What happens in an auction when...

Discussion in 'Off Topic [BG]' started by beaglesandbass, Jan 12, 2009.

  1. beaglesandbass

    beaglesandbass Think first, then post? Staff Member Gold Supporting Member Supporting Member

    Aug 14, 2001
    Philly Suburbs
    Not an electronic auction, but at a real auction, what happens when someone wins but doesn't pay or is unable to?
     
  2. Linas

    Linas

    Jan 6, 2005
    Chicago
    Ive often wondered the same thing. Good question.
     
  3. beaglesandbass

    beaglesandbass Think first, then post? Staff Member Gold Supporting Member Supporting Member

    Aug 14, 2001
    Philly Suburbs
    The question stemmed from an episode of Family Guy, lol.
     
  4. Depending on the auction it's usually played by ear. It can be held as a verbal contract or they can go to the next highest bidder if they are still around or they can put it back up on the chopping block if things are still going up. It depends.
     
  5. tplyons

    tplyons

    Apr 6, 2003
    Madison, NJ
    I believed you get kicked in the undercarriage.
     
  6. bongomania

    bongomania Supporting Member Commercial User

    Oct 17, 2005
    PDX, OR
    owner, OVNIFX and OVNILabs
    Depends on the auction house. If it's "Ye Olde Barn Auction" then they'll grumble and then probably put the item back in the queue for the next auction. If it's a more serious pro auction house then they may hold you to the verbal contract- you may even be asked to sign an agreement when registering for the auction.
     
  7. Yeah, I think legal action can come after that.
     
  8. i would imagine that the item will go to the next highest bidder or back to the auction block. the bidder could suffer some kind of consequences other than not being able to claim the item that they "won"
     
  9. MadMan118

    MadMan118 Guest

    Jan 10, 2008
    Vallejo, CA
    By placing a bid you are entered into a finical contract to pay up to but not exceeding the amount of your bid. Often times one must sign a contract/waiver to partake in bidding of higher tier items(ie. art, really old stuff, cars, houses). You may also be charged a fee.
     
  10. Marlat

    Marlat

    Sep 17, 2002
    London UK
    +1

    It depends a lot on the auction, but for things like land, acceptance of your bid formalises the contract IIRC and therefore you can be sued for breach of contract. Again, IIRC, in land auctions you often have to pay the deposit by the end of the day of the auction. If you don't you'd likely be sued for the costs of holding another auction and possibly for more if the next auction didn't reach a figure as higher as the bid just under yours.
     
  11. GeneralElectric

    GeneralElectric

    Dec 26, 2007
    NY, NY
    They shoot you in the knee caps.
     
  12. peabody

    peabody Supporting Member

    Oct 31, 2002
    La Crosse, WI
    Can't you use the, "I didn't mean to bid...I was just scratching my armpit" defense?
     
  13. Baryonyx

    Baryonyx Inactive

    Jul 11, 2005
    Marathon Man
    Is it the one where Peter buys the vase for $100 Million? I watched that one this morning!
     
  14. MadMan118

    MadMan118 Guest

    Jan 10, 2008
    Vallejo, CA
    Better said Mark, I'm an accountant, not an law school graduate.
     
  15. santucci218

    santucci218 Guest

    Jan 26, 2007
    Pittsburgh
    im pretty sure they step on your junk
     
  16. T-Bird

    T-Bird Guest

    Hi.

    Generally people don't do that. At least not twice.

    To avoid getting banned there's the option to convince the second bidder to buy the lot/item/whatever and pay up the balance. No way any auctioneer will let the item slip for a reduced price just because someone refuses to pay.

    There's a certain rules about auctions, some written and some unwritten and:" Don't bid unless You can pay" is on them both.

    Regards
    Sam
     
  17. beaglesandbass

    beaglesandbass Think first, then post? Staff Member Gold Supporting Member Supporting Member

    Aug 14, 2001
    Philly Suburbs
    Yup, was on last night too.
     
  18. Baryonyx

    Baryonyx Inactive

    Jul 11, 2005
    Marathon Man
    Now thats good television.
     
  19. It involves sticks, mushrooms, a purple baseball and your 15 minutes of fame.

    lowsound