Frequently Asked
Questions
Attending a Stokes Auction
For in-depth information on attending see our page on
How an Auction Works & How to Bid
Why should I attend an auction?
Auctions can be fun and exciting
plus there is a very good opportunity to purchase items below retail.
Auctions are a social event and many auctioneers are even entertaining. There is
a food vendor on our site If you plan to stay for part or most of the day -
enjoy a tasty hamburger, soup or chili.
Does it cost to attend
or to register?
No, It does not cost to attend or to register for a bid card.
What a deal, free entertainment.
Are you open to the
public?
Yes!
Is there
an opportunity for people to view items before the auction?
Yes, look
for the advertised preview time for
each auction.
Come as early as you can to look over the
merchandise and vehicles. Preview for our Saturday consignment auction at
Stokes Auction is held on Friday from 10:00 AM until 4:00 PM.(viewing only) and
also on Saturday morning beginning at 8:00 AM. For most off-site auctions,
the preview is held one hour prior to the auction
starting time. During preview people can view all items with the
assistance of our staff. People are encouraged to inspect all items of interest.
How do we register to
bid?
Come to our office window and our cashiers will
issue you a bidders card. The cashier will ask to see your drivers license or other picture ID the first
time you register.
How do we bid on items
we are interested in?
Come early and make notes on items you are interested
in bidding on and think about how much you are
willing to pay. Take into consideration fees such as sales tax, buyers
premiums (see below). Bidding can be exciting so don't get carried
away. Follow the auction progress and note when that item comes up for
auction. When the auctioneer is asking for a price you want to bid, hold up your card
and the auctioneer or a ringman will 'catch' your bid. Watch a few items sell,
you'll catch on quickly. This is a live auction and moves at a quick pace.
We do not offer online bidding, so no worries about losing a bid to an "online"
bidder.
I was high bidder,
what do I owe? (know your fees before bidding)
General Merchandise:
You will
pay the price bid plus sales tax and a
10% buyers premium.
Titled units: $100 buyer's premium, cost of license and tabs.
NOTICE
: Beginning January 1, 2016: The document fee / aka buyer's premium on titled units will raise to $150 per vehicle.
The DOL requires license plates be removed from each vehicle
transferred to a new buyer.
New plates AND a full 12 months registration be issued at cost to
the buyer.
Stokes Auction will issue a temporary 45 day paper plate for each
vehicle sold
Firearms: 10% buyers
premium plus and additional $20 fee to be paid
when picked up from Boerners Firearms in Gorst after processing.
When do I
pay and with what?
Payment is due
by the end of the auction.
Forms of payment we accept are: debit cards,* Visa, MasterCard
and cash
Arrangements may be made for payment of vehicles at our monthly consignment
auction with a minimum of 25% down auction day, the balance due Monday by 2 pm.
* NOTE: At some off-site auctions, we may not be able to accept bankcards.
We use a wireless system and signal strength determines acceptance.
May I bring my
children with me?
They may come as long as they are well behaved and kept under
supervision.
Children that disrupt the auction, wander unattended or cause damage will have their
parents notified and be asked to leave.
How old do you have to
be to bid?
18 years old
I can't stay for the
auction and really want to bid on an item(s), what can I do?
We are prepared to help you if possible.
We will take
'written
bids' on items only during auction preview.
Once the auction starts we cannot guarantee the bid will be taken.
You will register to bid like usual
and disclose the amount you wish to bid on the item. Our clerk will bid in proxy for you
during the live auction. If you
are high bidder you will be expected to pay in full for the item in a
timely manner. We require credit card information on file to bid
or 25% cash deposit.
Absentee Bid Form (pdf)
When can I pick
up my merchandise or vehicle?
Vehicles can be picked up when they are paid for in full the
day of the sale.
You can pick up your merchandise after you pay for it but cannot be removed it if it
interferes with the auction.
At our monthly consignment auction held at
our location we will be open on Sunday after the sale from 8 am to 11 a.m.
Merchandise is left at your own risk.
ANY merchandise left past
Tuesday
following the sale may be removed or resold. It is also left at the risk
of the buyer. Please bring help in loading your items if you cannot pick
them up on auction day or Sunday before 11 a.m.
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