| I have probably seen it all as far as | | | | cigarette cards in albums or boxes, stamps, |
| auctions go and, though I've been buying at | | | | pieces of vintage jewellery, sets of toy |
| auction for more than thirty years, I still | | | | soldiers. I've lost count of the number of |
| make mistakes, still find things to surprise | | | | times I've viewed postcards one day, bid and |
| me. This article is designed to help you | | | | paid for them the next, and later discovered |
| avoid most of the problems typically | | | | the real gems of the collection were missing. |
| encountered by newcomers and old hands | | | | The cards have been moved to another box or |
| alike.* Visit as many auctions as you can to | | | | album, originally containing low value cards |
| learn how individual auction companies | | | | which have been bought for next to nothing by |
| operate. There are good, bad and downright | | | | the ruthless perpetrator. Check content |
| ugly auction houses. All auction houses are | | | | before leaving and inform auction staff about |
| bound by national and Statutory regulations, | | | | irregularities. It's too late when you get |
| and all have their own independent rules | | | | home.* The 'panic button' is a popular con, |
| detailing what they expect of bidders and | | | | whereby, as you are bidding, probably against |
| buyers and what you can expect of them. | | | | just one other person, someone will tap you |
| Legally, national rules must be displayed | | | | on the shoulder and say something like: |
| somewhere prominent, in the auction | | | | "Don't touch those ornaments, they're fakes'. |
| catalogue, for example, or on a wall or | | | | In the time it takes you to realise what's |
| notice board in the saleroom. Most companies | | | | going on, some other person will have had the |
| combine national and company rules in one | | | | lot marked down to him. He and his friends |
| location. Read and make sure you understand | | | | have got what they wanted, in more ways than |
| what they mean and ask any questions before | | | | one!* Watch out for bids being 'taken off |
| bidding.* Remember auction companies vary | | | | the wall', involving non-existent bidders. |
| and what is common practice in one is | | | | This rarely happens in reputable auction |
| entirely unsatisfactory in another. Visit a | | | | houses, incidentally. Taking bids off the |
| few salerooms purely to view the proceedings | | | | wall means what it says, and sometimes there |
| and see how other visitors bid, how and where | | | | is no-one bidding against you but the price |
| they collect their goods, whether you can pay | | | | keeps going up, and up. A dishonest |
| by cheque, and so on. Some companies allow | | | | auctioneer is reading your face to see just |
| goods to be taken during the sale, others | | | | how far he can push you to bid. Confuse him, |
| don't. Some require payment on the day, | | | | don't rush to bid, try to look as if you are |
| others will wait ten days or more.* | | | | losing interest at every bidding stage.* |
| Following on from the last point, be careful | | | | Remember that the price your lot is knocked |
| about goods left in the saleroom while | | | | down at can be inflated quite considerably by |
| payment clears. Typically, the auction | | | | buyer's commission and statutory taxes. |
| company is not liable for the safety of your | | | | Check before bidding and add likely extras to |
| goods after the sale. If they get damaged, | | | | your maximum bidding budget.* Remember you |
| lost or stolen, that's your problem, not | | | | will have to get the things you buy to your |
| theirs. Try to pay on the day where possible | | | | home or business premises. Some auctions |
| and certainly in smaller auction houses and | | | | provide free transportation, many don't. If |
| others best described as 'iffy'. Iffy, to my | | | | you have to hire a vehicle, take this into |
| mind, describes many non-custom built | | | | account when deciding how much to bid for |
| salerooms, such as auctions held in abattoirs | | | | certain lots.* Beware ex-demonstration |
| and farm sales offices, any where porters are | | | | goods; they could be damaged. Look for |
| shabbily dressed, lack knowledge of | | | | fingerprints and stains indicating heavy use. |
| individual lots, or just seem disinterested. | | | | Avoid stock other people have been unable to |
| Generally speaking, the best salerooms are | | | | sell, they're not likely to sell for you |
| those attached to large estate agencies and | | | | either. Look especially for sticky patches |
| valuation specialists or with custom built | | | | where price labels have been removed. View |
| auction rooms.* Arrive in plenty of time to | | | | goods from all angles and beat unscrupulous |
| get a really good look at anything you are | | | | auctioneers' attempts to hide damaged goods |
| interested in buying. Inspect everything very | | | | by standing lots close to the wall, arranging |
| carefully. Make sure items with multiple and | | | | items tightly together, placing doilies over |
| moving parts are intact and working | | | | heavy stains, painting over patched-up holes |
| properly.* Be on your guard against popular | | | | in cars and household goods.* Avoid items |
| cons, such as pieces from one lot being | | | | you can't try before bidding or risk buying |
| exchanged for bits from another, after you | | | | computers that don't work, televisions and |
| have viewed and just before the auction | | | | radios minus essential components, books with |
| begins. Be especially careful of large lots | | | | pages missing. |
| of collectibles, such as postcards and | | | | |