If you have never bid in an online auction before, the process is simpler than it looks. You create an account once, then you may bid in every auction we run. Setup takes only a few minutes, and you can do all of it from your phone. Here is exactly how it works.
Step 1 — Create your free bidder account
Begin at our registration page: Register to bid. Creating an account is free, and there is no obligation to bid once you have one.
You will be asked for a few basic details so we can identify your bids and reach you if you win:
- Your name and a working email address
- A phone number — a mobile number is handy, since we may text about pickup
- A username and password you will use to sign in
At present you do not need to enter a credit card simply to register. Registration and bidding are separate from payment. Should the bidding platform ever change that requirement, you will be told clearly on the sign-up form before any card details are requested — we will never assume your consent.
Step 2 — Find the current auctions
Once your account exists, head to our current auctions. There you will see whatever sales are open at the moment, each with a closing date and time. New inventory is added regularly, so it is worth checking back.
Open an auction to browse the lots. Every lot has photographs, a written description, and its condition noted as plainly as we can manage. Read the description carefully — it tells you what is actually included and any flaws we have found. If a detail matters to you and isn’t there, you are welcome to ask through the contact page before you bid.
Step 3 — Place a bid, or set a max bid
When you find something you want, you have two ways to bid:
- A single bid places the next increment on the lot right now. Quick, and fine if you intend to watch the lot as it closes.
- A maximum bid lets you enter the most you are willing to pay. The system then bids on your behalf, one increment at a time, only as high as it needs to keep you in front — never above your maximum. If no one outbids you, you pay less than your ceiling. This is the gentler way to bid, and the one we suggest for most people.
Either way, set your number with a clear head and hold to it. A maximum bid is a promise to yourself as much as to us.
A word on bidding etiquette
A few simple courtesies keep the room fair for everyone:
- Bid only what you are prepared to pay and collect. A winning bid is a commitment, not a maybe.
- Know the closing time. Many lots have a soft close, meaning a late bid can extend the clock a little — so watch the final minutes if a lot matters to you.
- Plan your pickup before you bid. We are pickup-based in Buda; there is no shipping by default.
Step 4 — Be ready for pickup
If you win, you collect your items at our location: 3225 FM 2001, Suites 603 and 604, Satterwhite South, Buda, TX 78610-3784. Our hours are Monday through Friday 11AM–6PM and Saturday 2PM–6PM; we are closed Sundays.
Standard pickup is within 3 business days of the auction close. Pennyworth Plus members have up to 7 business days. Sundays don’t count toward either window. Bring something to carry your goods, and an extra hand for anything heavy.
Need a hand?
If any step gives you trouble, call or text us at (737) 500-2225, or send a note through the contact page. We are glad to walk you through your first bid. For more guides like this one, see the blog.
A first bid is only ever a small step, sir — set your maximum, sit back, and let the ledger do the watching for you. — Archer, Keeper of the Ledger