There is something quite particular about a live auction — the gathered room, the measured cadence of the auctioneer, the small gesture that secures a sought-after lot. LANGTONS has been part of Australia's live auction tradition for decades, and live auctions remain a considered moment in the calendar for collectors and enthusiasts alike.
This is your guide to taking part.
When live auctions take place
LANGTONS live auction are announced ahead of time on the Websites and through Member communications. Each is accompanied by a catalogue of the lots to be offered. Lots are generally previewed online in the days leading up to the live sale, and online bidding may also be available before the live session opens.
Ways to take part
Live auctions may be attended in three ways:
- In the room — present at the auction venue, bidding in person.
- By telephone — a LANGTONS specialist bids on your behalf, in real time, with you on the line.
- By absentee bid — your maximum bid is left in advance, and a specialist executes it on your behalf during the sale.
Online bidding may also be available during a portion of the live session, depending on the auction. The catalogue will confirm what is offered for each sale.
Registering to bid
Live auction bidders must be LANGTONS Members. For high-value lots, or for first-time live auction participants, we may ask for a brief verification conversation in advance — and, on occasion, confirmation of your payment arrangements.
To register for in-room, telephone or absentee bidding, please contact our Auction team well ahead of the auction date.
In the room
Live auctions are conducted in measured, considered fashion. A few small notes for first-time attendees:
- Arrive a little early to collect your paddle and review the room.
- The paddle is your bid — raise it clearly when you wish to bid.
- The auctioneer sets the increments — you may, with permission, bid in a different increment, but the auctioneer's decision is final.
- Bidding closes on the fall of the hammer — at which point the lot is sold to the highest bidder.
- Each bid is irrevocable — please bid only at amounts you are prepared to pay.
There is no need for theatre. A clear gesture is more than enough.
Telephone bidding
For collectors unable to attend in person, telephone bidding offers a quietly personal way to take part. A LANGTONS specialist will call you shortly before your lot is due, talk you through the bidding as it unfolds, and bid on your behalf in real time to your instruction.
To arrange telephone bidding:
- Register in advance — telephone lines are limited and confirmed on a first-come basis.
- Provide a clear contact number for the day of the auction.
- Be available a little before your lot is due — auctions can move at varying pace.
Telephone bidding is generally offered on lots above a certain value, confirmed at the time of registration.
Absentee bids
An absentee bid is your maximum bid left in advance. A LANGTONS specialist will execute it on your behalf, bidding only as required, in the same considered manner as AutoBid online. If competing absentee bids are equal, the bid received first prevails.
Absentee bids must be submitted in writing — by email or through our Auction team — ahead of the auction.
Understanding what you will pay
As with online auctions, your total purchase price is the Hammer Price plus the Buyer's Premium (18% inc. GST). For more, see The language of fine wine and auction.
After the auction
A tax invoice is issued shortly after the auction concludes. Settlement terms are the same as for online auctions:
- Up to $10,000 — your nominated credit card may be charged automatically.
- Above $10,000 — you will be invited to nominate your preferred payment method within four calendar days.
All purchases are to be settled within 30 calendar days. For more, see Settling your purchase.
You may then arrange delivery, Pick Up, or have your wines placed into Storage.
Worth knowing All bids — in the room, by telephone or by absentee — are irrevocable. Please bid with the same intention you would online.
A considered word
The live auction is, in many ways, the heart of the auction house tradition. Whether you join
continue
us in the room, on the line or by absentee bid, our specialists are here to make the experience a considered one — from your first lot to your last.
Suggested articles
- The art of bidding at LANGTONS
- The language of fine wine and auction
- Your first auction — a considered introduction
- Settling your purchase
A conversation is often the easiest place to begin.
Whether you are discovering a single bottle or building a cellar, our specialists are here to guide you. Share your enquiry through our Customer Experience contact form one of our specialists will be in touch shortly.
You are also welcome to speak with your Private Client Manager, or call us on 1300 946 347.