Discover the advantages of buying at Doyle! We invite you to browse our online catalogues and gallery exhibitions and learn more about bidding in our upcoming auctions. Learn more about our current policies and capabilities below.
Online Catalogues
Doyle's fully illustrated online catalogues allow collectors around the world to conveniently view the property being offered at Doyle and participate at the auction. These free catalogues provide full lot descriptions, thumbnail illustrations, estimates and interactive tools, including direct communication with our specialists, the ability to leave absentee bids and bid in real time, and the ability to track lots in which you have an interest.
Gallery Exhibition
The public is invited to view presale exhibitions for certain auctions in our New York gallery. These exhibitions are free of charge and presented with safety in mind. Please check individual auction web pages for the most up-to-date exhibition schedule. Property can also be viewed by appointment outside of the exhibition hours on other days and evenings. We ask that all visitors to our gallery follow health and safety protocols in compliance with CDC guidelines.
Bidders are encouraged to discuss the property with our staff in advance of the auction. Because all property is sold "as is," it is important to request a Condition Report. Condition Reports are subject to our Conditions of Sale. They are supplied free of charge by our specialists and may be requested through our Client Services Department.
Absentee Bidding
Absentee Bids, also known as left bids or order bids, work exactly as if the bidder were in the salesroom bidding up to a predetermined price limit, except that the price limit is confidentially given to Doyle. Our auctioneer will bid on your behalf alternately against other bidders until the bidding ends. In the event that the other bidders drop out before reaching the full amount of your left bid, you will purchase the lot at the next increment.
WHAT IS +1?
You may authorize us to increase your bid by one increment by checking the plus one (+1) box beside your maximum bid. This allows us to bid once more in the event a competing bidder lands on your exact bid.
Two Ways to Submit Absentee Bids
Buyers may conveniently place absentee bids through our online catalogues. Internet absentee bids may be submitted until 8am (EST) on the morning of the sale. First time Internet bidders must register prior to bidding (click the SIGN IN button at the top right, then click the REGISTER NOW button). This process can take up to 24 hours.
Doyle offers the option of leaving Absentee Bids with our Client Services department during our exhibition or by fax at 212-369-0892. The completed and signed bid forms must be received by Doyle no later than 5pm (EST) on the evening before the auction. These bids are executed at the auction in the same fashion as an absentee bid (see above).
Live Online Bidding: BidLive!
BidLive! with your computer or mobile device! Bidders from around the world now can experience the excitement of bidding live at Doyle. Simply sign in at Doyle.com, then register to bid live in real time in an upcoming sale. It couldn't be easier or more convenient. For step-by-step instructions with visual aids, click here.
Doyle does not guarantee that live Internet bidding will be uninterrupted or without error, or that Internet bids will be received.
Telephone Bidding
Clients unable to attend the sale may still participate live at the auction by bidding on the telephone with a trained staff member. Please note that telephone bidding is typically reserved for those lots with a minimum estimate of at least $2,000. The completed and signed bid forms must be received by Doyle no later than 4pm (EST) on the evening before the auction. Telephone bids cannot be arranged on the day of the sale.
Doyle does not guarantee that remote phone bidding will be uninterrupted or without error. Overseas bidders and clients bidding from a cell phone are encouraged to leave a safety bid which will function as an absentee bid should the call fail.
Timed Auctions
For instructions on how to participate in our Timed Auctions, click here.
How to BidLive! on Doyle.com
Experience the excitement of bidding live at auction from anywhere in the world with our online bidding platform, BidLive! Use your computer or mobile device to place bids in real time as the auction progresses.
All purchases regardless of bidding method are subject to the Buyer's Premium and appropriate Sales Tax. Doyle does not guarantee that live Internet bidding will be uninterrupted or without error, or that Internet bids will be received.
- Go to Doyle.com
- Click the red BidLive! link at top right, or Click Here
You will see a list of upcoming BidLive! auctions
- Click the Login to Register button next to the auction you want to bid in
- Sign in with your email and password (or create a password if you don’t already have one).
You will return to the list of upcoming BidLive! auctions
- Click the Register to Bid button next to the auction you want to bid in
PLEASE NOTE: If the Register to Bid button does not appear, it means you have already successfully registered for that auction
- Click the circle to Agree to the Terms & Conditions
- Click the Confirm button
You will see the Confirmation page for your registration
- If the auction is live: Click the Go to Bidding Console button
- If the auction is not yet live: Come back to Doyle.com on the day of the auction.
To access the bidding console, click the red BidLive! link at top right.
Click “Login to Register”
Login with your email and password.
Click “Watch Now” to open the bidding console.
For a PDF of these step-by-step instructions with visual aids, click here.
System Requirements
Mac OS 10.10 or later / Windows 7 or later
Google Chrome Version 72 or later (current version is recommended)
FireFox Version 65 or later
Microsoft Edge (current version is recommended)
Safari Version12.0 or later
Internet Explorer may work for watching, not recommended for bidding
Congratulations on your successful bidding! The next step is to pay for and pick up your purchases or arrange for shipping.
Methods of Payment
Accepted forms of payment include cash (up to $2,500) or check made payable in US dollars drawn on a US bank, unless other arrangements are made with Purchaser Accounts. Invoices greater than $5,000 require payment by certified check, bank check or wire transfer. Credit cards are accepted for payment of auction purchases in our New York sales, with a 3.5% additional processing fee. Currently we do not accept credit cards for purchases in our Boston auctions. Doyle reserves the right to hold merchandise purchased by personal check until the check has cleared the bank.
Buyer's Premium
The invoice will include the successful hammer price of the item and the buyer's premium. The buyer’s premium will be of 26% on the first $600,000 of the hammer price of each lot, 21% on the portion of the hammer price from $600,001 through $4,000,000, and 15% on that portion of the hammer price exceeding $4,000,000. Applicable sales tax will also be added to the final total. All sales are final and subject to the Conditions of Sale.
Conditions of Sale
Pickups
Auction purchases should be paid for and picked up at Doyle within 48 hours of the auction. Items left beyond 48 hours may be subject to a storage fee. Pickups are available by appointment on Monday through Friday from 9am until 4:30pm. To schedule an appointment, please click here or call Client Services at 212-427-2730 for assistance. Items left beyond 48 hours may be subject to a storage fee.
Please note: should sold property remain on our premises for more than 31 days following a sale, it will be transferred to an independent warehouse on behalf of the buyer and at the buyer’s expense.
Shipping
Shipping is the responsibility of the buyer. Upon request, our Client Services Department will provide a list of shippers who deliver to destinations within the United States and overseas.
Doyle is pleased to offer Trade Services, an exclusive shopping experience for creative-minded industry leaders, influencers, decorators, advisors and curators in the Art and Design fields. You will find prominent estates and distinguished collections showcasing a wide range of exceptional furnishings, design and art for any project. Doyle holds the key to unique, one-of-a-kind property for your clients!
Benefits for the Trade
- Exclusive Concierge assistance for buying and consigning property with Doyle
- Private preview days for you and your clients
- One-on-one tutorials on how to buy at auction
- Convenient access to Doyle Specialists
- Marketing opportunities
At your service
Please contact us for further information, private appointments or auction tutorials.
FAQ - Buyers
I won the bid, but now I'm not sure I like the item. Can I cancel the sale?
We encourage everyone to bid wisely and responsibly. At the moment the auctioneer says "sold" at the end of the bidding on each lot, the title transfers to the new owner. The sale is final, and there are no returns.
I didn't notice a crack, scratch, or flaw. Can anything be done?
The majority of property offered at Doyle comes directly from estates and private collections, and may show signs of use and age. All property is offered in "as is" condition, and prices are not reduced due to pre-existing flaws. We encourage you to thoroughly inspect the property and request a Condition Report prior to bidding. Condition Reports are subject to our Conditions of Sale. They are supplied free of charge by our specialists and may be requested through our Client Services Department at 212-427-2730.
I would like to find a professional who can repair or refurbish the item I am buying. Can you refer someone?
Our Client Services Department maintains a list of professionals who provide a wide variety of repair services for furniture, paintings, jewelry, glass, porcelain, silver, rugs and many other categories.