Online antique auctions are very popular due to their convenience and flexibility. You can participate in person, from the comfort of your own home or wherever you may be. Buyers and sellers alike also benefit from a global auction market with competitive prices and increased sales potential.

At Fontaine’s Auction Gallery, we offer online auctions with consignment services. As an auction house with over 50 years of experience and extensive market knowledge, we can help you reach the largest auction audience to achieve your purchase or sales goals.

In-Person Bidding*

If you want the traditional auction experience and can travel to the auction house, in-house bidding is a good option.

On the day of the auction, in-house bidders will sit in the showroom and an auctioneer will run the auction. To enter the bidding, you may raise your hand or paddle, and the auctioneer will accept a head nod to confirm any further bids.

In-house bidders can see the auction items up close and gauge the competition and mood in the room.

*Please view the specific auction details to see if in-person bidding is available.

Phone Bidding

If you can’t make it in person or want a more discrete bidding option, phone bidding at auction is an ideal choice. In addition to being convenient, phone bidding also allows you to speak directly with staff throughout the auction for clear and direct communication.

When you register for the auction as a phone bidder, you will indicate the item you are interested in, and on the day of the auction, a member of the auction room staff will contact you a few lots before the item comes up for bidding. Once the bidding begins, the staff member will let you know what is happening in the room and relay your bids to the auctioneer.

Online Bidding

Online bidding allows you to follow the auction live and place real-time bids against those in person and on the phone. Usually, the lot up for bid will be displayed on the screen with the bid level alongside it. An online bidder simply clicks a button to enter their bid.

At Fontaine’s Auction Gallery, we use four online live bidding platforms — Fontaine’s, Invaluable, Live Auctioneers and Auction Zip. You will need to set up an account on one of these platforms and register for the auction in advance to participate. You can use these sites to stream the auction, place your bid and communicate with the auction room staff and auctioneer via online chat modules all in real-time.

What Is an Online Auction?

Online auctions allow people to buy or sell antiques over the internet. As a virtual marketplace, online auctions make it possible for people from all over the world to participate. If you are selling antiques through an online auction, your item’s exposure to such a vast audience can increase your chances of making a successful sale. As a buyer in an online auction, you get more choices and better deals.

Many auction houses such as Fontaine’s Auction Gallery will hold a live bidding auction online with several different bidding options, including in-house, phone, online and absentee bids.

How Do Online Auctions Work?

The online auction process is designed to run like a normal auction, with items available for sale to the highest bidder. One of the main differences is that online auctions are typically live and allow for multiple bidding options.

Absentee Bidding

You can also place an absentee bid if you cannot participate on the day of the auction. With absentee bidding, you submit a bid on a lot in advance of the auction and specify how high you are willing to go for the item. Only the auctioneer knows what your bid is, and the auction is conducted under normal procedures.

If your absentee bid is more than the highest live bid, the auctioneer will reveal your bid and allow live participants to increase their amounts. If the live bidders do not increase their amounts, you will win the auction.

If live bidders do increase their amounts, the bidding will continue until reaching your limit. You will win if live bidders do not increase their amounts beyond your limit. If the bidding continues above your specified limit, you will lose.

Contact Fontaine’s Auction Gallery to Learn More

At Fontaine’s Auction Gallery, we make the online auction process highly accessible and straightforward with multiple bidding methods. However you choose to bid, you will have access to our staff in the showroom who can answer your questions and bid on your behalf.

If you have antique items that you are interested in selling during an online auction, we can provide the professional assistance you need to get the highest value for your piece. When you consign with us, you will benefit from our global reach and in-depth knowledge of the market. We provide free, fair valuations, and treat each consignment with specialized attention. We also take the time to build personal relationships with our consignors and have many repeat clients as a result.

With globally competitive prices and one low, flat-rate service charge without hidden fees, Fontaine’s Auction Gallery can help you maximize your item’s sales potential while minimizing your expenses for a greater net value.

We assist you with whatever you may need, whether that’s walking you through the different steps of the process or arranging transportation for your antique from your home to our showroom. We also begin advertising for our auctions well in advance of other houses to generate as much interest as possible and ensure buyers have plenty of time to make necessary arrangements to participate.

If you’re interested in consigning with us, start by getting your free evaluation. You can email us information and photos, complete our auction estimate form or schedule an appointment in person.

Tiffany Studios Oriental Poppy Chandelier

Interested in speaking with us?

Click the link to take a look at our contact us page and send us a message!

Contact Us