How do I Bid?

Items are auctioned live on-air. Auctioneers will open a gallery by presenting the items in that gallery, open another gallery, then return to review the first gallery before selling it. You can call 401-854-3636 or toll-free at 1-800-639-0036 to bid on items any time while the gallery is open. The highest bid taken at the phone bank before the gallery is closed will be declared the high bidder.

Major items valued at over $500 are presented several times throughout the evening before being sold, allowing more time during the night to bid. Special items valued at over $1000 are presented over one or more evenings before being sold. Bids are accepted for Majors and Specials at any time during the auction until that item is sold. (See below for details on Specials & Majors including live bid-offs.)

Item number, description and gallery identify auction items. If you wish to bid, please call 854-3636 or our toll-free number 1-800-639-0036. Please have item information, your name, address and telephone number or your Express Bid number ready. While we try to have the highest current bids on the boards at all times, the boards may not have the latest high bid information. It is best to bid as high as you are willing to pay.

How do I know if I am the high bidder?

Names of high bidders are not announced on-air. If you are a high bidder you will receive a confirmation call or message that night or the next day. Please be available to receive this call. Items that remain unconfirmed will automatically be offered to the next highest bidder.

Please note: To help us confirm that you are the high bidder, please give an accurate evening and daytime phone number to the phone operator so that we can reach you as quickly and easily as possible.

Can I place a Pre-Bid?

Pre-bids are accepted on our web site for Majors & Specials only until the start of the auction. All bids must be in whole dollar amounts, accompanied by your name, address and contact phone number. The highest pre-bids for each item are confirmed by phone before the auction. To see what is up for bid, click here.

Please note: Pre-bids are accepted until the close of the business day on November 1, 2005.

What is an Express Bid #?

Express Bid Numbers help you bid faster. To obtain an Express Bid Number click here and fill out our quick and easy Express bid form. We'll assign and email an express bid number to you. It's that easy!

What are Majors and Specials?

Major items are valued at $500 or more and presented multiple times throughout one evening. Special items are valued at $1000 or more, and are previewed several evenings before being sold. Bids are accepted for Majors and Specials at any time during the auction before that item is sold. Please view Majors and Specials and place a pre-bid by clicking here.

If you wish to engage in a live, competitive bid for Majors and Specials, stay alert during coverage of the item (which occurs a number of times) and when the bidding closes for the item. When we sell a major or special, the five highest bidders are offered a chance to participate in what we call a "live bid-off". During a live bid-off each bidder is represented by a volunteer over the phone who acts as their agent in a "live" auction until the item is sold. If you are particularly interested in an item, bid high enough to secure a place in the live bid-off.

Please note: All winning bids for Major and Special items must be confirmed by a credit card payment immediately following the live bid-off procedure. There are no exceptions. The credit card will be charged that night and the charges cannot be reversed.

How can I pay for my item?

Items can be paid for by cash, check, MasterCard, Visa, Discover, or American Express. Check payments of $500 or more must be made with a cashier's check.

Will I be charged sales tax?

The state of Rhode Island requires us to apply the same 7% state sales tax on our merchandise as other auction houses and retailers must charge. Please remember that the state tax will be added to your high bid when you pick up and pay for your item. Most gift certificates for services are sold with no RI State tax applied, however, they may carry specific tax requirements upon redemption. Please check your gift certificate to be sure of any taxes that may apply.

When can I pick-up my item?

Confirmed high bidders must pick up and pay for their items during the scheduled pick up and pay hours. Accommodations cannot be made outside of these scheduled hours. Rhode Island PBS reserves the right to reallocate or dispose of items if the confirmed high bidder does not pick up and pay for their items within the agreed upon period of time. All items are sold as-is and all sales are final.

Thank You!

Rhode Island PBS wishes to thank the volunteers, donors, underwriters and bidders whose continued support and dedication makes our auctions such a wonderful success!