Auction Day Etiquette: What to Know If You Attend In Person
Auction Day Etiquette: What to Know If You Attend In Person At my first live auction, I parked in the wrong spot, stood in front of the auctioneer’s assistant for twenty minutes, and asked a very loud question in the middle of a bid. Nobody was rude about it, but I did get a few looks. Live auctions have their own unwritten manners, and most of them are plain common sense once someone points them out. If you’re planning to go in person, here’s what I wish I’d known. Arrive Early, Not Just On Time Showing up right as the sale begins is a recipe for stress. Early arrival gives you time to park, register, find your seat, and get a feel for the room. It also lets you look at items properly. Previews are often open before the bidding starts, and a rushed look is rarely a good look. Give yourself an extra half hour and you’ll feel calmer the whole day. Register Properly and Keep Your Number Safe Most live sales hand out a bidder number after you register. You’ll usually need identification a...