bid with confidence.

No matter how you choose to bid,

Our convenient bidding options are designed with your needs in mind.

There’s something for everyone at Thomaston Place Auction Galleries, and that includes a bidding option that works for you. Whether your bidder paddle is paper or virtual, our bidding options provide opportunity and accessibility to the thousands of incredible objects that come through our gallery - each awaiting the moment they find their home with you.

When bidding via phone, one of our representatives will call you directly from the gallery. We call a few lots ahead to make sure you feel comfortable and ready to conquer the salesroom. When the lot opens, we will relay the asking price from the auctioneer directly to you and then raise our hand per your instruction. Phone lines are limited, and registering early helps secure your spot!
In case we are unable to reach you or you are not sure you will be able to get to the phone, we recommend leaving a ‘safety bid.’ The safety bid is an amount that you feel comfortable with us bidding up to on your behalf, like an absentee bid. As we execute the bid, we will continue trying you on the phone until the piece sells.

20% buyer’s premium

An absentee bid is perfect for those that can’t attend the auction. Place your bid through our Front Desk, where you will determine the highest amount, you are willing to pay using our predetermined increments and if you would like to put a +1. A representative from Thomaston Place Auction Galleries will execute your bid on your behalf and attempt to purchase the piece at the lowest price, allowing for other bids, up to your prearranged price.
A ‘+1’ is a small but strategic option that lets you extend your absentee bid by just one increment. If there’s a tie between you and another bidder, this allows you to automatically add that one extra increment, potentially breaking the tie and making you the winner.

20% buyer’s premium

Experience the thrill of the auction in-person. Register for your bid paddle as you arrive on the day of the auction or visit us during preview and reserve a seat while you are here. To bid, simply raise your paddle quickly and confidently in the saleroom to get the auctioneer’s attention. If the auctioneer recognizes your bid, they will indicate and point to you.
Seats in the gallery are limited. To reserve a seat for yourself and others in your party, please call our Front Desk to provide your name, and the number of seats along with where in the gallery and indicate the auction day.

20% buyer’s premium

Online bidding options are hosted through our app and website – ThomastonLive.
To enter our online salesroom and bid, you’ll need to first set up an account and log in. You can either wait until the auction is live and your intended piece is at the podium to bid live or you can place an absentee bid before the auction begins and sign up to be notified when you are out bid.
All online bidders go through a vetting period. Our staff will approve or notify you of changes in your registration, such as being deferred or receiving a bidding limit. We highly recommend registering a week before the auction begins to make sure you are ready before the auctioneer is even at the podium.

25% buyer’s premium

What Bidders Are Saying…

"I prefer phone bidding, and the callers are all personable, professional and nice."

- Diane H.
"Everything was fantastic I won what I was going after and got it at a great price.”

- Wade B.
“My bid caller was great. It was fun because she could sense my mood when I wanted something... or backing down. "

– Michael O.
“I thought the auction was well-run, on time and fair, especially to the online bidders.”

- David H.
“Always very smooth and fast. Enjoy being there in person”

- Gary L.

Save 5% on Your Buyer’s Premium and Register for Phone/Absentee Bidding

✓ We recommend registering to bid through phone and absentee at least 24 hours before your intended lot is to be presented at the podium. Phone lines are limited, and registering early helps secure your spot!

✓ To register for a phone or absentee bid: fill out the following form with your contact information, a valid credit card to authorize $50, and the lots of interest, specifying if you would like a phone bid or leave an absentee amount.

Browse our online auction catalog at ThomastonLive or join us at the gallery to peruse all upcoming lots during preview times. Once you have found the lots you are interested in, it’s time to register!

Ready to Register?

Phone/Absentee Form

Register for Online Bidding

✓ If you are bidding online, we recommend registering for the auction at least a week in advance.

✓ To register for online bidding, create an online account on ThomastonLive. Locate the upcoming auction you are interested in under Upcoming Auctions and select ‘Register to Bid’. After completing the online registration process, you can submit your bids on lots you are interested in or wait until the auction is live to join our online sales room. Be sure to keep a lookout for updates in your registration to be sent through your email, and turn on notifications to receive updates when you have been outbid.

Bid Online