How to bid
Timed online sales, nine days to decide, and the lots are out on display in Paddington the whole time.
How do I bid at a Smalls auction?
Browse the catalogue on this site, then register once at bid.smallsauctions.com. Registration is free and takes a minute. Leave a maximum bid and the system bids on your behalf up to that figure, or bid manually as the sale runs.
When does the sale close?
A new sale is posted every Friday and closes the following Sunday week at 12pm, ten full days. Lots close in order, a few at a time, and a bid placed in the last minutes extends that lot, so nothing is won by sniping the clock.
Do I have to be in Sydney?
No. Every sale is a timed online sale, and we have registered bidders across Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Europe and South-East Asia. There are free apps for iOS and Android.
Can I see the lots in person first?
Yes, and we would rather you did. Lots are on view at 452 Oxford Street, Paddington, 9am to 3pm Monday to Friday, with no appointment needed. If you cannot get in, ask us for extra photographs or a condition report and we will send them.
What is a buyer's premium?
A percentage added to the hammer price, which is how the auction house is paid by the buyer. Our terms and conditions set out the rate. The conditions of sale for a particular auction govern that sale where they differ, and the figure is shown before you confirm a bid.
What is a reserve?
A confidential minimum, agreed with the seller, below which the lot will not sell. Most lots carry one. The estimate is a separate thing: it is our opinion of what the lot should make, not a promise.
How much does the bid go up each time?
In fixed steps that get larger as the price rises: a dollar at the bottom of the range, five hundred at the top. The full table is below.
How do I pay and collect?
Successful bidders are invoiced by email after the sale. Lots can be collected from Paddington during viewing hours, or posted. We pack carefully, particularly the fragile things.
Bid increments
The step the bidding moves in at each level.
| Up to AU$40 | AU$1 |
|---|---|
| AU$40 – AU$200 | AU$5 |
| AU$200 – AU$1,000 | AU$10 |
| AU$1,000 – AU$10,000 | AU$50 |
| AU$10,000 – AU$35,000 | AU$100 |
| AU$35,000 and above | AU$500 |
The conditions you are bidding under
Our terms and conditions cover title, descriptions, the limited right of return, the buyer's premium and when payment is due. The conditions of sale shown with an individual auction take precedence over that page where the two differ.