Bidding at an auction can be both exciting and intimidating to the uninitiated. This guide seeks to demystify the auction process and provide clarification on the roles and responsibilities of auctioneers and bidders.
How to register
Register any time prior to the auction.
This can be at an open for inspection, or when visiting the listing agency prior to the auction. Registering early will save you the trouble of registering on Auction Day.
Provide your details and get your Bidder number.
Provide the agent with your name and address and some photo identification e.g. drivers license or passport. The agent will record these details in a Bidders Register and provide you with a Bidder number. This number must be displayed by you when making a bid during the course of the auction.
If you register prior to auction day, you will not receive your number. When you arrive at the auction, you will need to see the agent, provide them proof of your identity, and receive your bidder number at that time.
Auctioneers are not permitted to provide your information to any other person other than an inspector or the court. However, the auctioneer may disclose to the seller of the property the identity of a bidder if it is necessary for negotiating the sale of the property after the auction.
Remember: You do not have to bid just because you have registered.
Registering for a phone bid? – A letter of authority must be completed the day before the auction. Contact our team for more information.
How to bid
Make sure that the auctioneer can see you.
Ideally, you should hold up your bidder number and call out your bid in a clear audible voice.
State your bid or increase the amount.
You can call out an exact amount – e.g. $260,000 or indicate the amount you wish to increase the previous bid by – e.g. “Another $10,000” or you can ask a sales agent to call the bid for you.
If the auctioneer calls the incorrect amount or misinterprets your bid – call out to the auctioneer and clarify the bid with them immediately.
Important points to remember when bidding at an auction
- Make sure you are familiar with the Conditions of Sale prior to bidding at the Auction. Auctioneers will have these displayed at the Auction for inspection by bidders prior to the auction commencing. Some Auctioneers will read some or all of these out at the start of the Auction.
- If you propose to bid on behalf of another person, you must have a letter of authority and provide the name and address details of that person to the agent in order to register them as bidders in the bidder register.
- When bidding at an auction, remember that if you are the successful bidder you will be required to sign the contract of sale and pay a deposit on the spot.
- There is no cooling off period when you buy at an auction.
- The auctioneer’s decision is final. In the event of a dispute arising, the auctioneer has the right to resubmit the property afresh or with a vendor’s bid in the event that the dispute arose before the reserve price was reached.
- Auctioneers are unable by law to provide advice to potential purchasers on whether a reserve price has been set, or what the reserve price is.
Need for information?
The Office of Fair Trading can provide you with more information on the laws that apply to property auctions. You can contact them on 3246 1523 or check out their website on www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au
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