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What do I need to do when I get to the auction?

The first thing to do when you arrive is to check in at our registration table and obtain a bidder number. All you will need for this is a valid driver’s license or state issued identification card. We also suggest you get there early to have an opportunity to look over the items up for auction before the sale starts. Additionally it’s very important to be there in time for the auctioneer’s opening statements as this is where he will announce any changes to the Terms & Conditions of the sale.

What is a Buyer's Premium?

A buyer's premium is a fee charged at auctions to help offset the overhead of conducting the sale. In short it is a fee that is added to the final bid, so for instance if the buyer’s premium being charged at a particular sale is 10%, then a winning bidder who bid $1.00 would be charged $1.10 at check out, plus any applicable sales tax. If a buyer’s premium is being charged, you will see it posted in all advertisements for our auctions. It will also be posted at the registration table, and announced during our opening announcements.

Does sales tax apply to items bought at auction?

In most instances yes. The state requires that auctioneers collect sales tax on sales at auction in most cases. If you are tax exempt or purchasing for resale, you will need to provide a tax exempt or resale certificate at registration.

How can I pay for my items?

Payment terms can vary from auction to auction so it’s important that you check the Terms & Conditions for each sale. As a general rule at most of our auctions we accept Cash, MasterCard, Visa, Discover, and checks with a bank letter of guarantee that is verified by our office prior to sale day. All items must be paid for in full on sale day unless prior arrangements have been made with the auctioneer in charge of the sale.

When are my purchased items to be removed?

It’s important to check the Terms & Conditions of each individual sale as it can vary, but at most sales all items must be removed on sale day. It’s also important to note that at some sales, items may not be allowed to be removed prior to the conclusion of the auction for security reasons. We do however understand that our buyers are the most important people attending our auctions and we strive to accommodate them whenever possible. Therefore if you’re buying large items that will require assistance, or if you wish to bid on an item but can’t be present at the sale, please contact our staff and we’ll try to accommodate your needs and make arrangements to meet you for pick up the following day.

How do I bid on an item?

The process is very simple. If the auctioneer is asking for $10 and you’re willing to bid that amount, simple raise your hand or bidder card and acknowledge the auctioneer. Then make sure he acknowledges your bid. There will also normally be ringmen or bid spotters also working the auction, and you can signal your bid to one of them who will relay the bid to the auctioneer. If you wanted to bid less than $10 you could also speak up and announce that you bid $8, for example. Your bid may be taken, but keep in mind the auctioneer is not required to take the lesser bid.

Can I bid on an item at the auction if I can’t attend?

Yes. Each auction can vary so it’s important to check, but in most cases we do welcome Absentee Bidders. The process is fairly simple. You would register with our office prior to sale day, and submit a signed authorization for the clerk or other staff member to bid on your behalf up to a maximum bid amount. If, for example, your maximum bid was $500 on a piece of furniture, the clerk would bid for you up to that amount. If the auctioneer started the bidding and a bidder in the audience bid $50, and the auctioneer asked for $75, the clerk would bid $75 on your behalf. If no one else bid, you’d win the item at $75.

What does “Times the Money” mean?

When bidding at auction, you may hear the auctioneer say for example, “Lot Number 5 is 10 folding chairs selling at 10 times the money.” That means you’re bidding on all ten chairs, but you’re bidding at a per chair price. That means if you bid $1.00, you’re bidding $1.00/chair for all ten. Therefore if you won, your winning bid would be $10 for all the chairs.

What is “Choice” and how is it different than “Times The Money?"

When the auctioneer announces you’re buying “choice” on an item it means you get to choose which items and how many you want at that price. So if, for example, we’re using our 10 chairs in the example above, and you bid $1.00, you would now have the option to take all 10 chairs at $1.00 each, or just the chairs you wanted at $1.00 each whether you chose to take 1, 3, or all 10.

Note: If you would like to have one of our auctioneers come visit your group or organization and give a short seminar on “How to bid and buy at auction” please contact us or check out our Seminars Page.

Is there a fee for attending the auction?

No, but some auctions may require a refundable deposit to bid so be sure to check the Terms & Conditions for each auction.