Eric's Auction Tips

Before the Sale – RESEARCH!

Go to auctions regularly. It helps you to find out what you are interested in before beginning your collection.

Buy the auction catalogue. Familiarise yourself with the goods and the prices. This lists and numbers all the objects, or groups of objects, in the order in which they will be sold. These are known as 'lot' numbers.

Pay careful attention to the exact wording of each entry. Read the explanations at the beginning of the catalogue, which tell you the significance of words such as 'attributed to', 'style of' and 'after'. This terminology tells you the valuer's opinion of the date and authenticity of a piece and affects its value.

If you are looking to spend a large amount, contact the auctioneer to discuss payment terms before the auction date – can you pay by credit card, cheque or only cash?

If you can’t attend the sale yourself you can leave a commission bid with the auctioneer who will bid on your behalf – again contact the auction house in advance to arrange this. To leave a commission bid simply ask for a bidding slip, fill in your details, the lot numbers of the items you wish to bid on and the limit up to which you’d like to bid.

If you are intending to buy large items, especially furniture, enquire about transportation. Auction houses like you not only to pay for but also to take away the items you’ve bought on the day of the sale. Most salerooms can’t keep your furniture and keep moving it from one room to another. If you were going to do big business with them regularly eg a big shipper then they might keep items for them for up to a week. So either take appropriate transport or set up with carrier in advance to collect it after the sale – you can get advice from the auction room.

Check out the parking situation – phone ahead. You don’t want to miss the lot you’re after because you’re driving around looking for somewhere to park!