How to Bid -

Bidding Options

Decide on the amount you would like to bid for the lot of interest. Use the Bidding Increment Chart to determine your maximum bid. Bids not on the increments will be rounded to the next increment.

Leave an absentee bid

Complete the absentee bid form provided and either fax to 412-344-5273 or mail your bids to Old Toy Solider Auctions, P.O. Box 13323, Pittsburgh PA 15243. You can also place your bids by phone – simply call and we will complete your bid form over the phone 412-343-8733. Email your bids to [email protected]

Bid Online

Leave an absentee bid online – register and leave a bid. Bid live online. Register and then bid live on the day of the sale. You must register to bid online any time up to 24 hours prior to the sale.

Frequently Asked Questions

If I bid $50, does the item open at $50?

No, the item opens at a bid increment over the next highest bid. If you bid $50 and the next highest bid is $30 your bid will open the lot at $35.

Why did I not win the lot that sold for $50 when my bid was $50?

There are two possibilities: The bids are executed in the order they are received. Many people bid the high estimate, if we have multiple bids at $50, the winner the the person whose $50 bid was received first. Or your bid was “wrong footed” meaning that your bid was an increment off. If you leave a bid of $50 and the lot opens at $30 to someone else, you then bid $35, another bidder bids $40 you then bid $45 and unfortunately someone comes in on your bid of $50 the item sells to them. It is impossible to predict or plan your initial bid. You may give us a “+1”, or “+2” or even a “+3” bid which allows us to bid 1, 2, or 3 increments over your high bid. However, we cannot accept a “Buy” bid, you must provide us with a number.

Why did my bid of $53 not win the last lot?

Your bid was rounded to the nearest lower increment . Your bid of $53 was executed as a $50 bid. Please use the chart to help set your bids.

How much should I bid?

We provide estimates for each lot based on our experience. We tend to be conservative with our estimates. Generally a bid within the estimate has a 50% chance of winning the lot. A bid of the low estimate has a 30% chance of winning the lot and a bid of the high estimate a 70% chance of securing the lot for the bidder. It is not uncommon for an item to go several times the high estimate if there are two or more parties with serious interest.