How to Bid at Graham Lancaster Auctions
Graham Lancaster Auctions conducts antique and collectables auctions for buyers across Australia and worldwide, offering several ways to bid including in person, online, absentee, telephone and proxy bidding. Buyers can discover a wide range of Australiana, antique bottles, Australian pottery, early advertising and other collectables, no matter where they’re based.
- A Buyers Premium is a fee added to the hammer price for all lots sold at auction.
- Our Buyers Premium is 15% + GST (totalling 16.5% of the hammer price).
- For example: if your successful bid (hammer price) is $100, a buyer’s premium of 15% plus GST (totalling $16.50) will be added, making the total amount payable $116.50.
- Online bidding incurs an additional 2.5% platform fee on top of the hammer price and buyer’s premium.
- Join the excitement of live auctions at our nationwide locations.
- Inspect items, meet fellow collectors and enjoy the atmosphere.
- Catering is available at all live auction events.
- Printed catalogues are available on the day. Catalogues can also be downloaded and printed from our Forms & Catalogues page.
- Bidders can register on the day.
- Payment and collection of purchases can be made on the day.
- Bid from anywhere using our online platform.
- Create your account and register to bid here: Register Now
- For pure online auctions, bidders can view photographs and lot descriptions on screen and place bids accordingly.
- For live audience auctions, online bidders can also hear live audio from the auction room.
- Place pre-bids before the auction starts or join the live auction on the day.
- Text catalogues are available to download and print from our Forms & Catalogues page prior to bidding.
- We encourage all online bidders to request condition reports and additional photographs before placing bids.
- Please ensure you have a stable internet connection when participating in live auction bidding.
- Your bids and personal information remain completely confidential.
- After the auction your invoice will be emailed once your parcel has been packed and your postage cost has been calculated.
- Online bidding attracts an additional 2.5% surcharge on the hammer price. This charge is not a Graham Lancaster Auctions fee. It covers the operational costs of providing our convenient, user friendly online bidding platform that puts the finest antiques and collectables in Australia at your fingertips, no matter where you are in the world. For pure online auctions, all bidders pay this fee. For live audience auctions, buyers who attend and bid in person are not subject to this fee.
- If you have problems registering or placing bids online, please call our online bidding platform support on 1300 667 153.
- Absentee bidding allows you to participate in our auctions without being present. You submit your maximum bid in advance and the auctioneer bids on your behalf on the day.
- Download the absentee bidding form from our Forms & Catalogues page.
- Please refer to the catalogue for correct lot numbers before completing your form.
- We encourage absentee bidders to request condition reports and additional photographs before submitting their form. Contact us via our Contact Us page.
- When you submit an absentee bid, you specify the maximum amount you are willing to pay for each lot. The auctioneer bids on your behalf starting at the lowest possible increment, up to your maximum. Your maximum bid is never revealed publicly.
- Submit by post using the mailing address on our Contact Us page, or photograph the completed form and submit it through our Contact Us page. Please note forms submitted by post may need to be express posted to reach us before the submission deadline.
- Submissions must be received two days before the auction.
- We cannot be held responsible for missed bids due to late registration.
- Successful absentee bidders will be notified by email, post or telephone.
- Telephone bidding is available for lots with a minimum estimate of $500.
- We encourage telephone bidders to request condition reports and additional photographs before the auction. Contact us via our Contact Us page.
- To register for telephone bidding, contact us directly. Details available on our Contact Us page.
- Telephone bidding registrations must be received two days before the auction.
- We will call you shortly before your lot comes up for auction, allowing you to bid live as if you were present in the auction room. Please note Graham Lancaster Auctions is not responsible for any loss of transmission during the call.
- You will be informed of the outcome during the call. Your invoice will be emailed once your parcel has been packed and your postage cost has been calculated.
- Keep your phone nearby on auction day and answer all calls, as we may call from a private number. It is your responsibility to be available when your lot is offered. Graham Lancaster Auctions is not liable if you fail to answer our call or if the bid is missed due to technical difficulties including poor or lost phone reception, flat or faulty battery, device malfunction, being in a no-coverage area, network outages, call dropouts or loss of transmission. If you expect any issues with your phone or availability, consider placing an absentee bid.
- A proxy is someone you designate to attend the auction in person and bid on your behalf.
- Proxy bidding is a convenient option for those unable to attend the auction in person.
- We encourage proxy bidders to request condition reports and additional photographs before the auction. Contact us via our Contact Us page.
- Proxy bidding must be registered at least two days before the auction.
- Contact Us to arrange and confirm your proxy.
- Your proxy must make themselves known to staff at the live auction when they arrive.
- Your designated proxy will bid on your behalf but must act as if you are present and have personally inspected the items beforehand.
- Please note that items won through proxy bidding cannot be returned for “Not as Described” claims. As your proxy is present at the auction on your behalf, it is their responsibility to inspect all items before bidding. By nominating a proxy, you accept that the item has been personally inspected.
- Your proxy’s bids will be linked to your bidder number, meaning the invoice and payment responsibility remains with you. If your proxy registers as a separate bidder, the invoice and payment responsibility transfers to them. Please discuss and confirm this arrangement with your proxy before the auction.
- Your proxy can pay and collect purchases on your behalf on the auction day.
- We offer packing and shipping via Australia Post for most items, excluding mirrors and any items unacceptable via Australia Post.
- Professional packing costs start from $10, however generally range from $20 to $40 depending on the parcel and packing complexity, plus actual Australia Post postage costs.
- All parcels are sent with signature on delivery.
- Insurance is optional or automatically added to your invoice if your purchases exceed $500. If you do not require insurance, please contact us before or immediately after the auction.
- We have introduced PVC pipe packaging for single or pairs of antique bottles, which is exceptionally strong, provides superior protection and can be sent in prepaid satchels, which can make it a more cost effective option than standard cubed parcels.
- Successful online and absentee bidders can collect from our South Brisbane office by appointment.
- We offer free delivery to bottle shows and antique fairs when we attend.
- We accept EFTPOS, direct deposit, cash, and credit card (Visa/Mastercard) with no credit card fees.
- We no longer accept cheques.
Learn more about our auction house and track record on our About Us page. Browse our Past Auctions to see the results we achieve.
Have a collection to consign? Visit our Sellers Page to get started.
For answers to common questions, visit our FAQs page, or for the full auction terms and conditions please refer to our Bidding Terms and Conditions page.