Pre-bidding Best Practices

It is our intention to provide the best possible auction experience for our clientele. In doing so we have decided to allow bidders to leave “pre-bids” sometimes referred to as “absentee bids” or “left bids” to facilitate a bid when the bidder is not present at the time of the auction. If one qualifies to leave a pre-bid, we can arrange for this in advance of the sale.

To best use this service, it is appropriate to determine the maximum amount one is willing to pay for a given lot and leave that pre-bid. Should Hampton allow a pre-bid, no other bidder will be able to bid that amount. One may still win the item at a lesser price, but the bidder will not lose the item to another at the same bid he has left. Leaving a pre-bid is no assurance of winning the lot. In fact, bidders that leave bids are often outdone by live bidders who merely go one over the left bid and win.

It is our recommendation that whenever possible, bidders participate in the live auction. That way they can judge for themselves whether they want to bid further.