Buying at Auction

Buying at Auction 2018-09-05T20:30:24+01:00

Attending an Auction

People who have never been to an auction before should certainly give it a try. Don’t be intimidated — go and enjoy your first experience.

Many auction attendees find the experience addictive. They report that there’s nothing quite like the thrill of finding something they want and then bidding against others who want the same thing.

But you don’t have to be a seasoned auction attendee to be able to experience the thrill of auctions. Auctioneers are glad to welcome new bidders to their auctions, and although almost everyone has heard the old story about the person who attended an auction, scratched his nose and came home with an item he’d not intended to buy, pay no heed to that myth.

Feel free to just get your feet wet — don’t think you have to go to your first auction ready to bid. Attend an auction or two to get a feel for how they are conducted. Watch and listen, then move on to bidding if that makes you comfortable.

Always remember that at an auction you’re free to ask a question if you don’t understand something. The Auctioneer and his staffs want people to continue to come to their auctions, so they’ll do all they can to encourage repeat business! Ask a question of a member of the auctioneer’s team, and they’ll find the answer for you.

When you arrive at an auction site, make yourself known to the clerk,  ( or register for a bidder number ) and read the rules printed on or displayed on posters, brochures or handouts. Again, ask questions if you don’t understand a policy. Inspect the merchandise you’re interested in, as most goods are used, old antique and will have wear, damage, repairs. When you buy an item, you become responsible for it. And, keep in mind that you’ll pay a deposit for the items you purchase before you leave the auction, even if you aren’t taking everything with you that day.

In order to bid at an auction, you need to make contact with the auctioneer or the clerk. The clerk is someone who takes bids from the audience and then passes those on to the auctioneer. To bid, hold up your bid card, your hand or shout “yes.” The auctioneer or clerk will make eye contact with you, take your bid and immediately turn and seek another bid. You can remove yourself from the process at any time by shaking your head “no” or saying “no” if the auctioneer or clerk turns your way. Should an auctioneer or clerk misinterpret any of your signals, simply report the mistake right away.

Viewing Days

Viewing is typically open in the week leading up to the auction, and is your opportunity to inspect any lots that may be of interest. During viewing our staff will be on hand to answer any questions and explain how the auction will work, as needed.

Absentee Bidding

If you are unable to attend an auction to bid for a lot in person, you may instruct bidding to be done on your behalf using one of our Absentee Bid services.

Forms are available on site and can be sent by fax (fax no: 00 356 21372280)

Download a Bidding Form

For online bids please click leave a bid online. 

It is also possible to book a telephone bid; Having completed the appropriate form, you are called by our staff during the auction of the lot itself. To book a telephone bid, please make sure you contact us early, and not during the auction session.

Please be aware that certain may already have booked telephone bids; It is only possible to accept up to 3 telephone bids on any lot.

Telephone Bids are booked on a first come –  first served basis.

Tips that could help

When booking a phone bid ask for an approximate time of the sale of your lot

Be prepared to receive the call

If you are in a public place, move to a quiet / private environment

Be prepared and know your maximum

The staff member will indicate the lot number selling then and the going price

You will be expected to actively participate in the auction by placing your bids speedily and respectfully until you have won the lot or opted to stop bidding

The staff member will tell you the outcome of the bidding and terminate the call

Please do not ask staff members making Bidding calls for information as they would need to move to other bidding calls

Any questions can be addressed at a later time

If you are the successful bidder, you will be expected to call in, pay and collect your lot/ s during collection days and times indicated in the catalogue

These services allow our customers to leave bids on lots that they may have examined at viewing and are interested in. These bids are executed as low as in-room and/or other instruction bids allow.

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