Auctions
have been a part of my life for 35 years. After graduating in 1973 from
Colorado College as an art history major, I landed a job at Sotheby’s in New
York where they needed a preppy proofreader. What a great four years I spent there,
learning enough about the art world to launch my own successful fine art and
appraisal company. One of my jobs there was being an auctioneer, and I loved
it.
Auction
rooms are made up of different groups of people. There is the auction house
staff, which includes the auctioneer (who is the person who has control of the
entire process), various record keepers, telephone bid staff, and people who
physically move the items which are being offered for sale. There are also the
buyers, a varied group made up of dealers (who may be buying for their own
shops or inventory, or who may be buying as agent for a private individual,
institution or museum.
Auctions
are very fast paced and there are certain protocols and etiquette which can
make an auction run smoothly and make the experience of the buyer more
enjoyable. I know for myself, that when I am bidding on an item, my adrenalin
gets pumped up – the force is with me. My advice to anyone who is planning to
buy something at the auction is to be sure to carefully examine the item before
the sale. Ask any questions pertaining to condition, provenance, and possible
reserve price and estimated value of the auction house staff. In other words,
know what you’re bidding on.
In
many auction rooms, you will be required to register for a ‘number’ - a bidding
card identifying you to the auctioneer when bidding. You may want to get there
early so as to ensure getting a seat for the sale, which can last many hours.
At Tim Isaac’s Auctions here in Saint John, you can call ahead to reserve a
seat if you are known to him. I always like sitting towards the front of the
room for most of the sale, but often times move to the back and stand up while
bidding. When bidding, make sure you hold the number clearly for the auctioneer
to see. Auctioneers are not psychics and blinks and nods can often go unnoticed
and your bid may be missed. Do not talk in a loud voice during the auction and
do not have your cell phone turned onto ‘ring’. If you must take a call, leave
the room or speak in a hushed voice as this is distracting and disrespectful to
others.
Remember
too that the auctioneer has the final say as to who the successful bidder is.
Any disputes should be handled immediately. If you cannot attend the sale, you
have a few options. You can ask a friend to bid on your behalf in person; you
can leave a bid with the auction house staff; or you can arrange to have the
‘phone bank’ call you just before your item is coming up for sale allowing you
to bid over the phone. Telephone bidding is a great way of handling this if you
can arrange it. Be sure you have a clear idea how much you are willing to spend
beforehand and bid quickly, because if you hesitate too long, the item may well
be sold to someone else.
There
is most likely a conspicuous sign outlining the conditions of sale posted in
the auction room or printed in your catalog. Familiarize yourself with these as
they vary from one auction house to another. For example, at Tim Isaac’s sales
there is no buyer’s premium. At most other houses there is one, meaning that
the final sale price is greater than the actual hammer price by sometimes as
much as 20%.
If
you are buying a ‘box’ lot - a variety of items sold together in a box, be sure
to examine the contents carefully, and do not repack the boxes to your liking.
Others may well have examined the contents of the boxes and are placing bids
according to what they saw. Unfortunately it happens all too frequently that
someone will take a certain item they want and bury in under a bunch of linens,
trying to hide it so they can buy it for a song. This is like shoplifting and
is in fact stealing from the consignor of the property.
The
best way for the bidder to learn about auctions, auction rules, and auction
etiquette is to attend auctions regularly. Feel free to ask seasoned auction
goers about bidding, removing of property you buy and any other myriad of
questions which can arise. The auction house staff is also well versed in all
aspects of the auction and is most helpful. Going to your first auction can be
an intimidating experience. Go with a friend; plan to go to the exhibition
ahead of time and stay for as much as you have time for. You will learn to
enjoy these outings and may even pick up a bargain or two along the way.
