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 v-auction@vollers.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.

Play Video to learn how

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.

Samples needs to be ordered at the Alliance for Coffee Excellence site here.

The most important part of any auction is the bidding. Specialty coffee auctions follow a 'Helmsman' style format, also known as a 'multi-unit' auction. Here's how it works

• Open bidding starts and continues on all lots simultaneously until each and every lot has received an initial bid.
• As soon as each lot has received a bid, the auction clock for each lot, starts ticking down from 3 minutes towards zero.
• Every time a bid is placed, the clock resets to 3 minutes remaining.
• Once the clock reaches zero, a "PENDING" notification will appear. This does not signify the auction's closure, even if no further bids are visible. The auction is only finalized when the system displays "FINISHED."
• Once the auction displays 'FINISHED', the highest bid is declared the winner, and the company that placed that bid becomes the owner of the lot. At this point, all lots are locked from further bidding.

This system ensures that full value is achieved for each lot in the auction, as the outcome of each lot is tied to the overall auction activity. The more participants bid, the longer lots remain open across the auction, increasing competition and value. This helps ensure producers receive fair prices for their coffee and contributes to the sustainability of their farming practices.

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

Play Video to learn how

• 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.

The auction will take place on February 15th, starting at 12:00 (Madrid time) each day.

The initial phase - before all lots have received a first bid - typically lasts around one hour, though this may vary depending on the number of lots and participating buyers.

Once the auction clocks begin, the duration depends entirely on bidding activity and demand. Don't be fooled into thinking this type of auction is over quickly - specialty coffee auctions often last several hours.

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.

• Payment for auction lots is due in full. If you attend the live auction, payment is required immediately after the event. If you bid online, payment must be completed within 15 days of the auction date. Please make sure you review the Terms & Conditions you agree to when registering 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.

EXW (Ex Works) means the seller’s responsibility ends once the goods are made available at our facility. In this auction, the price you see covers the item exactly where it sits—processing and packaging are included, but loading and transport are not. All costs and risks from the moment of pickup, including loading onto your vehicle, freight, insurance, and export clearances, are the buyer’s responsibility. These additional costs will depend on your chosen logistics provider and destination.

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.