Auction Tips & How It Works
Welcome to AMCO Auctioneers. This guide explains how to register, participate in auctions, place bids, use auto bidding, add lots to your watchlist, and receive auction notifications.
Please read through this page before bidding so that you understand how the auction system works.
1. Create Your AMCO Auction Account
Before you can participate in an auction, you need to create an account.
To register:
- Click Register on the website.
- Complete your personal details.
- Upload the required documents, such as your ID/passport and proof of address.
- Submit your registration.
- Wait for your account to be reviewed and approved by AMCO Auctioneers.
Once your account is approved, you can register for individual auctions.
2. Register for an Auction
Creating an account does not automatically register you for every auction. You must register for each auction you want to participate in.
To register for an auction:
- Go to the Auction Events page.
- Select the auction you want to join.
- Click Register for Auction.
- Read and accept the auction terms.
- Follow the deposit instructions if a deposit is required.
- Wait for your auction registration to show as approved/ready.
Once your registration is approved and your deposit requirements are met, you will be able to bid in that auction.
3. Viewing Lots
On the auction catalogue page, you can view all available lots for that auction.
Each lot card may show:
- Lot number
- Lot title
- Lot image
- Opening price
- Current bid
- Closing time
- Bidding status
- Watchlist button
- View Info button
- Bid options
Click View Info to see more details and additional images for the lot.
4. Using the Lot Search
Use the lot search on the auction catalogue page to quickly find an item.
You can search by:
- Lot number
- Item name/title
- Description keywords
This is useful when an auction has many lots and you want to find a specific item quickly.
5. Placing a Normal Bid
A normal bid is a once-off bid that you place manually.
To place a normal bid:
- Find the lot you want to bid on.
- Select your bid amount from the dropdown.
- Click Place Bid.
- Confirm your bid.
Once confirmed, your bid will be submitted.
If another bidder places a higher bid, you may be outbid and will need to place another bid if you still want the lot.
6. Auto Bidding
Auto bidding allows you to enter the maximum amount you are willing to pay for a lot.
The system will then bid on your behalf only when needed, using the auction’s bid increment.
Example:
- Current bid: R500
- Bid increment: R50
- You set an auto bid max of R1,000
The system will not immediately jump to R1,000. It will only increase your bid as needed when other bidders bid against you, up to your maximum amount.
Important auto bidding notes:
- Your maximum auto bid is not shown to other bidders.
- The system only bids enough to keep you in the lead.
- If another bidder’s maximum auto bid is higher than yours, you may be outbid.
- If two bidders enter the same auto bid maximum, the earlier auto bid usually has priority.
Auto bidding is useful if you cannot watch the auction constantly.
7. Price Per Unit / Quantity Lots
Some auction lots may be sold as price per unit, price per piece, price per box, or another quantity-based format.
This means that the bid amount is the price for one unit, not necessarily the total price for all available units.
Example:
- Lot: 100 boxes available
- Current bid: R50
- Winning bid: R50 per box
If you are the winning bidder, you will be given the first opportunity to choose how many units you want to take.
Example:
- 100 units are available
- You are the winning bidder at R50 per unit
- You choose 40 units
- 60 units remain available
Once the winning bidder has selected their quantity, other eligible bidders may be given the opportunity to choose from the remaining available quantity, depending on the auction rules and availability.
Important quantity lot notes:
- The bid price is per unit unless stated otherwise.
- The winning bidder gets first choice of quantity.
- Other bidders can only choose from the remaining quantity after the winning bidder has selected.
- Available quantity may reduce as bidders confirm their quantities.
- Your final invoice amount will depend on the confirmed quantity multiplied by the winning price per unit, plus any applicable buyer’s commission, document fees, or other charges.
- Once a quantity is confirmed, it may not be possible to reduce or cancel it.
Always read the lot description carefully to see whether bidding is for the full lot or price per unit.
8. Watchlist
The watchlist helps you keep track of lots you are interested in.
To use the watchlist:
- Find a lot you like.
- Click Watchlist.
- The lot will be saved to your watchlist.
You can use your watchlist to quickly return to lots you are interested in without searching through the whole catalogue again.
Removing a lot from your watchlist means it is no longer being followed by you.
9. My Auctions
The My Auctions page helps you keep track of your auction activity.
Depending on your auction activity, this page may show:
- Your watchlist
- Active bids
- Lots you are leading on
- Lots where you have been outbid
- Lots won
- Lots lost
- Invoices
This is the best place to check your personal auction activity.
10. WhatsApp Notifications
AMCO Auctioneers may send WhatsApp notifications to help keep bidders informed.
Notifications may include:
- Outbid notices
- Closing soon reminders
- Auction registration updates
- Important auction-related messages
Please make sure your phone number is entered correctly when registering.
WhatsApp notifications are a helpful reminder, but you should not rely only on notifications. Always keep an eye on the auction page, especially near closing time.
11. Closing Soon Reminders
If you are watching or bidding on a lot, you may receive a closing soon reminder before the lot closes.
This helps remind you to return to the auction before the timer runs out.
Please note:
- Closing soon reminders are only a reminder.
- Delivery may depend on WhatsApp and network availability.
- It remains the bidder’s responsibility to monitor their bids and auction closing times.
12. Auction Timers and Closing Times
Each lot has its own closing time.
Lots may close one after another instead of all closing at the same time. This gives bidders time to follow the auction properly.
Always check the timer on each lot carefully.
13. Time Extensions
Some auctions may use time extensions.
This means that if a bid is placed near the closing time, the system may extend the lot’s closing time to give other bidders a fair chance to respond.
This helps prevent last-second bidding from unfairly closing the lot before other bidders can react.
14. Winning a Lot
If you are the highest bidder when the lot closes, you may be the winning bidder.
After the auction, check your My Auctions page or invoice section for amounts due.
Please remember that your final amount may include:
- Winning bid amount
- Buyer’s commission
- Document/admin fees where applicable
- Any other auction-specific charges stated on the lot or auction terms
15. Subject to Confirmation
Some lots may be marked as Subject to Confirmation.
This means the highest bid may still need to be accepted or confirmed by the seller or auctioneer after the auction closes.
Winning the bidding on a subject-to-confirmation lot does not always mean the sale is automatically approved.
16. Sold AS IS
Auction items are sold AS IS, with no duty to repair.
Bidders must inspect the lot information, images, description, and terms before bidding.
By placing a bid, you accept the condition and terms of the item.
17. Tips for Bidders
To get the best auction experience:
- Register early.
- Make sure your documents are uploaded correctly.
- Pay any required deposit before the auction starts.
- Use the watchlist for lots you are interested in.
- Use auto bidding if you cannot watch the auction live.
- Keep your phone nearby for WhatsApp notifications.
- Refresh or monitor the auction page near closing time.
- Read the lot details carefully before bidding.
- Check whether the lot is subject to confirmation.
- Check whether the lot is sold as a full lot or price per unit.
- Check for any document fees or additional charges.
18. Need Help?
If you need help registering or bidding, contact AMCO Auctioneers before the auction closes.
Call or WhatsApp:
081 814 8431
AMCO Auctioneers – Where Sellers Meet Serious Buyers.