Auctions and Auction Etiquette

The thoughts expressed here are the opinions of the author and may not be those of the web site owners.

Many of us enjoy an auction. It is a place to meet and visit with neighbors and friends. And, maybe pick up an item you simply can not live without. At an auction you can buy almost anything from animals to zephyrs.

You may have heard stories of priceless antiques purchased at a country auction for almost nothing. Maybe today is your lucky day. While those things do happen, they do not happen often. You may see something used sell for more than new price, as bidders get caught up in the auction frenzy.

What if you scratch you nose at the wrong time?

If you have a fear of making a movement that will be taken as a bid, you are not alone. Many of us worry that a nod to a friend or scratch of an ear will be taken as a bid. We fear winding up owning something that we didn´t want at a price we can not afford to pay. While this can happen, it is not likely. Most auctioneers fear taking a bid that was not meant to be a bid and are careful to insure your action was intended as a bid. They may even ask if you are bidding if they are not sure. In the unlikely event that your action was incorrectly taken as a bid, they will not hold you responsible. Just explain that you didn´t intend to be bidding.

How should you bid?

There are many different ways people bid at an auction. Among the most common are the raising of a hand or nod of the head. First you must get the attention of the auctioneer or his representative. If the bids are coming in from two or more people the auctioneer will likely not be looking very hard for other bidders. Don´t be bashful once the action slows. You may want to wave wildly or shout, "Yes." There are a lot of people to watch and it is easy to overlook a nod or a raised hand before your first bid has been taken. Once your first bid has been taken, a slight nod or other indication that you accept the bid should be sufficient.

How much should you bid?

It is easy to get caught up in the auction fever. Know what you are willing to pay before you bid. When the bidding reaches your limit, shake your head or just turn away from the auctioneer to let them know you are not interested in paying more.

What if your neighbor is bidding on the item you want?

There have been many feuds started when one neighbor bid on property another wanted. A rancher once told me that he hadn´t spoken to a neighbor for 10 years though they had once been good friends. It seems that a pasture he wanted had come up for auction and the "son of a gun" bid against him causing him to pay more than he intended. How childish can you be? If it wasn´t worth that much, why didn´t he stop bidding? I have been outbid by friends and neighbors many times. When they are willing to pay more for an item, it´s going to belong to them. That´s the name of the game. It doesn´t bother me when they outbid me. If it bothers them when I bid against them, well, that´s their problem.

What if you can´t get to the auction?

If there is something listed at an auction you are interested in, but there in no way you can be at the auction, many auction companies will accept a proxy bid. Let them know that you will give up to $X.xx for that item and they will place bids on your behalf up to the amount you specified. Remember though, you are entering into a verbal contract and are responsible for payment if the item is bought for you.

Estate sales.

Often estates are settled at auction. There are usually things that none of the heirs really want and bits and pieces that several of the heirs would like to have. It is not uncommon for the auctioneer to announce, "The heirs may be bidding at this auction." What better way is there to settle an estate, than to put it up to the highest bidder and let the heirs bid right along with the public? But, you say, "I don´t feel right bidding against the son or daughter. It seems that if they want it they should have it." That is a nice sentiment but let´s take a look at the following scenario.

It´s a nice old desk and you would gladly pay $600 for it, but you quit bidding at $80 when you realize you were bidding against one of the daughters. Should you feel good when she gets it for $90 but wish you had stopped sooner? Not necessarily. Unintentionally you are siding with one daughter against the other two. When the proceeds are split between the 3 children each will get $30 not the $200 (less commission of course) they would have received had you taken it home for $600. Next week you may find the desk at the antique dealers for $1000 and find out he bought it from the daughter for $200.

What if you buy something at the auction and it doesn´t work?

Unless the person that consigned the merchandise has stated the he or she guarantees the products, you are probably stuck. Most auctions are "As is Where is." Auction companies normally do not assume responsibility for condition or usability.

What if the item you wanted is no longer in the box you bought?

It seems that items move about magically at many auctions. Personally I do not feel that the auction service can be held responsible if something is not still in a box when that box comes up for bid. If you can´t see the item, either ask the auctioneer if it is there or don´t bid.

A relative tells of being at an auction and witnessing someone taking a valuable toy and placing it at the bottom of a box of used washcloths. After the person moved on, he and a friend put the toy back in the first box. When the washcloths came up they placed a few bids. After winning the bid, the man was pretty upset that the toy he had hidden was no longer in the box.

Some auction patrons seem to feel that they can hide an item in a box of little value, buy that box for a song, and have a bargain. Would that same person pick up a cheap travel bag at the local Wal-Mart, fill it with VHS tapes and expect to pay only for the bag at the checkout counter? Most would consider that shoplifting. What is the difference? They are stealing from the person that consigned the item.

Items must not be removed until paid for.

This line is found in most sale bills. I am sure that it is taken literally at some auctions, but at most farm and local consignment auctions it does not mean you can´t take your box of prized purchases and stow it in the trunk of your car. Just be sure you pay before you drive away. If you are in doubt ask an auction service representative. At auctions in my area, once the auctioneer says sold, the buyer becomes responsible. If it´s stolen after it is sold the auction company is not liable. Just as you would not leave your billfold on your dash, don´t leave your purchases where they tempt thieves.

When something is left unattended ask yourself, "Does it belong to me?" If the answer is no, leave it alone. If you see someone pocketing an item that has not sold or taking a box which they didn´t buy, report it to the auction company. Auctions can be a lot of fun, don´t let thieves ruin the day for someone.

© April 2005 Jack Andersen

ALLIANCE AUCTION SERVICE
Alliance, Nebraska