Frequently Asked Questions

How do I bid? How do I register?
In order to bid at auction, you must first register. It does not cost anything to register for the auction, all that is required for a first time registration is a major credit card number. This is only recorded on your bidder card [not on a computer] for the first time you register with Levis. This is to ensure that you the client does not bid recklessly without sincere intention of purchasing any piece of interest. Also, your name goes into a confidential database and you will receive complimentary mail outs for future auctions. We also offer e-mail notification if you are interested.

Why won't my bidder # work for the Online Auction?
The rules that apply in terms of bidder and paddle numbers with Levis is as follows. All live auction bidder numbers are 3 digits long and change for each live auction. You must register for this bidder number for each and every live auction. All online bidder/paddle numbers are 4 digits long and remain the same for each online auction. You can go to the online website to register for your online paddle number. You may already have one if you have bid on the online auctions before. If you are unsure of this paddle number please feel free to phone or email us for a prompt response with your current paddle number.

How does the silent auction procedure work? AKA "the Fourth Session"
This is also known as the final/last/fourth session of lots to be auctioned off. Though the initial set-up is similar to a silent auction, this is NOT a silent auction - the pieces WILL be auctioned live in lot # order along with the rest of the auction. This final session is hung with silent auction papers beside each piece. The papers display the minimum values or reserve for each piece. You may choose to bid at any time on these sheets with your bidder number. On the day of the live auction, when the first three sessions have been auctioned, the silent auction bid papers will then accompany the art pieces up to the easel and the auctioneer begins the bidding at the last bid on the sheet. Therefore you can leave your bid on the sheet and try your luck that way, or if you want to ensure you come away with the piece then you must stay to bid again if there is more interest when it goes live. This is meant to speed up the auction - this final and last session will go about twice as fast as the regular live auction.

Where can I find the dimensions of a piece of artwork?
Sizes of each piece are listed in the description of the picture in the catalogue under the name and medium. The sizes are listed in inches as well as centimetres and in the format of height by width by depth. These dimensions do not include the frame.

What time does the auction start?
The auction begins at 1pm. The initial start time is definite, while the rest of the times are approximations ie. 1st Session, 2nd Session begins approx...etc. . This is due to the fact that the auction may begin quickly and may continue at this pace or slow down due to multiple bids on various lots. The auction ends when all lots have either been sold or passed.

What are reserve bids? How do I know what the reserve is set at for any particular piece of art?
The reserve (or minimum price) is agreed upon by the owner of the art (the consignor) and the auction house prior to the catalogue going to press. Reserves are completely confidential. The recommendation LEVIS makes to consignors is to keep the reserve at 60-70% of the low end of the estimate. Reserve bids are the lowest price the consignor will accept for their art. NOTHING will sell under this price. Estimates are published with each piece of art in the catalogue ie. $1,000 - $1,200. With $1,000 being ‘the low end of the estimate’and $1,200 being 'the high end of the estimate'. For this example one could consider that the reserve is somewhere around $600/700. Remember that the last session of our auction (as mentioned above) is different from the rest of the live auction where the silent bid-sheets that are hung next to each lot have the reserve on them recorded as the first bid entry. Again, these pieces will not be sold under this number, and lower bids will not be accepted as a true bid.

What are absentee bids?
Absentee bids are a service that we offer to our clients who are unable, or choose not to attend the auction. You provide us with the maximum hammer price you would like to purchase a piece of art for. This does not mean that your absentee bid (your maximum price) is what we open the bidding at for a particular lot. What happens is the lowest possible bid is taken initially and the person or persons in charge of the absentee bids will bid on behalf of you if other interest is present. If no other interest is present and your absentee bid meets the undisclosed reserve, Levis will then sell that lot to your absentee bid for the reserve price. If other interest is present, the absentee bidder will only bid until your absentee bid is reached. There is a plus one bid option. This means that if another client is accepted for the bid that was your top price (your absentee bid), the absentee bidder will bid one more time for the next increment only. There are many ways of getting these absentee bids to us. Contact us for more information.

What are the general bidding increments at your auction?
Basic bidding increments are as follows:
$50-$100 ......................... $5
$100-$250 ....................... $10
$250-$500 ....................... $25
$500-$1,000 .................... $50
$1,000-$2,500 ................. $100
$2,500-$5,000 ................. $250
$5,000-$10,000 ............... $500
$10,000-$25,000 ............. $1,000
$25,000-$50,000 ............. $2,500
$50,000-$100,000 ........... $5,000
$100,000-$500,000 ......... $25,000
$500,000-$1,000,000 ...... $50,000

What if there are 2 absentee bids for the same amount on the same lot?
In the event that this should take place, the first absentee bidder that left the absentee bid will maintain that bid.

Can I do a telephone bid?
We offer the service for telephone bidding to our clients locally and internationally. Please provide us with the relevant information and be prepared as with all bidders to provide a credit card number. Under certain circumstances more identification may be required.

How do I get a subscription to receive catalogues for upcoming auctions?
You may purchase a catalogue subscription for one year which consists of two catalogues and prices realized, or two years which consists of four catalogues and prices realized for each auction. We can sign you up at the registration desk.

What are prices realized?
Prices realized is a list of what each lot or piece of art sold for at the auction. Match your prices realized and your catalogue, and you have yourself a complete auction from start to finish. The prices include the 17% buyer’s premium and is posted on our website www.levisauctions.com the day following each auction. Prices realized are also mailed out to clients who have a subscription for the Levis catalogues.

If you have any other questions please contact Doug Levis or Cheryl Sonley at the office.

LEVIS Fine Art Auctions & Appraisals & Art Storage
[A Division of Artbank Incorporated]
1739 10 Avenue SW
Calgary, Alberta, Canada T3C 0K1
Tel: 403-541-9099
Fax: 403-541-9097
E-mail: mail@levisauctions.com
WEB: www.levisauctions.com
Online: www.levisonlineauctions.com