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.🫵 For the Bidder: Real Benefits of Bidding Direct
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.
Check the Website & Follow Us on Social Media
Our website is your research hub. Here you’ll find:
Upcoming auction schedules
Full photo catalogs 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, do it. There’s something magical about seeing a piece in person — the weight, the patina, the craftsmanship you can’t fully capture in photos. If you can’t make it in, the online catalog 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 shipping details 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 an absentee bid, knowing the mechanics will make the process smoother — and less like trying to figure out the rules of cricket on the fly.
Bidding Online – Play-by-Play
Log in & Get Approved – Only registered, approved bidders can participate.
Browse the Catalog – Explore the items in detail, noting the descriptions, estimates, and photographs.
Choose Your Item – Narrow in on your favorites.
Place Your Bid – In a live auction, you’ll see the current bid. Enter a higher amount, confirm, and wait for the auction clerk to accept your bid. If there’s competition, be ready to go higher.
Follow 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 catalog, or mute the sound if the gavel’s too intense.
Confirm Max Bid – When bidding on items that are not currently 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 first. In cases where your bid is not accepted by the clerk, you can simply bid a higher amount.
Absentee Bidding – 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 from other bidders.
Platform Bids for You – During the live auction, when your item comes up, the system automatically bids on your behalf, increasing 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 a little too caught up in the excitement of live bidding.
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 (if you’re more old-school)
Shipping & Collection
We work with trusted local and international shippers. We recommend our local UPS store for domestic and international shipments, and we’re happy to provide additional recommendations upon request. If you’d rather pick up in person, we offer appointments Tuesday–Friday, 10 am - 4:30 pm.
Once your item leaves Gray’s, it’s officially yours — so make sure it’s packaged and insured 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. They outline key details about payment, shipping, and our policies.
Technical Issues – While rare, glitches happen. Ensure you have a stable internet connection 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 squirrels (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.