Complete Auction and Sale Management Services
Frequently Asked
Questions
Attending a Stokes Auction Live in Person Auction
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, hotdog or grilled cheese..
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 of 9% and a
10% buyers premium.
Titled units: $150 buyer's premium, sales tax of 9.3% on motorized vehicles, 9% on vessels and trailers. Filing fees for licensing, a minimum of $134.25 and up depending on scale weight of vehicle and your physical address.
Regarding Licensing: Stokes Auction, as an automobile dealer will charge the buyer of each vehicle the appropriate filing fees required by the State of Washington. These fees include the cost of plates and tabs. New plates AND a full 12 months registration will be issued at cost to the buyer and Stokes Auction will issue a temporary 45-day paper plate for each vehicle sold. The average “filing fee” for a passenger vehicle is $134.25 and goes up from there depending on scale weight and if you live in an RTA or TBD zone. Buyer's may opt to not purchase license plates and tabs and pay for "title purposes only" or "TPO." The cost of "TPO" is $42.00, however, the vehicle will not come with license or tabs and no 45 day permit, as such, the buyer will need to provide or purchase a 3-day move permit at the cost of $33 or trailer the vehicle from our property.
New plates AND a full 12 months registration will be issued at cost to
the buyer.
Firearms: 10% buyers
premium, Sales tax of 9%, plus and additional $25 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 for most items and vehicles. The purchaser of a pistol or a semi-automatic rifle must be 21.
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 10:30 a.m.
Have more questions...give us
a call or e-mail!
(360) 876-0236
stokesauction@stokesauction.com