What website is associated with Caring Transitions' online auctions?
Caring_Transitions Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
chise Agreement § 6.1).
A "buyer's premium" is a fee paid by winning bidders for items won on our online auction website, www.CTBids.com. The buyer's premium defrays our costs in providing, operating, and maintaining CTBids.com and the franchisee's costs in conducting the auction, but there are no specific restrictions on its use. It is calculated as a percentage of the winning bid. For example, if an auction is won for $50 and the buyer's premium is 18%, the winning bidder will pay a buyer's premium of $9 (that is, 18% of $50). From the buyer's premium, (a) we will receive an amount equal to 3% of the winning bid ($1.50 in the above example) during a franchisee's first two years of operation and the franchisee will receive the balance of the buyer's premium ($7.50 in the above example); (b) we will receive 4% of the winning bid during the third year of operation and the franchisee will receive the balance; (c) we will receive 5% of the winning bid during the fourth year of operation and the franchisee will receive the balance; and (d) we will receive 6% of the winning bid during the sixth through tenth years of operation and the franchisee will receive the balance. Note: this is an example only and is not to be construed as a projection or estimate of actual or potential earnings, sales or receipts. We have the right, in our sole discretion, to establish a maximum and minimum buyer's premium. Presently we intend to set a maximum and recommended buyer's premium of 18%. We reserve the right to modify this policy after providing 30 days' notice but the amount of the buyer's premium that we receive will not exceed 6% of the winning bid. We did not derive any revenue from the buyer's premium in calendar year 2024. We do not otherwise presently set minimum or maximum prices at which you must sell products or services or otherwise assist in establishing prices although we reserve the right to do so. We may provide assistance with providing equipment, signs, fixtures, and supplies by providing the names of approved suppliers. We do not presently provide written specifications for such items and do not deliv
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND TRAINING (FDD pages 22–29)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Caring Transitions' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the website associated with their online auctions is www.CTBids.com. This platform allows franchisees to conduct online auctions as part of their service offerings.
The FDD specifies that a "buyer's premium" is charged to winning bidders on CTBids.com. This premium is a percentage of the winning bid and is intended to cover the costs of operating and maintaining the website, as well as the franchisee's expenses in conducting the auction. The distribution of the buyer's premium is split between Caring Transitions and the franchisee, with the franchisor receiving a percentage that increases over the first six years of the franchise operation. Initially, Caring Transitions receives 3% of the winning bid during the franchisee's first two years, increasing to 6% from the sixth through tenth years.
For example, if an item is won for $50 and the buyer's premium is 18%, the winning bidder pays an additional $9. During the franchisee's first two years, Caring Transitions would receive $1.50 (3% of $50), and the franchisee would receive the remaining $7.50. The FDD indicates that Caring Transitions has the right to set a maximum and minimum buyer's premium, with a currently intended maximum and recommended premium of 18%.
It's important to note that while the FDD mentions the buyer's premium and its distribution, it clarifies that this example is not a projection or estimate of actual or potential earnings, sales, or receipts. Prospective franchisees should consider the costs and revenue-sharing structure associated with online auctions when evaluating the Caring Transitions franchise opportunity.