The Buying Process

The experts at Withington Auction can provide to you the history and condition of any item up for auction. Bidding for an item, whether it is in person or online, can be an exhilarating and unique experience.

How to Bid in Timed Online Auctions

Withington Auctions offers fixed-time, online auctions. These online-only auctions allow Withington to bring more high-quality items to auction in an easy-to-use, web-based format.

Step 1-Create an Account by Visiting Upcoming Auctions

In order to participate online for any Withington timed auction you must register. Registration will begin on the first day of the auction. Visit “UPCOMING AUCTIONS” and click the registration tab. When you have successfully created an account, you will receive a confirmation email. Visit the auction schedule and click “View Lots” to browse the auction.

 

Step 2-Log in to the Auction

Click on the “Register to Bid” button to register for the specific auction with your email and password.

Step 3-Receive approval to bid

Even if you have bid in Withington auctions in the past, you must register again for each auction as each auction is a unique event. You will receive email notification upon approval.

Step 4-Bid online

Use the “BID” button to place a bid on an item. Bids are executed using standard increments. If another bidder places a higher bid, you will see an outbid message on your screen. Note, the only method for participating in a timed online auction is through online bidding.

Step 5-Bid dynamics

Lots in a timed online auction will end over a period of time with staggered end times. Please refer to the countdown timer beside a lot. Most of the bidding action occurs during the last few minutes. In the event that competitive bidding takes place within the last five minutes of the auction, time will be added in five-minute increments to allow time for the underbidder to decide to increase his or her bid.

Step 6-Winning bidder

The winning bidder is the current high bidder when the lot closes. If you are the winning bidder, you will be notified by email within 24-hours.  A buyer’s premium of 25% applies to timed online auction purchases. Please read the Conditions of Sale for more information.

 

In Person LIVE Auctions

There’s nothing quite like the thrill and drama of participating in a live auction at Withington. It is both entertaining and exciting as buyers compete for cherished items. As they say in sports-there is the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat with each lot.

Step 1-Registration

Registration typically opens 2 hours prior to the auction start time. To bid in person, you’ll need to arrive in enough time to register and receive a bidding number. If it is your first-time bidding with us, please bring a form of picture identification, such as a driver’s license.

Step 2-Bidding

The auction will begin when the auctioneer asks for an opening bid. The auctioneer will accept bids from the floor as well as number of other methods to include the internet and absentee bidding. Bidding at Withington’s will follow standard increments. In some instances, the auctioneer will have the discretion to modify those increments. Once competitive starts, the marketplace will come alive until the auctioneer announces “sold”. That last bid is commonly referred to as the hammer price. The hammer price plus the buyer’s premium will be the actual purchase price. Note, sometimes the auctioneer will make the decision to pass a lot rather than sell it if the market does not develop. This protects the consignor but generally this does not occur often.

Step 3-Cashing Out

Congratulations if you are the winning bidder.  Please check in at the desk to settle the invoice and arrange for shipping by UPS or take possession immediately.

 

 

 

Absentee and Phone Bidding

Absentee bids will be executed by Withington on your behalf during a live auction. Using the standard auction increments, the auctioneer will bid competitively for you up the maximum amount that you are willing to bid. Often the winning bid will be less than your maximum bid. In the event of a tie between bids, the live bidder will take priority. Between absentee bidders, the first one to register their bid would take priority.

Phone bidding will follow the same procedure as live bidding on the floor. A Withington staff member will call you prior to the lot of interest.  As the bidding begins the staff member will ask for your bid (yes or no) for the next bidding increment.

To protect the consignor, the auctioneer may set a minimum opening bid.

 

 

Standard Bidding Increments

The auctioneer calls out for and accepts bids following a regular pattern, known as standard increments. As the price gets higher, the increments increase in size. While the auctioneer will generally use the increments below, the auctioneer may decide to change the increment, and this decision is at his or her discretion.

 

Current Bid Standard Increment
Up to $199 $10
$200-$499 $25
$500-$999 $50
$1,000-$2,999 $100
$3,000-$4,999 $250
$5,000-$9,999 $500
$10,000-$29,999 $1,000
$30,000-$49,999 $2,500
$50,000-$99,999 $5,000
$100,000-$299,999 $10,000
$300,000-$499,999 $25,000
$500,000-$999,999 $50,000
Over $1,000,000 $100,000