Bidding at a live auction can be an exciting and nerve-racking experience, but once you’ve done it you’ll soon become hooked and discover why attending auctions is a regular pastime for thousands of people around the country. In today’s blog, we’ve put together some simple tips that everyone from the novice to the experienced will be able to use.
 
View
If you can, get along before the auction and have a look at the items you are interested in. Although most auctioneers describe any damage an item may have, it always pays to inspect the item to satisfy yourself that it is what you are after.
 
Set a limit
It is important to set a budget before you begin and stick to it. It can be all too easy to get carried away in the excitement of bidding and blow your budget.
 
Consider the commission
Just about all auctioneers charge a commission (often called a buyer’s premium) on top of whatever the hammer price is. So it pays to factor this into your budget. A good tip is to write yourself a little list of prices and what they equate to with the premium, that way you can tell at a glance what you are up for.
 
Bid clearly
Once the bidding kicks off, make sure you get yourself a good position in the room where the auctioneer can see you. When you want to bid, make sure you do it clearly and don’t worry about them confusing you scratching your nose as a sign that you’re bidding, they will usually check to see if you are bidding or not. Some people prefer to sit close to the front while others prefer to sit near the back as this allows them to see who they are bidding against.
 
Remember, if you can’t make it to the auction to bid in person many auction houses also allow you to leave absentee bids or to arrange to bid over the phone.

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