New To Auctions?
Intro to Buying
Auctions are an incredible way to buy unique, significant, one-of-a-kind items. If this is your first time buying, welcome! We’re glad you’re here. From auction novice to auction expert, there are only four steps. Let us guide you through them:
1-. Register
Create an account with Colonial Auctions (first time bidders only). You can do that here and it includes reading through our terms of service. After you have an account you can register for the auctions you’re interested in bidding on.
Registration takes 3 minutes and includes entering your shipping and payment info. After your registration is approved you’ll receive an email that you’re ready to bid.
Our auctions take place online and are open for bidding for two weeks. At any point you can submit your highest bid for an item or wait until the final evening of the auction when bidding is most active.
In addition to bidding online, you can bid on the Colonial auctions, or you can submit a bid by phone by giving us a ring at +51 912 345 678
An important note before bidding: Auction winners, in addition to their high bid amount, pay a Buyers Premium of 19% (this fee helps keeps the lights on at Coloniales Auctions). So if you’re the highest bidder at $2,000 of a beautiful Thomas Hart Benton lithograph, your invoice would be $2,380 after the buyers premium is included.
2-. Bid
3-. Pay
After you have bid on and won that delightful Lalique crystal vase (or whichever item makes your heart beat a little faster) payment is due within five business days of the auction. We’ll email you an invoice which includes your winning bids with buyers premium and applicable sales tax factored in. We accept cash, credit, debit, wire transfers, and certified checks. Circle will hold lots until payments by check have cleared the bank. Circle requires wire transfer or ACH for items sold over $5,000. Unpaid invoices will be auto-charged to the credit card on file on the 6th business day following the auction.
Once your invoice is paid, you may pick up your item in person at our offices Monday through Friday from 10am-4pm beginning the first business day following the auction. Pickups are not available on Saturdays, Sundays, or national holidays.
While we don’t offer in-house shipping (making it your responsibility to arrange shipment with a shipping company), we’ll happily guide you through the process. You can view more info on the shipping process and our list of recommended shippers here.