Bidding
At Rock Island Auction you can bid several different ways to serve the needs of all our clients, and to make bidding an easy and pleasant experience. (Note: When absentee bidding, getting your bids in early is important. In the event of duplicate bid amounts on a particular lot, the first bid in will determine the successful bidder.)
Proper Bidding Increments
Generally, the bidding begins at half of the low estimated value and will continue at our established bid increments. Rock Island Auction Company has established the following bidding increments:
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$50 - $200: |
$10 increment |
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$200 - $500: |
$25 increment |
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$500 to $1,000: |
$50 increment |
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$1,000 - $2,000: |
$100 increment |
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$2,000 - $5,000: |
$250 increment |
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$5,000 - $10,000: |
$500 increment |
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$10,000 - $20,000: |
$1000 increment |
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$20,000 - $50,000: |
$2,500 increment |
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$50,000 - $100,000: |
$5,000 increment |
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$100,000 - $500,000: |
$10,000 increment |
Sealed and Telephone Bids
When bidding absentee, you can choose to submit a sealed bid or a telephone bid. A sealed bid is an amount you authorize us to bid on your behalf. A telephone bid is telling us which lots you would like to bid on, and you will be called by a representative during the auction and bid live via phone. (when submitting a phone bid it is not required to include a bid amount, however we do recommend including an amount that we can bid you up to on your behalf in the event you cannot be reached during the auction).
Online Bidding
This is the most convenient way to bid. You can bid online at all of our Auctions through our online catalog. Each lot is listed with its full description and condition, and large color images. With online bidding you can choose to submit a sealed bid, or choose to be a telephone bidder. Internet bids can be taken at any time, however after 10 am CST on the day a particular lot sells, we cannot guarantee that your bid will be taken if the lot has already been offered on the auction block. To avoid this we recommend getting all bids in as early as possible. A step-by-step guide to bidding through our website can be found here. Note: Online bidding is NOT live bidding.
Bid By Postal Mail
A bid sheet is included on the last page of all our catalogs or you can download a PDF file and print it yourself. Links to the bid forms can be found below. Simply complete the bid sheet with the lots you want, a brief description of the lot, serial number, and bid amounts if applicable. On the bid sheet you can choose to submit a sealed bid, or choose to be a telephone bidder. Fill out the opposite side of the bid sheet with your name and all other required information, sign it and mail it to:
Rock Island Auction Company
4507 49th Ave
Moline, IL 61265
Bid Forms
* Premiere Auction Absentee Bid Form (pdf document)
* Regional Auction Absentee Bid Form (pdf document)
Note: A pdf document requires Adobe Acrobat Reader.
If you are experiencing problems with our Absentee Bid Form, please download Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Bid By Fax
Follow the instructions for completing a postal mail bid, and fax it to 309-797-1655. Fax bids can be taken at any time, however after 10 am CST on the day a particular lot sells, we cannot guarantee that your bid will be taken if the lot has already been offered on the auction block. To avoid this we recommend getting all bids in as early as possible.
Call in your Bids
Call 1-800-238-8022 or 309-797-1500 and tell them you would like to submit bids. Every member of our staff is knowledgeable of taking bids and will be happy to assist you.
Bid in Person
All of our auctions are open to the public. There is a full day preview the Friday before each auction, and from 8am – 10am CST each day of the auction. There is viewing during the auction on items not being sold that day. The auctions commence at 10am CST. If you plan to travel to the area for the auction, a list or recommended hotels can be found here.
