase a comparable koi together with your assigned dealer or have it settled at the next auction.
If the koi is still with the dealer at the time of death, this rule applies. If the koi is within the collection period after the auction, the purchase price will be fully converted into a voucher. Cash payments are not accepted under any circumstances.
Does a koi that dies after getting used to my pond fall under the DOA scheme?
No. A koi that has arrived healthy after a successful delivery or collection and has subsequently been acclimated or transferred to your pond does not fall under the DOA scheme.
From the moment the koi has been successfully delivered or collected and has become accustomed to the new conditions, further care and responsibility lies with the owner.