Buying at auction is a fun and exciting way to furnish your home, decorate your walls or find that missing collector item. Auctions are a great introduction to the world of antiques and fine art, and can be a wonderful way to meet new people with similar collecting interests.

To make your auction experience as enjoyable and successful as possible, we would like to share some basic information. The first rule of buying at auction is to do your research.

1.Take advantage of the auction preview. This will give you ample time to take measurements and inspect the items for any damage, interesting features or identifying marks, or to make sure that the items are complete, or in working order.

2. This is also the time to formulate a maximum bid. This is the maximum amount of money you decide you want to spend on an item. Having this number in mind during the actual bidding will help you to stick to your budget guideline. This is where advice from our staff can be helpful in understanding market prices and current popularity. Remember that a buyer's premium and applicable taxes will also be added to the hammer (final) price. The buyer’s premium at Waddington's™ Brighton is 10% of the hammer price of each lot.

3. We encourage you to talk with our knowledgeable staff for advice on estimates, conditions, etc.

Depending on the type of auction, you may be required to register to bid. This simply means providing your name, address and a piece of identification to our registration staff. You will be given a bidder's number, which will identify you to the auctioneer. There is no charge for registering, but we encourage you to pre-register in advance (for instance, at the preview) when possible to save time the day of the actual auction.

So the time has arrived for the items you are interested in to be presented on the auction block. Our doors generally open a half hour before the scheduled start time of the auction, during when you can register (if you haven't already) and find a seat in the auction gallery. The auctioneer will introduce the auction and advise of any late changes to the catalogue. Do not forget bidding is in Canadian dollars.

When you want to bid on an item - make sure the Auctioneer can see you are bidding by raising your hand or your number. Once the auctioneer has taken your first bid they will keep their eye on you. Being too subtle or furtive may lead to the auctioneer missing your bid. And no, the auctioneer will not hammer down that antique vase to you because you were scratching your nose! But do be aware that all sales are final.

If you're not able to attend an auction in person, you can still participate in the auction by leaving an absentee bid.

Absentee Bid: Leave your maximum bid with a staff member and it will be executed on your behalf. Be assured that your bid will be advanced to the least possible price to secure the lot.

If you are a successful bidder you have 48 hours to pay and pick up your purchases for regular weekly estate auctions and 10 days for catalogue auctions.

Payment for purchases can be made using: Visa or MasterCard (up to $25,000), direct debit, cash, certified cheque or bank draft.

We are also pleased to assist you with the arrangement of shipment of your items.

Now that you've experienced the excitement of buying at an auction, we look forward to seeing you at all our various events and helping you make the perfect auction acquisitions!

Consigning your property to Waddington's™ is a natural and successful step in the career of many collectors, both seasoned and novice. Waddington's™ client service team and specialists are invaluable in guiding you through the process of appraisal and consignment; always available to answer questions and attend to your auction needs. Many of our items for auction at Waddington's™ Brighton were consigned at our Toronto location, where our specialty expert staff, in addition to three senior appraisers, handles all aspects of appraisals. The unparalleled level of expertise on hand at Waddington's™ allows for appraisals to be conducted in a timely, convenient, and straightforward manner for our clients. Regardless of what you wish to consign, whether it be a vintage film poster or a Chippendale cabinet, Waddington's™ will always be able to perform your appraisal needs.

The benefits of consigning your property to Waddington's™ are manifold. We hold a high volume of auctions, totaling over 125 each year. Over the years, Waddington's™ has held exceptional auctions such as the contents of Maple Leaf Gardens, twice-weekly estate auctions, and bi-annual internationally acclaimed fine art auctions. Our specialty auctions are exciting and varied; we have held auctions for everything from Smoking Memorabilia, Czechoslovakian Art Glass, and Violin Making equipment to Aviation Memorabilia. Property consigned to Waddington's™ can be auctioned not only in Toronto but also at our new Brighton location. Waddington's™ Brighton auctions promise anything from auctions of Fine Canadiana to general estate wares. Waddington's™ ensures that there is always an auction event perfectly suited to showcase your properties.

Our commission fee is a percentage of the hammer price, on a per lot basis, as follows:

*A minimum handling charge may apply.

Insurance is charged at 1% of the hammer price on all consignments.