Bidder guide
How to Bid
Gavel Down runs straightforward online timed auctions. No hidden fees, no reserve games — the highest bid takes the lot.
1. Create a bidder account
Registration is free. Provide your name, email and a password, confirm your email address, and you are approved to bid on every open lot.
2. Place your bid
Open a lot, review the photos and description, then enter any amount at or above the next minimum bid. The catalog shows the current bid, the bid count and the time remaining. Or use the Max Bid option: enter the most you are willing to pay and the system bids for you in increments while you are away, only going as high as it needs to keep you in front.
3. Win the lot
On timed soft-close auctions, any bid placed in the final 2 minutes pushes the closing time out by 2 more minutes, on top of whatever time is currently left, so a lot cannot close until the last bid is more than 2 minutes old — then the highest bid wins. On absentee auctions, bidding opens as soon as the catalog is online and closes at the time disclosed in the listing; all online bids are downloaded into our clerking system and executed by the auctioneer or clerk at the time of the live auction. Winning lots appear in My Account and you receive an invoice by email.
4. Pay and pick up or ship
Settle your invoice, then collect your items during the published pickup window at the location listed on the auction page — or request shipping if that is needed on marked lots.
Bidding rules
- Opening bid. The first bid on a lot must meet the published opening bid.
- Increments. Every bid after that must be at least the current bid plus the lot's bid increment, shown on the lot page.
- Timed soft close. Any bid placed in the final 2 minutes pushes the closing time out by 2 more minutes, on top of whatever time is currently left, so a lot cannot close until the last bid is more than 2 minutes old. This prevents last-second sniping and gives everyone a fair chance to counter-bid.
- Absentee bids. Absentee bidding opens as soon as the catalog is online and closes at the time disclosed in the listing. All online bids are downloaded into our clerking system and executed by the auctioneer or clerk at the time of the live auction.
- Watchlist. Use the heart icon to track lots and find them again in My Account.
- As-is, where-is. Inspect the pictures thoroughly and contact the auction company with any questions about an item before bidding. Descriptions are provided in good faith, but items sell in their current condition.
Payment
Invoices are emailed shortly after the auction closes and are due before pickup. We accept cash, major credit cards, Venmo and approved checks.
Pickup & removal
Bring your own help, tools and trailers for heavy items. Pickup windows are published on each auction page. Items not removed by the published deadline may be considered abandoned.
Bid responsibly — winning bids are binding.
If you win a lot and do not complete the purchase, your account may be suspended. If an emergency comes up, contact us before the auction closes to request removal of a bid.