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. For online-only auctions, online absentee bidding stays open until the lot is sold. For in-person auctions, online absentee bidding closes one hour before the live sale begins — after that, absentee bids may be left by phone or in person up to 10 minutes before the auction starts (see In-Person & Telephone Absentee Bids below).
Quick bid buttons are available for convenience: two starting-bid amounts for lots with no bids yet, and two raise amounts for lots that already have bids. The raise amounts step up automatically as the price climbs (bigger jumps on higher-priced lots) — the exact figures are always shown right on the buttons. If a lot has a set opening (minimum) bid, the quick bids start there instead. 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 opens at $25 — or, on a lot with an opening (minimum) bid above $25, at that opening bid. When someone else bids, we automatically raise your bid by one standard increment above theirs — never more than your max. The increment scales with the price (about $1 under $10, $5 up to $100, $10 up to $250, $25 up to $500, $50 up to $1,000, and $100 above that). If competing bidding comes within one increment of your maximum, your bid advances straight to that maximum rather than stopping one increment short — so the current bid never sits just below 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.
Bids below $1.00 — or below a lot's stated opening (minimum) bid, where one is set — are not accepted. Most lots sell with no reserve; when a lot carries one, you'll see a Reserve Met / Not Met indicator (see Reserve Items below). 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, or by phone, up to 10 minutes before the auction starts. These follow slightly different rules:
- No competing bids? The lot opens at 50% of your bid
- Competing bids? It opens one standard increment above the competing bid, 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. As bidding comes within one increment of an absentee's maximum, the current bid jumps straight to that maximum (rather than stopping one increment short), so the next ask to the room is always above it. 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
The same increment schedule applies to both online and in-person auctions. Suggested increments help keep things moving. You're welcome to bid below the suggested increment, but the auctioneer may decline.
| Under $10 | $1+ |
| $10 – $100 | $5+ |
| $100 – $250 | $10+ |
| $250 – $500 | $25+ |
| $500 – $1,000 | $50+ |
| Over $1,000 | $100+ |
Estimates
Some lots show a low–high estimate — our best guess at the range a lot may bring. It's a guide only: an estimate is not a reserve, it doesn't set the opening bid, and it never limits how high or low bidding can go. Items routinely sell above or below estimate.
Special Round Types
Choice Rounds: Multiple items are offered at once and you bid for the right to choose — the high bidder chooses any items they want at their winning per-lot price. Nothing is selected until bidding on the round closes, so don't reveal your picks while bidding is active. Online: the high bidder picks first, then runners-up in descending bid order. In-person (discovery auctions): merchandise is grouped into box lots, tables, table sections, or single items; a section opens for choice (generally starting at a $5 bid), the high bidder makes their selections, and bidding then reopens at $5 for choice of what's left. When no one offers the $5 opening bid, whatever remains in that section is sold together as a single lot.
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 lots carry a hidden reserve — the lowest price the consignor will accept. The reserve amount isn't shown, but the lot displays a "Reserve Met" or "Reserve Not Met" indicator as bidding climbs. If the reserve isn't met, the lot may be passed or offered at a buy-it-now price. A reserve is different from an opening (minimum) bid: the opening bid is the lowest bid a lot will accept and is shown on the bid buttons, while a reserve is a hidden threshold the bidding must clear for the lot to sell.
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.
