Antique auctions are an exciting way to purchase your favorite antiques. The sounds of a pounding gavel and the flurry of bids competing at breakneck speed make buying at auction a fun experience. But, if you don’t have the time to travel to the auction house, online auctions may be the perfect option.
Auctions usually have fees, and it’s important to factor in these costs when planning your budget. Fees are generally a percentage of the final hammer price, which is the price at which the auctioneer strikes the hammer. There are also taxes associated with antiques, so it’s important to ask about these before the auction.
The process at an antique auction begins with a preview period, which gives potential bidders a chance to inspect and examine the items before the auction begins. A preview period can last from days before the auction to a few hours before the auction begins. You’ll have to register with the auctioneer’s office and present identification and a means of covering your bids.
Among the most popular items at antique auctions are antique cars and classic motorcycles. Other popular items are advertising signs associated with automobiles and motorcycles. These signs, which advertise gasoline, oil, and parts, are often in high demand. Other items that make great collectibles include vintage license plates and hood ornaments.