How to Bid

Bidding with Shapiro Auctions has never been easier or more convenient. We offer a variety of traditional and online bidding methods that make registering for auction easy, secure, and convenient. Please don’t hesitate to reach out via email or call us if you have any further questions—our specialists are standing by to help you find a bidding method that suits your needs.

Absentee Bid

Absentee bidding allows you to participate in the auction, even if you are unavailable on the day of sale, by allowing you to place a maximum bid amount on individual lots. During the sale, Shapiro Auctions will bid as a proxy on your behalf as long as there is a competing bid up to the amount specified on your form. 

You can fill out out an absentee bid online through our website. When you’re viewing a lot, simply click the “Bid” button near the lot description and choose “Absentee Bid.” From there, fill out your maximum bid amount and contact information, and we will send you a confirmation of your bid! You can add lots while you browse the sale, and even choose which lots you would prefer to bid by absentee or by phone. You can review your bid form in the “My Lots” page anytime before submitting the form. By submitting the bid form through our website, you agree to our Terms and Conditions of Sale. Alternatively, you can also download a printable PDF version of our standard bid form and fax or email it to us.

By Phone

If you are unable to attend the auction, Phone Bidding allows you to bid in real time, as if you were in the auction room itself. When bidding by phone, a Shapiro Auctions representative will call you during the sale shortly before your specified lots open for bidding. This enables you to bid live against other floor, phone, and online bidders with the Shapiro Auctions phone representative acting as a liaison between you and the auctioneer, relaying competing bids to you, and your bids to the auctioneer.
 
Similar to Absentee bidding, you can fill out a phone bid form through our website by clicking the Bid button on the lot of your choosing. From there, you select the “Phone Bid” buttons and provide the phone numbers through which we can reach you during the sale.

Phone and Absentee Combination Bid (Emergency Bid)

A Phone and Absentee Combination Bid offers you the freedom and competitive edge of a Phone Bid, with a back-up safety net of an Absentee Bid in the event we are unable to reach you by phone. This method gives you the assurance that your bids are executed at the most competitive price.
 
During the auction, Shapiro Auctions will first try to reach you by phone, calling all numbers on your registration form. If we are able to successfully reach you, you will proceed to bid live with the Shapiro Auctions representative just like traditional phone bidding. From then on, your maximum bid will be disregarded and overridden by your live bid.
 
Shapiro Auctions will make every attempt to contact you by phone, but in the event we are unable to reach you, the auctioneer will execute your maximum bid in the same manner as a standard Absentee Bid, with the goal of acquiring the lot indicated at the lowest price possible.
 
To register for Phone and Absentee Combination Bidding, simply check both the Absentee and Phone bidding boxes on your online bid form, provide the phone numbers through which we can reach you during the sale, and make certain to indicate the maximum amount of your emergency bid.

Online

Our catalogs are posted to more third party auction platforms than any other auction house. These platforms allow you to bid live online during the sale, or leave absentee bids at any time.
 
Simply click on your favorite site to register to bid.

Floor / on site

Registration is free and open to the public, and can be done prior to, or on the day of the auction. Photo identification (e.g. passport/driver’s license) is required, and we reserve the right to require additional information or financial references before approval. Auctions take place at our location at 566 East Boston Post Rd. in Mamaroneck, New York.

For more information on how to register for bidding, please contact us at info@shapiroauctions.com or call 212-717-7500.