Can't make it to pickup? No problem.
Most items can be shipped directly to you, or transferred to our Derry office for a more convenient pickup time. Shipping fees include a handling charge plus the actual carrier cost. Transfers are charged per lot and include up to two weeks of storage at our office.
Note: Furniture and oversized items cannot be shipped or transferred — those are local pickup only. Questions about costs or eligibility? Reach out before you bid and we'll give you an estimate.
Shipping & Transfer Terms and Conditions
Effective Date: 2/24/26 | Last Updated: 3/28/26
These Shipping & Transfer Terms and Conditions govern the optional shipping and transfer services offered by Bird's Nest Auctions in connection with items won at our online estate auctions. By selecting shipping or transfer as your pickup method — or by requesting either service after an auction closes — you agree to the terms set out below.
PART ONE: SHIPPING
1. Overview of Shipping Services
Bird's Nest Auctions offers shipping on most items as a convenience to bidders who are unable to attend in-person pickup. The majority of items in our auctions are eligible for shipping. Where we handle the shipment ourselves, we pack and ship items in-house. For items that are particularly complex, oversized, or very fragile, we may coordinate shipping through a third-party carrier store (such as UPS or FedEx) on your behalf.
By selecting shipping as your pickup method, you authorize Bird's Nest Auctions to arrange shipment of your items and agree to be invoiced for all applicable handling and carrier fees as described in these terms.
2. Shipping Eligibility
Most Items Can Be Shipped
Shipping is available on most small and medium sized items in our auctions.
Items That Cannot Be Shipped
The following are not eligible for shipping:
- Furniture of any kind — sofas, dressers, tables, armchairs, and any item requiring two or more people to move. We are not equipped to transport furniture in any capacity.
- Items that are excessively oversized or present logistical challenges that make safe shipment impractical
- Items of very low value where shipping costs would be disproportionate to the item's worth
- Closet, cabinet, and other picker-type lots
If you purchase an item marked "Local Pickup Only" and cannot attend pickup, you are responsible for arranging your own freight or transport carrier. Bird's Nest Auctions cannot process refunds for items that cannot be shipped, or for situations where your own transport arrangements fall through.
3. Selecting Shipping as Your Pickup Method
After the auction closes, you will receive an email with instructions to select your pickup method. Options are local pickup, shipping, or transfer to our office in Derry.
4. In-House Shipping
How It Works
For most eligible items, Bird's Nest Auctions handles packing and shipping in-house. Our team picks up your items from the estate during the pickup window, packs them at our HQ, and ships them directly to you.
Shipping Fees & Invoicing
Shipping fees consist of two components: (1) a handling fee covering pickup from the estate, packing materials, and labor; and (2) the actual carrier cost. After your items are processed, we will charge the credit card on file for the shipping costs. If you would like to receive a shipping invoice prior to us charging your card, email us at help@birdsnestauctions.com with that request.
Handling Fee Schedule
Handling fees are charged per box, based on the size and complexity of your items:
| Size |
Examples |
Handling Fee |
| Small |
Jewelry, small collectibles, items fitting in an envelope or small box |
$8 per box |
| Medium |
Small electronics, dishes, framed art under 24", books, records |
$15 per box |
| Large |
Lamps, bulky breakables, art over 24", larger multi-piece lots |
$20 per box |
We aim to pack your items as economically as possible and will combine items into as few boxes as practical. Handling fees are per box.
Additional Fees
The following additional charges may apply:
- Custom or reinforced packaging: additional cost as needed to ensure safe transport
- Excess packing materials: items requiring a large amount of paper, bubble wrap, or other protective materials will incur additional handling fees based on supplies used
- Expedited handling: $10 added for priority processing if you need your item shipped sooner than our standard 1–2 week window
- Insurance: included at no charge for invoices under $100; an additional fee applies for invoices over $100
Carrier
Our preferred carrier is USPS. We also use UPS and FedEx for larger packages or when an alternative carrier is more economical. Carrier charges are based on our discounted rates.
5. Third-Party Shipping
When Third-Party Shipping Is Used
For items that are particularly complex or very fragile — where standard in-house packing may not be sufficient to ensure safe transit — we may arrange shipment through a third-party pack-and-ship store (such as UPS or FedEx) on your behalf. If this applies to your item, we will contact you before any charges are incurred.
How Third-Party Shipping Works
When a third-party shipment is needed, here's what happens:
- We bring your item to a pack-and-ship store to obtain a quote for packing and shipping.
- We contact you with the quote, which will include the carrier's packing and shipping charges plus our arrangement fee (starting at $25, varying based on travel time to the store and any light packing we perform to prepare the item for transport).
- You review and approve or decline the quote.
- If approved, we process your card on file on-site and leave the item with the third-party shipper, who will complete packing and dispatch.
Third-Party Arrangement Fee
Our arrangement fee covers staff travel time to the pack-and-ship store and any light packing performed to prepare the item for transport. This fee starts at $25 and increases for larger, heavier, or more complex items. You will be informed of the exact fee when we provide your quote.
If You Decline the Third-Party Quote
If you receive a third-party shipping quote and decide not to proceed, you have two options:
- Arrange alternative pickup: You may arrange for someone to collect your item from our location, or make other transport arrangements at your own cost.
- Request a partial refund: You may request a refund of your winning bid, less our arrangement fee. Because our staff has already traveled to obtain the quote and prepared your item for transport, the arrangement fee represents a sunk cost and is non-refundable regardless of your decision.
Damage Waiver for Declining a Third-Party Shipment
If you choose not to use a third-party shipper and approve us to ship the item(s), you will be asked to sign a damage waiver prior to the item being left with the carrier. By signing the waiver, you acknowledge that:
- Once the item is in the carrier's possession, Bird's Nest Auctions is not responsible for damage, loss, or delay
- You are responsible for filing any damage claims directly with the third-party carrier
- Bird's Nest Auctions will assist with documentation where needed but cannot guarantee claim outcomes
6. Processing Time & Tracking
We ask for 1–2 weeks from the auction pickup date to process, pack, and ship your items. Our team handles shipping alongside all other auction operations and we appreciate your patience.
You will receive a tracking number via email.
7. Combining Shipments
If you win items in multiple auctions occurring around the same time, we are happy to hold your items and ship them together to help you save on costs.
8. Using Your Own Shipping Account
You may use your own shipping account or label if you prefer. Handling fees as described in Section 4 still apply regardless of who provides the shipping label. Please contact us in advance to make these arrangements.
9. International Shipping
We are not currently accepting international shipments. This is due to unpredictable import fees and taxes that are sometimes billed directly to us as the shipper, making it impossible to accurately estimate total costs in advance. We hope to resume international shipping in the future and apologize for any inconvenience.
10. Shipping Liability
Bird's Nest Auctions takes care in packing items for in-house shipment, but once a package is in the possession of a carrier, we are not responsible for delays, damage, or loss caused by that carrier. If you would like additional protection, we recommend adding insurance to your shipment (see Section 4).
If your package arrives damaged, please photograph the packaging and contents before discarding anything, and contact us to start the claim process. You may be required to give the package to the shipper for inspection as part of the claim process. If you discard the item and packaging, we are not able to issue a refund as we cannot recoup the costs of the item. For third-party shipments, please refer to the damage waiver terms in Section 5.
PART TWO: TRANSFERS
11. Overview of Transfer Services
Our Transfer Service is designed for bidders who win items but are unable to attend the designated in-person pickup at the estate location. For a fee, Bird's Nest Auctions will transport eligible items from the estate to our office in Derry, NH, where you can collect them at a more convenient time.
By selecting transfer as your pickup method, or requesting a transfer after the auction closes, you agree to all terms in this section.
12. Requesting a Transfer
There are two ways to request a transfer:
- Select "Transfer" as your pickup method following the close of the auction.
- Contact us directly after the auction closes but before we depart the estate pickup location. We cannot accept transfer requests once we have left the estate — no exceptions.
13. How the Transfer Process Works
Once your transfer request is confirmed, here's what happens:
- Our team gathers your items from the estate during the pickup window, secures them for transport, and brings them to our office at 8 E Broadway, Derry, NH 03038.
- Our office manager verifies that everything is accounted for and contacts you with that week's available pickup hours.
- Transfer fees are billed to your card on file upon delivery of your items to our office.
- You collect your items from our office within two weeks of delivery. Office hours are typically Monday, Tuesday, and Saturday 10–1, or by appointment.
14. Transfer Fees
Fee Schedule
Transfer fees cover labor, transportation from the estate to our office, and up to two weeks of storage. Fees are charged per lot:
| Size |
Examples |
Transfer Fee |
| Small |
Jewelry, collectibles, small household goods |
$5 per lot |
| Medium |
Kitchenwares, table lamps, small sculptures, framed art under 24", power tools |
$10 per lot |
| Large |
Lamps, bulky breakables, art over 24", larger multi-piece lots |
Starting at $15 per lot |
Bulk transfers involving multiple items may qualify for custom pricing. Please reach out to us at help@birdsnestauctions.com for a quote.
Additional Fees
Additional charges may apply in the following situations:
- Particularly large, bulky, or heavy items beyond standard lot sizes
- Multi-piece lots such as dish sets or collections of books, which require additional protective materials and staff time
- Storage beyond the two-week window (see Section 15)
Fees Are Non-Refundable
Transfer fees are assessed based on the labor and logistics required to retrieve and transport your items, regardless of whether you ultimately collect them. Transfer fees are non-refundable once items have been transported to our office.
We cannot issue refunds if you decide not to pay the fee after transport has occurred. Please review all photos carefully and check with us before bidding if you have concerns about transfer costs.
15. Collection Window & Abandoned Items
You have two weeks from the date your items arrive at our Derry office to collect them. If you need more time, please contact us before the two-week window expires. Storage fees will apply for any extension.
Items not collected within two weeks, and for which no alternate arrangement has been made, are considered forfeit. Forfeited items may be resold or donated at Bird's Nest Auctions' discretion, and no refund of transfer fees or the original bid price will be issued.
16. Office Pickup Hours
Our Derry office hours are typically Monday, Tuesday, and Saturday 10–1, or by appointment. Our office is located at 8 E Broadway, Derry, NH 03038. You will receive an email or text with transfer hours once you select "transfer" as your pickup method.
17. Items Not Eligible for Transfer
For logistical and safety reasons, certain items cannot be transferred to our office. These include, but are not limited to:
- Furniture of any kind — sofas, armchairs, dressers, tables, and any item requiring two or more people to safely move
- Oversized or extremely fragile items
- Firearms and hazardous materials
If you are unsure whether a specific item is eligible for transfer, please contact us before bidding. We are not able to accommodate transfer requests for ineligible items after the fact.
18. Transfer Liability
Bird's Nest Auctions takes reasonable care in transporting and storing your items at our office. However, we are not responsible for minor cosmetic wear or incidental damage that may occur during transport of non-fragile items.
For fragile items, we will take appropriate care, but we encourage you to ask about an item's condition before requesting a transfer if you have specific concerns.
GENERAL PROVISIONS
19. Payment Authorization
By selecting shipping or transfer as your pickup method, you authorize Bird's Nest Auctions to charge your card on file for any associated fees. This includes handling fees, carrier charges, transfer fees, storage fees, third-party arrangement fees, and any additional service fees described in these terms. Charges are made after services are rendered and are non-refundable unless otherwise stated.
20. Contact Us
For questions about shipping eligibility, transfer requests, fee estimates, or anything else, please reach out before bidding whenever possible. We are happy to help.
Bird's Nest Auctions
8 E Broadway, Derry, NH 03038
Phone / Text: 603-556-8295
Email: help@birdsnestauctions.com
Website: www.birdsnestauctions.com
21. Changes to These Terms
Bird's Nest Auctions reserves the right to update these Shipping & Transfer Terms at any time. Updated terms will be posted on our website with a revised effective date. Continued use of our shipping or transfer services after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the updated terms.
Questions? We're always happy to help — reach us at help@birdsnestauctions.com or 603-556-8295.
