Bidding and deposits
What does it cost to bid?
Nothing. Bidding is always free: there is no fee to bid and you never buy bids. You only pay for an item you win, and on Sarai’s own items nothing is added to your winning bid.
Why is there a deposit, and do I get it back?
Before your first bid on an auction, you place one refundable deposit for that auction. It shows you are a serious buyer and keeps the auction fair for everyone. The amount is shown on every listing.
If you don’t win, the whole deposit comes back. If you win, it counts toward the price. The rest of the details are explained in the auction rules.
How do I pay? What is HesabPay?
You pay the rest of the price within 48 hours of winning, in afghani only: by HesabPay in the Sarai app, or in cash at our Kabul counter. If you have a deposit held, cash on delivery inside Kabul is also possible.
HesabPay is a mobile wallet used in Afghanistan. If you have a HesabPay account, you pay from your phone without going anywhere.
Lots, live auctions and verified bidders
What is a lot?
A lot is a group of items sold together, from a box of phones to a full pallet. Every lot has a list of what is inside and photos. Lots are for verified bidders.
How does a live auction work?
Big lots start with 48 hours of bids. Sarai then sells to the highest bid or takes the lot to a live session, where every bid restarts a 15-second countdown. If you were the highest bidder before, your maximum carries over.
What is a verified bidder, and what does it cost?
A verified bidder has sent documents (a tazkira or passport, or a company’s licence and tax number), placed a refundable deposit of $100 once, and added a second sign-in step. Checking your documents costs nothing.
The deposit comes back in full when you stop bidding on lots. With it you can bid up to $5,000 on any one lot.
What are partner auctions?
Wholesale auctions run by Sarai’s partner companies, shown on Sarai so verified bidders can bid from here. The partner’s own terms apply and are shown in full before you bid. Prices may be in US dollars.
Collecting and returns
What is the Kabul counter?
Our counter in Kabul is where you collect what you won, pay in cash if you like, and check the device before you pay: turn it on and compare it with the listing. If it doesn’t match, you don’t have to take it.
The counter’s address is published at launch.
Can I return an item?
Yes, within 3 days of receiving it, if it doesn’t match its listing: a defect that was not shown, a different model or storage, an IMEI or serial number that doesn’t match, or a lock. Bring it to the counter with its box and everything that came with it. If we confirm the problem, we refund everything you paid.
Changing your mind is not a reason for a return.
What does Grade D mean?
Grade D means a major fault. These items are sold for parts or repair, as-is. They can be returned only if we gave you a different item, for example one whose IMEI or serial number doesn’t match the listing.
Can I buy privately?
Yes. Anyone can bid privately from their own phone, and home delivery is available in Kabul, so you don’t have to come to the counter. Any delivery fee is shown before you choose delivery.
Selling on Sarai
Can I sell on Sarai?
Yes, if you are a trader, a company or an auction house with a business licence. We check your goods, sell them by auction and pay you after the return window.
What are the fees for sellers?
10% of the selling price for single items and 5% for lots, paid by the seller and agreed in advance. Buyers pay no buyer’s premium.
Fair rules
How do you stop fake bids? Who can’t bid?
Sarai never places fake bids and never asks anyone to bid to push the price up. Sarai staff and their close relatives, and the people who supply our goods and their close relatives, cannot bid: their numbers are blocked. Every bid is recorded with its account and exact time.
What are the rules based on?
Our auction rules follow the principles of fair trade in Islamic law: free bidding, refundable deposits, no fake bids and every defect disclosed. A scholar will review the rules before we open.
What happens if the internet goes down?
If there is a national internet outage, auctions that would end during it are extended. When the internet is back they get a new end time, shown in the app and sent by SMS. Payment deadlines and return windows move by the length of the outage too.
About Sarai
When do you open?
We open in Kabul in January 2027. Leave your mobile number on the home page and we’ll send you one SMS when we open.
Which cities do you serve?
Kabul first. At launch, pickup and delivery are in Kabul only. We will announce other cities when we are ready to serve them well.
What do you sell?
At launch: smartphones and laptops from well-known brands, bought in the United States. Clothing and more categories will follow.
What data do you keep, and where?
As little as we can. Your account needs only your mobile number. Our data is stored on secure servers outside Afghanistan. We don’t sell your details or use them to advertise for anyone else.
Are you hiring?
Yes. We are hiring an Operations Lead in Kabul.