How To Register & Bid
We make bidding easy and accessible by offering multiple convenient ways to take part in our auctions. Whether you prefer to bid in person, join in live online from anywhere, leave an absentee bid in advance, or participate by phone with one of our team members, we provide flexible options to suit every bidder’s needs. Should you have any questions regarding any bidding process, please do not hesitate to contact us.
We strongly advise potential bidders to gain as much information as possible on a lot before placing a bid. The best way is to come along during our viewing week and spend a bit of time inspecting any items you may be considering. If you are unable to view a lot in person you may request a condition report or additional images via email.
A Buyer’s Premium of 19.5% + VAT is payable in addition to the hammer price.
Room bidding
Nothing beats the thrill of actually being there on auction day to bid in the room. If you have the time, we would love you to join us at our auction house in Suffolk to watch, experience and take part in our sales first-hand.
- Please arrive early to give you plenty of time to view lots before the auction starts
- Sign in at reception where you will be given your bidding number and registered if it is your first visit
- If you are successful in winning a bid, please ensure that you display your bidding number clearly to the auctioneer and that it is your number that has been called out
- Room bidders can choose to settle their invoices on the day and collect your purchases at any time during the sale
- If you are not sure where to go or what to do, just ask one of our friendly auction assistants who will be more than happy to help
A note on using our website to bid
Creating an account on our website gives you the ability to do the following:
- Add lots to your watch list and personal calendar
- Set up auction alerts to receive an email when an upcoming lot matches your description
- Place and manage absentee maximum bids online
- View and print the auction catalogue
You cannot bid live on our website.
If you wish to bid live online, you will need to register an account with either Easy Live Auction or The Saleroom auction platforms directly. Please see below for further information.
Live online bidding
Lockdales offers live online bidding via two leading online auction platforms: Easy Live Auction or The Saleroom. Using these platforms will incur an additional fee, please see our full guide to live online bidding for more information.
- To bid live online on either of the two platforms, you must create an account with them directly
- Account registration will be confirmed via email once the 'pending approval' stage has been accepted
- Once you have an account, you will then need to register to bid in your desired auction.
Please ensure you create an account and register to bid in good time before the auction starts, to make sure your account has been accepted and you have had plenty of time to familiarise yourself with the platforms.
Phone bidding
You can book a telephone line to bid live on the day with one of our auction assistants.
- Call or email us to book your telephone line
- We may need to ask for some more details if you haven't bid with us before, in order to set you up with an account
- We advise any phone bidders to leave a priority number plus a back up when possible
- You will usually be called around five lots prior to the lot you are bidding on in order to ensure we are connected and ready to go
- It is advisable that requests to bid by telephone be made by 4pm the day before the auction
Absentee bidding
If you can't make it in person or bid online, an absentee bid allows you to leave a bid and take part in the sale without attending.
An absentee, or commission, bid is the maximum amount you would wish to bid on a lot. When the lot comes up during an auction, the auctioneer will then bid on your behalf at the lowest price against other bids, up to and including your maximum bid.
How to leave an absentee bid:
- Register or log in on our website here
- Email bids@lockdales.com
- Phone 01473627110