Online bidding

[tommy]

Has anybody tried live online bidding? This is becoming more widely available recently. Was it easy? Did you miss your bid?

With everything I imagine there are pros and cons. The biggest advantage seems to be saving time and money travelling and taking time off work. The disadvantage is that you have to pay extra commission and give your card details to a third party. However I assume that going through a third party does hide you identity from the auction company whilst you are bidding which, is not the case if you register for a phone bid.

[RJ Programmes.com]

It is more widely used now and iv recently used it for the first time. It was very easy to bid and not miss out on auctions. The disadvantages are as you say more charges and they make money out of you on the postage. The biggest disadvantage is condition of the goods. Iv been to many auctions over the years and when read the catalogue iv marked what im interested in but when i viewed some, the condition was much worse than descrided. TBH thats the only real downfall to internet bidding at auctions.

[Auchinleckian]

Have used this many times with Sportingold, and have mentioned it on here before. Huge bonus for me is the lack of needing to do a 600 mile round trip, overnight stay, and other add ons. No change out of £100 there, minimum. The extra in commission is peanuts in comparison. The beauty about Sportingold as opposed to other auction houses is that Chris Williams, the owner, is also a collector (I know it's Manchester City, but nobody's perfect) and tends to describe programme conditions far more accurately than other auction houses, where the old adage of Caveat Emptor needs to be taken into consideration.
I've spoken to Chris on a few occasions about lots in the sale and he always takes the time to give an honest answer, whcih again is hugely beneficial. On the sales side, I've a few items in this month's sale next Friday, and the research that he's gone to on one of the items to make it more attractive to sell is excellent, and free of charge.
The online bidding is great, just like being in the auction house itself. Having physically been to one of the auctions at Northampton it's easily to visualise everything. Chris also provided free coffee and sandwiches for the folk there last time free of charge! Assume this is standard practice, but couldn't guarantee it, having only been there the once.
One tip. I always have at least two links open to the site, one actually there, and one a click away from being there in case the screen freezes on the computer and can't get back to it. Svaes an awful lot of time and frustration having the back up link.