Before you can bid on an item, you must register for the sale.
There are four easy ways to bid at McTear's
In Person
After you've registered (you may be asked for your driving license or passport) and collected your paddle number you are free to bid in the auction room. You only need register once for a paddle number and this number may be used at every McTear's auction. The auctioneer will announce bids and if you are interested in buying the item (or 'lot) raise your paddle and continue bidding until you wish to stop, or if everyone else stops bidding the auctioneer will bring down the gavel and you are the 'winner' of the lot.
By Commission Bid
If you are unable to attend an auction you can instruct McTear's to bid on your behalf. You can submit your bids to us by filling in the form in the auction room, or by submitting your bids via our online bidding facility. To submit bids via this website, register here. You can then use the ‘my bidding form' facility to gather lots to bid on by selecting each lot you desire on the auction catalogue. Once you have gathered all lots you desire on the online form, simply insert your maximum bid amount and we will take care of the rest! To find out if you were the successful purchaser of the lots you left bids on call our Accounts Office on 0141 810 2880, or check the results online following the auction. You will receive an invoice by post or email shortly after the auction.
By Telephone
If you prefer to bid by telephone, we will call you during the auction and bid on your behalf to your instructions. To arrange telephone bids,
register here, then use the ‘my bidding form' facility to gather lots to bid on by selecting each lot you desire on the auction catalogue. Once you have gathered all lots you desire on the online form, simply check the telephone bid option in place of writing an amount and we will be in touch during the auction!
McTear's Live! Auctions
Real-time video and audio brings the excitement of the auction right to your desktop so you can bid from the comfort of your home or from anywhere in the world. To bid in this way you must
register with McTear’s Live! Auctions by 5pm on the day prior to the auction.
Tips on Bidding
Most importantly, view the auction. If you are unable to make it to the auction rooms request a condition report as not all lots are free from imperfection. Speak to our specialists in charge of the auction for any advice they may have on lots in the auction.
Decide how much you are going to bid and try to stick to that amount, at least don't get too carried away!