Buying: The Basics

Making a Purchase at Saco River Auction is Simple

You've found the perfect item- in our catalogs, fliers, on our website, or from another form of advertisement. You've carefully examined it during a pre-sale preview and/or spoken with one of our staff. Now, you're ready to bid - and here's how.

Here are the general steps:

1. Register for a bidder's number or bid card
2. Bid on the item(s) you're interested in
3. Pay our friendly cashiers with cash, check, Visa or MasterCard
4. Pick-up your new treasures to take home with you

Bidding in Person

First, you will need to register for and collect a numbered bid card before the auction begins. Please remember to bring government-issued proof of identity such as a driver's license or passport with you. If you are a first-time bidder, you will also be asked for your address and telephone number in order to create your account.

Absentee Bids / Written Bids / Commission Bids / Order Bids / Left Bids

If you are unable to attend the auction in person, we will be happy to execute absentee bids on your behalf. This service is free and confidential.

There are many ways to submit your absentee bids to us. You may call us with your bids, send an e-mail to info@sacoriverauction.com, bid through our online absentee bidding catalogs offered through AuctionZip, or use our contact form here.

When we execute an absentee bid on your behalf, the lot will always be bought for the lowest increment that exceeds all competing bids and which meets or exceeds the reserve price. In the event of identical bids, the first received will take precedence.

You may indicate more than one item on which you would like to bid, depending upon whether your earlier bid is successful (an "or" bid). We are also able to execute "Buy" or unlimited bids, and plus one's (+1) to make sure you're not outbid at your maximum bid amount.

Written and telephone bids are offered as an additional service for no extra charge, and at the buyer's risk. Saco River Auction Co. cannot accept liability for failure to place such bids.

Successful absentee bidders will receive an invoice after the auction.

Telephone Bids

For most auctions, you may also register for telephone bidding. A Saco River Auction Co. representative will contact you from the saleroom prior to your specified lot(s) and will relay your bids to the auctioneer.

As the number of telephone lines is limited, it is necessary to make arrangements for this service 24 hours before the sale, with additional advance warning for languages not native to the auction location.

Telephone bids are accepted at Saco River Auction's sole discretion and at the prospective buyer's risk.

Bid Department Contacts

Contact us at 207-650-5677 to clarify any questions that you may have about bidding at auction.

Buyer's Premium & Tax

Please note that Saco River Auction's Buyer's Premium and any local taxes will be payable on successful bids. Thus the "hammer price" - the actual winning bid - is smaller than the amount the purchaser will pay. Consult a staff member for more information before placing a bid. The buyer's premium at Saco River Auction Co. auctions is set at 18% .Payment Winning purchases may be paid for with cash (subject to certain restrictions and legal limits), check, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, PayPal, or by money order.

We ask that you pay for your purchase immediately after the auction by visiting our cashiers. If you pay by check / credit and require that your item be shipped to you, we ask for your patience as your purchase will be released upon notice that your check / credit has cleared. We reserve the right to decline payments received from anyone other than the invoiced party.

Any and all checks returned for insufficient funds will be penalized a $30.00 processing fee.

Pickup and Delivery

Upon successful payment, purchases may be picked up at our auction facility. Alternatively, we can assist you in making arrangements for shipment or delivery.

All purchases should be picked up or shipped within ten business days after the auction. After that time your property will be subject to a handling charge and you may be charged for storage.

If you are in need of shipping our staff is able to assist you in making shipping and insurance arrangements for your purchases.