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How to bid live online at the auction

February 15, 2009 | view archive

Register at Artfact Now!

Bidder Guide    --   Click here to go to the tutorial
I. SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
A. WHAT DO I NEED TO USE THE ARTFACT LIVE BIDDING CONSOLE?
II. GETTING STARTED

A. WHAT DO I NEED TO PARTICIPATE IN AN ARTFACT LIVE AUCTION?
III. ABSENTEE BIDS
A. WHAT IS AN ABSENTEE BID?
B. HOW DO I PLACE AN ABSENTEE BID?
C. WHEN CAN I PLACE AN ABSENTEE BID?
D. CAN I CANCEL AN ABSENTEE BID?
IV. MY AUCTIONS
A. MY APPROVAL STATUS IS LISTED AS ‘PENDING’. WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?
B. WHY WAS MY REQUEST TO BID DECLINED?
C. WHAT IS A BIDDING LIMIT?
D. HOW CAN I REQUEST A BIDDING LIMIT INCREASE?
V. MY BIDS
A. WHAT IS BIDDER STATUS?
B. HOW CAN I INCREASE MY MAXIMUM BID AMOUNT?
C. WHAT IS TIME REMAINING?
VI. LOTS I WON
A. WHAT IS WINNING BID?
B. WHEN WILL I RECEIVE MY INVOICE?

C. WHAT IS INCLUDED IN MY INVOICE?
VII. CONTACTING ARTFACT AND AUCTION HOUSES
A. HOW DO I CONTACT ARTFACT?
B. WHEN SHOULD I CONTACT THE AUCTION HOUSE? ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.
C. HOW DO I CONTACT THE AUCTION HOUSE?
VIII. BIDDER CONSOLE
A. HOW DO I OPEN THE ARTFACT LIVE BIDDING CONSOLE?
B. WHY CAN’T I VIEW THE ARTFACT LIVE BIDDING CONSOLE?
C. AUDIO/VISUAL REQUIREMENTS

I. System Requirements
A. What do I need to use the Artfact Live Bidding Console?
The Artfact Live bidding console uses Internet technology to ensure that your bid is received by the auction house at the time you place it. Because of this there are some minimum system requirements. Please note that these requirements only apply for live bidding – you can browse auctions, search for lots or place absentee bid(s) with almost any computer system.

Minimum System Requirements for the Artfact Live Bidding Console:
Internet Explorer 7 or higher
Firefox 3 or higher
Java JRE 1.6 or better.
DSL/Cable/FIOS, T1 or higher (dial up is NOT recommended)
II. Getting Started
A. What do I need to participate in an Artfact Live auction?
To participate in an Artfact Live auction you will first need to register with Artfact.

Registering with Artfact is FREE. You will not be charged to create your account or access any of the free Artfact services.

Once you’ve registered with Artfact you will need to sign up for each individual auction in which you wish to participate. To register click the ‘Bid Now with Artfact Live!’ box and complete the ‘Request to Bid Approval’ form on the next page. Review and agree to the Terms & Conditions, buyer’s premium, shipping policy and transaction fee and click ‘Submit Request for Approval’.

You will receive a notification email when you request is approved. You may also check your status anytime by going to ‘My Auctions’ on the Artfact Live page.

Once you’ve been approved you will be able to place absentee bid(s) or bid live during the selected auction via the bidding console.
III. Absentee Bids
A. What is an absentee bid?
Any bids placed by authorized users before the start of the auction. Artfact Live collects absentee bids up to two hours before the start of the auction.
B. How do I place an absentee bid?
When you find a lot you wish to on bid click ‘Bid Now on Artfact Live!’ New users will be asked to register and complete a bidder approval form. Returning users will need to sign in and complete the bidder approval form on the next page.

After you’ve been approved for the auction, go back to the lot page and input the maximum amount you are willing to pay for that lot - this is your absentee bid.
C. When can I place an absentee bid?
Approved bidders can place absentee bids up to two hours before the start of the auction.
D. Can I cancel an absentee bid?
Yes. You may cancel an absentee bid up to two hours before the sale begins.

To cancel an absentee bid, sign in and go to ‘My Bids’ on the Artfact Live page. Your list of absentee bids will appear on the page. Click ‘Cancel Bid’ next to the bid you would like to remove.
IV. My Auctions
A. My Approval Status is listed as ‘Pending’. What does that mean?
If your approval status is listed as ‘Pending’ that means your account is currently under review by the auction house. An email confirmation will be sent when you have been approved to bid in the selected auction. To contact the auction house directly click the white envelope icon next to the selected sale, select ‘Bidding Approval’ from the subject drop down menu, include your message and click ‘Send’.
B. Why was my request to bid declined?
Each individual auction house determines the criteria by which a bidder is approved or declined for a sale. For more information please contact the auction house directly by clicking on the white envelope icon next to the selected sale and selecting ‘Bidding Approval’ from the subject drop down menu.
C. What is a Bidding Limit?
Some auction houses may choose to set a limit on the amount a bidder can bid for the duration of a sale. A Bidder MAY request to increase this limit prior to the sale. For more information see “How can I request a bidding limit increase?”
D. How can I request a bidding limit increase?
To request an increase, contact the auction house directly by clicking on the white envelope icon next to the selected sale. Select ‘Bid Limit’ from the subject drop down menu, include a message to the auction house requesting a bidding limit increase, and click ‘Send’.
V. My Bids
A. What is Bidder Status?
There are two types of bidder status:

High Bidder: You currently have the highest Artfact Live absentee bid.

Outbid: Another Artfact Live absentee bidder has placed a higher bid. To change your status to High Bidder you will need to increase your maximum bid amount.

B. How can I increase my maximum bid amount?
To increase your maximum bid amount click ‘Increase Bid’ next to the selected lot and enter a higher amount in the ‘Increase your Artfact Live! absentee bid’ box. If your new bid is lower than competing bids you will be asked to enter a higher amount.
C. What is Time Remaining?
The time remaining is the amount of time left to place an absentee bid. Artfact Live allows users to place absentee bids up to two hours before the start of the auction. To place a bid less than two hours before the auction begins, users will need to bid live using the Artfact Live bidding console.
VI. Lots I Won
A. What is Winning Bid?
The winning bid is final hammer price for the selected lot. This amount does not include the buyer’s premium, shipping costs, the Artfact Live service fee or applicable taxes.
B. When will I receive my invoice?
Auction houses will generally send invoices within 24 to 48 hours of the last day of the sale. Artfact will notify users via email when invoices have been received. To view your invoice(s) sign in with your Username and Password and go to 'Lots I Won' on the Artfact Live page. Click on 'Total Invoice' next to the selected lot to view the invoice for that item.
C. What is included in my invoice?
Your invoice includes the final hammer price for the selected lot, the buyer's premium, the Artfact Live service fee, and any applicable taxes. Depending on the auction house your invoice may or may not include shipping and handling charges.
VII. Contacting Artfact and Auction Houses
A. How do I contact Artfact?
If you experience any difficulties using Artfact Live, please contact technical support during normal business hours (9:00 AM to 5:00 PM EST, M-F) at 617-219-1090 or by email at support@artfact.com.
B. How do I contact the auction house?    317-251-5635
To contact the auction house by email click on the white envelope icon next to the sale or lot you have a question about. Select the appropriate subject from the drop down menu, include your message and click ‘Send’.

If you would like to contact the auction house by phone, 317-251-5635. Please tell the auction house that your are referring to an upcoming auction catalog on Artfact, and make sure to have the date and lot number(s) available when calling to allow the auction house to answer your questions in a timely manner.

VIII. Bidder Console
A. How do I open the Artfact Live bidding console?
To open the bidder console, sign in with your Username and Password and go to ‘My Auctions’ on the Artfact Live page. Next, click ‘Bid Live Now!’ next to the selected auction.

Please note: The bidder console can only be opened by registered and approved bidders while the sale is in progress.
B. Why can’t I view the Artfact Live bidding console?
If you experience any technical problems with the Artfact Live bidding console follow the troubleshooting steps below:

Step 1: Verify your internet connection
Can you get to other websites? Try www.cnn.com
If you cannot connect to the internet contact your Internet Service Provider or your Network expert.

Step 2: Verify you are using the Minimum System Requirements listed below:
Internet Explorer 7 or higher
Firefox 3 or higher
Java JRE 1.6 or better.
DSL/Cable/FIOS, T1 or higher (dial up is NOT recommended)

Step 3: Verify you have the latest version of Java running on your computer
Close down Artfact Live and go to www.java.com to download and install Java (Free Download)

Step 4: Verify Java is ENABLED:
If you are using Internet Explorer, go to View or Tools (depending on your version)–>Internet Options–>Advanced and make sure that "Use JRE is 1.6"(or greater) is checked under the Java section.

If you are using Firefox, go to Tools > Options. Click on "Content". Make sure that "Enable Java" is selected.

Step 5: Clear your browser Cookies and Cache
In Internet Explorer, go to Tools->Internet Options->General and click the "Delete Files" button under the "Temporary Internet files" section. Click OK.

In Netscape Navigator, go to Edit->Preferences, click on the arrow or + next to Advanced->Cache and click the Clear Cache button on the right hand side of the page. Click OK.

In Firefox, go to Tools->Options->Privacy, and then select "Clear" next to History, Cookies, Cache. Click OK.

If you have verified steps 1 through 5 above – and still cannot load the Artfact Live bidding console – you may have a Firewall or Security Software conflict preventing the application from loading.

Step 6: Firewall & Security Software conflicts:
Disable your computer's individual Firewall and Security software
Open your virus protection and/or security software and disable the Firewall and/or security software for the duration of the auction.
C. Audio/Visual Requirements
General Information
*Use the corresponding play and pause buttons for viewing the video and listening to audio.

*Note: You must have sound support as well as speakers or headphones connected to your computer to hear the audio. If you do not hear the audio after pressing the play button, make sure that the sound is not muted or the volume set too low.

*If you are having trouble viewing the video or hearing the sound after checking these basic steps, see other details below.

Operating System
PC minimum system requirements:
*1.6 GHz
*512 MB

Optimal Connection Speed: DSL or better
Updated Windows System (XP SP2 or higher)

Supported Web Browsers

Microsoft Internet Explorer 7 or higher
Firefox 3 or higher

Update Java

Java runtime 1.6 (Java Version 6 Update 3) or higher is required.

The audio/video broadcast of live auction events are for entertainment purposes only.
 

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