WHAT IS AN AUCTION?
An auction is a system of buying and selling goods or services by offering them for bidding, allowing people to bid, and selling to the highest bidder. The bidders compete against each other, with each subsequent bid being higher than the previous bid. Once an item is placed for sale, the auctioneer will start at a relatively low price, so as to attract a large number of bidders. The price increases each time someone makes a new, higher bid until finally, no other bidders are willing to offer more than the most recent bid, and the highest bidder takes the item. An auction is considered complete when the vendor accepts the highest bid offered and the buyer pays for the goods or services and takes possession of them.
AUCTION
Although auctions are often considered synonymous with the sale of antiques, rare collectibles, and paintings, they are also used in investment banking. Investment bankers use auctions to attract the highest possible price when selling a company. The process starts by inviting multiple buyers to the auction. More prospective buyers usually translate to competitive bidding that pushes the price higher, enabling the bank to maximize its profit from the sale. In contrast, most buyers prefer proprietary sales over an auction because they can usually exercise more control over the purchase price.
THE AUCTION PROCESS
Before the start of an auction, potential buyers are usually allowed a preview period to check the items on sale and examine their condition. The preview period may be announced as being on the evening before the day of the auction or a few hours before it starts. Once potential buyers are done viewing all the items and are interested in placing their bids, they must register with the auctioneer.
The registration process requires buyer’s details like phone number, address, and identification such as a passport or driver’s license number. Each registered bidder is given a bidder card with a number that is used to identify all participants.
The sound of a bell traditionally marks the beginning of an auction. The auctioneer gives a brief description of the item for sale and starts the bidding with a price that he/she considers a reasonable opening price. Alternatively, the seller may have set a minimum bid price that they will accept, and the bidding starts there.
The bidders then call out their bids, with each bid being higher than the subsequent bid. The bidders lift up their bidder card to announce their bid price so that the auctioneer can identify who is making the bid. The auction ends when there are no more bids, and the buyer making the highest bid gets the item. The highest bidder takes ownership of the item immediately after paying their bid price.