What’s the benefit to using Invaluable? On our marketplace, you have access to hundreds of thousands of rare and one-of-a-kind works of art, antiques, jewelry, collectibles and more, all offered (and vetted) by premier auction houses from around the world. The best part: all your purchases are made in one place, so you don’t need to create separate accounts with every seller you bid with.
Once you create an account on Invaluable (it’s free and takes seconds to complete), bidding at auction is easy. Here’s how it works.
Enjoy virtual window shopping by browsing upcoming auctions and category pages, or search for something specific.
See something that catches your eye? Click ‘Register to bid’ on the lot page, which sends a request directly to the auction house. You’ll be asked to provide a bit more information about yourself.
Once your registration has been approved by the auction house, you’ll receive an email notifying you that you are now able to bid. Your status will remain ‘pending’ until you are approved by the house.
Place an absentee bid before the sale, or, add the auction to your calendar so you’re ready to bid live when the sale starts.
Whether you’re browsing online or have been searching for something specific for ages, our online tools can help you find exactly what you’re looking for.
Once you sign up for your free account (it takes seconds), you can start following keywords for artists, makers, or specific search terms. In doing so, you’ll receive an email when items that match your search criteria are added to the marketplace.
Our industry-leading advanced search tool suggests key phrases, artists, makers and sellers for an easier way to find what’s important to you.
For those who prefer virtual window-shopping, peruse our category pages for a broader look at popular collecting categories, including silver, books and manuscripts, photographs, jewelry, and much more.
Want to learn more about an object you find in the marketplace? Contact the seller directly to ask specific questions about an item.
An auction is a collection of items that have been consigned directly to an auction house by individual sellers. Individuals can place bids on those items either in person, on the phone, or online, right from the comfort of their living room. The item is ultimately sold to the highest bidder — and there’s a good chance you could score a great deal on an item you’re interested in by bidding at auction.
A live auction is run by an auctioneer who sets the pace of the sale. Live online auctions are often accompanied by video that simulcasts the auctioneer accepting bids, so you can follow the pace (and excitement) of the sale right from your living room. As a general rule of thumb, auctions usually move at a pace of approximately 60 lots per hour, but that can vary dramatically depending on how competitive the bidding becomes on a particular lot. At the time your lot hits the auction block, bidders compete against each other in real-time until the bidding slows. Ultimately, the lot is sold to the highest bidder.
Invaluable bidders gain access to an exclusive online bidding console that simulates all of the aspects of being present at the auction house. In bidding through Invaluable, you bid with ease and confidence, equipped with tools like language translation and currency conversion. It’s user-friendly, safe, and secure.
In contrast, a timed auction is an automated sale that runs for a specified window of time, usually somewhere from seven to 21 days. During that time, users may leave bids on a lot. When bidding on the Invaluable marketplace, you are automatically notified when you have been outbid on an item, which gives you the opportunity to resubmit a higher bid (if you’re willing to bid more). When the timed auction is over, the item is sold to the highest bidder.
Placing a bid before a live auction begins, which is referred to as an ‘absentee bid’, allows you to place a bid ahead of the live bidding that takes place once the auction kicks off. Invaluable uses SecureBid technology, which places bids on your behalf without ever revealing to the auction house the maximum amount you’re willing to pay. SecureBid ensures that you win the lot at the lowest possible price.
Absentee bidding affords bidders the convenience of bidding at their own pace, though data has shown that live bidders are twice as likely to win at auction than absentee bidders. SecureBid tries to win the item for you at the lowest possible price.
Congratulations, you won! After you win and pay for your item, the auction house will help you navigate the shipping process.
The simplest method is to receive your shipment directly or, if you are local, to arrange an in-person pick-up. However, these options are not always possible, so be sure to make an informed bid. Review the terms and conditions for the sale and contact the auction house directly if you have any questions about shipping before placing your bid.
If the auction house offers direct shipping, the shipping fee will be added to your invoice. This fee will depend on your location, the size and weight of the item, and whether the shipment is international, in which case you will be responsible for any customs and export fees.
If the auction house you are bidding with does not offer direct shipping, be ready to reach out to a recommended third-party shipping provider to arrange your item’s pick-up and delivery. Most auction houses have preferred shipping vendors who are perfectly capable of transporting fragile, bulky, or expensive items.
