 Bidder
Beware: Succeeding at Wine Auctions
By Tom DiNardo
Auctions offer excellent opportunities for the wine enthusiast to
acquire rare wines and special buys. Wine auctions can be very
entertaining and rewarding, but they provide challenges for even
skilled bidders. In their zeal to win their prized wines, many
bidders will not only sacrifice pride but also a great deal of money
in order to accomplish their objective. Here are some of the basics
regarding auction etiquette and rules to help you on your way to
becoming an adept bidder.
Take advantage of all auction previews. This is your time to
inspect the condition of the wine lots to be auctioned and also to
ask the wine auctioneer any questions you might have. The auction
catalog is a great resource for the posted auction house rules,
specific information about each of the auction items, and the item’s
anticipated bid value.
Do not make these common mistakes! In the auction house
the final word and authority for each transaction is the auctioneer:
- Never interrupt the auctioneer or his clerk during the auction.
- Don’t involve yourself in collusion (violation of the Sherman Act)
or conspiring to fix bid prices.
- Don’t waive to other bidders because hand signals are often
interpreted as a bid by the auctioneer.
- Although tempting at times, vengefully running the bid up on a
competing bidder will only make you an
unwilling target of other wrathful bidders.
These actions can result in public rebuke, or worse, your expulsion
from the auction. It is the auctioneer’s duty to act impartially to
keep the pace of the auction fast and smooth.
How should you bid? The most common method is for the
bidder to hold his paddle or card up. Perhaps you’ve noticed some
bidders gesturing with their hands, winking, yelling, etc. Depending
upon the venue, most of these methods are usually acceptable.
Determine your bidding method based on the auctioneer, his speed,
style, the venue, the number of auction items, and the size of the
bidding crowd, all of which vary with each auction.
If the auctioneer does not catch your bid, don’t worry. His Ring
Man surely will, and then will report your bid with a very loud
“Yep.” Rest assured, if you are a good bidder the auctioneer will
notice you and even assist you in any way he can to keep you
returning.
Tom DiNardo is a licensed
professional auctioneer, wine writer, and an avid wine collector. You may
reach Tom through his web site
www.DiNardoandLordAuctioneers.com.
© 2005 Tom DiNardo – All Rights Reserved. |
