How to Bid on an Auction Item

4 Ways to Bid on an Auction Item

IMPORTANT: BEFORE YOU BID, please familiarize yourself with our CONDITIONS OF SALE and AUCTION INDUSTRY TERMS.

There are four ways to bid with us at Stefek’s:

1. By Phone
When bidding by phone, Stefek’s will call you during the auction a few lots before your specified lot is to be auctioned. You are able to bid live, with a Stefek’s phone representative acting as a liaison between you and the auctioneer.

2. By Absentee
Absentee bids are bids you leave in advance. You can call in advance to set a maximum bid amount on individual lots and Stefek’s will bid on your behalf up to that amount during the auction. You can call our office or send us an e-mail to set your absentee bid. Absentee bids will be accepted until 4:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time the day of the auction.

3. In Person
Attend the auction in person. It is free and open to the public. Bidders can pre-register or register upon arrival. Please bring photo identification, method of payment, and (if applicable) tax exempt certificate. Once registered, bidders will receive a paddle. Door opens an hour and a half prior to the auction.

4. Online
Stefek’s auctions are currently hosted through the internationally recognized online bidding platform LiveAuctioneers. If you prefer to bid live online, please view our auction page here and register with LiveAuctioneers to make an account. If you require any assistance with setting up an online bid with us on LiveAuctioneers, please give our office a call at (313) 881-1800 or send us an e-mail at: info@stefeksauctions.com.

Bid Confirmation
Once you have placed a phone or absentee bid with us, one of our staff members can e-mail you a bid confirmation with a list of all active bids.

Auction Results
Winning bidders will be notified via e-mail or phone. Auction results will be listed on LiveAuctioneers immediately following the sale. Successful bidders will be emailed an invoice that includes all the information needed to make a payment and begin the shipping process the day after the auction.

What is a Buyer’s Premium?
A buyer’s premium is an additional fee based on a percentage of the hammer price and the payment method. Buyer’s premium pays for the services the auction house provides to make the items available for purchase. At Stefek’s, our buyer’s premium is a flat rate of 25%, regardless of method of payment. There is no extra charge for a credit card payment.

Should I ask for a Condition Report of Items I am Bidding on?
As a courtesy, Stefek’s provides a general condition report for all items in our auction catalogs. All condition reports are based on “age appropriate wear” and buyers should note that an item that “appears fine” may have some wear. Stefek’s staff will always provide a detailed condition report outlining any and all damage and wear upon request of the buyer. All buyers are encouraged to request a detailed condition report to ensure satisfaction of their purchase.

Stefek’s does not pack or ship any items purchased through auction. It is the buyer’s responsibility to arrange and pay for all packing and shipping. Information on local shipping businesses is listed below:

PakMail of St. Clair Shores
(586) 773-3377
US516@pakmail.com
pakmail.com

PakMail of Lake Orion
(248) 393-3277
ship@pakmailmichigan.com
pakmailmichigan.com

Navis Pack & Ship
(248) 692-0007
MI1053@gonavis.com
gonavis.com

Craters and Freighters – Large Items
(586) 268-4102
detroit@cratersandfreighters.com
cratersandfreightersdetroit.com

Plycon Transportation Group
(888) 655-2664
plycongroup.com