Buying at Auction:

Buying at auction should be fun and rewarding – and can be exciting. Here are some tips to make it easy.
 

Research is key to a successful auction experience.

Find out what we have to offer by exploring our website. We provide email alerts to our clients about our upcoming auctions and auction results -- sign-up for any specialty areas that interest you. Click here to Join Waddington's Email List

Make sure you know how and when the auction is offered. Specific details are included in the email alerts and on our website. Be sure to note if the auction is conducted live or online. If offered online, it’s important to be aware of the closing date and time. All our auctions include a live and online preview; check the dates and times of both. Click here to see our Upcoming Auctions & Events. 

Explore the online catalogue for any auction you are interested in. Every item we offer is researched by our specialists and presented with an image, description and estimate enabling you to bid confidently. Note: A printed catalogue maybe available for some auctions. Online catalogues can be found by selecting an auction on our Upcoming Auctions and Events Page. Click here to see our Upcoming Auctions & Events.  

Attend the preview if possible. Examine items of interest and take advantage of the expertise of our specialists who are available to answer your questions. 

Make sure you know what you’re bidding on. Confirm the following:

• Condition of the item. Condition reports are available from the department.

• Dimensions of the item.

• Are there any export restrictions on the item?
  Visit www.cites.org for more information.
   

Understand associated costs and charges.

Buyer’s premium and applicable taxes are added to the hammer (final) price. 

Toronto Live Auctions
(excluding Joyner Canadian Fine Art Auctions)
Buyers Premium     20% up to and including $50,000
                                15% in excess of $50,000

Artfact Live!             23% up to and including $50,000
                                18% in excess of $50,000    

Joyner Canadian Fine Art Live Auctions
Buyers Premium      18%

Online Auctions 
Buyers Premium     20% up to and including $50,000
                               15% in excess of $50,000 

Cobourg Specialty Auctions
Buyers Premium     15%

Cobourg Regular Weekly General Estate Auctions
Buyers Premium     10%

Registration is required to bid.

Registration is required for all auctions, live and online. There is no charge for registering

Registration for a Live Auction can be completed at the preview for an auction or on the night of the auction.
Upon completion of registration you will be assigned a bidder's number. 

Registration for an Online Auction must be complete online.
You will be assigned a bidder's number for an online auction when you log into your account. 
You only need to register once to participate in all of our online auctions.
Click here to Register for an Online Auction.

Bidding

Live Auction Bidding

Bidding in person - Raise your hand or bidding number. Don’t be shy – after your first bid, the auctioneer will watch for you.

Absentee bids – If you can’t attend the auction, you may register an absentee bid with our office. We will assign a staff member to bid on your behalf to purchase the item at the lowest bid not exceeding your specified maximum. Absentee bids must be received at least four hours prior to the auction. Click here to download our Absentee Bid Form. 

*Not for use in online auctions. Click here to Register for an Online Auction

Telephone bids – an alternative manner to participate in the auction. A member of our staffwill provide live participation on your behalf. You will be contacted by telephone just prior to the item being offered. As with absenting bidding, you must contact our office at least four hours in advance of the auction to arrange telephone bidding. Please note due to volume of telephone bid requests, this service is available on a first come-first served basis. Click here to download our Telephone Bid Form. 

*Not for use in online auctions. Click here to Register for an Online Auction

Online Auction Bidding 

Place online bids anytime up to the noted end time for the desired lot. If a bid is received in the final five minutes of the auction, the countdown clock is reset an additional five minutes, until no further bids are received. You can leave absentee bids by entering the maximum amount you would like to bid up to. The software will bid on your behalf up to that amount.

After the Auction

Live Auction Payment

Payment for purchases must made within 48 hours of the auction. We accept payment by:

• cash

• travelers cheque

• bank draft

• electronic transfer (fee applies)

• VISA or Mastercard (up to $25,000)

• Canadian clients may also utilize INTERAC direct debit and certified cheque as payment.

Waddington's requires credit cards to be presented in person by the cardholder and therefore will not accept credit card payments over the telephone, however fax authorization arrangements can be made. 

Online Auction Payment

After you have won an item in an online auction please wait to receive an invoice via email. Payment can be made using PayPal or any of the methods mentioned above.

Storage

Items left after 10 days may be subject to storage fees on a per lot basis at $15/week unless otherwise notified upon payment.