Bidding Instructions - Ways to Bid

Auctions are a fun way to acquire items! Here are a few basic things every bidder should understand before placing a bid: First, read the Terms and Conditions (T&C); Preview the items for sale (and establish the condition and a value in mind); Know when and where the auction is taking place; Understand the fees involved such as taxes and Buyer’s Premium (BP). If buying online or absentee, find out about shipping.

REGISTRATION for the auction is a must! Basic contact information and a credit card on file are generally required. You then receive a bidder’s paddle number and are ready to bid.

QUESTIONS and a preview of the lots you are interested in is encouraged. Bidders should gather all information deemed necessary about items before bidding. Auction representatives are available to answer questions by telephone and email Monday thru Friday 9am-5pm (prior to the auction). Live preview times are during normal business hours (and end once the auction starts) and online preview is always open once an auction is posted. While we guarantee the authenticity of our descriptions in the catalog, admit to not being an expert on every item and we do not accept returns based on condition due to the subjective nature of such evaluations.

BID INCREMENTS during the live portion of the auction are ultimately at the discretion of the auctioneer. Bidding increments online are preset for each individual auction when posted and we generally follow the following increments: Up to $100, increments are either $10 or $25 depending on the auction. Between $100 to $500, increments are $25. From $500 to $1,000, increments are $50. Between $1,000 to $2,000, increments are $100. From $2,000 to $5,000, increments are $250. From $5,000 to $10,000, increments are $500. From $10,000 to $20,000, increments are $1,000. From $20,000 to $50,000, increments are $2,500. From $50,000 to $100,000, increments are $5,000. And above $100,000 it is the auctioneer's discretion and remember the increments at any time are ultimately at the discretion of the auctioneer during live bidding.

VARIOUS WAYS TO PLACE BIDS

IN PERSON LIVE BIDDING

This is the oldest and traditional form of bidding. It is when bidders show up and participate live, in person, in the same space the auction is happening with the auctioneer. Typically, bidders register upon arrival and are then ready to join the live bidding. Raising your hand or bid card is a signal you wish to bid. Make sure the auctioneer acknowledges your bid

ABSENTEE BIDDING DIRECT WITH AUCTION HOUSE

As a matter of convenience Western Trading Post offers absentee bidding. Bidders are required to register and receive a bidder’s number before absentee bids will be taken. Absentee bids may be left with Western Trading Post by phone, in person before the auction, or by email before the auction. With regards to absentee bids left before an auction starts, please remember they are treated as offers to bid up to a certain amount on behalf of a bidder, the same as if the bidder was there in person, bidding against other bidders at the auction. Bids are executed competitively against other live and absentee bidders with the intention of securing the lot at the lowest possible amount (up to the max bid amount left). For example, if a max bid is left of $1,000.00 and the item ultimately brings $500, you would win at $500.

It is rare, but possible, for another bidder to win a lot for an amount equal to an absentee bidder’s bid. So-called “ties” go to the bidder whose turn it was in the bidding during the live auction. For example, if you left a $1,000 max bid and by chance you are winning at the moment for $950, then the auctioneer would be asking for $1,000 from another bidder (assuming $50 increments). If another bidder bids $1,000, then they would be winning at $1,000 because you do not raise your own bid during a live auction and bid against yourself — and most of the time the auctioneer does not know your max bid amount anyway. (As a side note, if you want your bid automatically jumped to your max bid amount for strategic purposes, and not the next lowest amount necessary to be the current winner, let us know.)

ABSENTEE BIDDING ONLINE (Online Pre-bidding)

As a matter of convenience Western Trading Post offers absentee and pre-bidding online. Several online platforms are used from time to time along with our own website. Bidders are required to register online to receive a user id and password (bidders with pre-existing accounts can simply log in with their current usernames & passwords). Once you have logged in, you will receive a bidder’s paddle number and are ready to bid. Bidding can be done by bidding the next increment above where the current winning bid is or there is the option of leaving a “Max Bid” for the amount you are willing to go up to. If you leave a max bid, the computer system will bid on your behalf as necessary, just enough to keep you in the winning position up to your max bid amount. It does not automatically jump your bid up unless another higher bid has been left by another bidder (in some cases a reserve may have been placed on an item and the system may bid against you up to the reserve amount). For other details on absentee bidding, please see the examples above in ABSENTEE BIDDING DIRECT WITH AUCTION HOUSE.

ONLINE SIMULCAST LIVE BIDDING

As a matter of convenience Western Trading Post offers interactive, live online bidding on the various internet platforms we use (including our own website). Bidders need to register online to receive a user id and password (bidders with pre-existing accounts can log in with their current usernames & passwords). Once you have logged in, you will receive a bidder’s paddle number and are ready to bid. If you have already registered during pre-bidding, you do not have to register again. Once you’re registered on a platform for a particular auction, that registration works for both absentee and live bidding (on that platform). Remember live bidding online can be tricky because of internet speeds and possible delays. We recommend leaving a max absentee bid when possible and then watch to see if you need to raise your bid during the live auction. If you’re bidding in real time online as the auction is happening, it’s better to bid early in the process once the lot you’re interested in opens up. This helps give the auctioneer ample notice of your intent to bid so you don’t miss out.

TELEPHONE BIDDING

As a matter of convenience to bidders, Western Trading Post offers phone bidding. Bidders are required to register and receive a bidder’s number before phone bids will be taken. Bidders may participate live over the telephone during the auction, but Western Trading Post requires you notify us of your intent to phone bid prior to the auction (preferably 24 hours or more advance notice) so we can schedule a representative to help you. Contact us at 520-426-7702 for registration and to schedule your phone bid.

TIMED AUCTION BIDDING

Lots in a Timed Auction are open for bidding for a pre-determined time period, usually from a few days up to a couple of weeks. Bids left on a specific lot in a timed auction are prioritized by the computer system (for example, if two identical bids are left by different bidders, the bid left first will be prioritized and the seconds bid will be automatically rejected). The computer system bids automatically on your behalf as necessary if you leave an absentee max bid in the amount you are willing to go up to. In the timed auctions, the closing of a lot is automatically extended for an additional 10 minutes if any new bids are placed in the last 10 minutes of the closing time of the lot. This gives other bidders an opportunity to react and place another bid if desired. This also eliminates “snipe bidding” (bidding at the last second with the intent to not give competing bidders a chance to raise their bids). Not sure what a Timed Auction is? Click here for our explanation. 

SHIPPING. If you won an item and need it shipped, please remember that shipping, handling and insurance for all absentee, internet and phone bid items are ultimately the responsibility of the winning bidder. Western Trading Post will assist in the shipping of most items. Shipment will only occur after funds have been received and cleared. We try to help keep the cost of shipping to a reasonable minimum and will combine postage cost where prudent. The Buyer pays the shipping cost plus there is a minimum $5 per lot handling / packaging fee (larger and difficult items are more, please see individual listings for exact fee). This charge is in addition to the cost of postage and if several items are purchased by one person, going the same place, we may discount the handling / packaging charges somewhat based on volume and difficulty of the items being shipped. Insurance is recommended, but paid for by the purchaser. If you do not want insurance, please let us know immediately that you will take the risk, otherwise we generally put it on for you. Please contact us if you have questions about shipping and remember, once you have bought an item, it is yours and we are merely assisting you to get it in your possession.

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