How to bid successfully at a live auction...

Unless you’re a dab hand at the bidding, auctions can be a little bit intimidating, but the process is a lot of fun and by following these simple tips you will bid successfully and still be smiling when the hammer falls.

Auction is like live theatre and the buyers are part of the action. It has two main stages.

First stage is the preview before the auction where prospective buyers can either visit the salerooms to examine the goods or in some cases view brief details of the items via the internet.

This is the time to ask questions and find out background information on the goods you may wish to bid on.

“Check your catalogue, decide your top price and more importantly stick to it!”

It's once you’ve decided to bid on an item that the hard part starts!

How to bid successfully at auctions.

If you’ve seen something you fancy that you want to bid for, what’s next? Go to the office, fill out a registration form and you get your own personal paddle number.

Now you’re ready to bid!

The next step is simply making sure that once you’ve seen something that has caught your eye, that you get the attention of the auctioneer – but how?

“Do you bid subtly, not drawing attention to yourself? Or do you use hand and eye gestures to make your bid? Do you get so excited that the auctioneer couldn’t possibly miss your bid?

The answer is it doesn’t matter – just make sure the auctioneer can see you!”

So you have won your bid and you’re happy, so where do you pay”?

A premium is payable on every lot sold at a percentage rate of the hammer price. This is usually about 18%. But for buyers VAT is payable on the buyers premium.

Payment can be made by cash, debit card and credit card, bankers draft, cheque (covered by a valid cheque guarantee card) or bank transfer.

Where do I collect my goods?

Lots purchased can be collected throughout the sale if they have been paid for. This does not always apply where lots have been bought by cheque, as cheques need to clear before we release your purchases.

Once you have paid for your lots you give your receipt to a porter who will sign the goods out for you. All goods must be signed out by a porter. It’s a good idea to bring boxes with you to store valuable or breakable items for the journey home.

Removal of Goods

The Auction Saleroom may have strong views on this so find out from the porter about this before leaving the Auction Sale room.

Auction items may have to be removed within two working days after the sale unless by prior arrangement. If this is not done a forfeit charge may be applied. This is a charge for storage to encourage buyers and sellers to remove their auctioned items.

Charges from £1 per day for smaller items and £5 a day for larger items are not uncommon.

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