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Bidding 101
Your guide to winning at auction.Bidding 101
Your guide to winning at auction.
Step into our world of live auctions
From the first bid to the final call, live auctions are an exciting journey to be enjoyed.
This guide will walk you through the essentials, from registration to winning your first lot, so that you can bid with confidence at every auction.
PICK YOUR PLATFORM
Bid from home or bid on the go.
Roxbury's App
Our free auction app offers convenient access to our world of auctions from the palm of your hand.
Simply download the app and create an account to dive into upcoming sales, browse past catalogues, place bids and more.
Roxbury's Website
Watch all of the action online, register for each auction and place bids directly from your computer.
Our website bidding platform is easy to navigate, simply create an account and explore catalogues, bids, watched lots and more.
Along with our own platforms, you can find select Roxbury’s auctions on third-party sites Sixbid and Invaluable.
BEFORE YOU START BIDDING...
...being prepared is your best bet for success.
DO RESEARCH
Found a lot you love? Hooray! Before you go any further, the first thing we recommend is research...
Every Roxbury's auction item is accurately appraised and verified, so you know what you're bidding on. However, it’s important to research further to make sure it’s right for you.
Do some digging, get in touch to arrange a viewing, and put yourself in the best position to bid confidently.
BE READY
Auction day can fly by and be over before you know it, being ready means you don't miss a moment...
• Add items to Watchlist
• Know when the auction starts
• Know when your item will be up
• Set pre-bids and maximum bids
• Clear your calendar!
Be sure to familiarise yourself with our website and app, so you know your way around on auction day.
BE REALISTIC
With so many incredible items in our catalogues, it can be easy to get caught up in the excitement...
One minute you're browsing and the next you find yourself placing bids on almost everything! As enjoyable as that is, the key to success is setting realistic goals and sticking to them.
Decide in advance which items you most want to win and focus your efforts for the best chance of success.
AUCTION GLOSSARY GUIDE
Key terms to get to know.
Absentee Bid
A bid placed by someone who cannot attend the auction.
Buyer’s Premium
An additional fee, calculated as a percentage of the hammer price, paid by the buyer to the auctioneer or auction house.
Cataloguing
The detailed description of an item in the auction catalogue, including its condition, dimensions, and other key details.
Estimate
A price range provided by the auction house that indicates the expected selling price of an item.
Fair Warning
A signal that bidding is about to close.
Hammer Price
The final bid price when the auctioneer’s hammer comes down. This is the selling price of the item.
Increment
The minimum amount by which the next bid must exceed the current bid.
Last Call
A final notice for bidders to place their bids. The hammer will fall if no more bids are placed.
Lot
A single item or group of items that are offered for sale as one unit during the auction.
Paddle Number
A unique number assigned to each bidder for identification during the auction.
Passed In
When the seller’s reserve price hasn’t been met, so the item doesn’t sell.
Reserve Price
The minimum price the seller is willing to accept for an item. If bidding doesn’t reach the reserve price, the item may not be sold.
COMMON QUESTIONS & QUERIES
If your question isn’t answered below, send us a message and our team will be happy to help.
Can I inspect items before bidding on them?
We offer bidders the opportunity to view select lots prior to an auction beginning.
Viewings are available at our head office in Brisbane. Simply contact us to arrange a time to view the item/s you would like to see.
Can I set an absentee or automatic bid?
Yes. When placing a bid prior to the auction going live (a ‘Pre-Bid’) you can choose any amount above the current bid.
Your bid will be placed according to the bidding increment, and the system will automatically bid for you if you are outbid.
Example:
The current bid on an item is $50. You place a Pre-Bid of $250. The current bid will move to $55, as per the increment, and stay there until someone else bids.If you are outbid, the system will continue bidding for you in increments until $250 is reached.
What if I'm outbid?
You will receive an email to notify you that you have been outbid.
If this is prior to the auction beginning, you can set another Pre-Bid. If the auction is live, you’d best be logged in and active!
What are the bidding increments?
Bidding increments are as follows:
- $0 – $50: $5 increments
- $51 – $200: $10 increments
- $201 – $1,000: $25 increments
- $1,001 – $5,000: $50 increments
- $5,001 – $10,000: $100 increments
- $10,001 – $20,000: $500 increments
- $20,001 and above: $1,000 or at the Auctioneer’s discretion
What is Roxbury's buyer's premium?
Buyer’s premium is a standard auction charge that the winning bidder pays on top of the item’s hammer price.
Our buyer’s premium is in line with the industry standard, at 22% incl. GST.
Who is bidding in Roxbury's auctions?
Our auctions reach a worldwide audience, with a significant number of bidders tuned in to each auction. This means preparation is key when the competition ramps up!
I won an item I wanted! What happens next?
You will receive an invoice shortly after the auction is finished. Once you complete payment, we will send you a confirmation email with a tracking number to track your item/s.
Shipping typically takes 3-7 days, and can vary depending on the size of the auction.
The easy way to win
download our app
Our free auction app makes browsing, bidding and winning easier than ever.
• View live auctions
• Quickly place bids
• Save your favourite lots
• Browse upcoming & past catalogues
Find it on your app store and have an explore!