new to auctions?

How online auctions work:

1. Explore our Catalogue:

   If a catalogue is ready, it will be found here. Join our mailing list to be notified of new auctions.

2. Register to bid:

   Found an item you’d like? First, register on our platform and provide a few essential details. You must provide a credit card to secure your bidder number (you’re never charged until you win a bid). After the auction, you can choose a method of payment (cash, debit, credit).

3. Bid:

   Pre-bid phase (optional): Once registered, you can place pre-bids (absentee bids) on items you like with just a click. You can set the maximum you’re willing to pay for an item. When another bidder places a pre-bid on the same item, your absentee bid automatically outbids the other bidder by an increment of usually $10. Our software will do this until your maximum absentee bid is reached. This means you set a max bid, but can get an item for less (you pay slightly more than the next-highest bidder to out-compete them, but not necessarily your max bid)

   Sale phase: Our online auctions are ‘live’. During the auction, you bid on items during a time window (usually 15 seconds). The clock restarts each time a new bid is placed on that item. The individual who has the highest bid when the clock reaches 0 wins the lot (i.e., the item(s) being sold).

   As mentioned above, if on the day of the auction you’re not available (or simply don’t want to watch the sale of other items), you can set an ‘absentee bid’. If your max absentee bid is exceeded by another bidder, you’ll get a notification. You also have the option to be notified just before your lot (i.e., item) comes up for sale so you can monitor the sale and compete live to ensure you’re not outbid. Pro-tip: if you’re really keen on an item, it’s best to be logged into your account and ready to bid during the live auction phase.

4. Notifications:

   Stay in the loop with optional real-time updates. Receive text or email notifications directly to your phone if you get outbid, allowing you to stay engaged and responsive throughout the auction.

5. Participate Anywhere:

   The beauty of Memento Auctions is that you can participate from the comfort of your home or anywhere in the world.