Auction rules
Last updated 16 October 2026
These are LoftHunter's auction rules and terms of sale. LoftHunter runs online auctions of racing pigeons on behalf of sellers. These terms apply to everyone who registers, bids or sells on lofthunter.co.za. By creating an account or placing a bid you agree to them. Please read them before you bid.
1. Your account
- You must be 18 or older and give your real name, email address and WhatsApp number.
- Before your first bid we ask for the name and address for your invoice. Keep these up to date under My account.
- One account per person. You are responsible for bids placed from your account, so do not share your login.
- We may refuse, suspend or block an account, for example after non-payment or misuse. A blocked account can still browse but cannot bid.
2. The birds
- Each lot is described by its seller: ring number, sex, colour, year, strain, highlights, photos and pedigree. We check what we reasonably can, but the seller is responsible for the description.
- Photos are prepared for a uniform look (background removed, bird shown facing right). They show the real bird; we never change its shape or pose.
- Birds are sold as they are. To the extent the law allows, no guarantee is given about future breeding or racing results, fertility, or anything not stated in the description. If something in the description is clearly wrong, contact us before you pay.
3. Bidding
- A bid is a binding offer to buy the bird at that price, plus the buyer's fee. Bids cannot be withdrawn.
- The minimum next bid is shown on each lot. Bids go up in fixed steps: R100 below R5,000, R250 from R5,000 to R20,000, and R500 above that.
- Each lot closes at its own time, shown on the lot. Our server clock is the official time; the countdown on your screen is a guide.
- Late-bid extension: where a lot shows it (for example "A bid in the last 5 min adds 2 min to this lot"), every bid in that last stretch adds the stated time to that lot only. This repeats until nobody bids in the final minutes.
- The highest bid when the lot closes wins. A seller may set a hidden reserve price: if bidding does not reach it, the bird is not sold.
- We may withdraw a lot before it closes, or cancel a bid that was clearly made in error or in bad faith.
- Your name is never shown to other bidders: bids are shown as "Buyer 8**7".
4. Winning and paying
- When you win, your invoice appears under My account straight away and is emailed to you.
- The total is your winning bid plus the buyer's fee: R150 buyer's fee per bird.
- Pay the full amount by EFT within 48 hours, using the invoice number as your payment reference. No payment is ever taken on this website.
- Only pay into the bank account shown on your LoftHunter invoice. We will never send you new bank details by WhatsApp, SMS or a different email address. If anyone does, do not pay and contact us.
5. If you do not pay
- We send a reminder before the deadline and a notice once it has passed.
- If payment is still not received, we may cancel the sale, offer the bird to another bidder or in a later auction, and block your account.
6. Collection and delivery
- The bird is released once your payment has cleared in our account.
- You can collect it, or we help arrange a courier to you at your cost. We will agree the details with you after payment.
- Responsibility for the bird passes to you when it is handed to you or to the courier you agreed to.
7. Sellers
- Sellers confirm that they own the birds, may sell them, and that the description, photos and pedigree are true and theirs to use.
- Commission and other seller terms are agreed with each seller in writing before their auction.
8. Our responsibility
We do our best to keep the site running correctly, but we cannot promise it will never be unavailable or that a bid will always arrive, for example because of a poor internet connection. Bid early rather than at the last second. To the extent the law allows, we are not liable for indirect loss. Nothing in these terms limits your rights under South African law, including the Consumer Protection Act where it applies.
9. Changes and contact
We may update these terms; the date at the top shows the latest version, and the version in place when you bid applies to that bid. These terms are governed by South African law. Questions? Contact us through the details on your invoice.