How to Buy at Auction Your Step-by-Step Guide
Buying at auction shouldn’t be like stepping into a Victorian club where everyone else seems to know the rules but you. In reality, bidding is simply a mix of curiosity, preparation, and the thrill of competition. Whether you’re on the hunt for a priceless oil painting, a quirky mid-century lamp, or something that makes your friends ask, “Why on earth did you buy that?”, we’ve got you covered.
At Gray’s, we believe the buying journey can be summed up in three phases: Browse, Bid, and Bring Home. But within those three steps lies a world of strategy, etiquette, and a few insider tips that will help you bid with confidence and maybe even swagger. Let’s break it down.
Step 1: Browse & Prepare
Think of this stage as the research phase, the “first date” with your future purchase. You’re looking, learning, and deciding whether you’re ready to commit.
Join Our Mailing List
The easiest way to stay in the loop is to join the Gray’s mailing list. Every sale is different, and by signing up, you’ll be among the first to hear about new auctions, see curated highlights, and read our take on why a certain 18th-century sideboard is the Beyoncé of furniture.
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Check the Website & Follow Us on Social Media
Our website is your research hub. Here you’ll find:
Upcoming auction schedules
Full photo catalogues with descriptions and estimates
Our searchable archive of past sales is perfect for understanding market trends and prices.
We also share auction sneak peeks and behind-the-scenes finds on Facebook and Instagram. Some items are beautiful, some are baffling, and a few are both.
Request a Condition Report
Online photos are good, but nothing beats having a detailed, honest condition report. This is where we tell you about any chips, cracks, missing bits, or “historically acquired character.” It’s about transparency, so you can bid without unpleasant surprises later.
Preview in Person (When Possible)
If you can visit during our preview period, we encourage you to do it. There’s something magical about seeing a piece in person — the size, the weight, the patina, the craftsmanship, and all the little details that you can’t fully capture in photos. If you can’t make it in, the online catalogue is still your trusty guide.
Register Early!
Registration closes one hour before the live auction, but don’t leave it to the last minute. You’ll need to provide payment and your address to verify your identity. Once approved, you’re ready to bid. And no, registering doesn’t mean you have to buy something. But it does mean you can if the urge strikes.
Step 2: How to Place a Bid
This is where the adrenaline kicks in. Whether you’re joining the auction live or leaving a maximum absentee bid before the auction, knowing the mechanics will make the process smoother, and less like trying to figure out the rules of the game on the fly.
Bidding Online Play-by-Play
Log in & get approved: Only registered, approved bidders can participate.
Browse the catalogue: Explore the items in detail, noting the descriptions, estimates, and photographs.
Choose your item: Narrow in on your favorites. Use the heart button to create your list.
Absentee Bidding Before the Auction Starts, Set It and Forget It
Absentee bidding allows you to place a maximum bid on an item before the live auction begins. The auction platform then bids on your behalf, up to your specified maximum, to try and secure the item for you at the lowest possible price.
Here’s how it works:
Set Your Maximum Bid: When browsing an auction, you’ll have the option to place an absentee bid. Enter the highest amount you’re willing to pay for the item. This number is kept completely confidential.
Platform Bids for You: During the live auction, when your item comes up, the system automatically bids on your behalf based on your previously set maximum bid, increasing incrementally only as much as necessary to keep you in the lead, never jumping straight to your maximum unless needed.
Outbid Notification: If someone places a bid higher than your maximum, you’re officially outbid. You’ll get a notification on-screen and by email, giving you the chance to increase your maximum if you want to stay in the game.
Winning with Absentee Bids: If no other bidder exceeds your maximum and you’re the highest bidder, you win the lot at the lowest possible price — even if it’s well under your set max.
Absentee bidding is ideal for busy bidders, those in different time zones, or anyone who knows they might get carried away by the excitement of live bidding.
Bidding Live - During the auction
First Join Live Auction
Place Your Bid: This is slightly different if you are bidding in a live auction. First, you’ll see the current bid. Then you’ll be able to click the bid button, which will display the amount you are bidding. Next, click 'Confirm' and wait for the auction clerk to accept your bid. If there’s competition, be ready to go higher. Remember to bid quickly, or someone might get that bid before you.
Watch the Live Feed: Our real-time audio/video lets you watch the auction unfold. Move the video window around your screen, collapse it if you want to focus on the bidding or the catalogue, or mute the sound if the gavel’s too intense.
Confirm Max Bid: When bidding on items that are waiting to come up live, not currently live in the ring, you will see a confirmation of your MAX bid value, including the buyerʼs premium that will be applied to that maximum bid value.
Win (Hopefully): If you’re the high bidder when the hammer falls, the item is yours — pending final confirmation.
Just a note: Once your bid has been submitted, it must then be ‘acceptedʼ by the auction clerk. When multiple bids from different sources are at play, you may not see your bid being accepted, as the auctioneers must accept bids received in the order they come in. In cases where your bid is not accepted by the clerk, you can simply bid again. Remember, during the live auction, bid quickly!
Step 3: Winning & Bringing Your Item Home
Congratulations, you’ve just secured your treasure! Now it’s time to pay, arrange delivery, and possibly rearrange your living room.
Payment
Once the auction is over, you’ll receive an invoice with a secure payment link. We accept
Credit card
Wire transfer
Check
Cash
Zelle
Shipping & Collection
We work with trusted local and international shippers. For smaller items, we recommend our local UPS stores for domestic and international shipments, and we’re happy to provide additional recommendations upon request. For larger items, we have a list of recommended ‘blanket wrap’ shippers. If you’d rather pick up in person, we are open Tuesday–Friday, 10 am - 430 pm, and other times by appointment only. Remember when the hammer comes down, it’s officially yours, so make sure it’s packaged, insured, and shipped the way you want.
Important Considerations Before You Bid
Bid Increments: Bids must increase by fixed amounts set by the auction house. Knowing these increments will help you plan your bidding strategy.
Buyer’s Premium: Gray’s charges a 25% buyer’s premium, added to the hammer price of each lot. Factor this into your budget before placing your bid.
Terms & Conditions: Always read our Terms and Conditions carefully. All sales are final. The terms and conditions also outline key details about payment, shipping, and our policies.
Technical Issues: While rare, glitches happen. Ensure you have a stable internet connection and that your browser is the most updated version when participating in live online auctions.
Get Your Auction On
Buying at auction isn’t just about acquiring objects; it’s about the thrill of discovery, the stories behind the items, and the joy of giving them a new chapter. At Gray’s, we’ve seen bidders fall in love with everything from Renaissance portraits to taxidermy peacocks (don’t ask), and we’ve learned that there’s no “right” way to collect.
Whether you’re a first-time bidder or a seasoned auction-goer, the key is preparation, patience, and just enough daring to raise your hand, or click that bid button, one more time. Who knows? Your next great find might be just one bid away.