How to buy on a laptop
How to buy on a laptop

A Premium Auction House

Join in the excitement of bidding at auction!

Buying in online Live Auctions is made easy from your Phone, Laptop or Tablet device!

Oakwood Auctions holds a diverse range of premium online live auctions  in over 40 categories.  From fine art, sculptures, antiques & fine jewelry  to rare stamps, coins and a range of collectibles there is something for everyone. Our lots are accessible through online auctions as well as private, confidential acquisitions.

Every lot offered is carefully researched, analyzed, and described in our online catalogue by our team of specialists who are happy to provide further information and photos including condition reports when requested.

Our auction house offers the opportunity to buy unique collectibles from the comfort and convenience of your own home, office or while on the go. Follow these simple steps in our How to Buy guide for a seamless buying process: from selecting a work, to placing a successful bid, to shipping your purchase.

A Step By Step Auction House Guide - How to Buy

Step 1: Access live online Auctions

For current auctions, simply click on the “Bid Now” button on the Home Page or browse our Featured Items page.

Sign up for our email alerts to find out about upcoming auctions and events and ensure you never miss another auction.

How to Buy Online

Step 2: Select Item

On the auction page, you will find the catalogue detailing the available auction items and current bid prices. Click the “Bid” button next to the auction item on which you wish to bid. If the auction has not yet gone live, you may preview the items to prepare yourself for the live bidding.

View this weeks 'Featured Items'

Step 3: Preview Current Bids

Upon selecting an item, you will be directed to the bidding page showing real-time bidding information on the auction items, including:

  • Current minimum bid – the lowest bid that you can submit for the item. The lowest bid consists of the current winning bid plus the bid increment.
  • Starting bid – the initial price set for the item at the start of the auction.
  • Bid increment – the minimum increased amount that you must bid above the current minimum bid.
  • Quantity – the number available of this specific item.
  • Auction ends – the date and time the auction will no longer accept new bids and winners are selected.

Want to learn more auction terminology? Check out our Auction Dictionary

To participate in the online auction, you will need to register. Registration is free and only takes a couple of minutes

Step 4: Register

You can click on the REGISTER button at the top of the auction page. Once your account has been verified, you will be able to:

  • Login to bid on online auctions for advance and live bidding.
  • Save all of your ‘Favourite Items’ with a single click.
  • Get news and alerts about the auction

What you need

  1. A valid credit card (Visa, MasterCard, or American Express) is required for online auctions to register.
  2. Contact information (phone, email, shipping address and billing address)

Looking for something specific? Give us a call and let us know your collecting interests so we may assist you in finding your treasure!

Step 5: Place Bid

  • Enter the username and password that you set up in the registration process.
  • Select your bid amount using the drop-down box labeled “Bid Amount”. Your bidding choices start with the current minimum bid and go up by the minimum bid increments.
  • After selecting your bid amount, click the “Place Bid” button.

You can leave ‘absentee’ bids by entering the maximum amount you would like to bid up to; the auction house software will bid on your behalf up to that amount (if necessary), or you can 'Bid Live' during our event!

View Bid Increment Table

Step 6: Current Winning Bids

Once you enter a bid, you will be sent an email confirming your bid price for each auction item selected. Your bid will be included in the current “Winning Bids” table at the bottom of the bid page until your bid is superseded by a new winning bid. This table provides auction visitors the following real-time information on the current winning bids:

  • Bidder – current winning bidders paddle number or your name if you are the current winning bidder.
  • Bid time – the time the current winning bid was placed.
  • Bid price – the current winning bid plus the bid increment.
  • Quantity – the number of items selected by the bidder in the current winning bid.

Don't lose your desired lot

Before the auction closes, check the current “Winning Bids” table on the bid page to see if your bid is still winning. If it is not, you can place another bid.

How to buy, the final stage

Step 7: Final Winning Bids

If you win the auction, you will either receive an automated email to inform you that you have won or Oakwood Auctions will contact you upon the auction’s conclusion. If you are sent an automated email and you have entered your credit card number during the registration process, your credit card will be processed and Oakwood Auctions will contact you to provide you more information regarding shipment of your purchase.

View Upcoming Auction

Notable Sales