Auctions are great fun. There’s the rare item to add to your collection, an antique that you’ve always wanted for your living room, a chance bargain to be had, and all the excitement of brisk bidding. And anyway, auctions are always a good excuse to engage in some people watching, meet new people, and learn something you didn’t know before.

However, for fun to be had by all, there is a set of rules which, even though informal, are still to be respected.

The wrong move

If this is your first auction, you will be worried about making a movement – scratching your nose or ear or an inadvertent nod of the head – that will be taken as a bid. You might end up owning something which you don’t like or worse, which you cannot afford to pay.

However, you don’t need to worry too much because auctioneers are careful in making sure that your action was intended as a bid. If they are not sure, they may even ask you if you are actually bidding. In the event that you unintentionally bid for an item, just apologise and explain yourself.

The reverse situation is when you want to bid but are afraid that your movement might be interpreted as unintentional. Always make sure that you bid in a clear manner. Some people might raise their hand while others nod their head. If the bidding is brisk, the auctioneer will have a hard job in keeping track. To facilitate the auctioneer’s job, make sure that your bid is known, for instance, by keeping your hand raised until this is acknowledged.

Best buddies

Having an auction buddy can be an advantage – apart from keeping you company, your buddy might draw your attention to an item which you might be interested in but didn’t notice. However, things can turn sour, especially if you both start bidding for the same item.

Just don’t be childish about it because at the end of the day, friendships are more precious than objects. If your auction buddy outbids you, then the item belongs to them: that’s the name of the game and if you cannot accept it, then next time, go on your own.

Speaking of competition, there is also the unfair kind, people who will raise their hand just to bid up an item. Then they will drop out of the bidding right before the end, having made the other bidders pay more than they should have. This creates an atmosphere of resentment and ruins everyone’s good fun.

Stick to the budget

If you’re really keen on an item, you can easily get caught in the bidding fever and end up spending more than you intended. Afterwards, you might regret it, but that’s no excuse as a bid made in the heat of the moment is still a bid.

Before you go to the auction, it’s always a good idea to go to the viewing: this will give you a good idea of what items you’re interested in. Make a note of these items and plan how much you’re willing to pay. At the auction, when the bidding reaches your limit, simply shake your head or make it clear to the auctioneer that you’re not interested in paying more.

Silence please

A whispered conversation can be very distracting during an auction, both for the auctioneer and for the bidders. Mind you, there’s nothing wrong in having a quick and quiet word with your auction buddy or with a neighbour in between bids. However, make sure that it’s really a quick word and that it doesn’t interfere with the bidding or with the information that the auctioneer gives when an item is being introduced.