Bidding is a binding contract. By placing a bid, you agree to pay the full hammer price, any applicable buyer's premium, and any shipping or handling fees if you win. Please bid only if you are fully committed. Failure to complete a purchase will result in a permanent ban.
If you'd like more info, photos, or a condition report before bidding, just ask — contact us at hello@graniteunionauction.com.
Absentee Bidding
Place absentee bids through the Auction Hub before the live event. Online absentee bidding stays open until a lot is sold.
Quick bid buttons are available for convenience: two starting-bid amounts for lots with no bids, and two current-bid increments for lots that already have bids. The specific amounts vary by auction — they're shown right on the buttons. You can also enter a custom maximum bid.
How Bidding Works
If your max bid is $25 or less, the current bid will be set to the full amount. If your max bid is over $25, the current bid will be set to $25. Competing bids bump the current bid to the next highest bid + $10, up to your max.
Managing Your Bids
- Increase your max bid any time before the lot is sold. The current bid will only change if your max bid is $25 or less. Otherwise, it stays where it is.
- Once the live auction starts, your bid executes automatically up to your max against competing live bids.
Absentee bids below $1.00 are not accepted. There are no reserves unless stated otherwise. Absentee bids are binding once placed, but you may request cancellation before the fall of the hammer by contacting us.
In-Person & Telephone Absentee Bids
For in-person auctions, you can leave absentee bids at the facility up to 30 minutes before the auction starts, or by phone beforehand. These follow slightly different rules:
- No competing bids? The lot opens at 50% of your bid
- Competing bids? It opens at the competing bid + $10, and we'll bid on your behalf up to your max
- No outbid notifications — it's your responsibility to follow up after the auction
Live Bidding
Online: Bid in the chat feed on our livestream. Type your bid amount and the auctioneer will acknowledge it.
In-Person: Raise your paddle to bid. Make sure your bids are clearly visible to the auctioneer.
How Absentee Bids Work During Live Auctions
Lots open at the current high absentee bid. If competing live bids come in, we bid on behalf of absentee bidders up to their maximum. The max won't be revealed, but we may hint when a live bid is getting close. If a live bidder matches the max, the absentee bidder holds the high bid — the live bidder must go higher to take the lead.
Bid Increments
Suggested increments help keep things moving. You're welcome to bid below the suggested increment, but the auctioneer may decline.
Online Auctions
| Under $25 | $2+ |
| $25 – $100 | $5+ |
| Over $100 | $10+ |
In-Person Auctions
| Under $50 | $5+ |
| $50 – $250 | $10+ |
| $250 – $500 | $25+ |
| $500 – $2,500 | $50+ |
| Over $2,500 | $100+ |
Special Round Types
Choice Rounds: Multiple items offered at once. You're bidding for the right to choose as many as you want at your high bid price. Don't reveal your pick while bidding is active! Online: high bidder picks first, then runners-up in descending bid order. In-person: after the high bidder picks, remaining items are re-offered to the room.
BIN (Buy-It-Now) Rounds: Fixed-price item, no bidding. First to claim wins. In the chat, type "BIN," "claim," or "mine." In person, raise your paddle immediately.
Reserve Items: Some items have a minimum price. If bidding doesn't reach it, the item may be passed or offered at a buy-it-now price.
How Bidding Closes
Online: When the auctioneer is satisfied bidding has concluded, a "sold" comment is entered in the chat — that's the fall of the hammer. Bids after that point won't be accepted.
In-Person: The auctioneer verbally announces "sold." If you think your bid was missed, alert auction staff immediately — before the next lot is offered. Once the auction moves on, no adjustments can be made.
