How Do Online Auctions Work?
Cottone Auctions offers a number of ways for our guests to participate in the auction process.
Please review the options below to learn about our in-person bidding process and how our online auctions work. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.
Bid From Anywhere
In-person bidding is limited and requires pre-approval, so register for online bidding instead! Cottone's LIVE digital platform lets you bid on antiques & more from your computer or mobile device - it’s easy, accessible, and available today.
Go to live.cottoneauctions.com >Download our free app!
Live Online
Bid securely from anywhere
Learn more >
Absentee Online
Through your Cottone Auctions account
Learn more >
Live by Phone
Set up live phone bidding
Learn more >
Absentee Bid Form
Secure online bid form
Learn more >
Live Online
Our Cottone Live digital platform lets you bid on antiques in real-time from your computer or mobile device. Visit live.cottoneauctions.com or download our mobile app.
Benefits:
- Participate live even if you can’t physically attend the auction
- Follow the auction in real-time
- Bid live at your discretion, from the comfort of your home
Please Note:
You will need to create a NEW Cottone Live account separate from your existing account on cottoneauctions.com.
How to do it on the website:
- Visit live.cottoneauctions.com
- Click the red “Register to Bid” button
- Click the “Not a member? Sign up now” link
- Complete the requested information and click “Register”
- Add a credit card to your bidder profile in order to place bids
How to do it via mobile app:
- Download the app from the App Store or Google Play
- Open the menu and tap “Login”
- Tap the “New? Create an Account” link
- Complete the requested information and click “Register”
- Add a credit card to your bidder profile in order to place bids
Please Note:
Cottone Auctions usually auctions items at approximately 80 lots per hour. On some occasions, your local Internet connection may not be able to keep up with the pace of the auction. We recommend placing a realistic absentee bid as insurance to avoid disappointment.
Live by Phone
Request a line for phone bidding in advance. Your agent will call you shortly before your desired lots come up for bid on antiques & more, and help you stay in the competition throughout the bidding.
Please be sure you’re available to answer the phone at the number you provide throughout the duration of the auction. Our agent will act as a liaison between you and the auctioneer, bidding for you in real-time as if you were in the room.
Benefits:
- Participate live even if you can’t physically attend the auction
- Bid as competitively as you would if you were on the floor
- No need to decide or reveal your maximum bid in advance
How to do it:
Using our online Phone Bidding Request:
- Click here to access the online form
- Complete the bidder and billing information
- Search by keyword or lot # to find the items you wish to bid on
- Once all lots are entered, click “Submit Phone Bid Request”
- We’ll enter your information into our system and send you an email confirmation
- On the day of the auction, we’ll call you shortly before your items come up for bid
Using our Phone Bidding Request PDF:
- Download the PDF document
Need Adobe Reader? Get it for free here - Complete all bidder information per the instructions on the form
- Enter the lot # and description of the items you wish to bid on
- Submit your bids in one of three ways:
- Email the PDF to [email protected]
- Call us at (585) 243-1000
- Fax the PDF to (585) 243-6290
- We’ll enter your information into our system and send you an email confirmation
- On the day of the auction, we’ll call you shortly before your items come up for bid
Absentee Online
An absentee bid, sometimes called a proxy bid or an order bid, allows you to bid in advance at the maximum amount you’re willing to pay for an item (exclusive of buyer’s premium and applicable tax). During the auction, a Cottone agent will bid live on your behalf up to that amount, making every effort to secure the lot at the most competitive price.
Benefits:
- Participate in the auction even if you are unavailable on the day of sale
- Place bids in advance of the auction and set maximum amounts per lot
- Let our agents work to secure your lot(s) at the most competitive price(s)
How to do it:
Through your Cottone Auctions account:
- Log in to your account or create a new one by clicking "Account" above
- View the upcoming auction
- Click the "Place Bid" button on the page(s) of your desired item(s)
- Enter your maximum bid amount (exclusive of buyer’s premium) and indicate if you’re willing to go "+1" to break a tie
- Click "Submit Bid"
- We record your bids in our system and send you an email confirmation
Please Note:
Your account profile must have a valid credit card on file; if it doesn’t you’ll be prompted to enter it before proceeding with your bid.
Absentee Bid Form
How to do it:
Using our online Absentee Bid form:
- Click here to access our online form (you may be prompted to complete or update your billing information to proceed.)
- Search by keyword or lot # to find your desired items
- Enter your maximum bid amount (exclusive of buyer’s premium) and indicate if you’re willing to go “+1” to break a tie
- Once all absentee bids are entered, click “Submit”
- Your information is delivered to our agents, who record them in our system and send you an email confirmation
Using our Absentee Bidding PDF:
- Download the bid form PDF
* Need Adobe Reader? Get it for free here - Complete all information per the instructions on the form
- Submit your bids in one of three ways:
- By emailing the PDF to [email protected]
- By calling us at (585) 243-1000
- By faxing the PDF to (585) 243-6290
- We’ll confirm receipt and record your information in our system
Please Note:
Our live bidding digital platform also accepts absentee bids up to one day prior to the beginning of the auction. You will need a separate Cottone Live account to use the digital platform. See “Live Online” above for more details.
Bid In Person
Live From the Bidding Floor
120 Court Street, Geneseo, NY 14454
Get the authentic auction experience by joining us live from the floor. Our live auctions are free and open to the public, whether you're an active bidder or inquisitive spectator. Please note that in-person bidding is not available at auctions designated as "online only."
COVID-19 Update:
In-person bidding is currently by invitation only. Unless you have been expressly invited to attend, please plan on joining the bid online or by phone.
