New to Auctions?
Been along time since you've been to an auction? Afraid to the auctioneer will go too fast? Afraid to scratch your nose during an auction? Maybe these auction tips will help rid you of that auction anxiety.

Before the auction attend the preview caveat emptor or "buyer beware" is the coda of all auctions. Items are sold on an "as is" basis meaning you are buying the item in whatever condition it is in.

Antiques are old! They have been used and may have nicks, chips, or scratches. Therefore, you should attend the preview of the items to be auctioned the day prior to the auction. If you can't make it the day before, arrive at least an hour before the auction is scheduled to begin. Previewing an item prior to the auction will allow you to see what condition the item is in before you purchase it.

Dress Comfortably
Make sure what you are wearing is comfortable and appropriate for the current weather conditions. Auctions can run for many hours, and you want to be as comfortable as possible so you are not distracted from the bidding.

Bring Something to Write With
Bring a pen and a piece of paper to mark down lot numbers of items you are interested in bidding on and keep track of the bids you have won. Having a list of the items you have purchased will make your check out move more quickly.

At the Auction Register

When You Arrive
Register for a bid number as soon as you arrive. If you wait until an item is on the auction block to register, by the time you finish registering, the item you want will be sold.

Registering for a bid number places you under no obligation to buy and there is no cost to register, so register and be prepared to bid. Most auction houses do require a valid driver's license to register for a bid number, so don't forget to bring the proper i.d. required.

Be Prepared to Pack and Haul
Arrive at the auction prepared to pack and haul anything you may buy. Most auctions do not offer packing materials for fragile items, boxes, furniture pads, or people to load your purchases.

If you attend the preview the day before, you will have an idea as to what you are interested in purchasing and can then arrive prepared to pack and haul the items if you win the bids.

All auctions require you to take your purchases by a certain time so they can make room for more incoming items. Our auction requires that you have your purchases picked up on the day of sale unless prior arrangements have been made with the auctioneer and/or home owner.

Pay Attention to What is Being Auctioned
Sounds like a no brainier. But, larger items are sometimes sold where they are in the room. An armoire, for example, may not be brought up to the auction block to be auctioned. The auctioneer will direct the participant's attention to the item being auctioned. However, if you aren't paying attention, you may mistakenly think the item on the block is the one being auctioned.

Pay Attention to How Many are Being Auctioned
Pay attention to what the auctioneer says before bidding begins on a particular item. If multiple items are being auctioned at the same time they are sometimes sold for an individual price.

The auctioneer will say the item will be sold times however many items there are. For example: a set of 8 dining room chairs may be auctioned times 8. This would mean whatever price the auctioneer is calling will be multiplied by 8 to get the total sale price for the set. If the chair's hammer price is $100, then the total hammer price for the set will be $800.

Dealer's Be Prepared
If you are an antique's dealer and own a re-sale business, bring a copy of your license or tax id number so that you will be charged the appropriate taxes on your purchases. Without proof of your ability to re-sale, the auction house will have to charge you the full sales tax on the items you purchase.

Laws on dealer's taxes vary from state to state so be aware of how much tax dealer's will pay in the state were the auction you will be attending is held. Dealer's tax in the state of Pennsylvania is 6 %. All dealer's must present a copy of their tax id number at the time of checkout! NO EXCEPTIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Family Fun
An auction can be fun for the whole family. Most auctions welcome children. However, parents should be aware that the auction house will be full of expensive, breakable items. Parents should monitor their children to prevent both breakages of valuable items (because you break--you buy) or injury to the their children (the parent is fully responsible for the children they bring).

Parents should also be attentive and respectful to those around them trying to listen to the bids being called and monitor their children appropriately.

Bidding

Absentee Bidding 
If you are unable to attend an auction but know you wish to bid on an item offered in the auction, a representative of the auction house can bid for you. Read More...

Phone Bids
Some auction houses allow phone bidding. If you are unable to attend the auction but know you wish to purchase an item offered in the auction, check ahead of time to see if the auction house allows you to place a bid by phone.

If they do, a representative of the auction house will call you when the item comes up for sale. The representative will relay to you what the bidding activity is and will place bids for you as per your instruction.

Phone bids are usually only an option for items of substantial value. Be advised, you are still responsible for previewing the item before you bid.

After The Auction

Checking Out
Pay for your items before you leave even if you plan to pick up the item the next day. If you do not pay for your items then the auction house cannot complete their records for that day.

You will be given the ticket stub or receipt that you will need to pick up your item the next day. Also, be informed as to the buyer's premium and applicable taxes. These will be added to the hammer price of the item when you check out. To avoid going over your budget, find out what these percentages are prior to bidding on an item.

Retrieving Items
Most auctions do not allow anyone to pay for their purchases during the auction. This may be disruptive to the ongoing auction. If the auction house allows you to pay for your purchases during the auction, follow their procedures.

When you pay, you will be given a ticket stub or receipt for the items you've paid for. This receipt must be given to an auction employee. The auction employee will then go and retrieve your item for you.

Don't be impatient. If all workers stop what they are doing to help you load your purchases or retrieve your items, then the auction stops. Remember, you must be prepared to have your purchases picked up the day of the auction date unless other arrangements have been made.