Buying at Doyle



How to Bid in Live Auctions 

BidLive!

You can bid in real-time on your computer or mobile device. Doyle’s online bidding platform has live streaming video of the auction to bring the excitement of the saleroom right to you. You can bid in the sale from anywhere in the world. 

 

Telephone

Clients unable to attend the sale may still participate live at the auction by bidding on the telephone with a trained staff member. Please note that we reserve telephone bidding for lots with a minimum estimate of at least $2,000. The completed and signed bid forms must be received by Doyle no later than 4 pm (EST) on the evening before the auction. You must arrange telephone bids before the day of the sale. Download the telephone bid form here.

Doyle does not guarantee that remote phone bidding will be uninterrupted or without error. Overseas bidders and clients bidding from a cell phone are encouraged to leave a safety bid which will function as an absentee bid should the call fail.

 

Absentee

Absentee Bids, also known as left bids or order bids, work the same as if you were in the salesroom bidding up to a predetermined price limit, except that you give Doyle a confidential price limit. Our auctioneer will bid on your behalf alternately against other bidders until the bidding ends. If the other bidders drop out before reaching the maximum amount of your left bid, you will purchase the lot at the next increment.

Two Ways to Submit Absentee Bids:

  • Buyers may conveniently place absentee bids through our online catalogues. Internet absentee bids may be submitted until 8 am (EST) on the morning of the sale. First-time Internet bidders must register before bidding. This process can take up to 24 hours. 
  • Doyle offers the option of leaving Absentee Bids with our Client Services department during our exhibition or by fax at 212-369-0892. The completed and signed bid forms must be received by Doyle no later than 5 pm (EST) on the evening before the auction.

In Person

Doyle’s saleroom may be open to in-person bidding for certain sales. Please check the auction details page to determine whether Doyle’s saleroom is open to bidders for a specific sale.