MastahBetta Fish Shop Online Auction Policy

Last updated: July 26, 2026

This Online Auction Policy applies to auctions conducted by MastahBetta LLC through MastahBetta.com. By registering, bidding, using a buyout option, or purchasing an auction item, you agree to this policy and any additional conditions shown in the individual auction listing.

1. Bidder eligibility

To participate in an auction, you must:

• Be at least 18 years old.

• Provide your correct legal name, billing address, shipping address, email address, and telephone number.

• Maintain a valid customer account.

• Use a valid payment method that belongs to you or that you are authorized to use.

• Comply with all laws concerning the purchase, possession, transportation, and importation of the auction item.

Accounts containing false, incomplete, misleading, or unverifiable information may be restricted or permanently banned.

2. Auction format

Unless an auction listing expressly states otherwise, MastahBetta auctions operate under the following rules:

• Proxy and automatic bidding are disabled.

• Every bid must be placed manually.

• Penny bidding is disabled.

• There is no fee to place an individual bid.

• Reserve pricing is disabled.

• No buyer’s premium is charged.

• A buyout option may be available when a buyout price is displayed.

• The highest valid bidder is automatically declared the winner when the auction closes.

• In auctions containing multiple variants, the highest valid bidder for each individual variant will be declared the winner of that variant.

• Each auction item, lot, or variant is treated as a separate sale.

Applicable taxes, shipping charges, delivery charges, livestock packaging costs, or other clearly disclosed fulfillment expenses are separate from the winning bid.

3. Manual bidding

Because proxy bidding is disabled, entering an amount does not establish a hidden maximum bid. The amount submitted is the actual bid being placed.

Bidders are responsible for monitoring the auction and manually placing any additional bids.

The system does not prevent the current highest bidder from bidding again. A bidder who is already winning may manually place another higher bid and increase their own current winning bid.

Every additional bid is treated as a new purchase commitment. Customers should carefully verify the amount before submitting it.

4. Popcorn bidding and auction extensions

Popcorn bidding is enabled to discourage last-second bid sniping.

When a valid bid is recorded while less than one hour remains, the auction end time will automatically extend so that approximately one hour remains available for additional bidding.

Each additional qualifying bid placed during an extended final hour may trigger another extension. The ending time originally displayed when the auction begins may therefore change.

The auction remains open until the countdown reaches zero without another qualifying bid being recorded.

5. Auctions receiving no bids

The auction system will not automatically extend an auction merely because no bids were received.

If an auction reaches its scheduled ending time without any valid bids, the auction will close without a winner. MastahBetta may then relist the item or offer it for regular sale.

6. How bids are recorded

A bid is considered received only after it has been successfully recorded by the MastahBetta auction system.

The auction system’s server time, bid history, and transaction records control the outcome. A customer’s device clock, browser display, screenshot, email notification, or internet connection does not override the system’s official record.

If two bids appear to have been placed at nearly the same time, the bid recorded first by the auction system will receive priority.

Auction notifications are provided as a convenience. Failure to receive an outbid, winning, ending-soon, invoice, or payment notification does not invalidate the auction, cancel a bid, or extend a payment deadline.

Bidders are responsible for monitoring their accounts, auctions, and payment obligations.

7. Bidding is a purchase commitment

Only place a bid if you genuinely intend and are financially able to purchase the item.

Test bids, joke bids, spam bids, bids placed to manipulate an auction, and bids placed without the intention or ability to pay are prohibited.

After an auction closes, a winning bid is final and payment is required. A winning bidder may not cancel because they:

• Changed their mind.

• Bid more than intended.

• Misunderstood the total cost.

• Failed to read the listing.

• Found another item.

• No longer have space for the animal or product.

• Cannot obtain permission from another person.

• Cannot legally receive or possess the auction item.

If a genuine input error occurs before the auction closes, contact MastahBetta immediately through MastahBetta.com. Any correction or bid retraction will be handled in accordance with applicable law. A request does not guarantee that a bid can be removed, especially after the auction has closed.

8. Automatic winner selection

When the auction closes, the auction system automatically declares the highest valid bidder as the winner.

For auctions with multiple variants, winner selection occurs separately for each variant.

Automatic winner status remains subject to:

• Successful payment.

• Account and identity verification.

• Fraud and bidding-abuse review.

• Compliance with applicable laws.

• Availability and fitness of live animals.

• Correction of any documented material technical error.

A fraudulent, invalid, unauthorized, manipulated, or unlawful bid may be removed and will not be treated as a valid winning bid.

9. Buyout purchases

When a buyout option is displayed, a customer may purchase the auction item for the full displayed buyout price instead of continuing to bid.

Once the auction system confirms a completed buyout purchase, the auction may close immediately and further bids will not be accepted.

Placing an item in a shopping cart does not reserve the item. The buyout is not complete until the platform confirms the transaction and any required payment.

If a buyout payment fails or is reversed, MastahBetta may cancel the transaction and relist the item.

10. Payment requirements

The winning bidder must complete full payment within 24 hours after being declared the winner or after the winning invoice is issued, whichever occurs later.

The amount due may include:

• The winning bid or buyout price.

• Applicable sales tax.

• Shipping or delivery charges.

• Livestock packaging, insulation, heat packs, cold packs, or other disclosed fulfillment charges.

There is no buyer’s premium and no per-bid fee under the current auction settings.

Payment must be made through an approved payment method offered by MastahBetta. Do not send payment through an unofficial account, unapproved payment link, gift card, cryptocurrency wallet, or third party claiming to represent MastahBetta.

If a payment attempt fails, the winner remains responsible for correcting the payment issue before the 24-hour deadline.

Do not delay payment while waiting for another auction to end unless MastahBetta provides written approval.

11. Automatic assignment to the next-highest bidder

If the original winning bidder does not complete payment within one day, the auction system is configured to automatically declare the next-highest valid bidder as the new winner.

By placing a bid, every bidder acknowledges that their bid may become the winning bid if a higher bidder fails to pay or is disqualified.

When an auction is reassigned:

• The original winner loses the right to purchase the item.

• The original winner’s transaction may be canceled.

• The next-highest valid bidder becomes the new winner.

• The new winner will be notified through the website, account, invoice, or available contact information.

• The new winner must complete payment within 24 hours after being declared the replacement winner or receiving the replacement invoice, whichever occurs later.

If the replacement winner also fails to pay, the system may move to the next-highest valid bidder or MastahBetta may cancel and relist the item.

Bidders should therefore continue monitoring their accounts after an auction closes, even if they were not initially declared the winner.

12. Failure to pay

A winning bidder who does not complete payment within the required 24-hour period will be considered in default.

MastahBetta may:

• Cancel the unpaid transaction.

• Automatically transfer winner status to the next-highest valid bidder.

• Relist the item.

• Temporarily suspend or permanently ban the nonpaying bidder.

• Block associated names, accounts, addresses, telephone numbers, payment methods, devices, or other identifying information.

• Require identity verification, advance payment, or a deposit before allowing future auction participation.

• Cancel other unpaid auction wins associated with the same customer.

• Recover legally permitted costs resulting from fraudulent bidding or payment activity.

Repeated nonpayment may result in a permanent ban from MastahBetta auctions and other purchasing services.

13. Fake bidders, spam, manipulation, and prohibited conduct

The following conduct is prohibited:

• Creating an account using a fake name or false information.

• Placing bids without intending or having the ability to pay.

• Using multiple accounts to manipulate an auction.

• Creating replacement accounts after being suspended or banned.

• Asking another person to place artificial bids.

• Coordinating with other bidders to manipulate prices.

• Attempting to intimidate or discourage legitimate bidders.

• Using bots, scripts, automatic bidding tools, or unauthorized software.

• Interfering with the auction website, timer, checkout, or payment system.

• Harassing MastahBetta employees or other customers.

• Submitting false claims or fraudulent payment disputes.

• Filing bad-faith chargebacks.

• Attempting to purchase an animal or product that the bidder cannot legally receive or possess.

MastahBetta may require additional identity, address, contact, or payment verification when suspicious activity is detected.

If MastahBetta reasonably believes that fraud, spam, shill bidding, manipulation, nonpayment abuse, or other prohibited conduct occurred, MastahBetta may:

• Remove invalid bids.

• Disqualify a bidder.

• Cancel an affected transaction.

• Transfer winner status to the next-highest valid bidder.

• Restrict checkout or payment access.

• Temporarily suspend an account.

• Permanently ban a bidder.

• Block related or replacement accounts.

• Report serious suspected fraud to the payment processor, financial institution, website provider, or appropriate authorities.

MastahBetta does not place bids on its own auction items and does not authorize employees, friends, customers, or third parties to place artificial bids intended to increase auction prices.

A customer’s legitimate exercise of lawful payment-dispute rights will not, by itself, be treated as fraud. Knowingly submitting false information or filing a bad-faith chargeback may result in account termination.

14. Checkout, invoices, and storefront prices

Auction invoices are not automatically created as separate draft invoices in a special bid currency.

Unless the listing or checkout states otherwise, auction prices and payments are processed in United States dollars through MastahBetta’s regular checkout or approved auction-payment process.

The public Shopify product or variant price may not automatically change to match the winning bid.

A winning bidder must follow the auction winner notification, invoice, or checkout instructions provided by MastahBetta. Attempting to purchase the regular storefront product separately may not satisfy the auction payment obligation.

15. Auction duration and winner limits

The auction will not end early merely because a certain number of winners has been reached.

Unless a buyout is completed or corrective action is required, the auction will continue until its scheduled or popcorn-extended ending time.

16. Auction descriptions and photographs

Bidders are responsible for reviewing the entire listing before bidding.

Listings may use:

• A photograph of the actual item or animal being auctioned; or

• A representative image showing the general species, variety, color, size, or appearance.

Live animals naturally vary in color, pattern, finnage, body shape, size, sex, and appearance. Lighting, camera settings, displays, stress, age, and environmental conditions may also affect appearance.

Minor natural variations consistent with the listing do not automatically make the animal or item materially different from its description.

Contact MastahBetta before bidding if clarification is needed.

17. Live animals

All livestock auction purchases are also subject to MastahBetta’s current Livestock Guarantee, Shipping Policy, required acclimation procedure, and any special conditions stated in the listing.

Winning an auction does not create a longer or broader livestock guarantee than the guarantee provided for a regular purchase.

The buyer is responsible for:

• Maintaining an appropriate, fully cycled aquarium.

• Confirming species compatibility.

• Following MastahBetta’s required acclimation procedure.

• Providing accurate shipping and contact information.

• Being available to receive the shipment.

• Confirming that possession, transportation, and importation are legal at the destination.

MastahBetta may refuse or cancel an unlawful shipment.

If an auctioned animal becomes sick, injured, unfit for sale, or unavailable before transfer, MastahBetta may cancel the transaction and refund the amount paid. A different animal will not be substituted without the buyer’s agreement.

18. Returns, refunds, and buyer’s remorse

Auction purchases cannot be canceled or returned solely because the bidder changed their mind, overbid, no longer wants the item, or failed to review the listing.

Claims involving livestock loss, shipping damage, an incorrect item, or an item materially different from its description must be submitted within the time and with the evidence required by MastahBetta’s applicable guarantee or return policy.

Nothing in this policy limits any non-waivable rights or remedies provided by law.

19. Technical problems

Customers should not wait until the final seconds to bid.

Internet delays, device problems, browser problems, payment failures, or an individual customer’s loss of connection do not ordinarily invalidate an auction result.

If a documented system-wide error, duplicate listing, corrupted bid record, security incident, incorrect configuration, or other material technical problem affects an auction, MastahBetta may investigate and take corrective action as permitted by law.

Corrective action may include:

• Removing invalid activity.

• Suspending the auction.

• Reopening or rescheduling bidding.

• Correcting the winner.

• Canceling an affected transaction.

• Refunding a payment.

20. Enforcement decisions

MastahBetta may review account records, payment records, bid histories, transaction information, communications, device information, and other available evidence when investigating suspected abuse.

Enforcement may include warnings, bidding restrictions, verification requirements, temporary suspensions, permanent bans, bid removal, transaction cancellation, or reassignment to the next-highest bidder.

MastahBetta is not required to disclose confidential fraud-detection methods or another customer’s private account information.

21. Changes to this policy

MastahBetta may update this policy for future auctions.

The version in effect when an auction begins will generally govern that auction unless a change is required by law or necessary to address fraud, safety, or a material technical issue.

22. Governing law

This policy and auctions conducted by MastahBetta LLC are governed by applicable federal law and the laws of the State of Hawaii, without limiting consumer protections that cannot legally be waived.

Any legal proceeding concerning an auction transaction must be brought in a court with proper jurisdiction in the State of Hawaii unless applicable law requires otherwise.

23. Contact

Questions about an auction, payment, eligibility, or suspected bidding error should be submitted through the contact information provided at MastahBetta.com.

For time-sensitive bidding problems, contact MastahBetta immediately and include the auction item, account name, bid amount, and a description of the issue.