Frequently asked questions

Getting started
How does online bidding work

In order to win an item one should give the highest bid among all participants.

You can place an absentee bid before the auction begins, or once a live auction begins, you gain access to an online bidding platform so that you can follow and participate in the auction in real time. Most auctions are accompanied with a live video stream and the interface is friendly and easy to operate.

Do I have to create an account to use your site

You don’t have to create an account in order search catalogs and view live auctions, but only with a free Bidspirit account you can:

  • Place bids
  • Get alerts on new auctions and when an auction start or a lot's auctions starts
Are there fees for bidding online

Bidspirit doesn’t take any fees for online bidding. Please note that each auction house charges a commission for each purchase (which is an additional fee that a winning bidder is required to pay above the auction price), as well as other shipping, handling, and other fees including applicable taxes, if any. Please refer for each auction house terms and conditions which appears in each catalog and lot page.

Your account
How do I create a free Bidspirit account

Creating a free Bidspirit account is simple:

  1. PC users should click the REGISTER orange link at the top of the page; Mobile users should click the menu button (a button with 3 parallel lines at the top right corner) and choose “Register”.
  2. Enter your first name, last name, email address and password, and then click “Send”.
  3. A confirmation email will be sent to your email with a link inside it. You should click the link.
  4. After clicking the link you will be asked to enter some more details like your phone and address. Note that only fields with red “*” are mandatory. When you finish press “Send”.
  5. You’ll see a message confirming that your registration is complete!
How do I sign in to my Bidspirit account

In order to sign in to your Bidspirit account:

  1. PC users should click the LOGIN link at the top of the page; Mobile users should click the menu button (a button with 3 parallel lines at the top right corner) and choose “Login”.
  2. Enter your email and password
  3. Mark the “Remember me” if you want the system to sign you in automatically next time.
  4. Click the “Login” button.
  5. After a successful login you will see “Hello <Your name>” at the top of the page.
I forgot my password, what shold I do

In order to recover your password to your Bidspirit account:

  1. PC users should click the LOGIN link at the top of the page; Mobile users should click the menu button (a button with 3 parallel lines at the top right corner) and choose “Login”.
  2. In the login screen click the “Forgot your password?” link above the Login button.
  3. Enter your email (in case it is not filled already)
  4. Click the “send” button.
  5. The password will be sent to your email
How do I change my details (Name, email, password…)

In order to change details in your Bidspirit account, follow the steps below:

  1. Sign into your Bidspirit account using your email address and current password.
  2. Open the user’s menu: PC users should move the mouse over their name at the top of the page (where it says “Hello <your name>”); Mobile users should click the menu button (a button with 3 parallel lines at the top right corner)
  3. Click on the “Update details’ link. You will see a table with items which may be changed: Email, Password, Name, Phone, Company, Resident address, shipping address.
  4. Click the item which you would like to change
  5. Follow the instructions.
Bidding
What types of auctions take place in your site

There are two types of auctions available for online bidding through Bidspirit: Live and Timed (automatic). 


Live auctions are real time sales where an auctioneer is managing the auction. Most of the live auctions are accompanied with a live video stream. Each lot is closed when there are no more bidding, you will see “Fair warning” message when the lot is about to closed...

Click here for a demo of a live auction.


Timed auctions also known as Automatic auctions, are internet-only auctions that are not managed by an auctioneer but according to a fixed time for each lot. Like live auctions, a timed auction starts in a certain time and the system automatically displays each lot according to the order in the catalog. Each lot is displayed for a period of time which is decided by the auction house and bidders may give their bids. In case a bid was given few seconds before the lot is about to close, the system adds some time for this lot in order to provide other bidders the opportunity to place higher bids.

Click here for a demo of timed auction.


How do I register to bid for an upcoming auction

Each auction house needs to approve you for biding; this is a one-time process; after you were approved for a certain auction house you may participate in all of its future auctions.

Asking for approval is done by pressing the “Get approval from the auction house” button which is located in the top of each catalog and lot page. Each auction house has different methods for approving bidders. Usually it takes 24 hours. You’ll be notified by email when your request has been approved.


What is an absentee bid

In case you find a lot (item) that you like but don't want (or can’t) to bid in real-time during the auction, you may place an "absentee" bid on this lot. Your absentee bid is the maximum amount you are willing to pay for this lot.

During the auction the lot’s price will be increasing according to the live offers, and in case no one will give a higher bid then the highest absentee bid, the lot will be sold to the highest absentee bid.

Please note that some of the auction houses give priority to an equal floor bid, also it is possible that another bidder left an equal absentee bids, in this case the decision to which the lot will be sold is according to the auction house policy (most auction houses sell the lot to the bid which was placed earlier).

Before the live auction, absentee bidding is conducted in one of two possible ways according to the auction house preference:


  • Leading absentee bid is displayed: everyone sees the highest absentee bid and you must put a bid which is higher than the leading bid. You can put your maximum bid and let the system play for you; in this case your maximum bid is hidden from other bidders.
  • Silent bidding: Leading absentee bid is not displayed, each bidder may put any bid he wants and doesn’t know if another bidder has put a higher bid. Few bidders may put the same bid; in this case the first bidder will win the lot if the lot will be sold to the absentee bidder.
How to leave an absentee bid

Absentee bids are added through the auction’s catalog. In each lot page you will see a place to enter the absentee bid. Write your price and press the “Send bid” button.

How do I change or cancel my absentee bid

You may change or cancel your bid only in case of silent bidding. In the lot page, bellow your bid there are 2 links: “edit”, and “remove”. Press each link according to your need. 


In case the auction is not silent bidding, i.e. the leading bid is displayed; you can’t edit or remove your bid. Some auction houses will agree to edit or remove the bid for you, so you may contact the relevant auction house and check his policy.


How do I bid in real-time during a Live auction

Once a live auction begins, a blue button with a text “Enter live auction” is displayed instead of the “View catalog” button of the relevant auction house. Pressing the button opens an online bidding console. If you have registered and been approved to bid by the auction house, you can place live bids by following the steps below:

  1. In case you are not sighed-in - Sign into your Bidspirit account.
  2. Locate the auction you would like to bid in, and click the blue “Enter live auction” button.
  3. Wait for the lot which you are interest in.
  4. An orange bid button is displayed with the current price
  5. Press the bid button if the price is good for you.
  6. Wait for your bid to be approved.
  7. In case your bid was approved, you should see a text on the bid button “You are the high bidder”
  8. In case someone gives a a higher bid, you may place another bid
How do I know if I won an item

In order to see the items which you won, you should open the “My won items” menu. PC users should move the mouse over their name at the top of the page (where it says “Hello <your name>”; Mobile users should click the menu button (a button with 3 parallel lines at the top right corner).

After getting to the “My won items” section, you should choose the relevant auction house.

Also, for most of the auction houses an email is sent at the end of the auction with a list of won items.


What is a bid limit? How do I increase it

Auction houses may set a limit on the amount a certain bidder can spend in a single auction. In case the auction house has set a bid limit for you, you may try to contact the auction house and request to increase or cancel the limit.

What is a reserve price

A reserve price is a hidden lowest price under which a seller usually does not allow the item to be sold.
Bids below the reserve price are accepted, but those bids usually cannot win the auction.
If you are the highest bidder but your bid is below the reserve price, you will probably not win the auction when it ends.


When the current leading bid is below the reserve price and a maximum bid is placed, the leading bid is updated according to the following:


  • If the maximum bid is lower than the reserve price, the leading bid will be the maximum bid.
  • If the maximum bid is equal or higher than the reserve price, the leading bid will be the reserve price


The reserve price is hidden until it is met. So, before the bidding reaches the reserve price amount or higher, you won't know that amount.

Buy it Now and Buyout
What is buyout price? How does it work

Buyout option allows bidders to instantly purchase at a specified price an item listed for sale through an auction. When an item is bought in a buyout price, it is withdrawn from the auction. Buyout price is not mandatory and sometimes auction houses may choose to put a buyout price only for specific items in the catalog. Buyout is not available during the auction

What is bidspirit’s “Buy it Now” offering? How does it work

After an auction ends, some auction houses enable to buy unsold items. Bidders can buy unsold items in a declared price which is usually the start price of the item. Like regular auctions, the price doesn’t include the auction house’s commission and other shipping, handling, and other fees including applicable taxes, if any.

How do I pay for my Buy Now or Buyout items

Payment for Buy Now items is identical for items which were bought in regular auctions. Bidder should pay the auction house directly and collect the item (or ask for shipping if available).

What does it mean if an item is no available for buy it now

Auction houses may decide to disable Buy It Now for certain items, in this case, the “Buy now” button will not be displayed.

Payments and shipping
How do I pay for the item I won

Payment is done directly to the auction houses when coming to pick the items or arranging shipping (if available). Each individual auction house determines their preferred method of payment. You can find the specific methods accepted by the auction house you’re working with in their terms and conditions.

How does shipping work

Each auction house has its own process to arrange shipment. There are many factors taken into consideration to determine the proper shipping method, including weight, value, type of lot and distance it must travel. There are auction houses which doesn’t do shipping at all. We recommend to review the terms and conditions for the Auction House you’re working with before placing a bid, and to contact that house directly.

If I win an item, are there additional fees

Each auction house charges additional commission which may be found in his terms and conditions. The auction house may also apply additional fees like taxes, shipping and handling, etc... Please refer to each auction house’s terms and conditions for a complete info.

Searching items and get information about them
How do I search for items

Searching items is done via the search box at the top of the page. By default search is performed on upcoming auctions. When search results are displayed, the system gives an option for searching past auctions (mark the “Search past auctions” option).

How do I get more information about an item

Each lot page in the catalog contains a link “Make an inquiry about this item”. Press this link and type your question, the question will be sent to the relevant auction house who will return to you shortly with an answer.

Alerts and wish list
What types of alerts are available in bidspirit

Bidspirit sends alerts on the following:

  • Email alerts (usually once a week) which contain a list of new auctions. The email contains a link to each auction’s catalog.
  • Alert to your phone when a live auction starts (note: you need to install the bidspirit application). 
  • Alert to your phone when a certain lot is about to start in a live auction (note: you need to install the bidspirit application). Alert is sent only for lots you requested to be notified about.
How do I get alerts about new auctions

In order to request alerts to your email when about new auctions you need to open the “Alerts” menu. PC users should move the mouse over their name at the top of the page (where it says “Hello <your name>”; Mobile users should click the menu button (a button with 3 parallel lines at the top right corner). 

In the Alerts section you need to click on the “Email when new catalogs available” section and choose: “Please send me alerts”.


How do I get an alert when a live auction starts

There are 2 options to set\remove alerts for auction start:

• Pressing the bell icon which appears on each auction section in the “Upcoming auctions” section and at the top of the action’s catalog.

• Via the Alerts settings page at the “Alerts to my phone when auctions start” section.


Please note: you need to install the bidspirit application for this type of alert.

How do I get an alert when a live auction of a specific lot starts

In order to add an alert for the beginning of an auction of a specified lot you need to press the bell icon which appears on each lot in the catalog.


Please note: you need to install the bidspirit application for this type of alert.


How do I add an item to my wish list

The wish list enables you to save your favorite items in a list for future tracking. In order to add an item to your wish list, press the heart icon which appears on each lot in the catalog.

Accessing your wish list is done via “Wish list” menu: PC users should move the mouse over their name at the top of the page (where it says “Hello <your name>”; Mobile users should click the menu button (a button with 3 parallel lines at the top right corner)


Bidspirit application
Why should I get the Bidspirit application

With bidspirit application you can use your phone and tablet to:

  • Browse auctions to find beautiful items up for sale
  • Bid live on live auctions
  • Leave absentee bids before the auction begins
  • Get alerts to your phone when the auction of your favorite items starts
  • Manage a list of your favorite lots
  • Easily send questions to auctioneers
  • Search the upcoming auctions database
  • View ended auctions’ results
How do I download the Bidspirit application

iPhone and iPad users may download the bidspirit app here.


Android users may download the bidspirit app here.


How do I open the Bidspirit application

After installing the bidspirit application you will have the bidspirit icon on your phone. Tap it to open the application.

Where is the menu in the Bidspirit application

The menu button is 3 parallel lines at the top right corner.

Selling your items with Bidspirit
I have items that I would like to sell, how do I do that

If you would like to sell your personal items you may contact us here.

I am a gallery\business who would like to join Bidspirit, how is it done

If you are a gallery or a business who would like to sell your items via bidspirit, you may contact us here.