Gowans Auctions help desk

How do the auctions work ?

To bid on an auction click on the link to the auction from the home page. You will see a listing like this:

Click on the the title of a lot and you will see a screen like this:

From this screen you can see that the current bid is $250.  To place a bid for $260 click 'Bid Now', if you want to place a higher bid by selecting a bid from My Bid list.   Bids go up in the same amounts just like a traditional auction.

You can also enter a maximum bid. Here you can enter your bid and the system will automatically bid on your behalf in the set increments up to this amount.

• If you enter a maximum bid that is equal to another bidder's bid then their bid will be placed first.
• If you enter a maximum bid that is not consistent with the bid increments for the lot then your maximum bid will be adjusted. For example if you entered a maximum bid of $54 for the above lot it will be adjusted down to nearest bid acceptable i.e $50

If you are outbid you will receive an email with a link to that lot. Click the link in the email to bid again.  Please ensure that our emails are not going to your junk folder.

The day after the auction you will receive an email with your successful bids if you are the winning bidder.  Please contact Gowans Auctions before paying to obtain the correct amount.  If you are the highest bidder but the reserve has not been reached you may receive an email indicating the reserve and inviting you to make an offer on the lot.

Please make arrangements with Gowans Auctions regarding payment and picking up your lots.

Do the items have reserves ?

All lots have reserves unless otherwise stated - when the reserve price is reached you will be notified by a message "on the market".

What happens if I am the winning bidder ?

If your bid is successful, you will receive a confirmation email the following day.  Please then contact Gowans Auctions to arrange payment and collection.

Are there fees and charges ?

All lots offered for auction incur a buyers premium of 17.6% (GST inclusive)

How do the auctions close ?

Lots are scheduled to close in order.   For example lot 1 is scheduled to close and then 30 seconds later lot 2 is scheduled to close and so on through the whole catalogue.  The time extension feature will affect this.

What is the Time Extension ?

If a bid is placed in the last 60 seconds of a lots countdown, that lot's time will reset to 2 minutes.  If a bid is placed in the last 60 seconds of the extended time, the same process will continue until the bidding stops.  This is to allow people to respond to late bidding, avoid last second sniping and to replicate the conditions of a traditional auction.